A NatureBridge program is an overnight outdoor experience that complements your student’s typical academic school program and deepens their connection to nature and the world around them. At NatureBridge students will:
Prince William Forest Park is a national park located in Prince William County, VA. It is 35 miles south of Washington, DC and is very close to Interstate 95. The NatureBridge campus is located at Cabin Camp 1.
Revolving hot dishes are served buffet-style in our dining hall for breakfast and dinner. The hall is shared with all schools on campus and our student-friendly, wholesome meals are made by our experienced kitchen staff. Lunch is served on trail during the hiking day.
Most dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free can be accommodated. Please consult our Dietary Restrictions document (Spanish). If you have additional questions reach out to our Operations team.
Your student will need lunch the first day of programming unless otherwise specified by your Group Coordinator.
Unless your student has dietary restrictions, please do not send any additional food with them. Your student will need to bring their lunch for their arrival day.
Our campus is one of five historic cabin camps in Prince William Forest Park. Each cabin has two bunk beds and two individual beds, with space for up to six students. Cabins are located in four different clusters, called "loops". Adults will be in separate cabins that are very close to student cabins. If needed for medical reasons or supervision, chaperones may share a cabin with students.
There is a bath house located in each "cabin loop". The bath house will be a short (less than 50 yards) walk from the cabin. Each bathhouse has private shower and bathroom stalls. There are also gender neutral bathroom options if needed.
Yes, showers are available in the bathhouse. Bathhouses are separated by gender. No coins are needed. Be sure your student brings a towel and other toiletries in order to shower.
There is a NatureBridge administrative staff member available 24 hours a day. Emergency medical services, fire department, and law enforcement are available at all times. For more details about our staff qualifications, see our Safety and Risk Management Practices (Spanish)
Students are supervised at all times. During the program day 9 a.m.-4 p.m., students are with their learning groups and will have at least one NatureBridge staff member and one to two school chaperones accompanying the group at all times. Outside of the program day, students will be supervised by school chaperones and teachers.
Your school teachers are in charge of administering medication to your student. Please make a plan with your Group Coordinator.
Typically, students are outdoors for the entire trail day (up to seven hours at a time). Students should prepare to be outside regardless of the weather (see packing list below).
Even though students may be outdoors for a full day, they will not be hiking the entire time. Each group may take a different trail route, but most groups hike between 2-5 miles per day. Hiking is broken up with lessons, activities, breaks and lunch.
See a full packing list (Spanish)
NatureBridge educators bring our programs to life. Our staff have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work and training experience, cleared background checks, and are certified to manage risk in the field. NatureBridge educators are required to hold a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification through nationally recognized curriculums such as NOLS Wilderness Medicine.