HAWKs uses green spaces in your selected region. The week prior to camp, educators email locations for the day or week. 

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If you have selected Venture Van transportation, pick up and drop off will be at the designated park. HAWKs will transport explorers to the day’s location. 

No day out in nature will be exactly alike and will evolve depending on the environment, the weather, our explorers' level of hiking experience and energy that day. Check out some of our activities here.

Our educators are experienced in adjusting hikes to fit a group's abilities. In general, 5-7-year-olds should expect to hike about a mile daily with 8-12-year-olds average 3-4 miles. Snack and water breaks, lunch, games, activities and exploration break up the day’s hike. Our Red Tail Treks are longer, more intensive hikes - expect distances of up to 10 miles with varying degrees of elevation. Red Tail Treks are for explorers 11+.

HAWKs does not provide lunch or snacks. For our Day camps, your explorer should have a hearty, healthy lunch and at least 3 snacks for the trail and when hunger hits late in the day. For After School, 2 snacks are recommended.

We try our best to accommodate sibling/friend requests, which can be made during your student’s registration. However, we cannot guarantee that siblings or friends will be put in the same group.

Public Restrooms 

Many of our locations have public restrooms, and this is how we use them safely: 

• Staff inspects restroom before sending explorers in and stands outside
• Hand sanitizer or hand washing follows 

Nature Bathrooms 

• HAWKs educator will take student to a private spot away from the trail
• HAWKs educator will ensure student’s privacy and that there are no hazards around
• Explorers will go to the bathroom and then return to the educator
• All teaching teams will carry a “Poop Kit” with them, which includes toilet paper, a trowel (for digging a “cat hole”), and a biodegradable bag.
• Any waste paper we create will go in a small biodegradable bag and will be packed out and disposed of properly.
• Hand sanitizer is applied, and then our educator will guide the student back to the group.

Our maximum ratio is 7:1. We have a minimum of 2 educators per group. 

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Our educators are CPR certified and at least one educator per group carries NOLS certifications in Wilderness First Aid and administration of Epinephrine Auto-Injector.

Our educators carry water to ensure explorers stay hydrated. Each group will have 2 10-liter water bladders to refill explorers’ water bottles throughout the day. Explorers take frequent water breaks. For younger explorers, our camp "drinking games" make staying hydrated more fun. 

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During July, August and September, we rotate locations under a canopy of majestic native trees that cool the temperature between 10-15 degrees, or otherwise sheltered or indoor locations. Locations are often near a body of water where explorers can cool themselves.

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Please note that ALL of our water location will be shallow, no more than ankle/shin height. Swimming is not allowed.

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Exploring in the rain is an incredible opportunity to see firsthand its necessity, how rain travels, and its impact on the environment around us. Plus educators can discuss the long-term effects of the rain cycle, changing rain patterns, and climate change.

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We also choose locations with rain cover (e.g., covered picnic area, bridge cover, thick tree canopies) so that explorers' backpacks stay dry and explorers can take breaks from the rain. We also rent out space at nature centers or other facilities. 

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Explorers have a great day when they have the right gear – muddy buddies, rain suits, rain jackets and weather-proof hiking boots are required.

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That said, HAWKs closely monitors the forecast and adjusts accordingly. Safety is our priority.

Yes, we offer sliding scale need-based scholarships. Please reach out to your regional HAWKs for details.