Teaching old-school skills is at the heart of what we do. At Dragonfly we give kids knives, arrows, fire, and more to help them become capable and competent for a life outdoors. Because of this core mission, safety is critical. To keep kids and staff safe, we have some basic guidelines that must be met by all students.To know if Dragonfly is the right camp or club for your child, ask yourself if they can do these 3 things:

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1. Stay with the group and follow ALL safety directions.

2. Be independent in taking care of their personal needs—eating lunch, wearing the right clothing, and carrying their own gear—so staff can focus on teaching skills.

3. Be uncomfortable at times, stretching what they think they can do. This can include getting wet or dirty, being cold or hot, etc.

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If you feel confident that the answer is yes to all of these, you can skim the rest of this section. If you are not sure that your child is ready for these requirements, please read the rest of this section carefully. If we are not the right fit for your family, we’re happy to help you find a camp that is.

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How to Know if Dragonfly Field Labs is a Good Fit

Dragonfly Field Labs exists to guide kids toward becoming more responsible and independent.To inspire kids to serve their community, future generations, and nature. Families that support our high expectations and unique approach are a good fit for our camps. But we know we are not the right camp for every family. And that’s okay. We want to continue doing what we’ve been doing, and we also want your child to have a great experience. Please review the our core values below to see if Dragonfly is the right fit for your family:

• Safety: Kids must stay with their group and follow safety instructions at all times.Guardians agree to promptly pick up their child if they cannot meet these expectations. If extra supervision is needed while awaiting pickup, a $50/hour fee will be charged for 2 additional staff members. No refunds are given if a student must leave a program due to behavior issues.

• Independence: We help kids grow to become more responsible and independent. Our policies and curriculum support that development and can’t be altered for individual needs without changing the core purpose of our programs.

• Resilience: Kids need to be ready to face challenges and adapt when environments or activities are challenging. Being outdoors in all weather can be challenging. Learning a new skill like foraging or wood carving can be challenging. Our Guides are thoughtful and empathetic to children’s needs, but grit and resilience are core to our curriculum.

• Nature: Nature’s beauty lies in its unpredictability and students must learn to adapt rather than expect nature to go their way. We also go out in all weather. We rarely cancel for hot or cold days, instead using these as opportunities to teach students how to adapt, dress properly, stay hydrated, seek shade and shelter, and move with nature’s rhythms. We embrace the natural world, rather than let discomfort keep us indoors.

• Community: We encourage students to prioritize teamwork and care for community and nature over individual needs. If they are taking up too much attention from the Guide, then the rest of their team is missing out.

• Forest Craft: We teach a variety of forest craft skills including foraging, tracking, bushcraft, and understanding the relationship humans have with nature. These skills can push kids out of their comfort zone, but we want children to learn through these difficult experiences. We don’t expect children to show up being experts on day 1, but they should be passionate about pursuing these goals.

• Internet/Phone Free Zone: We have a strict ban on digital and internet-connected devices during program time. All children must agree to leave digital and internet connected devices at home. These devices hinder connection with nature and friends.

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If our core values resonate with you, we welcome you to register for and come to Dragonfly Field Lab programs. If not, we understand that we may not be the best fit for your child at this time.

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Other Options

If you’re not 100% sure your child can handle what is needed to come to Dragonfly Camps & Clubs, here are some other options to consider:

1. Join us for a 2-hour field trip or a 1-day camp such as our Wildcraft Adventures. These will give you an opportunity to see if your child is able to follow directions and enjoys the program.

2. Let us help you find a different program beyond Dragonfly that is a better fit—contact us for support.

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There are other excellent camp programs in our neighborhoods that could be a better fit for your family’s needs at this time. As your child grows and their interests change, their compatibility with Dragonfly Field Labs may also change and align with our approach.