The Natural Leaders ​Program

​Adventure-based mentoring for homeschoolers 


​​Yes, we are on for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Full-year registration opens 10am on Saturday 7/25 - Friday 7/31.
Semester registration (if available) opens 10am on Saturday 8/1 - Friday 8/7.
Quarter registration (if available) opens 10am on Saturday 8/8 - Friday 8/14.

2020-2021 Sessions
​at Maryland & Virginia locations
VIRGINIA
​
​Springfield
Mondays, 10 am - 3 pm
Ages 6.5 - 11, Co-ed
Details and registration 

Lorton 
Mondays, 10 am - 3 pm
Ages 10 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration 

​Centreville 
​Tuesdays, 10 am - 3 pm
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration 

​Stafford Wednesday 
Wednesdays, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration

Stafford Friday
Fridays, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration

Reston
Thursdays, 10 am - 3 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Boys
Details and registration ​

Falls Church
Fridays, 10 am - 3 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration
MARYLAND

​Crownsville 
​Tuesdays, 10 am - 3 pm
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration 
​
Bowie 
Thursdays, 11 am - 3 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration 

(coming soon-details to be finalized)
Darnestown
Mondays, 10 am - 3 pm 
Ages 7 - 17, Co-ed
Details and registration 



Request a New Location or Day!

We are seeking to expand significantly this Fall 2020

Most of our existing programs were created with the help of enthusiastic parents like you.
 
Help start a new program here!

Program description:
This is a nature-based LEADERSHIP program!  Students have a great time exploring and learning, while honing social and leadership skills each week. 

Each week the students meet for the day (usually 5 hrs), with a highly qualified lead facilitator who supports them in assigning, planning and performing leadership roles.

Each student is expected to review the relevant online resources in the LEARN! section of this website, and then lead his or her role in the field.  Leadership roles include:
​
  • Coordinator - Plans and executes the day's schedule
  • Storyteller - Learns, practices and presents a story
  • Safety Officer - Keeps an eye out for hazards 
  • Navigator - Leads the group using map and compass
  • Field Reporter - Types up a brief report about the day that goes out to parents
  • Photographer - Takes pictures of the day's activities, for parents, website, etc.
  • Master of Games - Learns and leads games 
  • Skills coach - Learns about a skill from my tutorial, and teaches or coaches other students 

A typical day features exploring, group games, story-telling and a skills challenge.  See also the Coordinator page for more on this topic.  

Technical skills we work on may include, but are not limited to:
  • Fire-making
  • ​Cooking on a fire
  • Survival shelter
  • Primitive pottery
  • Whittling
  • Group shelter
  • Tree and plant uses

It can take many years to master leadership and wilderness skills, so students are encouraged to attend long-term and grow through the program.

By attending for multiple years, students are able to develop proficiency in a wide suite of skills, and can then use the resulting confidence to tackle ambitious personal dreams and contribute to the world in a big way.  

Gear List