Ancestral Knowledge

PO Box 6 Brentwood, MD 20722

Nature
Outdoor Skills
Past sessions listed

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

Ancestral Knowledge is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that specializes in native living skills and primitive technology. Using Nature and the wilderness as our classroom, we offer hands-on experiential learning through the study of tracking, awareness and philosophies that support a sustainable lifestyle.

PO Box 6 Brentwood, MD 20722

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Camp Sessions

Upcoming sessions first, then past sessions from newest to oldest.

The Wilderness Experience - Earthskills Overnight CampOutdoor SkillsJul 28 - Aug 2, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 12-17$795
About this session

The Earth Skills Overnight Camp provides a unique opportunity for campers to delve deeper into the ancient arts and trades. Our program builds on the foundational knowledge gained from the Ways of the Woods Camp, encouraging participants to test their newfound abilities in more complex scenarios. They'll engage in the creation of Primitive Pottery, utilizing the intricate art of shaping and molding clay. Leather Making will introduce them to the process of transforming raw hide into durable material. Stone Tool Technology will take them back in time, teaching them how to craft tools from natural resources. Campers will also learn Open Fire Cooking, a fundamental skill of our ancestors. They will discover the art of Foraging, finding and safely preparing wild foods. Basket Making and Wood Working will allow them to create functional and beautiful items from natural materials. These are just a few of the numerous activities that await our campers, promising a rich, educational, and memorable experience. The best thing about our overnight camps, each year they are different, so feel free to come back for a new adventure each year!

Teen Immersion Experience Week #3 "Navigation"Outdoor SkillsJul 28 - Aug 2, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 12-17$795
About this session

The Teen Immersive Wilderness Program is a transformative outdoor experience designed to reconnect young participants with nature, instill essential survival skills, and promote personal growth. In an age dominated by digital tools, this program recognizes the importance of forging a strong connection with the natural world for the holistic development of young adults. The unit expands on ancestral skills learned through other A.K. programs and will help prepare young adults to navigate the modern world with a sense of community engagement. The program spans three weeks, each focusing on a specific theme: "Hearth," "Self-Sufficiency," and "Navigation." While best experienced as a unit, it is not required for participation. Through a series of hands-on activities, participants engage in a variety of immersive experiences that range from basic survival skills to advanced outdoor techniques.

Teen Immersion Experience Week #2 "Self Sufficiency"Outdoor SkillsJul 21 - Jul 26, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 12-17$795
About this session

The Teen Immersive Wilderness Program is a transformative outdoor experience designed to reconnect young participants with nature, instill essential survival skills, and promote personal growth. In an age dominated by digital tools, this program recognizes the importance of forging a strong connection with the natural world for the holistic development of young adults. The unit expands on ancestral skills learned through other A.K. programs and will help prepare young adults to navigate the modern world with a sense of community engagement. The program spans three weeks, each focusing on a specific theme: "Hearth," "Self-Sufficiency," and "Navigation." While best experienced as a unit, it is not required for participation. Through a series of hands-on activities, participants engage in a variety of immersive experiences that range from basic survival skills to advanced outdoor techniques.

The Wilderness Experience - Earthskills Overnight CampOutdoor SkillsJul 21 - Jul 26, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 12-17$795
About this session

The Earth Skills Overnight Camp provides a unique opportunity for campers to delve deeper into the ancient arts and trades. Our program builds on the foundational knowledge gained from the Ways of the Woods Camp, encouraging participants to test their newfound abilities in more complex scenarios. They'll engage in the creation of Primitive Pottery, utilizing the intricate art of shaping and molding clay. Leather Making will introduce them to the process of transforming raw hide into durable material. Stone Tool Technology will take them back in time, teaching them how to craft tools from natural resources. Campers will also learn Open Fire Cooking, a fundamental skill of our ancestors. They will discover the art of Foraging, finding and safely preparing wild foods. Basket Making and Wood Working will allow them to create functional and beautiful items from natural materials. These are just a few of the numerous activities that await our campers, promising a rich, educational, and memorable experience. The best thing about our overnight camps, each year they are different, so feel free to come back for a new adventure each year!

