JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Wilderness Adventures will expand its offerings at its local daily operation called Base Camp for the summer of 2019.
Operating at Snow King Mountain Resort, Base Camp will be entering its third summer. For its first two years, Base Camp offered programing for 1st through 5th graders. This summer, the camp will expand its reach, opening programming to children coming out of kindergarten, and will also offer counselor-in-training (CIT) leadership development programs for children from 6th through 8th grade.
Since 1973, Wilderness Adventures has offered summer camp adventures for youth to worldwide destinations. With an emphasis on character development and leadership, the organization utilizes the world’s most iconic outdoor destinations to grow the hearts and minds of its participants.
In 2016, Tom and Catherine Holland assumed ownership of the organization (having bought the company from founders Mike and Helen Cottingham). Since then, the company has launched its popular local program ‘Base Camp’ to delight of local families.
Tom Holland was formerly the executive director of the Teton Valley Ranch Camp Education Foundation and the CEO of the American Camp Association. It’s an understatement to say he has extensive experience in the world of summer camps. He says this year’s expansion was all a part of the growth plan.
“Catherine and I knew there was a need in the community for a traditional day camp experience, and we have been thrilled by the response of our community during our first two years.”
The Hollands spent the past two years perfecting the program so that it was ready for a younger audience and a counselor-in-training program. One important detail to the growth was hiring a full-time day camp director, Willy Ross.
“We had many years of working with Willy at Teton Valley Ranch Camp, and we knew he would bring a unique level of energy to the program.”
Ross has been focused on improving the program and on the added programming necessary to meet the needs of the younger campers and the CITs.
“Our new program for kindergarten children will be a perfect entry for them into the world of camp. The CIT program will be the first of its kind for Jackson Hole,” Ross said. “Many of our families love the energy and leadership of our counseling staff. Now, middle school CITs can come for a week and learn leadership skills from these counselors and work with younger age groups, all while having a blast at camp. We are so excited to add this to our programming.’
Space is limited at the camp for these new programs, with the camp only taking 10-12 kindergartners each week, and three or four CITs per week.
“The experience we are working to create for our campers and families is one that is built on relationships; consequently, we are intentional about the size of our camp,” Ross added.
Enrollment for all Base Camp age groups is open now and space and spots are filling fast. The camp offers weekly programs for nine weeks of the summer running from June 17 through August 23. Campers participate in activities such as a ropes course, team building games, arts and crafts, nature science, and much more.
Holland said, “Camp experiences help children grow, away from parents but inspired by effective and compassionate role models. We are excited to make sure the experience is opened up to more campers this year.”
