Program
Days are filled with a balance and variety of challenging adventure and quiet solitude. The three week sessions provide opportunities for participants to pursue their interests within the framework of the regular planned schedule. The following are some of the areas of focus that are offered during the adventure camp sessions. Camp Glen Brook serves as a base camp from which a variety of expeditions spring. The adventure camp program run completely separately from the rest of summer camp, save the health facility, use of the lake, and other natural areas.
Life at Base Camp Glen Brook
Campers from the summer program will be very familiar with the Glen Brook Camp program and campus. The adventure program however runs independently from the rest of camp. The permanent camp site at Glen Brook will be used as a base camp from which multi-day expeditions leave. Participants live in rustic, screened living quarters with a space for storing gear and relaxing. There is a shower house with running hot and cold water and bathroom facilities. The main cabin has a field kitchen with running water and cook stoves. Participants play an active role in planning meals and rotate cooking and cleaning responsibilities.
1. BACKPACKING
Hikes span regions from the Green Mountains in Vermont to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Past hikes have included Mt. Bond, a 4,000-foot peak, Zealand Falls, and Franconia Notch. As a group, you also plan the menus for the expedition.
2. ROPES COURSE AND ROCK CLIMBING
You begin this course learning basic knot craft and belaying for both the ropes course and rock climbing and rappelling. After showing proficiency, you spend two days rock climbing at local crags. All levels of ability will be challenged during these two days.
3. CAVING
Nestled into the ancient marble and limestone of the Berkshires lie beautiful caves. During this section, plan on spending a day on a guided expedition through marvelous underground passageways. Prepare to enjoy spacious rooms and tight squeezing.
4. Canoeing
The keystone adventure of the three week experience is the canoeing program. This module begins with each Falcon building his or her own canoe paddle in the Camp's wood shop and painting it with a signature style. The group then participates in a five-day expedition to a remote section of lakes and rivers, typically in the northern reaches of New Hampshire, such as the headwaters of the Connecticut River or stretches of Androscoggin or Umbagog rivers. The days consist of paddling from small island to small island, learning the fundamentals of paddling, and camping and observing wildlife, such as moose, deer, eagles, and other immense birds of prey.
5. STEWARDSHIP
Glen Brook has a long tradition of balancing simple living, play, learning, and work. There are opportunities throughout the experience to give back to the program through hands on work experiences. These projects are designed to generate problem-solving skills, sense of community, and skill building.
6. SOLO
As a pivotal experience, you spend a guided day in the woods at Glen Brook alone to reflect on the experiences of your explorations. Adventures often bring forth many new life lessons. The solo time is a time to think about how you can apply what you have experienced to your every day life.
On The Trail
While out on trips, participants work as a group, with the instructors, to plan menus and create a chore list of cooking and cleaning duties. Once in camp after a day of hiking in the mountains or kayaking on the ocean, everyone pitches in to set up camp and begin preparations for the night’s stay. After supper and clean up, there is time for relaxing, playing games, stargazing and exploring.
Canoeing
Paddling from island to island in northern New Hampshire lakes, camping along the way.
Rock Climbing
Learning climbing knots, belaying skills, and rappelling techniques in preparation for climbing at the local crags.
Backpacking
Hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail or trails in the White Mountains for an extended expedition.
Caving
Exploring the depths of the earth in the beautiful limestone caves of southwestern New England.
Other Activities
Forest, Fresh Water Ocean Ecology
Low Impact Camping
Plant and Animal Identification
Planning and Preparing Daily Meals
Astronomy
Survival Basics
Geology
First Aid
Nature Writing and Jounaling
Sulf-Sufficiency
Drawling and Painting
Singing by the Campfire
Rock and Mineral Collecting
Trail and Camp Maintenance
Map and Compass
2008 Dates and Costs
Session 1
June 29 to July 19
$2,550
Limit: 12
Session 2
July 20 to August 9
$2,550
Limit 12