A two-week, mixed-gender wilderness program for 30-42 campers ages 11-14 that provides:
- Deep immersion in simple living - Shift into meaningful nature patterns of living in nature
- Timeless community - living without watches or electric lights, finding natural rhythms
- Personal awareness - structured reflection, meaningful rituals
- Genuine outdoor competence - not just learning skills, but living them every day
The Clearing builds on everything that made Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove extraordinary:
- The same remote location where generations discovered their strength
- Canvas lodges, sleeping close to the earth
- The small community size (30-42 campers) where everyone belongs
- Meaningful rituals and ceremonies that mark personal growth
- The "timeless peace" that comes from living by natural rhythms
What's evolving: Opening to all genders and offering two-week sessions makes these transformative experiences accessible to more families while maintaining the depth that defines off-grid living at F&W.
30-42 campers ages 11-14 will:
- Sleep in canvas structures that sheltered decades of campers
- Cook meals over open fires in our time-tested outdoor kitchen
- Navigate without watches or electric lights
- Build the confidence that comes from meeting their basic needs
- Experience the profound belonging of a close-knit community
This is "the expedition that stays put"—no overnight trips needed when you're already living fully immersed in nature.
Familiar Landmarks, New Memories
Returning campers and alumni will recognize:
- The Round House — still the heart of community gathering
- The Bonfire Circle — where big fires mark important moments
- The Outdoor Oven — producing baked bread and more for the community
These beloved structures will welcome a new generation to make their own memories.
- September through October: Program refinement, formal launch and program announcements
- Early November: Enrollment will be open alongside other F&W overnight programs
- Spring 2026: Additional program news and announcements
- Memorial Day Weekend 2026: Community work weekend at Flying Cloud (details coming—imagine setting up lodges together again!)
- Summer 2026: First season of the evolved program
Stay Connected:
Join our mailing list for updates as details are finalized, including:
- Registration opening (November 2025)
- Staff opportunities
- Work weekend plans
To the alumni, families, and friends who have been asking "when will those camps come back?"—thank you for your patience, your input, and your continued faith. The session length, mixed gender and opportunity for a new beginning mean that FC and RSG are not being “brought back” - this new camp should feel like a offspring of its parent camps.
We know that Flying Cloud and Red Spruce Grove hold irreplaceable memories for thousands of alumni. This isn't about replacing those experiences—it's about ensuring that the magic of off-grid living at Ninevah continues for new generations.
