FAQ

–Woolly Bears, ages 3-4: Half day program in Rocky Ripple

–Tree Frogs, ages 5-6: Full day program in Rocky Ripple

–Flying Squirrels, ages 7-9: Full day program and after-school program in Rocky Ripple

–Scouts, ages 10-12: Full day program and after-school program in Rocky Ripple

–Teens, ages 13-17: Full day program and after-school program in Rocky Ripple. Fire Keepers program for teen mentoring. Overnights offered throughout the year in Rocky Ripple.

–Adults, ages 18+: Workshops, Certifications and Clubs, offered throughout the year in Rocky Ripple and around central Indiana.

The direction we take is one of a traditionally ancestral approach to nature connection. We teach skills, honor history and tell stories from Indigenous cultures the world over. Some of these lessons have a specific lineage, while some do not. Each story, tradition or skill has different protocols and prohibitions depending on the degree of our connection to the story.

Our teachers utilize an experience and research-driven model that brings together three lineages of: Primitive Archaeology, Shikari practice, and the 8 Shields Nature Connection model to guide children in finding their place, both in community and in the natural world. Read more about our culture and approach at our About page.

White Pine uses a highly field tested, custom curriculum model called “The Shikari Wilderness System”, which cycles through all of our guilds/skills in a year’s time. This cycle is not a new invention – it’s been used for thousands of years in many traditional cultures, not to mention its existence prior to man in the natural world. The cycle of a day, a year, and a life is something we’re all connected to whether we are aware of it or not. We celebrate these energetic changes in the year by focusing our guilds/skills within these natural cycles. Many skills we practice year-round, but the time of year that each Pathway is featured is a time to dive deep and advance our practice.

Please check out our Family Guidebook for more details.

No! All levels of experience are welcome at White Pine, whether your kid loves to camp or has been stuck to the TV. As humans, nature is built into our DNA. We’ve witnessed hundreds of kids take to it very quickly, as kids are far better prepared than any adult to start down the path of outdoor and naturalist education. The fun, community aspect of our classes allow kids to sail right past their comfort zone. Before you know it, kids who never wanted to go outside are lighting fires, tracking animals, and shooting arrows.

Yes! White Pine’s classes are completely nature-based and take place outside in all weather conditions, except severe weather (see our Health & Safety Protocols in the Family Guidebook).

Part of a full outdoor education experience is learning how to stay comfortable in all weather. This teaches resiliency and shows our children that we can find joy even in stormy circumstances. Preparing for inclement weather helps children to learn the importance of planning ahead, identifying appropriate gear, and developing a back-up plan (change of clothes). We teach our students ways to stay comfortable, like proper fire building techniques, staying hydrated, creating shelter, and so much more. We always keep an eye on how our students are doing with the weather throughout class and make sure to model how to listen to our bodies.

We believe that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear!” In other words, with the appropriate clothing, accessories and planning, students will have little issue with the weather.

Yes, all of our youth and teen programs run from August to May. Our Summer Camps run from June to August and our overnight camps run year round.

One of the keys of being a naturalist is learning to relate to your environment in all seasons. We instill this philosophy in our youth outdoor education programs by teaching the use of proper gear, and taking care of our bodies. We do cancel classes if the forecasted high for the day is below 20 degrees F.

Please refer to our Family Guidebook for tips on dressing properly in cold weather.

While on campus, we have two indoor restrooms and one outdoor urination station. While on walkabouts off campus, if a student needs to use a bathroom, instructors will help them find a private spot at least 100′ from the river to potty in the woods. Instructors carry supplies to help kids potty in the woods, such as a small shovel and toilet paper.

All students attending classes must be bathroom-independent.

Yes! Family adult volunteers are welcome and encouraged at White Pine in the role of Village Keeper. Village Keepers will assist a Lead Instructor with a group of 10 students for the day. Please arrive no later than the start of drop-off and plan on staying to the end of pick-up. All individuals regardless of relationship to students will need to pass a background check prior to volunteering. Come spend class with your kid, get dirty, and have tons of fun! No siblings may attend a class they are not registered for when their adult is Village Keeping. Read more about our Village Keeper program and sign up today at www.whitepinewilderness.org/volunteer .

