Hear what students & parents are saying about Tribal Wisdom Academy:
“Thank you and the team for an amazing three weeks. My kids absolutely loved it and said that next year they want to do 6 weeks! As educators and parents, we really appreciate your approach and how you give the students so much freedom and responsibility. They loved learning and developing new skills within clear structures and being able to make choices. All the things we know that children need to thrive- agency, mastery and purpose- were alive and well at Tribal Wisdom. Thank you and looking forward to returning next year!” by Robyn C. (2021, parent in San Jose)
“Since the start of the school year, our son has repeatedly said that he wished that school was more like Tribal Wisdom Academy. His brief time at your camp with your mentors in the outdoors really shaped his view of learning.” by Kim H. (2021, parent in Santa Clara)
“This was the best camp we have ever attended! Everyday our son came home happy from Tribal Wisdom Academy, with great stories about what he made, stories of new friendships, and about how fun it is to cook food on a camp fire. Being in the gorgeous woods all day with these fun and patient counselors, our son did things that he had only read about in books! This camp mentored him toward building his confidence, listening skills, and patience… all while making memories he will never forget! He even blacksmithed his own axe, and then he learned how to throw it at a target. It does not get better than this!!” by Raeda H. (2019, parent in San Jose, CA)
"Ben showed up on day one ready to support my son's home school program with his experience, wisdom, creativity and endless energy. It amazes me how much energy he has to match my ten year old! My son's joy of learning has emerged and we are incredibly grateful to have found such a treasure of a mentor at this time in our son's life." by Diane H. (2015, parent in Los Gatos, CA)
"My 9 year old son just joined Tribal Wisdom Academy. We could not be more thrilled with his experience! Many programs through the years have promised but failed to deliver on those promises to truly help my son, who has severe ADHD. Not only was Ben fully able to work with my son, he did it without my son needing to take any medication! A first for us. My son is engaged and happy, coming home with a huge smile and a lot to tell me about his experiences that day. Also a first!! Now my daughter wants to join the fun." by Karlin P. (2015, parent in Los Gatos, CA)
We were Open for 2020 !
Nature is so beautiful and irrepressible at the same time, isn't it? It certainly has been interesting times this year. But at least for our family, it's given us a chance to be more reflective, introspective, humble and grateful. More than other times, we certainly need programs like Tribal Wisdom to bring us closer to nature and help us build a relationship with her!
- Cindy, Sept 2020
"The other day I was walking through the woods with my son and I remembered how you taught all of us how to make a bow from tree branches, so I showed my son how to do it as well. I used my boot lace as string. It was a great moment. Thank you very much for all the lessons that you taught me. Every little thing that we do deeply impacts those around us. And I hope I can teach my son some of these amazing things." by Jack W.
"Moose (Ben), I know that you will spread your light, you fun, and knowledge wherever you go. Your patience and encouragement helped me and the students grow. Your enthusiasm and love for what you do is obvious and inspires students to connect to nature." by Izzy, Intern Naturalist, Yosemite 2014
"You are the awesomest, funnest, wisest and nicest person I've ever known. You would always inspire me with your stories." by Imonol P.
"I remember when you blew my mind with the wooden cookie trick. Thanks for all the memories and for making kids smile!" by Joe C. (high school student)
"On the hike today in Yosemite I learned so many new things that I never knew. Thank you. You really inspired me a lot!" by Daisy
"You are funny and exciting. You also have lots of information: making fire, the best animal impressions, and cool amazing awesome stories!" by Amanda O.
"It's been a great experience spending time with you last year and this year. I think you are probably one of the most interesting and funny people I have ever met." by Julie A. (school teacher)
"I want to thank you for everything you did for me: you trained me, you told me so many things, you helped me to become a naturalist...You have that special power to connect with kids, to influence them to learn. " by Sparrow B. (currently a Professional Naturalist)
"I think you are special because you run an awesome camp! Our hikes with you were fun!" by Emma, age 11
"One thing I learned with you was where the Native Americans hiked and where they hunted." by Little Branch, age 12
"You are one of the smartest people I have ever seen in the whole wide world. I hope you have an excellent and fun time in building your new camp." by Cynthia P.
"That is cool how you taught us that a plastic bottle full of water in sunlight can light a campfire." by Anissia
"We had an adventurous time learning how to make spears" by Yesenia P.
"Thank you for your dedication. I had your class when I was a 6th grader and now again 5 years later. Thank you!" by Jessica O.
"You are the best naturalist. You are always funny. You always make me laugh and give us a lot of information. You are always fun to hike with." by Jocelyn G, age 12
"Thank you for being a wonderful naturalist. I also remember you being a selfless and kind individual when I was a 6th grader many years ago." by Daisy S.
TWA Founder and Director Ben Jamin Walker
"This review is for the summer camp called "Tribal Wisdom Academy" at Los Gatos Farms. The name "tribal wisdom" says it all. The kids hike, climb trees, slide down the zip-line, dig holes, shoot arrows, cut wood, make fire, hammer nails, throw axes, use slingshots, and get tanned and VERY dirty. You will need to scrub your kids from head to toe in the evening. But they simply love it!
Kids feel great about the camp not only because the activities are exciting but also because they feel that they are treated as adults, not babies. They take pride in being trusted to use real, very sharp knives (when wearing a protective glove and an apron) and to roast their lunch on an open fire. It does seem a little scary but according to the counselors there has not been an accident. Kids learn to take responsibility for their own safety, and for their own physical needs.
I don't understand why some other camps we attend make the kids take 2 morning snacks between breakfast and lunch to make sure that they will not feel hungry for a minute. Here you don't even get one! You should just eat a hearty breakfast, and then a big lunch. There are camps/schools which dictate the time for all to put on sunscreen, drink water, use the bathroom...as if the kids can't feel or know anything. If you treat them that way, they probably will never learn to feel or know anything."
-Amy S. from Palo Alto
Parents, please share a comment with our camp families:
The really unique thing about Tribal Wisdom Academy Camps is that the kids are encouraged to try-out our many activities and Maker Projects, and then each child may focus on what they personally want to build or create. The TWA program is not focused on managing your child's every move. Ben Walker's program is purposefully designed to allow and train children to self-manage their experience at camp, and in life. This is organic childhood, it is the original "school" of humankind. Our Camp Mentors make and allow this magic to happen. The kids learn to make new friends, and discover the adventure of building things together. Ben's goal is that your child will discover and experience their own personal adventure in our forest treehouse village Adventureland Maker Camp. We hope that your children will gain their own childhood life-story, so that one-day they may teach the skills that they experienced at camp to their children and grandchildren.