ALL Ages-11-to-13 Ages-12-to-14 Ages-13-to-15 Ages-14-to-16 Ages-15-to-18 Ages-6-10 Ages-9-to-10 Ages-9-to-11 Capstone Climbing-and-Caving Day-Camp Family-Programs Introductory Mountain-Biking Multi-Element NEW Ocean Rites-of-Passage SPACE-OPEN Whitewater Wilderness-Skills
Treetops
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 13 - 15

Discover the adventure of Tree Climbing on this unique and brand-new Kroka expedition! Based out of Kroka's "treehouse" dwelling we will set out each day into the forest in search of the tallest and most exciting trees to climb. We will learn knots and rigging skills as we set ropes and ascend effortlessly high into the canopy. We will test our balance and ingenuity as we dance from limb to limb experiencing the unique perspectives that come at great heights. We will discover the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or "forest bathing" and experience the peacefulness of being high up in the canopy, breathing clean air, and living in a joyful community. We will learn to identify trees by their leaves and bark, visit an old-growth forest, and end each day with stories, songs, and games around the campfire. This expedition is led by alumni expert and infamous professional tree climber Joe Madrigali. 

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Cape Cod Ocean Bonanza
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 13 - 15

For students who are interested in adventure sports training and practicing Kroka’s lifestyle in the middle of a busy vacation destination. Join us for an extraordinary week of adventure sports, sun and sand at the amazing ocean of Cape Cod. This trip is a must! In partnership with our friend, Eric Gustafson of Fun-Seekers, we will surf on surfboards and kayaks, windsurf when the winds allow, and swim and paddle in the bay. Camping in the forest of the Massachusetts Audubon Sanctuary we will mountain bike on single tracks to our daily destinations. Proven to be a fantastic experience, this trip is an awesome way to start your summer.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Climbing Rocks
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Introduction to Rock Climbing - Level I
We are all climbers in our hearts, whether we scamper across boulders, monkey up trees, or gaze at the tops of cliffs in wide-eyed wonder. This week of adventure will be dedicated to playing above ground. Our first days at the Kroka basecamp will set us to the rhythm of the farm as we care for the animals and pick strawberries. We will rock climb by day and join together in laughter and songs by the campfire at night. At the end of the week, we will journey into the wilderness and set camp at the foot of a tall climbing wall. With boundless opportunities to explore and discover, we will splash in swimming holes, and quest for the most amazing cracks, holds, and chimneys to climb. We will return to basecamp to share our stories and celebrate the joy of climbing rocks!

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Fishing Adventure
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Join us on an adventure in fishing, crafting, and exploring the hidden secrets of the streams, lakes, and rivers that surround us. We begin the week at Kroka Village where we will carve our own fishing poles, learn to tie flies, and rig our lines. In the afternoons we will try our luck from shore, testing our patience and our wit while exploring the magical forests that surround us. Then with barrels packed and lines reeled tight, we will head out on a three-day expedition by canoe through one of Vermont’s most famous fisheries. Each day we’ll paddle further downstream, learning about currents, eddies, and fish habitat. In the heat of the day we’ll stop to swim and to test the many rope swings and jumping rocks along the shore! We will camp in the forest and cook delicious dinners over the fire. We eat what we catch: eager fisherfolk should be excited to gut, clean, and cook their fish. If you’ve fallen hook line and sinker for the adventure of fishing, this expedition is not to be missed!

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for info & registration...
Trailheads
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Kroka’s new Trailheads program is an entry-level expedition for teenagers seeking adventure and community. During this adventurous week we will travel by foot and by canoe, experiencing the wonders of nature in a supportive community of peers. We begin by hiking through the Piedmont of the White Mountains toward the freely-flowing waters of the upper Connecticut River. After two days on foot, we descend from the mountains to the river where canoes await. Here we experience the joys and challenges of expedition life, paddling by day and setting a wilderness camp by night to cook delicious meals over the fire. You will come away with the skills to thrive on your next Kroka adventure.


Note: Trailheads may be used as an admissions prerequisite for new students entering our two and three-week expeditions.