Check out this list of suggested gear for your kid’s time at White Pine. Please know that all of the info below is a guideline for gear. Our years of work with children and being outdoors have provided some insight as to what works well. However, we will work with whatever you’re able to provide.

Our Everyday Gear Requirements for attending White Pine include:

» Durable backpack, with multiple pockets and a place for a waterbottle

» 1+ carabiner, attached to backpack to hang on a rope in the field

» 1 filled water bottle (at least 32+ oz), LABELED with your kid’s name (This is one of the most frequently left-behind items, and we want it to return home with your kid!)

» 1 camp mug

» Planetbox Rover stainless steel lunchbox (or similar durable lunchbox) LABELED with your kid’s name

» Packed lunch (no refrigeration, boiling water, or microwave requirements)

» 2 healthy snacks (no refrigeration, boiling water, or microwave requirements)

» Change of clothes – 2 sets

» Plastic bags to transport soiled clothes

For specific Warm Weather and Cold Weather gear suggestions, please check out our Family Guidebook.

Back in the ’90s, the Wapahani (White) River was unsafe to enter because of heavy pollution and sewer runoff. Some old signs still remain near the river to warn visitors of danger. However, thanks to the work of the many river advocacy groups in Central Indiana that work tirelessly to improve the health of our beloved river and the areas that surround it, our river is safe to enter today. It is evident by the return of many aquatic creatures and plants that the pollution levels have reduced significantly over the last 30 years. At White Pine, we follow the advice of these groups when they say, “Feet, not face” and avoid entering the river for about 24 hours after a heavy rain.

Because of the work of these advocacy groups, our staff and students are able to visit the Wapahani River on a regular basis and develop a relationship with it, learn the plants and animals that live in and near it, and come to love the Wapahani in all it’s beauty. We are so proud that there have been several White Pine staff and students that have gone on to work in these advocacy groups to protect and preserve the Wapahani for generations to come.

Here is our water policy from our Family Handbook:
Visits to the Wapahani (White) River can be a daily part of the White Pine day. Students are not permitted in or near the river when it is above normal flow due to health and safety concerns. Due to the hydrology of this urban river, entry into the river is only permitted during low flows. When students are allowed in the river, White Pine policy is to allow students to wade with footwear, in water no deeper than the student’s knees. Life Jackets are required for all students boarding watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Instructors and leadership make very conservative judgment calls on allowing any river activity.

There are lots of families like this in our beautiful White Pine community of intentional, thoughtful citizens of the earth. White Pine is not out to convince anyone to change anything about their chosen lifestyle.

When White Pine classes are working on skinning and tanning, every kid is given the option to participate or not, no shame or guilt. There will always be another activity available for them to choose instead, if they want to opt-out of skinning and tanning.

Instructors are always compassionate to others, especially around this guild, since many have never been part of something like this. Gratitude for the animal’s life is always discussed. Many animal hides that we process have been brought to White Pine as roadkill, so by processing their remains into a tanned hide, the animal’s life has a second purpose: educating humans about their life so we can learn to love and protect them.

At this time, we are not able to offer discounted tuition when family adults volunteer.

However, family volunteers are always welcome and encouraged at White Pine in the role of Village Keepers. Village Keepers assist a Lead Instructor with a group of approximately 10 students for the day, coming at drop-off and staying until the end of the day at pick-up. All individuals regardless of relationship to students will need to pass a background check prior to volunteering. Come spend class with your kid, get dirty, and have tons of fun! Siblings who are not registered in that class may not attend with the volunteering adult. Read more about our Village Keeper program and sign up today at www.whitepinewilderness.org/volunteer.

Check out our Financial Assistance page for ways to reduce your tuition cost.

If you are interested in helping us fundraise for our scholarship program, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. Thank you!

At this time, we are not able to offer sibling discounts. Check out our Financial Assistance page for ways to reduce your tuition cost.

If you are interested in helping us fundraise for our scholarship program, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form. Thank you!

Our Forest School Year goes from August – May. A $50 non-refundable processing fee is due upon enrollment in Forest School. Tuition is then automatically withdrawn monthly from the credit card on file.

Yes, teenagers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. We ask that any teenage participant be comfortable and capable in working in an adult atmosphere.