Hey Kinderland campers, want to learn about your environment and yourself in it? Want to take a good long walk
in the woods, cook your dinner on a log, and then lay your head down under the stars? Want an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life? Then Project Expedition is the challenge for you!
Since 2017, Pex has brought expedition-based outdoor education to the Camp Kinderland community.
Small groups embark on two-night backpacking trips along sections of the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Our mission to bring experiential outdoor education to Kinderland campers by providing the opportunity to facilitate the physical, mental, emotional, and social challenges that lead to the growth and development of character and leadership skills; and to foster an ethic of stewardship by forging concrete and personal relationships with the land, thereby creating a more profound and powerful foundation for political action.
It is our belief that a comprehensive outdoor education program at Camp Kinderland strengthens leadership skills within the camp community and inspires a renewed commitment to environmental conservation.
Along the way we learn about:
-Forest Ecology
-Natural history
-Berkshire History
-Expedition behavior
-Primitive Skills
-Environmental Ethics and Advocacy
-Leadership
-Journaling
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Pex Staff
Co-Director/Instructor: Kaylan Scott
Kaylan is certified in Wilderness First Aid, completed the Youth Opportunities Program Leadership Training with the Appalachian Mountain Club, and graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School. 2018 will be her sixth summer at Kinderland.
Co-Director/Instructor: Justin King
Justin is a Wilderness First Responder, an Outward Bound alum, and has a degree in Outdoor Leadership from New England College. 2018 is Justin's sophomore year at Kinderland.
Kaylan is certified in Wilderness First Aid, completed the Youth Opportunities Program Leadership Training with the Appalachian Mountain Club, and graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School. 2018 will be her sixth summer at Kinderland.
Co-Director/Instructor: Justin King
Justin is a Wilderness First Responder, an Outward Bound alum, and has a degree in Outdoor Leadership from New England College. 2018 is Justin's sophomore year at Kinderland.
What is Outdoor Education?
Outdoor education is synonymous with learning from experience. It is harder to fully grasp onto a lesson if it is only explained, rather than interacting with the subject and working with it to feel it out.
Pex is an expedition-based OE program, meaning we go out on a multi-night backpacking trip.
The participants are instructed in the hard skills that get the group from Point A to Point B-- how to read a map, set up a tent, etc. And then the soft skills--how a leader communicates their interpretation of the map to the rest of the group, or how a tent group works together to successfully set up their tent-- are the soft skills we develop as the hard skills happen.
OE is as much about learning about one’s self as it is about environmental concepts or physical challenge. It is about being uncomfortable, about resolving conflict, and about responding to failure in a productive way.
This kind of experience provides kids with the tools to be more confident, self-reliant, empathetic, compassionate, and organized. In other words, even if this is the first and last time a participant sets up a tent, effective communication in challenging or emotional situations is a valuable skill to have in any environment.
The participants are instructed in the hard skills that get the group from Point A to Point B-- how to read a map, set up a tent, etc. And then the soft skills--how a leader communicates their interpretation of the map to the rest of the group, or how a tent group works together to successfully set up their tent-- are the soft skills we develop as the hard skills happen.
OE is as much about learning about one’s self as it is about environmental concepts or physical challenge. It is about being uncomfortable, about resolving conflict, and about responding to failure in a productive way.
This kind of experience provides kids with the tools to be more confident, self-reliant, empathetic, compassionate, and organized. In other words, even if this is the first and last time a participant sets up a tent, effective communication in challenging or emotional situations is a valuable skill to have in any environment.
FAQs
Who can go?
Expeditions are open to campers aged 13 and up. This restriction is meant to optimize participants’ experiences in terms of maturity and physical considerations. Multi-aged groups promote peer mentorship and forge new group dynamics.
Size is limited to ten participants plus two leaders for a total of twelve per expedition. This is in accordance with national safety standards for backcountry travel. The maximum number of participants we can accommodate over the course of the seven-week session would be 60.
Where to?
The expeditions take place along sections of the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Each trip is unique because each trip is planned by the participants, according to their group's goals and motivations. We camp at designated tent sites along the trail.
What if I've never been backpacking/hiking/camping before?
No previous experience is required to participate in Pex! We will teach you everything you need to know before we go.
When will the expeditions happen?
Weekly expeditions (excluding Peace Olympics Week) for a total of six expeditions. Potential participants are advised to consider that choosing to opt-in to Pex may mean missing out on some other activities.
How will logistics be handled?
Menus will be planned based on the specific enrollment.
All gear, from backpacks to boots, will be borrowed from the Appalachian Mountain Club Youth Opportunities Program.
How do I sign up?
Ask your Group Leader! Sign-ups will happen during the first week or two of camp.
Lingering questions? Email us at campkprojectexpo@gmail.com
Expeditions are open to campers aged 13 and up. This restriction is meant to optimize participants’ experiences in terms of maturity and physical considerations. Multi-aged groups promote peer mentorship and forge new group dynamics.
Size is limited to ten participants plus two leaders for a total of twelve per expedition. This is in accordance with national safety standards for backcountry travel. The maximum number of participants we can accommodate over the course of the seven-week session would be 60.
Where to?
The expeditions take place along sections of the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Each trip is unique because each trip is planned by the participants, according to their group's goals and motivations. We camp at designated tent sites along the trail.
What if I've never been backpacking/hiking/camping before?
No previous experience is required to participate in Pex! We will teach you everything you need to know before we go.
When will the expeditions happen?
Weekly expeditions (excluding Peace Olympics Week) for a total of six expeditions. Potential participants are advised to consider that choosing to opt-in to Pex may mean missing out on some other activities.
How will logistics be handled?
Menus will be planned based on the specific enrollment.
All gear, from backpacks to boots, will be borrowed from the Appalachian Mountain Club Youth Opportunities Program.
How do I sign up?
Ask your Group Leader! Sign-ups will happen during the first week or two of camp.
Lingering questions? Email us at campkprojectexpo@gmail.com
Youth Opportunities Program (YOP)
The Youth Opportunities Program is a training and support program dedicated to providing access to the outdoors.
Through our partnership with YOP, Pex has access to the gear and resources that make this program possible.
Learn more about YOP, how to get involved, and their history of social justice advocacy.
Through our partnership with YOP, Pex has access to the gear and resources that make this program possible.
Learn more about YOP, how to get involved, and their history of social justice advocacy.
Packing List
Here is a sample packing list if you are considering a going on a Pex trip this summer. Don't worry if you don't have 100% of the items on the list--we have lots of gear to lend out.
- Hiking boots (not tennis shoes or sneakers)
- Wool/synthetic socks (3 pair)
- Long underwear top and bottom
- Tee-shirt (preferably non-cotton)
- Synthetic pants (NOT JEANS!)
- Rain coat
- Rain pants
- Sun hat
- Warm hat
- Fleece sweatshirt (NOT COTTON)
- 2 water bottles
- Optional:
- Shorts
- Camera
Contact Us
Email us with any questions or concerns about Pex, our mission, our favorite backcountry dinner, or anything else at:
campkprojectexpo@gmail.com
campkprojectexpo@gmail.com
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