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for info & registration...
River Rascals
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 10 - 11

All you river rascals out there, it’s time to come together and head to the water! This will be a week of canoeing, kayaking, and swimming through currents, around bends, and into eddies. Skill building begins at our very own pond, after which we will embark on a four-day river expedition. Kroka’s unique paddling progression is rooted in developing skill and comfort in swimming through moving water as well as paddling both canoes and kayaks. In addition, we will simply soak in the joys of river life. Our afternoons will include camp set-up in the woods or on sandbars, roasting tasty bannocks over the fire, and time for play and discovery. Days end with craftwork, stories, songs and games.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Wilderness Adventures for Girls - Session I
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Wilderness Adventures for Girls is open to female-identified and non-binary participants.
Attention all spirited and adventurous girls! Come join us as we journey into the outdoors. We will form lasting friendships as we live, play and laugh together. We will embark in canoes across a remote lake reaching a magical hidden cove where we will create our wilderness home. Days will be spent swimming, practicing paddling skills, making wilderness crafts, singing and exploring the lakeshore and surrounding peaks. In the evenings, we will gather together around the campfire to reflect on our experiences, play games and share stories. This fabulous adventure cannot be missed and can be continued on into the future with our Wild Girls program.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Introduction to Adventure
Sun Jun 23 - Sat Jun 29, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 10 - 11

Kroka’s classic “Introduction to Adventure” program has introduced countless children to the wonders of the wilderness since its inception in 1995. It is the perfect program for campers who are ready to participate in their very first expedition. The week begins at base camp doing useful work around Kroka’s village and the farm. We will go rock climbing, study plants and animals in the forest, and learn new wilderness skills. All of this is in preparation for a three-day mini canoeing expedition during which we settle into the backcountry rhythm of campfire meals, stories, and songs. Days will be filled with swimming, fishing, exploration and crafts.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Eddy Out! - Introduction to Whitewater
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 6, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Intoduction to White Water Level I

This is an unforgettable week of becoming one with the river! The journey will take us down the beautiful winding Connecticut River flowing swiftly through the foothills of the Green and White Mountains. Skill building begins at Kroka’s pond, after which we will embark on a 4-day expedition to camp at the base of a great rapid. Our unique paddling progression is rooted in understanding the power of moving water and developing skills in raft, canoe, kayak, and stand up paddle board, as well as comfort swimming in fast-moving water. In addition, we will simply soak in the joys of river life in the summer. Our afternoons will include camp set-up in the woods and on sandbars, fishing, roasting bread-on-a-stick, and time for rope swings and river play. Days end with spoon carving and stories around the campfire.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Take to the Woods
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 6, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Come Take to the Woods and become the wild children of the forest! Experience the pure fun and magic of living in and from the wilderness. The forest will fuel our projects, providing saplings for branch bows, dry wood for friction fire, pine for bowl carving, and wild plants for food. Camping on the banks of the Ashuelot River we will swim, fish, and learn stealth while observing the life of the woodland animals that abound. We will form new friendships with nature and each other. We will become a true community, relying on each other and celebrating the joys of summertime. Yes, let’s take to the woods: we are the wild ones, adventuring and learning the secrets of the earth.

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for info & registration...
From Cedar to Sea
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 20, 2024
(21 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Come along in a journey that retraces ancient wisdom and ways from the river out to sea. We begin at Kroka preparing food and equipment for our long journey. Next we head up to Maine to the homestead of a local artisan who will teach us to carve our own wooden paddles! With paddles in hand we are ready to set off down the Penobscot River, the ancestral home of the Penobscot Nation, which we will follow all the way out into the ocean. Learning the indigenous story of relationship between people and place, we will spend a day with Penobscot guides on Sugar Island focused on native plants and crafts, visit the Penobscot reservation on Indian Island, eat a traditional meal, and learn basketry and crafts. An exciting day of white water below Indian Island will bring us to where the river becomes tidal and our rhythms shift to paddle with the tides, sail with the wind, and navigate between islands and through fog. We will learn practical leadership skills, become expert ocean navigators, and learn to set camp on the rocky shores and inlets of the spectacular Deer Isle Archipelago. Through it all, we share in the hard work and simple joys of our salty, nomadic life.

NOTE: this is a pilot program offered in partnership with NH DOE’s “Learn Everywhere” which grants high-school credits for experiential summer experiences. 

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Wild Girls
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 13, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

Open to female-identified and non-binary participants.

