Everything in a Ravenwood program is designed to role-model nature connection to participants. When we role-model our own connection to nature as mentors, participants naturally begin to connect as well. Building relationships with nature, each other, and ourselves also gets us to think about our own conduct. We move away from self-centered thinking toward understanding our greater ecology of relationships and acting with integrity and respect.

Our days are designed with what we call the “Natural Cycle,” incorporating periods of activity and rest, excitement and reflection, so that what participants want to do is often also the healthy, helpful thing to do. We start with inspiring words of gratitude, play together, take time to focus on a project, move our bodies, and take time to rest and reflect. This way we role-model different ways to connect to nature throughout the day.

The question that comes up when we connect to nature is often, “who are you?” Who are you being in this moment? Are you being a self-centered disruptive force or a humble regenerative force? Will the birds fly away from you or hang out in the trees and sing their songs? Can you sit and watch the chipmunks gathering berries or will the chipmunks just hide and chip at you? Can you notice that tiny, beautiful wildflower or have you already accidentally trampled it?

One tangible way that we can role model conduct and nature connection is by refraining from using cell phones at camp. Each staff member has a cell phone on at all times, but these are only used when staff need to be in contact for safety or program-related reasons. So we thank you as a volunteer for keeping your phone off except for vital communications, and keeping those vital communications out of sight of the participants!

The Core Routines are our core curriculum. Each Core Routine is a tool for setting up a particular kind of connective opportunity. Since the goal of using these routines is connection, not the training of a particular knowledge base, we may or may not use all the routines with each group. This list represents our best tools for the job of connection!

Sit Spot: A sit spot is a special place that each camper adopts, and goes there to sit and observe nature. Taking time during our busy days to just be in nature forms the foundation of our nature connection curriculum. Hiding games and quiet time in nature are small versions of this. How does it feel to sit quiet and still in nature?

Story of the Day: After we notice things in nature, telling another person brings the learning full circle. We often do this in a circle at the end of our day. What stories do you want to share at the end of the day?

Expanding our Senses: Taking a moment to check in with each sense, and bring awareness to all senses together, helps us see each moment in a new way. We often use a sensory check-in moment if a group of participants needs some time to settle, and this is an especially effective tool if participants are starting to spin out of control. What do you notice when you pay attention to touch, taste, smell, hearing, and finally vision all together? Can you expand your senses in all four directions and above and below you?

Animal Forms: Imitating and pretending to be animals, plants, and other life forms helps us learn about them in a more embodied way than if we simply stand back and observe creatures in nature. Can you imitate an animal you see at your sit spot?

Questioning and Tracking: Tracking and asking questions about the natural world help us to see every situation in a new way, and to hone our pattern recognition skills. What tracks and signs of other living things do you see around you right now?

Wandering: Wandering without a schedule or agenda opens up unexpected opportunities for connection, and helps us take a more flexible and open attitude in nature. Can you wander somewhere without any agenda or plan?

Mapping: Drawing maps connects us to our places in new and sometimes surprising ways. What does a bird’s eye view of your immediate surroundings look like?

Exploring Field Guides: Field guides are dense with knowledge gleaned by the many generations of naturalists that went before us. Using field guides in our programs can accelerate our learning about the natural world. What kinds of treasures can you find in a field guide?

Journaling: Taking time to reflect quietly to ourselves about events in the day brings new insights and learning. What events from today would you want to share with a journal?

Dynamic Sensory Memory (also known as Storyteller’s Mind): Using dynamic sensory memory when telling our Story of the Day helps us re-live the event and learn more of what it has to teach. When you tell a story, can you imagine, touching, smelling, tasting, hearing and seeing all the things in the story?

Survival Living: Practicing survival skills reminds us that we’re part of a very large and powerful natural system, and that we can relate to that system in fun and life-supporting ways. What would the land give you right now to help you live and thrive?

Bird Language: Practicing bird language offers a way of reflecting on what attitudes and body language we are projecting into the world. Bird language also helps us quiet our minds and notice the subtle patterns in nature. What are the birds reflecting back to you right now?

Thanksgiving: Giving thanks cultivates a positive attitude, and it helps us remember that nature provides everything we need. Can you find something to be grateful for in every part of life, and every part of nature?

Errands: Sending people, especially children, on errands in nature creates an opportunity for service and builds a sense of belonging while strengthening mind’s eye tracking through following directions. Errands also create spontaneous adventure, require independent problem solving, and re-enforce wandering as a worthwhile activity

Storytelling: Sharing personal and traditional stories (with permissions) creates a mind’s eye landscape for both the storyteller and listeners within which we can explore important questions, relate to challenges and limitations, learn from others’ mistakes and celebrate our shared humanity. Stories can create a rich inspirational opening to a new project, help us heal and grieve, and give us direction from the lessons of our ancestors. At Ravenwood we only tell stories that we have permission to tell, and for which we know the cultural origin.

