Pathfinders
(Ages 10–12)
Imagine summer camp as an expedition into nature. Each session, a new and unexpected adventure awaits, and challenges you to become a confident explorer in the woods by teaching wilderness skills, first aid, cooking, shelter building, and more.
Open Enrollment January 13, 2025Pathfinders
Ages 10–12 (must be 10 by August 31, 2025)
- 8:1 child to staff ratio
- $1070 per 2–week session
- **$990 for session 1**
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Camp Program Dates:
- Session 1: June 23 - July 3 Closed July 4
- Session 2: July 7 - July 18
- Session 3: July 21 - August 1
- Session 4: August 4 - August 15
Butler Camp did an amazing job with organizing fun and different activities for the kids! Our daughters had a blast and loved everything, including archery, mountain bike, zip lining. The counselors were super friendly and safety protocols were solid!
~ Carole W., 2020 Camp Parent
Pathfinders
(Ages 10–12)
“Challenge by choice” is a fundamental tenet of our Pathfinders program. Our well-trained, certified counselors offer campers both instruction and encouragement as they tackle a wide variety of land and water activities.
Campers develop the ability to safely and successfully acquire new skills and confidence, while having fun with a different activity on campus each day of the week. Activities include our ropes and challenge course, team-building games, mountain biking, hiking, swimming at the creek, fishing, and wilderness skills training.
This program also includes a hike and tubing near the Seneca Red Trail, along with a one-night camp out on the second Wednesday of each two-week session.
Sample Day at Camp
9:15–12:00 Adventure Activity
12:00–12:30 LUNCH
12:30–1:45 Pool
2:30–3:00 Team Building
Rain Plan: Butler Camp views rain as “liquid sunshine”! All activities will continue as planned except in cases of severe weather (i.e., thunder, lightning, or heavy downpour). In this case, we have indoor and undercover space where activities will continue.
What Your Child Needs
Daily:
- Backpack
- Water bottle – refillable
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Snack
- Lunch
- Extra change of clothes
Start of Camp: (These items stay at camp for the session)
- Sunblock
- Bug spray
- Creek shoes/boots
Counselors will advise the campers when particular clothing is required. Be sure that your camper arrives in the morning with sunscreen/bug repellent already applied.
Basic overnight needs for all activities: Sleeping pad, sleeping bag, change of clothes, flashlight/headlamp, water bottle, toiletries, warm jacket, and rain gear. Counselors will confirm the necessary items by Friday of Week 1.
Mosquito Tips – suggested for water activities: Pack lightweight pants, long-sleeved shirt, socks, and a hat that can be sprayed with bug spray.
Skills Gained
- Increased fitness, strength, agility, self-confidence, and fearlessness
- Knowledge and experience with climbing, canoeing, tubing, hiking, mountain-biking, knot-tying, fishing, tent and camp set-up, outdoor cooking, wilderness skills, and outdoor/water safety
- Environmental education, including Leave No Trace camping ethics and practices and respect for nature and others (and an appreciation for life beyond “screen time”)
- Lifelong memories of singing and roasting marshmallows by a campfire, sleeping in the wilderness in a tent, and the confidence in wilderness skills to safely move about, cook, and create shelter.
- Problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, decision-making, risk assessment, communication skills and, in many cases, new friends!
Pathfinders Sample Weeks
WK1
Monday – Opening Ceremony, Introduction Games, Snack, Hike, Lunch, Pool, Shelter Building, First Aid
Tuesday – Group game, Snack, Archery, Lunch, Hike to waterfall, Pool
Wednesday – Low Ropes Course, Lunch, Survival Skills water filtration, Pool
Thursday – High Ropes, Snack, High Ropes, Lunch, Survival Skills (Survival Skills, Knife Safety, Fire building) Pool
Friday – Hike to water hole, Snack, Water hole, Lunch, Pool, Survival Skills Wood forage
WK2
Monday – High Wall Climb, Lunch, High Ropes, Go over plans for overnight.
Tuesday – Group Picks Activity, Snack, Pool,
Wednesday – Hike, Snack, Scavenger Hunt, Lunch, Pool, Mt Bike Skills
Thursday – Tubing, Lunch, Overnight Camp -Out (additional pool time)
Friday – Breakfast, clean up and tents put away, games, Lunch, Pool, Tree climbing