Wild Girls unite! As an adventurous, supportive, and collaborative community, we will embark on a journey full of singing, sunshine, water, and beautiful views. We will backpack through the mountains and down to the river where we will travel by canoe enhancing our paddling skills and ability to read the landscape around us. This rite of passage program is focused on development of willpower and wilderness skills leading up to an experience of independent student travel where they must rely on each other and the skills they’ve learned. Within the enchanting landscape of mountains and rivers we will develop a strong connection to self and to community, building sisterhood and confidence. Throughout the week we will have plenty of time for journaling, crafting, taking long swims, and observing wildlife. 

Students should be physically fit to carry an overnight backpack up and back down the mountain with a smile!

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Vertical!
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 6, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 12 - 14

An Introduction to Rock Climbing, Level II
Calling all rock climbers, parkour athletes and bouldering enthusiasts for a dynamic week of rock climbing in nature. Journeying into the hills and hollows of Western Massachusetts we will establish a wilderness outpost close to three famous crags with climbs that will challenge beginner and experienced climbers alike. Each morning we set off to explore a different line of cliffs to practice toprope, sport, and trad climbing. Afternoons find us searching for caves and ruins in the forest, bouldering, cooking over the open fire, and practicing knot tying. Add to the repertoire the slack line, cliff-jumping and refreshing swims in the river and you‘ve got yourself a perfect summer week!

Vertical! is a sequel to Climbing Rocks and a perfect training expedition for our Climber’s Journey Up North.

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for info & registration...
Pirates of Lake Champlain
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 6, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

For beginner buccaneers

Ahoy! Bring your bandanas and your fearless sense of adventure as we take to the water as a band of scruffy pirates. We begin our adventure at Kroka Village making eye patches, a pirate flag and preparing for our expedition. With all of our provisions, we will head north to the infamous Lake Champlain. Traveling in our handmade voyageur canoes we will create a wilderness outpost for the week. The Champlain Valley holds an immense history, which we’ll learn about as we travel through waters filled with more than 300 shipwrecks. Each day we will embark on a mini-adventure: exploring the coastline by canoe, going for long swims, creating wilderness crafts, scrambling up rocks, fishing from shore, cliff jumping, and sailing the “sea”, weather permitting. We will enjoy magnificent sunrises over the Green Mountains and admire the spectacular skylines of the Adirondacks. Come join our rowdy band!

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for info & registration...
On Misty Isles: A Lake Champlain Kayak Expedition
Sun Jun 30 - Sat Jul 13, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 14 - 16

Steeped in history and culture, the blue-green waters of Lake Champlain offer perfect conditions for a long-distance sea kayak expedition. Stretching south-north from Vermont to Canada, the 125-mile-long lake has more than 500 miles of shoreline and 70 islands with protected coves for camping, high cliffs for jumping, and abundant fish to catch.  We begin the week at Kroka Village where we will practice kayaking in the pond, and work on the farm to harvest and prepare food for the journey ahead. Once the hatches are full, we load our sea kayaks and depart for Whitehall, NY - the southernmost point of the lake. Each day we make progress Northward in tune with currents and wind while stopping to swim, visit the Lake's many museums and historical sites, and take in the breathtaking views of the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. At night we make camp on the lakeshore or on its islands, cook dinner over the open fire, and take in the starry night skies. We will revel in the joys of expedition life, tell stories of old times, and if the winds are with us - and we can summon the willpower to do so - complete the end-to-end sea kayak expedition all the way to Canada!

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
In Search of Lost Caverns
Sun Jul 7 - Sat Jul 20, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

Warning: Caving requires a love of tight, dark, wet, muddy spaces as well as a thirst for adventure and discovery of secret places. Students should be physically fit to carry an overnight backpack up and back down the mountain with a smile!
 
