Camps at Ndakinna Education Center
23 Middle Grove Road, Greenfield Center, NY (518) 583-9958 www.ndakinnacenter.org
Ndakinna (pronounced en-dak-enna) is Abenaki for "Our Land"
The Ndakinna Education Center is an affiliate of the Greenfield Review Literary Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and charitable organization located in Greenfield Center, New York.
Along with being staffed by expert wilderness staff, Ndakinna camps host to a variety of special guests, including some of the best Native American storytellers and folk artists in the Northeast . Most camps take place at the Marion F. Bruchac Memorial Nature Preserve in Greenfield Center, NY, with plenty of forest to explore as well as a full-scale Native American wigwam.
Through a variety of activities, participants gain a greater respect and understanding for the natural world as well as the rich Native American history of the Northeast.
Our 3-5 day camps cover each skill and activity in greater detail. Most camps are limited to 20-30 participants each, and camps are divided by age. We welcome children from ages 5.5-16 for our summer camps. 5% discount for more than one family member per session.
CAMP OFFERINGS:
Asban Wilderness Adventure Day Camp (Ages 5-7): Three days of outdoor fun including wilderness skills, animal tracking, Native American games, storytelling and daily visits to our adventure challenge course. Taking place at the Ndakinna Education Center with miles of nature trails, Native American wigwams, and other educational exhibits. In case of bad weather programming will take place inside our Education center with 3,200 square feet of teaching space. Bring a bag lunch and dress for the outdoors.
Three sessions:
July 17 - July 19 9am to 4pm
July 31- August 2 9am to 4pm
August 14-August 16. 9am to 4pm
Nolka Wilderness Adventure Day Camp (Ages 8-9):
Four days of wilderness skills, Native American games, group challenges, Animal Tracking, nature awareness, hiking, Native stories and daily visits to our adventure challenge course. In case of bad weather programming will take place inside our Education center. Session 2, and 3 include a wealth of new skills, stories, and activities.
Three sessions:
July 17- 20 9am to 4pm
July 31- August 3 9am to 4pm
August 14-17 9am to 4pm
Awasos Wilderness Adventure Day Camp (Ages 10-12):
A full week of wilderness skills, Native American games, group challenges, Animal Tracking, nature awareness, hiking, Native stories and daily visits to our adventure challenge course. Also included is a full-day of flatwater kayaking. The camp will also feature special off site field trips throughout all sessions. In case of bad weather programming will take place inside our Education center. Session 2, and 3 include a wealth of new skills, stories, and activities.
Three sessions:
July 17- 21 9am to 4pm
July 31 - August 4 9am to 4pm
August 14-18 9am to 4pm
Nadawaha Wilderness Survival Day Camp (Ages 10-14) 2023 (Spruce Mountain):
Become a Nadawaha; the Abenaki word for woodland scout. Led by author, storyteller and wilderness survival expert James Bruchac, participants ages 10-14 will learn a host of ancient and modern survival skills. All taking place at a newly renovated private camp on the side of Spruce Mountain. Participants will focus on primitive shelter making, navigation, basic wild edibles, camp craft, fire by friction, and nature awareness. While similar skills are touched on in our famed Awasos Adventure Day Camps, this four day camp is an hour longer each day and moves at a quicker pace to cover more advanced material. Situated on the boarder of the Adirondack park participants will also take part in daily hikes along mountain streams, into the surrounding park lands, and to the nearby historic fire tower. All this along with a beautiful new setting complete with such amenities as multiple cabins, outdoor pavilion, running water, and bathroom facilities.Bring a bag lunch and dress for outdoor adventure. Prior Ndakinna camp experience suggested.
August 21-24 9am to 5pm
Adirondack Pathfinders Wilderness Skills and Expeditions (Ages 12-16) 2023 (Spruce Mountain Overnight)
Our overnight Pathfinders camp has returned! All taking place at a newly renovated private camp on the side of Spruce Mountain. Led by Ndakinna Director James Bruchac, along with other skilled staff, this camp will include a mix of basic to advanced wilderness training along with daily explorations of the bordering Adirondack Park. Participants will learn a host of ancient and modern wilderness skills such as animal tracking along with essentials such as shelter making, foraging, land navigation, and fire making (including fire by friction) Along with the various skills and explorations, participants will take part in daily awareness activities and games combined with evening legends around the campfire.
