PRIMITIVE SKILLS

LEARN A UNIQUE SET OF SKILLS

Primitive Skills campers are immersed in ancient worlds of blacksmithing, sailing, and archery! Skills of antiquity are reborn in this engaging and challenging, one of a kind offering.

In this uniquely challenging camp, participants will learn how to:

Sail on Lake Tahoe
Blacksmith with expert craftsman
Navigate by landmarks and peaks
Archery using Genesis compound bows

On crystal blue Lake Tahoe, campers will sail on our fleet or RS Zest sailboats – that are durable, fast and fun for all age sailors. Campers will learn to read weather and wind, boat basics and terms, points of sail, helm control, sheet-work, knot tying and self-rescue techniques. They will navigate and set bearing by landmarks and the many notable mountain peaks that circle Lake Tahoe. Returning campers will learn more advanced race tactics and sail techniques, and sail in more expert conditions.

Your child is required to know how to swim for sailing and water activities. Camp provided lifejackets are required while sailing and swimming. Camp provided wetsuits are required most summers through early July.

On land, campers will learn to blacksmith using hammers, anvils and the camp forge, which heats metal to 1000+ degrees Fahrenheit. Blacksmithing is a labor-intensive practice that requires safety, patience, planning and teamwork. Campers will forge and hammer usable works of art, tools, hooks, nails bottle openers and more.

Campers will also practice and hone archery skills using our state of the art Genesis Compound Bows and Easton arrows and targets.

CAMP DETAILS

Ages: 8 years old – 13 years old.

Note: Camp is split into a younger and older group. Here’s a rough breakdown; Group A – 8 to 10-year-olds. Group B – 11 to 13-year-olds.

Days / Times: Monday to Thursday, see times below by activity.

Blacksmithing and Archery on campus run from 9:00am – 3:00pm @ Tahoe Expedition Academy (TEA) at 9765 Schaffer Mill Rd. Truckee, CA 96161. Check in at Check In Station #2 as indicated on the campus map below.
Sailing runs from 9:30am – 3:30pm in Tahoe Vista, CA. Parents can either drop off at beachhead at 9:30am, or drop off at TEA at 9:00am for our morning shuttle.

Where: Group A Blacksmiths on Mondays, while Group B Sails. Groups switch activities the next day – activity locations are as follows: Tahoe Expedition Academy, 9765 Schaffer Mill Rd., Truckee, CA 96161 for Blacksmithing and land based activities. Sailing happens off Tahoe Vista, CA beaches on Lake Tahoe.

What to Bring: For the best possible camp experience, please ensure your child comes prepared with a backpack, sunscreen (applied), lunch, snack, water bottle, bathing suit, change of clothes for blacksmithing, closed toed shoes and a great attitude! A detailed camp welcome will be shared with registered summer camp families.

Note, Blacksmithing requires that participants wear pants and close toed shoes, if your child doesn’t bring these to camp they will not smith. Synthetic shirts and pants are prohibited as this material melts to skin.

Final Products: Campers will bring home finished metal works and newly honed skills.

Capacity: This camp is limited to ~22 participants. Camp is split into two groups of ~11.

Camp Price: $695.00