There is no adventure sport more secretive and alluring than caving. Hidden deep in the Berkshire Hills are miles of underground passages with hidden entrances off the beaten track. Many of these caves were just discovered within the past 10 years! We begin the week at Kroka Village exploring abandoned mines and practicing vertical rope skills. From here we head west and establish a wilderness camp at the base of Mount Greylock. With map and compass and our traveling gear we will set out each day to explore the region's known caves and search for those that have not yet been found. We will swim in pristine waterfalls, descend into abandoned quarries, and visit natural marble bridges. We will cook delicious meals over the fire, share stories, and learn a wilderness craft. The journey ends with a 3-day expedition to a mountain peak, an exciting day of multi-pitch climbing, and a day-trip through one of the longest and most notorious caves in the Northeast.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Wave Train - Introduction to White Water
Sun Jul 7 - Sat Jul 13, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 12 - 14

An Introduction to White Water, Level II

Become part of the infamous Kroka white water paddling crew! Upon arrival you will jump right in with your first kayaking lesson on Kroka’s pond. Traveling to our wilderness home on the Deerfield River in Berkshires, we will camp in a magical forest by the side of a clear mountain stream. Each day we will hike down to the river to practice rafting, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, and white water swimming. Working in small groups allows us to focus on the individual needs and learning styles of each student, making sure everyone experiences success. Students will learn skills enabling them to have a blast in Class II white water. In addition to paddling, students develop appreciation for the vital role of water in the web of life and develop sound judgment and common sense inherent to adventure sports. The week will culminate with a run down the famous class III Zoar Gap! This program will prepare students for the next white water challenge: Paddlers Journey Up North.

A sequel to Eddy Out, this program can also be a point of entry for those with previous white water paddling experience as well as students seeking to start at a higher level of challenge.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Wilderness Adventures for Girls - Session II
Sun Jul 7 - Sat Jul 13, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Open to female-identified and non-binary participants.

Attention all spirited and adventurous girls! Come join us as we journey into the outdoors. We will form lasting friendships as we live, play and laugh together. We will embark in canoes across a remote lake reaching a magical hidden cove where we will create our wilderness home. Days will be spent swimming, practicing paddling skills, making wilderness crafts, singing and exploring the lakeshore and surrounding peaks. In the evenings, we will gather together around the campfire to reflect on our experiences, play games and share stories. This fabulous adventure cannot be missed and can be continued on into the future with our Wild Girls program.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Children of Kroka Village - Session I
Sun Jul 7 - Sat Jul 13, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 9 - 10

Come and play at Kroka Village! Roast bread-on-a-stick over a fire, pick berries, wade in the brook, and float boats downstream! During this exciting week, young campers will join in the life of the farm and garden at Kroka while staying at our base camp in earthen dwellings (also known as “Hobbit Holes”). This is an introductory program aimed at cultivating imagination and wonder. The long summer days will be filled with canoeing, fort building, working on traditional crafts, splashing in the pond, singing and storytelling. Each day we will immerse ourselves in a simple life, spending plenty of time exploring the woods and visiting the animals on the farm. Children of Kroka Village is the perfect experience for young adventurers for whom this is their first time at sleep-away camp.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Climber's Journey Up North
Sun Jul 14 - Sat Jul 27, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

For students who have completed Climbing Rocks and those with independent climbing experience. Students should be physically fit to carry an overnight backpack up and back down the mountain with a smile!
 
Living in the woods, swimming, crafting, and climbing remote cliffs will fill our lives and strengthen our spirits. The first part of the week will be spent reviewing the basic skills of belay techniques, knot tying, and anchor placement. Then it’s off to the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains where we will continue to advance our technical skills. In addition to top roping and bouldering, students will practice following a leader on multi-pitch sport and traditional climbs up to 5.8. At the culmination of the training we will climb a magnificent slab with breathtaking views all around. Climbing is not just a sport: it is a way of life in which we connect with nature and our inner selves. Bring your spirit and determination and challenge yourself to take the next step. You are sure to experience the rewarding feelings of accomplishment, pride, and connection.

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for info & registration...
White Mountain Multi-Element Expedition
Sun Jul 14 - Sat Jul 27, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

The White Mountains are famous for their dramatic rocky summits and steep valleys, and boast the highest peaks in the northeast. This exciting multi-sport adventure connects many hidden gems of the Whites and introduces students to all of Kroka’s core adventure sports. We begin at Kroka Village preparing food and equipment for our extended expedition. Setting off on foot, we follow the Appalachian Trail up and over Mount Moosilauke (elevation 4,802) and down to a network of old logging roads perfect for practicing map and compass navigation. Switching from backpacks to mountain bikes, we travel for three days along stunning singletrack bike trails to the headwaters of the Pemigewasset River. Here we find canoes awaiting ready for a paddle down the swiftly-flowing river that takes us to the foot of one of the most famous rock climbing crags in New England. Along the way we will be rewarded with breathtaking views, practice low impact camping, and study geography, geology and ecology of the Eastern Alpine.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Bridge to Kroka
Sun Jul 14 - Sat Jul 20, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 13 - 15

