What ages can attend?

This session is for girls aged 13–17 only.

How long is the course?

The experience runs approximately 6 hours as listed.

Participants meet at the Camp Office; please arrive 15 minutes before the start time and ensure digital waivers are completed.

Do participants need prior experience?

No prior experience is required; the course is designed for beginners but includes hands-on practice.

What is the group size?

Group size is capped at 12 to maintain focused, hands-on instruction.

What is the cancellation policy?

Full refund for cancellations made 7 days in advance; cancellations within 6 days and no-shows are non-refundable.

Wilderness Skills for Teen Girls in Santa Fe: Fire, Shelter & Archery with Bobcat Brad | Workshop | Guided Tour

On a bright June morning in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a circle of teenage girls gathers at a camp office doorway for a one-day immersion in practical wilderness skills. The trip is called June 3rd only- Wilderness Skills 1-Teen Girls Summer '26 and it takes place in the high-desert foothills around Santa Fe, with piñon and juniper groves, sandstone outcrops, and the distant outline of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains forming the backdrop. Instructor Bobcat Brad leads six hours of hands-on instruction - firecraft, shelter construction, basic archery, and low-impact navigation - designed to build confidence and competence without overwhelming first-timers. The program's setting is as much a classroom as it is a landscape. Training happens on open meadows and among scattered rock slabs where students learn friction and tinder selection for fire-building, construct debris shelters using local grasses and branches, and practice safe archery on marked targets. The key features are the learning circle, the practice range, and nearby scrubland used for short navigation exercises; natural elements - piñon scent, wind-swept cool air, and hard-packed sandy soil - teach environmental awareness as part of the curriculum. For girls used to suburban parks, the high-desert ecology and the silhouette of the Sangre de Cristo peaks make this a memorable introduction to Southwestern backcountry skills. What makes this day course special is the focus on practical repetition led by an experienced guide who keeps safety central. Group size caps at 12, so participants receive hands-on attention, and the pace balances instruction, practice, and playful challenges that build teamwork. The course is beginner-friendly but physically engaging: expect scrambling over rocks, kneeling to build shelters, and standing to shoot. The local tie-in matters - participants gain skills applicable across the region, from Santa Fe National Forest hikes to weekend backpacking trips. Parents and teens should know this is a single-day session beginning at the Camp Office; digital waivers must be signed and students should arrive fifteen minutes early. Cancellations are refundable seven days in advance. The program emphasizes Leave No Trace practices throughout, teaching young outdoor users to minimize impact while gaining real capability. Whether you want a first step into backcountry competence or a confidence-building adventure for a teen, this concise, skill-packed day with Bobcat Brad in Santa Fe delivers practical instruction, memorable landscape lessons, and a clear path to the next outdoor challenge. Expect basic safety gear to be checked on arrival, and staff will adapt activities to weather and group experience. Parents can observe from designated areas or sign permission for check-in communications. For teens ready to push skills further, instructors recommend follow-up courses in map and compass, overnight camping, and low-angle ropework - each taught with the same emphasis on skill-building, responsibility, and respect for the high-desert landscape and personal growth.

About The Wilderness Institute

The Wilderness Institute, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, operates outdoor education and guided recreation across a private, 160-acre property. The program lineup includes Archery, Yoga in the Woods, Rock Climbing, Tomahawk & Spear Throwing, Guided Hikes, QiGong, Celestial Wonders Walk, and Climb Into the Heart of The Mother Tree. Each experience emphasizes safety, hands-on instruction, and a connection to the natural landscape.

Archery sessions use soft-tip arrows and professional targets with expert guidance to help participants improve aim, form, and safety. Rock Climbing takes place on private Santa Fe cliffs; instructors provide knots, belaying instruction, and all necessary climbing gear for uncrowded granite routes. Tomahawk & Spear Throwing teaches primitive skills and controlled competition at wooden targets. Guided Hikes traverse the property’s trails with naturalists who point out wildlife, native plants, and local history.

Mind-body offerings include Yoga in the Woods and QiGong, practiced outdoors to promote relaxation, grounding, and balanced movement suitable for all levels. The Celestial Wonders Walk uses red-light headlamps for low-impact night hiking while exploring constellations and nocturnal ecology. Climb Into the Heart of The Mother Tree allows participants to ascend a towering Ponderosa Pine near the Treehouse Camp with specialized gear for a bird’s-eye perspective of the forest.

Programs are designed for beginners through experienced participants, with gear provided when noted. The Wilderness Institute focuses on education, safety, and authentic outdoor experiences rooted in Santa Fe’s forested landscape. Reservations and schedules are available seasonally, with programs tailored to small groups, families, and independent adventurers.