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Summer Camp

Terms​

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  • Online registration and payment must be completed prior to attending camp

  • Immunization records must be submitted via email or text

  • Only camp participants, staff, and volunteers are permitted on the property during the day
     

Payment​

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  • TUITION: Payment in full is required at registration time

  • PAYMENT PLAN: If you are unable to make any of the above payments and want to set up a payment plan, please email us at sassafrasearthedu@icloud.com

  • FINANCIAL AID: Offers 50% tuition coverage, payment in full of the remaining 50% is due at registration

  • REPAIR FUND: Provides 100% tuition coverage for Wôpanâak/First Nations participants and BIPOC families/households who opt-in. Please consider making a donation of your choice to our Repair Fund.

  • NO REFUNDS / NO CHANGES: We do not offer any refunds or allow changes in registration

  • FINANCIAL AID / REPAIR FUND recipients have an attendance requirement.

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Waitlist

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  • If a camp reaches capacity you can join our waitlist by emailing the participant's name, age, and week(s) of your choice to: sassafrasearthedu@icloud.com

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ABOUT OUR CAMP

Sassafras Summer Camp is a unique, Indigenous-led program offering exceptional experiential learning grounded in respect for the Earth, community, and self. Youth and teens engage in traditional, hands-on skills while developing a truthful and living understanding of Indigenous culture. Our teachings nurture leadership, responsibility, and compassion—cultivating strong and grounded leaders for the future.

 

The camp is an unplugged environment, recognizing the importance of screen-free space for holistic growth. We place a strong emphasis on social justice and on learning healthy, respectful ways to stand up for ourselves and others. Especially in these times, we prioritize creating a safe and supportive space where youth and teens can express their truest selves and allow their gifts to shine.

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DAILY ACTIVITIES

Daily activities include earth-centered games and skills, exploring woods and trails, building campsites, making fires, observing and connecting, carving and crafting, identifying plants, wild edibles and animals. On Wednesdays we walk to the beach, and on Fridays we have Culture Days. We start and end each day in circles that include land acknowledgments, gratitude, meaningful conversation, stories, and music.

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Camp Schedule 2026

Staff Orientation & Training from June 29 - July 3

Summer Camp 2026 staff orientation and training is required and takes place on June 29, 30, July 2, and 3, with a day off on Wednesday July 1. We focus on team building, getting to know the land and each other, plan and prep for the weeks to come, cover safety protocols, and have fun! 

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  • Staff Arrival Dates:  June 27-28, 2026

  • Orientation Dates: June 29, 30 & July 2, 3 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

Summer Staff Application

Week 1: "Fire Week" from July 6-10

This week's focus is on fire, we learn about fire safety, indigenous uses of fire, respectful gathering, building and tending. We make group and individual fires, while also learning how to tend our own inner fires. Older youth can learn about the Indigenous practice of fire by friction.

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  • Dates: July 6-10, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 1: "Teen Fire Week" from July 6-10

Teen Fire Week is open to youth ages 12 and up. Fire is our guiding theme, as we take this week's teachings to the next level for our teen group. A week of adventure, connection and reflection, where teens engage in meaningful conversations about social justice, climate, and social media, while being supported to explore and grow their unique passions.

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  • Dates: July 6-10, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 2: "Cooking/Games" Week from July 13-17

This week's focus is on having fun playing lots of Sassafras games and making up our own. We learn to safely cook over a fire, make some delicious foods together, and - a favorite for many kids - roast our lunches over our own fires. 

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  • Dates: July 13-17, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 3: "Arts & Harvest Week" from July 20-24

This week's focus is on arts and harvesting from the land. We celebrate our passions with music, crafts, and other creative expressions. Harvesting plants, roots, and picking berries are some of our all time favorite activities during week 3!

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  • Dates: July 20-24, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 4: "Traditional Skills Week" from July 27 - 31

This week’s focus is on Native traditional skills. Participants will learn and respectfully practice Indigenous techniques passed down through generations, including building and tending fire, building shelter, cooking over our own fires, crafting, harvesting, and deepening our awareness and connection to the land.

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  • Dates: July 27-31, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 5: "Teen Water Week" from Aug 3-7

Water week is back for the final week of Summer Camp 2026! We celebrate our island's beautiful waters, diving into island essence with challenges and adventures for teens. We will go to the beach on 2 days. On other days we'll play fun water games, while also learning about the sacredness of water. This week will be all about being in the flow and celebrating summer.

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  • Dates: Aug 3-7, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

Week 5: "Water Week" from Aug 3-7

Water week is back for the final week of Summer Camp 2026! We celebrate our island's beautiful waters, diving into island essence. We will go to the beach on 2 days. On other days we'll play fun water games, while also learning about the sacredness of water. This week will be all about being in the flow and celebrating summer.

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  • Dates: Aug 3-7, 2026

  • Times: 9 am–3 pm

  • Cost: $450

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