Experience the thrill of adventure and wilderness while creating a close circle of new friends. This program is designed as an introduction to Kroka and will cover the basics of our curriculum: navigation, backpacking, canoeing, camp craft, and rock climbing. After two days of "Kroka 101" training at our base camp, we will depart for our journey by foot and paddle, experiencing the beauty of the wilderness as we swim, craft, and spend evenings by the campfire. This program is designed as a bridge for students who are new to Kroka's expedition lifestyle, and participants will be able to enter any intermediate Kroka program with competence and confidence.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Mountain Biking for Girls
Sun Jul 14 - Sat Jul 20, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Open to female-identified and non-binary participants.

Come join the Bike Girls as we journey boldly into the wild places! We will form lasting friendships as we learn the art of mountain biking, hills of Vermont and New Hampshire as our home. We will live, play, laugh, and learn the beauty of riding our bicycles, all the while experiencing the magic of being in nature, crafting with our own two hands, and sleeping under the stars. We will practice biking skills, navigate the forest roads and single-tracks, and learn to fix our own bikes, taking home with us new skills as bike mechanics. In the evenings we gather around the fire to share stories and to set our intentions for tomorrow’s adventure. We will come away from this expedition empowered and ready to use our new riding muscles to face the challenges and experience the beauty of the world! No previous mountain biking experience is necessary.

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for info & registration...
Children of Pumpkin Hill - Day Camp
Mon Jul 15 - Fri Jul 19, 2024
(5 days)
Ages 6 - 10

Young explorers, come join us at Pumpkin Hill Village for a week of cooperative play in nature. We will begin each day by visiting the animals on Kroka’s farm. Our cows, sheep and chickens love the attention! Afterwards we set off for the forest where each day greets us with a new surprise: building fairy houses, exploring the Porcupine Cliffs, playing in the mud, or floating boats downstream. Our days are filled with games, songs, stories, and exploring the wonders and magic of nature. This is the perfect first step to begin a child's life-long connection to Kroka.

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for info & registration...
Bushwhack!
Sun Jul 21 - Sat Aug 3, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Bushwhackers should be prepared to leave the comforts of civilization far behind. 

Join us for a bushwhacking and canoeing trip rooted in the ancient traditions of wilderness travel. We begin by backpacking through a great wilderness, living by the customs of native peoples of the north woods. Here we will learn to rely on the forest to provide the resources we need. We will make fire by friction, forage for wild food, drink clear water from the rocks and build shelter from found materials. We will make traditional crafts from wood and leather and cook delicious meals over the open fire, sustaining ourselves and the Earth in reciprocity. Coming down off the mountain we reach a glistening waterway where canoes await. Equipped with poles and paddles, we will travel through the seldom-traversed waterways of New England, the ancient canoe routes of times long ago. Bushwhack is a journey of self-discovery, deep connection, and finding a forever home for yourself in nature.

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for info & registration...
It Takes a Village: Kroka Family Camp
Sun Jul 21 - Sat Jul 27, 2024
(7 days)

It takes a village to raise a child, so why not bring your family to Kroka Village for an adventure of cooperative living in nature! During this immersive week, join Emily and Jacob Sherwood (with kids ages 2 and 4) for a week of living in the woods, playing in the water and helping on the Kroka farm. Nestled into our cozy campsite we will create our own little “village” with plenty of time for cooking over the fire, free play in nature, animal chores, and quality time together. Each day we will set out on a fun-filled adventure, returning to our village home in the afternoon. Open to families with children of all ages, this program is best suited for younger siblings (0-8 years old) who just can't wait for their turn at Kroka - and for parents who wish you could come to camp too! 

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for info & registration...
Earth Crafts
Sun Jul 21 - Sat Jul 27, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

An Introduction to Earth Skills

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a time when all the necessities of life were made by hand from the raw materials of the earth? During this exciting week of adventure and discovery, we will settle into traditional dwellings made from poles and sod. Venturing deep into the forest we will set up a wilderness outpost and learn a variety of primitive crafts. Days will be filled with playing forest games, lighting fires, learning to cook wholesome feasts, and working with our hands as well as swimming and climbing trees. Come celebrate the wonder of Earth Crafts and return home with your own creations.

