Capstone Trips

Mindful Adventures offers outdoor experiences deeply rooted in Waldorf philosophy. Our 8th grade capstone trips, summer camps, and multi-day canoe and backpacking excursions are all created with the goal of awakening new and powerful connections with the natural world. Our adventures throughout the country are fun and challenging, foster new perspectives and understanding, and bring people together in profound ways. We also offer a unique way to make the outdoor experience even more rewarding with our capstone preparation block. This intensive week long course will give the kids and their teacher the opportunity to hand carve their own canoe paddles for their canoe journey, learn how to dehydrate food and pack backpacks for the backpacking trek, and delve into orienteering and compass use. Finally they will learn and practice primitive skills like fire lighting, open fire cooking, and woodcraft. We take the kids back in time breathing new life into the ways of the past. These skills will become part of their journey and crucial during the adventure as the wilderness becomes their partner and not just a backdrop for their travels. It is a journey of self discovery that will forever change what kids believe they can accomplish.

In addition to the completely custom trips to a desired location we also lead predesigned trips from base camps in two ecologically spectacular areas for both spring and fall capstone trips. Several elements make up these adventures and can be combined and customized to create a trip that fits the goals and abilities of the class.

Chatooga River - This trip centers around the unbelievable beauty and power of the Chatooga River that defines the northern border between Georgia and South Carolina. It offers stunning and unique opportunities to be on both land and water that allows us to create a diverse set of challenges. The base camp facility we use in this area offers forested surroundings, a low ropes challenge course, full outdoor kitchen, bathrooms with showers, a group fire pit, and several large shelters.

Shenandoah National Park - This trip through a truly special part of the Appalachian mountains offers a wide variety of backpacking and canoeing opportunities. The base camp facility we use in this area can actually become the final destination of the backpacking journey as it is located within hiking distance of some of the spectacular trails in the area. It is surrounded by forest and offers enough room for solo fires even with large classes. There is a beautiful nearby swimming hole, permanent canvas platform tents, a group fire pit, and a full outdoor kitchen.

Trip features and possibilities

Multi-day Backpacking
Multi-day canoeing
White water rafting
Bushcraft
Primitive Fire Lighting
Shelter building
Paddle Making
Knot Tying
Woodcarving
Solo fires
Solo Sit Spot
Orienteering challenges
Open fire cooking
Service opportunities
Low ropes challenge course
Team building games and challenges