Woods Wise Day Camps - I, II, IIIOutdoor SkillsJul 14 - Jul 18, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMAges: 7-17$299
About this session

Our Woods Wise Camps will be an experience your kids will never forget. Advancing through the different levels of our camps In a safe learning environment, with experienced instructors, our campers will learn ancient & practical skills, become more aware, and more comfortable in the forests. Participants are guided through experiences that nurture their connection to the earth and allow them to feel at home in a natural environment.

Teen Immersion Experience Week #1 - "The Hearth"Outdoor SkillsJul 14 - Jul 19, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 13-17$795
About this session

The Teen Immersive Wilderness Program is a transformative outdoor experience designed to reconnect young participants with nature, instill essential survival skills, and promote personal growth. In an age dominated by digital tools, this program recognizes the importance of forging a strong connection with the natural world for the holistic development of young adults. The unit expands on ancestral skills learned through other A.K. programs and will help prepare young adults to navigate the modern world with a sense of community engagement. The program spans three weeks, each focusing on a specific theme: "Hearth," "Self-Sufficiency," and "Navigation." While best experienced as a unit, it is not required for participation. Through a series of hands-on activities, participants engage in a variety of immersive experiences that range from basic survival skills to advanced outdoor techniques.

The Wilderness Experience - Earthskills Overnight CampOutdoor SkillsJul 14 - Jul 19, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

3:00 PM - 11:00 AMAges: 12-17$795
About this session

The Earth Skills Overnight Camp provides a unique opportunity for campers to delve deeper into the ancient arts and trades. Our program builds on the foundational knowledge gained from the Ways of the Woods Camp, encouraging participants to test their newfound abilities in more complex scenarios. They'll engage in the creation of Primitive Pottery, utilizing the intricate art of shaping and molding clay. Leather Making will introduce them to the process of transforming raw hide into durable material. Stone Tool Technology will take them back in time, teaching them how to craft tools from natural resources. Campers will also learn Open Fire Cooking, a fundamental skill of our ancestors. They will discover the art of Foraging, finding and safely preparing wild foods. Basket Making and Wood Working will allow them to create functional and beautiful items from natural materials. These are just a few of the numerous activities that await our campers, promising a rich, educational, and memorable experience. The best thing about our overnight camps, each year they are different, so feel free to come back for a new adventure each year!

Woods Wise Day Camps - I, II, IIIOutdoor SkillsJul 7 - Jul 11, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMAges: 7-17$299
About this session

Our Woods Wise Camps will be an experience your kids will never forget. Advancing through the different levels of our camps In a safe learning environment, with experienced instructors, our campers will learn ancient & practical skills, become more aware, and more comfortable in the forests. Participants are guided through experiences that nurture their connection to the earth and allow them to feel at home in a natural environment.

Woods Wise Day Camps - I, II, IIIOutdoor SkillsJun 23 - Jun 27, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMAges: 7-17$299
About this session

Our Woods Wise Camps will be an experience your kids will never forget. Advancing through the different levels of our camps In a safe learning environment, with experienced instructors, our campers will learn ancient & practical skills, become more aware, and more comfortable in the forests. Participants are guided through experiences that nurture their connection to the earth and allow them to feel at home in a natural environment.

Woods Wise Day Camps - I, II, IIIOutdoor SkillsJun 16 - Jun 20, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMAges: 7-17$299
About this session

Our Woods Wise Camps will be an experience your kids will never forget. Advancing through the different levels of our camps In a safe learning environment, with experienced instructors, our campers will learn ancient & practical skills, become more aware, and more comfortable in the forests. Participants are guided through experiences that nurture their connection to the earth and allow them to feel at home in a natural environment.