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for info & registration...
Wild Confidence: Young Women's Leadership Expedition
Sun Jul 21 - Sat Aug 10, 2024
(21 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Young women leaders! We invite those ready for a wilderness voyage with a strong focus on skill-building, craft, community, and personal growth. We begin at the Kroka basecamp where we will ready ourselves for the journey and make some of our own expedition gear. We’ll then set out for the rugged northern Appalachian Mountains to paddle the remote lakes and wild rivers of northern Maine. Following ancient canoe routes of the Penobscot and Allagash we emerge at Grand Lake Matagamon to exchange our boats for backpacks. Next we will circumnavigate Mount Katahdin, the stunning heart of Baxter State Park. If Pamola, the legendary spirit of Katahdin, allows safe passage, we will climb this great mountain and descend strengthened and transformed by the incredible journey. With Wild Confidence we will cultivate our skills as leaders in community and in our own lives.

This is a Capstone Expedition which includes some pre-program student meetings and preparation.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Children of Kroka Village - Session II
Sun Jul 21 - Sat Jul 27, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 9 - 10

Come and play at Kroka Village! Roast bread-on-a-stick over a fire, pick berries, wade in the brook, and float boats downstream! During this exciting week, young campers will join in the life of the farm and garden at Kroka while staying at our base camp in earthen dwellings (also known as “Hobbit Holes”). This is an introductory program aimed at cultivating imagination and wonder. The long summer days will be filled with canoeing, fort building, working on traditional crafts, splashing in the pond, singing and storytelling. Each day we will immerse ourselves in a simple life, spending plenty of time exploring the woods and visiting the animals on the farm. Children of Kroka Village is the perfect experience for young adventurers for whom this is their first time at sleep-away camp.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Caves, Cliffs and Waterfalls
Sun Jul 28 - Sat Aug 3, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Don't miss this unique adventure that combines rock climbing and underground exploration! Our expedition begins with a hike to an impressive rock face hidden deep in the woods. After a day and a half of climbing, we will continue our hike, ending at a spectacular waterfall. Refreshed by plunging into crystal clear pools it is time for caving! We will search the woods for caverns that take us deep into the glittering underground world. As we gain experience, we will scurry through tunnels, wade through underground streams, and witness beautiful rock formations that showcase millions of years of geologic history. To wash off the cave mud, we will spend our afternoons swimming in a mountain river and at our wilderness camp learning to live in harmony with nature.  Each day concludes with campfire stories and songs.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
No Brakes
Sun Jul 28 - Sat Aug 3, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 11 - 13

Join us in discovering the adventure of backcountry bikepacking! After tuning up our bikes and practicing riding techniques on Kroka’s bike course, we will head into the forest for a week filled with spectacularly wild mountain bike adventures. The rich history of New Hampshire has left our forests full of wondrous dirt trails alongside abandoned root cellars, mines, and wilderness lakes. We will return to Kroka for campfire meals and cozy dwellings during the first half of the week. Our next adventure will be a two-day overnight expedition. Each day will include discovering and playing in wild swimming holes, games, and evening stories by the campfire. In addition to technical riding, students will learn how to take care of their bikes and participate in community service projects. This introductory program is excellent preparation for our Mountain Bike Expeditions!

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for info & registration...
Introduction to Adventure - Session I
Sun Jul 28 - Sat Aug 3, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 10 - 11

Kroka’s classic “Introduction to Adventure” program has introduced countless children to the wonders of the wilderness since its inception in 1995. It is the perfect program for campers who are ready to participate in their very first expedition. The week begins at base camp doing useful work around Kroka’s village and the farm. We will go rock climbing, study plants and animals in the forest, and learn new wilderness skills. All of this is in preparation for a three-day mini canoeing expedition during which we settle into the backcountry rhythm of campfire meals, stories, and songs. Days will be filled with swimming, fishing, exploration and crafts.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Paddlers Journey Up North
Sun Jul 28 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(21 days)
Ages 14 - 16

