• Teambuilding - Using a series of trust building activities, physical obstacles and nonphysical challenges, the initiative sessions focus on cooperation, effective communication and the development of trust between individuals within a group.
• Low Ropes - Both camps have an extensive, newly built low ropes course. These courses are designed to provide challenges for a group of 10-15 students, involving group work, cooperation, and effective communication skills. The low ropes course can be physically challenging. It is a great activity on its own or as an introduction to challenge course work for those groups planning on participating in our Alpine Tower or High Ropes Program.
• Orienteering - There are many fun activities students will be able to do once they master the art of using a map and compass in this active, outdoor class. They may use the map to find a specific area of camp, or both map and compass to find their way around the orienteering course. Either way, they’ll have a great time getting lost (and then found!)
• Outdoor Living Skills -Fire building, shelter building, and knots are all topics covered and practiced in Outdoor Living Skills. Students will get the chance to go out into the woods and try their hand at these skills while learning a bit of what it takes to get along in the wilderness as well as learning the basics of staying warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Canoeing - Students will learn how to enter and exit a canoe safely, the basic paddle strokes and safe conduct in the boat. After an instructional session, students will head out onto the lake to practice their skills and explore the lake.
• Archery - Learn the basic shooting technique along with range safety. Practice your marksmanship and play games based on accuracy and technique.
• Campfire - Our talented staff can get your campfire off to a roaring start with stories, songs and skits that will entertain young and old alike. Camper skits and songs are welcome and encouraged.

Our staff are fantastic, hard-working, beautiful people who are exceptional with kids. They are all very experienced, well-trained employees with a ton of fun activities. Our staff come from all over the world, and this diversity is a great asset to our programs. And our seasoned veterans are the best staff in their field, passionate about living and working here in the Berkshires.

The Berkshire Outdoor Center staff are well trained in managing our ropes course elements as part of our Leadership Development Program. All staff are trained by our qualified trainers and assessed by outside trainers. Our trainings comply with Association of Challenge Course Technology Standards (acct.org), American Camp Association standards (aca.org) and Massachusetts State Standards (mass.gov).

Our staff are certified to operate, belay and administer programs on all of our ropes courses, Alpine Tower and Climbing Tower. They are also certified to perform safety procedures and rescues in the rare occurence such a procedure may be needed. (Learn More About Our Staff)