Each day at Ravenwood is a new opportunity for creativity. Nature is always changing, and no matter how well we know the area and the participants, things will change unexpectedly in program and our plans will require adjustment. Some of the most magical times at camp have come about because of unified adjustments made on the fly. Similarly, a staff out of unity can bring on disaster when they try to adjust on the fly and wind up going in different directions. We strive to be like a flock of birds, moving in unity in our unpredictable world.

The Core Routines and Children’s Universal Passions are tools that we keep in our back pockets for when they are useful. We also have another tool, called the 50/50 principle, that we use to remind ourselves that not every tool is right for every job, and we have to use our artistic, improvisational minds to know what tool is needed at any time.

Whatever we plan, we know nature (both wilderness and human nature) will probably throw us some curve-balls and we’ll have to adjust our plans. Therefore, when we plan, we use the 50-50 principle. This principle states that we’re planning for 100% of the day, but expecting to toss out about 50%, and we won’t be attached to which 50%! The 50-50 principle gives us the flexibility to watch birds, admire wildflowers, track deer, and do all the rest of our deep nature connection practices that rely on natural synchronicity for their opportunities. Be willing to let go of your agenda when nature gives you a great opportunity for connection.

We have some agreements that we ask volunteers to adhere to, to keep camp running smoothly and keep everyone safe and happy.

Role Modelling
Participants look up to our volunteers as examples! When you are volunteering, remember that participants are going to follow your lead. We encourage volunteers to participate in games when they are physically able to, and to engage in the other activities of camp as either a participant or an assistant mentor, whichever is most appropriate. In general, if you are both engaged with camp and aware of the kids, you’re doing a spectacular job! One thing you can do to role-model nature connection is to keep your cell phone off!

Rule of Three
Please do not be alone one-on-one with children not related to you. For the trust and safety of all involved, our policy is to always have at least two adults and one child, or two children and one adult, as a minimum group size for any activity.

Confidentiality
Volunteers may become aware of confidential information, such as participants’ contact information, in the course of working with Ravenwood. Confidential information should be help private. Under no circumstances should confidential information be shared with anyone other than Ravenwood staff. Use common sense to know what else might constitute confidential information.

Adult volunteers are invited to bring their own bear spray to camp. All staff wear at least one canister of bear spray at their hip at all times. In the interest of keeping all our responsibilities clear, volunteers shall follow the lead of the staff in determining when and how to implement this protocol.

In the event of an aggressive animal encounter in the field, the staff member who observed the animal calls out our code word, “Gummy Bear!” loudly enough for participants to hear, and points at the animal. Staff and chaperones shall direct campers to walk quickly (no running!) to stay in a tight group behind all adults as the animal moves.

Bears: do not look directly at the animal. Look down and to the side, and back away without turning your back.

Moose: do not look directly at the animal. Place an obstacle such as a large tree between yourself and the animal.

Mountain Lions or Wolves: staff members and chaperones should make themselves appear large and make lots of noise. Thrash large sticks around, yell, wave your arms above your head. Do not encourage small children to try this, as their high voices and rapid movements could trigger the predator’s hunting instinct.

Lightning: In the event of a lightning storm with strikes accompanied by thunder booms less than five seconds later, the entire group shall seek shelter in a lightning-safe building or in a uniform stand of short trees and spread themselves out 30 to 100 feet apart. If possible, campers and staff shall stand on a non-conducting surface such as a sleeping pad and squat in the lightning safety position (as coached by staff) until the lightning storm passes. Staff shall direct campers away from any large trees (“cone of safety” is twice the diameter of tree height) , rock overhangs, open meadows, and water sources.

Strong Winds or Hail Storm: Shelter in a hard-sided structure, or if none is available avoid trees in the case of wind, and shelter under tarps or tipis in the case of hail.

Extreme Heat: In the event of extreme heat (95 degrees F or more), staff shall require campers to take a 10-minute break in the shade with mandatory water consumption for every thirty minutes of activity in the sun.

Wildland Fire: In the event of a wildland fire at a Ravenwood field site, staff shall first evaluate the possibility of evacuation and call 911 to report the emergency (if out of cell range, use radio communication). If evacuation is not feasible, staff shall direct campers to the nearest water source. If fire is imminent staff and campers shall enter the water to a walking depth that allows for maximum body immersion while maintaining body control without the need to swim. If no body of water is accessible, staff shall use any natural firebreak or manual control available to reduce risk.