Kroka’s classic Paddler’s Journey Up North is newly expanded into a three-week whitewater paddling bonanza: a must-do for anyone who has caught the whitewater bug. We begin with a week of intensive paddlesports training at Kroka’s basecamp where the Ashuelot, Cold, West, Connecticut, and Deerfield Rivers offer some of the best canoe and kayak progressions in the Northeast. We will pick berries, care for the farm animals, and go cliff-jumping as we build a joyous and tight-knit community. From here we depart for two weeks of whitewater expedition in the White Mountains and Western Maine. We will explore the Rapid, Magalloway and Androscoggin Rivers as we work our way up to challenging class III and IV rapids. At night we will make camp along the wilderness shorelines and cook delicious food over the fire. Our first expedition concludes with a trip to Mahoosuc Guide Service to visit a canoe-making workshop and help care for the sled dogs. From here we drive north to the West Branch of the Penobscot River for a few days of playboating followed by a fully-loaded whitewater expedition down the across Chesuncook Lake to the Ripogenus section at the edge of Baxter State Park. Our journey concludes with a summit of Mt. Katahdin along the Knife’s Edge and a return trip to Kroka visiting local elders in Maine to give back at the end of the journey.

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
Acadian Crossing: A Sea Kayak Odyssey
Sun Jul 28 - Sat Aug 10, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 14 - 16

Standing sentinel at the farthest outreach of Penobscot Bay, the “Island at the Top” is a secret part of Acadia National Park that few know about and even fewer get to visit.  Our sea-faring tribe will hike to the top of her hills, swim in her fresh-water pools, and scramble the steep rocky outcroppings of her rugged coast – but to reach her shores will require 30 miles of island hopping as our sea kayaks doge the wind, waves, fog, and tidal currents, each testing and building our skills. We’ll dive into the history of the region, of colonial settlers, of lonely lobstermen and shipwrecked boats, of the indigenous who came first, and take in the pristine beauty and nature of Maine's farthest reaches. Come along on an adventurous paddle that is a feather in the cap of any sea kayaker!
 

CLICK HERE
for info & registration...
New River Gorge Climbing Expedition
Sun Aug 4 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Join world-class climbers and mountaineers David Silva Alvarez and Marga Cardoso in an exploration of classic Appalachian rock. West Virginia’s New River Gorge is the east coast’s largest, most diverse and highest quality climbing area with over 3000 established routes in durable sandstone. Traveling to Appalachia means enjoying traditional folk music, working on farms tucked into the folds of the mountains and experiencing the rich and tragic history of the region with the exploitation of its indigenous people and natural resources. Two weeks is just enough time to build a tight-knit community of friends and tire our muscles from long days of climbing, but it will be a fast-paced trip! Designed for returning Kroka climbing students, this program is the next step in skill-building for students who are passionate about the sport and ready to become climbing leaders in their future.

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for info & registration...
Treasure Island
Sun Aug 4 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 11 - 13

For novice - intermediate buccaneers

 

Come one and all for a two-week treasure-hunting adventure! We will form our crew and head to the coast of Maine where we will take to the sea in voyageur canoes modeled after those that have been navigating northern waters for thousands of years. On the first day, we will travel a short distance across a sheltered bay to our first wilderness island home. We will sail from camp to camp, practice fire building, and create wilderness crafts.  There will be islands to overtake and explore, coves to brave cold waters in, and tidal pools to investigate. We will forage for mussels, fish for mackerel, and harvest shells and special seaweed. Everyone will come away from this week having witnessed beautiful sunsets and made lasting new friendships. Sign up to uncover some of the mysteries of the sea!

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for info & registration...
Farm Magic
Sun Aug 4 - Sat Aug 10, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 9 - 10

Do you love taking care of animals, helping others and digging in the dirt? Do you love exploring and playing in the natural world? Kroka’s farm program may be just the program for you! Farm Magic is filled with extraordinary adventures both on the farm and in the forest! Together we will uncover the mystery of how, from tiny seeds, we grow amazing things to eat. The magic of the living earth will present itself in front of our eyes as we sow seeds, water, weed, and harvest the gifts from our organic gardens. We will visit the animals, collect eggs, observe the bees at work, make yogurt or cheese, and cook delicious wood-fired pizzas! Afternoons will be filled with swimming, paddling, rock scrambling, games and searching for hidden treasures in the forest. There will be time for crafting, singing, telling stories and, of course, making new friends!