Advanced Skills Day Camp for TeensOutdoor SkillsJun 16 - Jun 20, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PMAges: 12-17$325
About this session

The Advanced Skills for Teens Day Camp will consist of a variety of different skills we well focus on advancing our knowledge and understanding of, skills including: The Stone Tool & Flint Knapping is where you will learn basic and advanced tool production methods. We will guide you through all the stages of stone reduction that are proven to be the most effective way to produce the sharpest edge possible on stones. You will also learn how to properly use antler, stone, and bone tools to reduce raw stone into usable tools. The stone will be your teacher and we will be your translator. You may find the lessons learned are beyond mere flake removal. **We will go on a couple field trips to explore and test different rock sources around the DMV Forest Scout Day Camp is where you will experience what it means to be the eyes and the ears of the forest. Learning how to disappear into the forest without a trace we, will use skills like; natural camouflage, stalking and movement, aidless navigation, and advanced tracking and awareness to reach our objectives. We will split off from the Woods Wise Day Camps and practice Scout activities and play Scout games that help hone each campers skills in awareness, stealth, and invisibility to prepare for their final mission, infiltrating the others camps to capture their treasures! This camp is modeled around the ancient Scout skills shared by Tom Brown Jr and takes each camper on an exciting Scout adventure.

Little Explorers - Outdoor Adventures & Learning for Ages 5-7Outdoor SkillsMar 12 - Jun 4, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

12:00 PM - 3:00 PMAges: 5-7$270
About this session

This is an outdoor play-based program, where curiosity, play, nature, and exploration lead our time together in community. We believe time out in Nature not only benefits the minds and bodies of young children, but also enhances confidence and stimulates their motor and sensory awareness development. We will have nature based art activities, nature based games, and storytelling during our time together, all while giving the children opportunities to explore, get comfortable in, and learn about their natural surroundings. Let your child grow, experience, and connect to Nature the way they were meant to in a fun, exploratory, safe community environment.

Becoming Woods Wise - Nature Mentoring for Children Ages 8-11Outdoor SkillsJan 11 - May 17, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

10:30 AM - 3:30 PMAges: 8-11$450
About this session

Get ready for an eye-opening adventure of learning and growth! Our instructors are passionate about linking students to the fascinating world of nature, forging unforgettable bonds. Our nature-centric activities are the engaging pathways that allow students to fully immerse and interact with the natural world, enriching their connection to it. Each week promises a fresh burst of excitement with activities focused on our primal needs. From mastering the art of fire-making and using it as a tool, to identifying wild edible, useful and medicinal plants, your senses will be fully engaged. Prepare to dive into nature observation, shelter building, tracking, and even crafting natural artifacts. But that's not all! Students also get the chance to learn knife safety and handling, coupled with practical carving techniques. They will be guided by our skilled instructors through various projects, ensuring they gain hands-on experience. Experience the thrill of nature like never before!

Wisdom of the Woods - Earthskills Mentoring & Rites of Passage for TeensOutdoor SkillsJan 11 - May 17, 2025
Past session

Past dates; prices and details may have changed.

10:30 AM - 3:30 PMAges: 12-15$420
About this session

Get ready for an eye-opening adventure of learning and growth! Our instructors are passionate about linking students to the fascinating world of nature, forging unforgettable bonds. Our nature-centric activities are the engaging pathways that allow students to fully immerse and interact with the natural world, enriching their connection to it. Each week promises a fresh burst of excitement with activities focused on our primal needs. From mastering the art of fire-making and using it as a tool, to identifying wild edible, useful and medicinal plants, your senses will be fully engaged. Prepare to dive into nature observation, shelter building, tracking, and even crafting natural artifacts. But that's not all! Students also get the chance to learn knife safety and handling, coupled with practical carving techniques. They will be guided by our skilled instructors through various projects, ensuring they gain hands-on experience. Experience the thrill of nature like never before!

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