Registration is now open for Summer 2025
High Adventure 2025
H01 Spelunking
Weeks: 4, 5 Grades: 6+
Go underground! Crawl, squeeze and meander through the limestone caves and karst formations of the Heldeberg Plateau. Students will receive instruction in basic equipment and learn the essentials of spelunking techniques and cave conservation. This class has required equipment, and the cost ($225) includes additional $50.00 off-site transportation fee.
Note: Transportation fee is for the bus to and from the caves each day (not AM/PM bus to and from home). If you want AM/PM busing, please purchase Week 4 or 5 Bus.
Instructor: Scott Keefer
H02 My Side of the Mountain
Weeks: 1, 2, 4, 5 Grades: 4 – 6
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, is an adventure story of self-reliance and ability to adapt to the environment. Like the main character, Sam Gribley, students in this class will learn basic skills to use the land to survive. You’ll build a survival structure, learn to start a fire with flint and steel, cook over a fire, hike with a map and compass, and identify wildlife. You’ll keep a journal of your experiences. You should become familiar with the popular story to fully enjoy this class.
Instructors: Weeks 1, 2, 5: Karen Meacham; Week 4: Darcy Morrison
H03 MORE My Side of the Mountain
Weeks: 3, 6 Grades 7 – 9
Did you take My Side of the Mountain? Want more? This class is offered for older students, and everything will be a little “more”. After you build a fire with flint and steel, you will safely and successfully maintain the fire. You will hike the Heldebergs, gather wood, forage, and identify flora and fauna. Different types of shelters will be built. You will become attuned to nature and learn basic outdoor survival skills, like Sam Gribley!
Instructor: Week 3: Darcy Morrison; Week 6: Karen Meacham
H04 Fly Fishing and Fly Tying
Weeks: 1-2, 4-5 (2 week course) Grades 5+
Students learn to tie their own flies for bass and pan fish. Casting practice is held each day. The last two days of class are held on the water, where students are given the opportunity to catch fish on their own creations. This class is a great introduction to fly tying and fly-fishing. Many students have continued in the sport and are now catching fish in warm, cold and saltwater. Instructor: Tom Passarelli from Capital District Fly Fishers
H05 Archery: Beginning and Advanced
Weeks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Grades 6 & up
Develop beginner Archery skills and become familiar with the sport, or come out to the range and refine techniques in a hands-on field target environment! This class gives lessons with traditional recurve bows for enthusiasts of all kind – whether for sport, tradition, or simply to engage with a unique experience. These are the same type of bows used in national shooting competitions and the Olympics. On the last day, we host a Candy Shoot to put our skills to the test, in which we put fun drawings, balloons, and more on our targets and shoot at them to score points for candy!
This class is for new and returning students alike and provides an open and relaxed environment to learn, improve, have fun, and socialize. Between shoots we go on hikes, visit other classes, and discuss our own archery goals and receive personalized instruction.
Note: This is a traditional archery class, using recurve bows. Bringing your own equipment is encouraged but not required!
Instructors: Wks. 1&2: Claire Pusatere and Emma Loy-Santelli; Wks. 3-6: Claire Pusatere & Mckenzie Johnson
H06 Helde-Trekking
Weeks: 2, 3 Grades: 3 & 4
Hike the Heldeberg Workshop! Spend your week hiking and exploring the fields, woods, swamp and pond areas of the Workshop Land. Learn what to do and what not to do when out hiking, whether on the Workshop Land or elsewhere with friends and family. Learn some basic safety and
survival skills such as building a campfire, making a survival shelter and reading basic trail maps. You will need to wear comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers, as we will do a lot of hiking. Students should also have a small daypack that can hold a raincoat, a water bottle and snacks for each day’s adventure.
Instructor: David Wallingford
H07 Woods Wanderers
Weeks: 3, 4 Grades 6-8
Not all who wander are lost! Unlock your inner wanderer in this course for hikers and curious naturalists. Venture into our unique, beautiful, and diverse land while learning basic plant, insect, and animal identification. Whether out for a day or overnight, this class will prepare you for a safe and enjoyable journey. You will learn how to pack gear, cook outdoors, do basic wilderness first aid, and handle bad weather and survival situations. Learn and practice “Leave No Trace” principles while wondering and wandering throughout Heldeberg’s gorgeous landscape. If you’re interested in broadening your hiking experience and immersing yourself in a world of nature, then this course is for you! Instructor: Karen Meacham
H09 Introduction to Karate
Week: 4, 5 Grades: 6+
Did you ever wonder what it’s like to practice karate? This course will give you an introduction to Karate and its evolution throughout the world. Hear Kyoshii’s stories of the Grand Masters of Karate, learn the physical and mental strategies, and practice hands on training with the Bo (6 foot wooden stick). Enter the world of karate with this safe, fun, informative, and exciting class.
Note: This is a No Contact workshop, encouraging both girls and boys to improve their balance, strength, and focus, a great help in their future endeavors.
Instructor: Kyoshii Joe Mansfield