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for info & registration...
Boys Rite of Passage
Sun Aug 4 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

Boys Rite of Passage is open to male-identified and non-binary participants.

A call to all boys who wish to become the best that they can be! Join us in meeting a challenge that could change how you grow into a man. During this two-week expedition we will challenge our minds, bodies, and spirits while immersing ourselves in the beauty of the Vermont wilderness. Like the ancient school of the Samurai, we will wake early in the morning with exercises that build our concentration and dexterity, our strength, and our will. The coming expedition will test us. We will carry everything we need on our backs. The mountains and river valleys will be our guides, the wind and the rain our teachers. We will not follow trails but blaze our own way, relying on maps, compasses, and our intuition. At night, we’ll gather around the fire to share wisdom and tell stories. As boys crossing the threshold into manhood, we will experience ceremony, build a joyful community, speak from our hearts, and have an opportunity to be alone in the wilderness. Will you join us?

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for info & registration...
Mountain Bike Expedition
Sun Aug 4 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(14 days)
Ages 13 - 15

For students with interest in self-propelled exploration off the beaten track. This mountain bike expedition will follow a maze of hidden trails to epic adventures known by few and discovered by Kroka guides over years of exploration. We will begin by a series of training rides and bike mechanics classes, tuning our bodies and our equipment. We will work on the farm preparing food for the expedition. When ready we will leave Kroka village by way of bike, riding trails down to the Connecticut River Valley and up through the Green Mountains. Along the way we will pick berries, jump in refreshing swimming holes, take showers in spectacular waterfalls, taste local ice cream and climb cliff faces set deep in the mountains. Sometimes we will camp in the wilderness and other times we will be hosted by friends of Kroka at the farms and homesteads scattered along the trail. Navigating with map and compass we will thread the way to our final destination; a mysterious cave on the other side of the mountains!

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for info & registration...
Forest, Forage and Flame
Sun Aug 11 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 13 - 15

You cup it gently in your palm, the most powerful force on Earth, the source of life. This miniature sun spun to life with wood gathered from the forest has been enlivened from your gentle breath to become fire. During this adventure we will learn to make fire as was done in ancient ways with friction and flint and steel. As we travel the forest, we will learn to carry the fire with us, and to bring it to life in the wet and rain. Coals from the fire will burn the branches that become our spoons. As we deepen our relationship to this sacred element, we will learn to make, tend, use, celebrate, and care for it. We will come to know Fire as a sacred part of our lives. More than this, traveling through the wilderness will teach us to connect with the living Earth, be it gathering wild edibles or building an overnight shelter. We must all come prepared to carry an overnight backpack through the mountains, leaving modern conveniences behind, and proudly carry our inner flame of community.

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for info & registration...
Community Leadership Adventure
Sun Aug 11 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 15 - 18

Join us on a service-learning adventure rooted in community connections, sustainable living, and the good feeling that comes from giving back. We begin the week at Kroka where we will help on the farm and discover the joys of hard work and simple living: a meal cooked entirely from fresh ingredients; a swim in the cold pond in the afternoon. From here we set off on a journey to help neighbors in need and serve our community. Traveling by bicycle under our own power we will visit local leaders, elders, and artisans, each of whom has something to teach us. Every encounter is a gift and we will give back through our labor as we hammer, saw, sow and harvest, growing our capacity to serve and finding joy in simple living. At night we will camp in beautiful places, swim in pristine swimming holes, and form the bond that comes from living together. 
 

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for info & registration...
Introduction to Adventure - Session 2
Sun Aug 11 - Sat Aug 17, 2024
(7 days)
Ages 10 - 11

Kroka’s classic “Introduction to Adventure” program has introduced countless children to the wonders of the wilderness since its inception in 1995. It is the perfect program for campers who are ready to participate in their very first expedition. The week begins at base camp doing useful work around Kroka’s village and the farm. We will go rock climbing, study plants and animals in the forest, and learn new wilderness skills. All of this is in preparation for a three-day mini canoeing expedition during which we settle into the backcountry rhythm of campfire meals, stories, and songs. Days will be filled with swimming, fishing, exploration and crafts.

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for info & registration...