Outdoor Skills Camp

Levels I, II & III

Outdoor Skills - Level I: This camp is for any child who enjoys spending time outdoors and wants to deepen their outdoor knowledge and practical skills. Our camp lessons emphasize fishing, tent camping, safe fire-building, knot tying, paddling (including kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding), team-building activities, basic first aid, and more hands-on learning opportunities. This is not a survival-style program — it’s a fun, skill-building camp with an experiential approach. Approximately 85% of the time is spent on the river and in the water. Beginner friendly and welcoming to all skill levels. NEW 2026: Camper must be going into **5TH Grade (or above) to attend this camp.

**We have decided to raise the grade requirement for our camps. After five years of growth and evolution, we believe starting Level I camp in 5th grade provides the best foundation for progression through Level II and III. This was a carefully considered decision, and although it wasn’t easy, the safety and well‑being of our campers on the rivers is our highest priority. The moving water aspect of Level II & III is better suited for kids in 6TH grade and above.

If the camper completed Level I last year and is entering 5th grade, they will need to repeat Level I this summer or wait until next year to enroll in Level II. We promise they’ll still have plenty of fun with us!

Cost $399

Outdoor Skills - Level II: This camp is intended for returning campers going into 6th grade or above continuing in the camp progression. (Participants must complete Level I before attending Level II; if age and readiness allow, campers may take Levels I and II in the same summer.) We will travel off site to several different locations — including a ropes course in New Orleans and a moving-water paddle on the Bogue Chitto — so campers can really put their skills to the test. This is an excellent opportunity for kids who have previously attended our Outdoor Skills camp and want to deepen their outdoor knowledge through hands-on, experiential learning. Best of all, it’s going to be fun, active, and full of new challenges.

Cost $499

Outdoor Skills - Level III: This camp is specifically designed for returning campers entering 7th grade and above who have successfully completed Levels I and II and are eager to build on those skills. Over the course of the week they will have the chance to apply and further develop the skills learned in previous years, deepen their outdoor knowledge, and enjoy an exciting overnight camping experience (weather permitting) at Bogue Chitto State Park. The campout will take place on the Thursday and Friday of the camp week, giving campers an extended opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in a real outdoor setting. Monday through Wednesday will serve as a thorough refresher of all skills needed for our moving-water paddle and the campout on Thursday, while Friday will be spent exploring the state park’s trails and wrapping up the experience with a collaborative group activity to close out the trip.

Cost: $599

2026 Dates:

Week of May 26-29: Outdoor Skills- Level I (5th grade and up) FULL

Week of June 1-5: Outdoor Skills - Level I (5th grade and up)

Week of June 8-12: Outdoor Skills - Level II (6th grade and up)

Week of June 22-26: Outdoor Skills- Level III (7th grade and up)

Week of July 6-10: Outdoor Skills - Level I (5th grade and up)

Week of July 13-17: Outdoor Skills - Level I (5th grade and up) FULL

Week of July 20-24: Outdoor Skills Level I - GIRLS WEEK (5th grade and up)

Week of July 27-July 31: Outdoor Skills - Level II (6th grade and up)

Time: 9 AM - 3 PM

Location: The Chimes Restaurant/Bogue Falaya River
Limited spots available every week. This will be a hands-on camp experience. Small group size is necessary.

We will be traveling off-site again this year! We have a passenger van and a SUV that we will utilize to take the campers to Northlake Nature Center and the Big Branch area. Level II and III will travel to the Bogue Chitto for a moving water paddle (weather permitting) & the LOOP ropes course in City Park in New Orleans.

Every camp week will have 3 guides (2 adults and 1 college aged helper).

*If you would like to pay in installments please send us a text message and we can work with you!

Meet the Lead Instructor - Matt May

“Hey y’all!

My name is Matt May, and I will be the lead instructor this summer for our camp. I grew up in Baton Rouge and was in Boy Scouts. I was able to get my Eagle Scout rank and I attribute my scouting career to my work life. I went to college at Northwestern State University where I received a degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism. My concentration was Recreation Administration and a minor in Culinary Arts.

I have always loved the outdoors and I found a way to share my love of it with others. I have been able to find jobs where I am in the outdoors and the past 10 years I have been teaching people various skills. Some of these skills include camping basics, hiking, paddling (flatwater and whitewater), fishing, cooking, swimming, and team building challenges.

I have worked at a camp in Tennessee where we had summer camp as well as an environmental education and adventure education program during the school year. I was leading hundreds of kids a year in team building games, high rope challenge courses and off-site river and caving trips. I spent a ton of time on the water and loved every minute of it.

I worked for a program in New Orleans called Louisiana Outdoors Outreach Program (LOOP) and our mission was to provide a professional outdoor experience to the underserved and at-risk youth in the city. We worked with local schools to teach the kids outdoor skills from paddling a canoe, fishing, camping, swimming and all the things in between. We also had a challenge course where we worked with older groups and corporate groups to help grow their team cohesion. This job helped hone my group management skills and we had a blast showing our groups what the outdoors in South Louisiana looks like.

Currently at Canoe and Trail Adventures, I mainly lead paddles in the swamps for school groups and adults alike. Occasionally we will have a campout with a school where we will lead a hike or two. Our focus is on the water though. I like to find a balance of education and fun while out with a group so you can expect your kids to have fun and learn something while out with us. Working here has been an awesome opportunity and watching the company grow to where it is now is a great feeling. I am lucky to be a part of it and I look forward to sharing my love of the outdoors with you and your kids. Let’s have a blast this summer!”

Adventure is Calling