Our unique teen and family programs introduce children and adults to primitive living skills such as fire by friction, shelter building, wild edibles, baskets, pottery, flint knapping, hide tanning, animal tracking, camouflage and movement and so much more. These, and a wide variety of awareness experiences, help inspire children to experience the Earth in a new way. We utilize “Coyote Teaching” to motivate children to learn and so nature itself can become their best teacher. Part of the parent program is to introduce parents to the Coyote Teaching methods so they can continue to benefit from this approach to learning when they return home.

 

The skills we teach were passed down by Stalking Wolf, an Apache elder who spent his life perfecting his skills and learning skills from every indigenous culture he encountered. He taught Tom Brown Jr. who now passes these skills on to adults and who started Children of the Earth (COTEF) for children and families. When children learn these skills they are not only helping preserve vanishing knowledge but they achieve something very rare in today’s world; the ability to take care of themselves no matter where they are. This creates a confidence and sense of accomplishment that will truly shape their future, whether in the woods, in school or at home.

 

COTEF offers programs for families with children age 4-18 and programs for youth and teens, age 10 and up, to attend alone. Everyone starts with the Family, Youth and Teen Experience which will be offered in Arizona, California, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey this year. From this introductory class in which participants learn all the basic skills, they can then participate in advanced courses:

Philosophy- This class explores Stalking Wolf’s philosophies and exposes participants to a broader scope of his experience with nature than just the physical skills.

Teen Quest- A vision quest experience for teens age 13-17 in which they will be preparing for and spending time alone in the woods.

Way of the Woods- Participants focus on the survival skills, learning advanced shelters, new fire making methods and many new skills to improve their survival experience.

Way of the Hunter- This course includes making your own bow and arrows as well as advanced hunting techniques and etiquette and the lifestyle of the caretaker- where everything taken from the land leaves it better for future generations.

Scout and Advanced Scout- In this class, participants begin to explore the lifestyle of the Apache Scout who was the eyes and ears of their people.

Teen Skills- A special class just for teens where they choose which advanced skills they want to work on.

Intern Mentoring Program- a seven week program in which teens age 13-17 learn the skills, get one on one mentoring, experience a vision quest and survival challenge as well as assisting with camp operations.

COTEF programs provide a unique sense of community, instill a passion for nature and help the whole family come closer to the Earth.

Camp Type:  Residential  Family Year Established: 1999 Gender: Coed Age of Campers: 4 to All years old Cost/Week: $651.00-$1000.00/wk Religious Affiliation: Camp Owner(s): Debbie Tremel Camp Director(s): Matt Abatelli Nearest Large City: New York City Off Season Rental:

Camp Focus: Adventure Camps: Environmental Adventure Camps: Primitive Skills Adventure Camps: Survival Adventure Camps: Wilderness Special Accommodations: Food Allergies,

Art Activities:

Sports Activities:

Adventure Activities:

Academic Activities:

Miscellaneous Activities:


Additional Activities:
Nature Awareness, Animal Tracking, Vision Quest, Intern Program

State	Course	Dates	Ages
California	Family Survival Weekend	2/18-2/20	4-17/Family
New Jersey	Family Survival Weekend	5/27-5/30	4-17/Family
Arizona	Family/Youth/Teen Experience	6/5-6/10	7-17/Family
New York	Intern Mentoring	6/29-8/12	13 and up
New York	Family/Youth/Teen Experience	7/3-7/8	4-17/Family
New York	Living Forest	7/3-7/8	5-9/Family
New York	Way of the Woods	7/10-7/15	5-17/Family
New York	Way of the Hunter	7/10-7/15	14-17
New York	Philosophy- Jedi Training	7/17-7/22	7-17/Family
New York	Teen Quest	7/17-7/22	13-17
New York	Family/Youth/Teen Experience	7/24-7/29	4-17/Family
New York	Coyote Teaching/Instructor Cert	7/24-7/29	Adult
New York	Teen Skills Gathering	7/31-8/5	13-17
New York	Scout	8/7-8/12	13-17
New York	Advanced Scout	8/7-8/12	14-17
New Jersey	Family Survival Weekend	9/2-9/5	4-17/Family
Massachusetts	Family Survival Weekend	9/16-9/18	4-17/Family