2026 Boys Nature Connection Camp (August)
With Tanin Shunter, Nathaniel Snider, Nathan Stephenson and Erin Carr
August 13 - 16, 2026
Welcome to the 2026 Boys’ Nature Camp!
Kootenay Rites of Passage is thrilled to announce our fourth annual Boys’ Nature Connection Camp on the stunning 300 acres of Pend D’oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm – located just outside Salmo, B.C.
Looking for opportunities for your boy to unplug from screens this summer and reconnect with the magic of Mother Nature? Wanting to give your son a chance to make new friends, build his confidence, learn new skills and receive mentorship from healthy male role models? How about supporting him to discover more of his gifts, passions, and to make memories that will last a lifetime? Well…this is it!

This 3 night, 4 day summer camp adventure offers your son an opportunity to:
-
- Have fun and make new friends
- Build positive self image, confidence and self-worth
- Receive support, guidance and care from healthy male role models
- Deepen his connection to Mother Nature
- Learn about the local flaura and fauna
- Grow through age appropriate challenges
- Practice team work, leadership + team building exercises
- Engage his creativity and play
- Learn new skills (whittling, archery, fire-making, sword-fighting and more!)

Venue: Pend D’oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm

Pend D’oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm is a little slice of heaven on earth – tucked away right near the border crossing – this land if absolutely teeming with wildlife; from frogs, to turtles, herons, hawks, eagles, deer, beavers, fish and more, your son will have an opportunity to be surrounded by natural beauty and to learn more about our local floura and fauna. Included on site is a private small lake (great for hot summer day dips). There are plenty of flat, shaded options for tenting – and in addition to the fully equipped outdoor kitchen we also have a 23 ft yurt tent that will be used for certain indoor activities.
Meals:
All meals will be provided by our amazing on site chef. Mostly organic, including “farm to table” veggies and produce directly from Pend D’oreille River Ranch & Regenerative Farm. Dietary specifications (i,e gluten free, dairy free, vegan, etc) can also be accommodated.

Activities include (but not limited to):
-Carving/whittling – Swimming – Hiking – Camping – Paddleboarding – Kayaking
– Farm tours – Outdoor games – Hiphop (w/Kosmic T) – Fire Making (weather dependant) – Sacred swordplay (w/Nathaniel) – Qigong & Mindfulness Practices – Archery – Sharing circles – Storytelling – Journalling – Nature Connection Activities


Mentor Team:
Tanin Shunter, Nathaniel Snider, and Flo Karuna.

We are deeply honoured to be of service to the next generation and look forward to all the magic, learning, fun and play of this year’s adventure!

Land Acknowledgement:
With gratitude and respect we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the unceded traditional territories of the tmixʷ (Syilx okanagan), snʕickstx tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (Sinixt) and ɁamakɁis (Ktunaxa) peoples, as well as many other diverse Indigenous persons, including the Métis. We are committed to providing services that are supportive of cultural diversity and inclusive of Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
About the Leaders
Tanin Shunter
Tanin Shunter is an outdoor educator, founder of Kootenay Rites Of Passage, and a conscious hiphop artist (Kosmic T). With over 9 years experience mentoring youth in the Kootenays, he is honoured to support the next generation in discovering their gifts and in deepening their connection to Mother Nature. His professional experiences include a B.A […]
Learn more about Tanin Shunter
Nathaniel Snider
Nathaniel has been an elementary educator for 8 years and is currently teaching a grade 6 class in Castlegar. He loves working with youth and has been doing so well before finding himself leading a classroom. During his mid-twenties Nathaniel began melding his love of mythology, martial arts, swordplay, and of warrior and spiritual traditions […]
Learn more about Nathaniel Snider
Nathan Stephenson
Nathan Stephenson is a father of two, devoted partner, and respected leader of men’s work in Nelson, BC. For over 11 years, he has been immersed in transformational men’s work, sitting in hundreds of circles and stepping into leadership and facilitation roles within the community. As co-founder of the Nelson Men’s Group, Nathan has spent […]
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Erin Carr
Erin is the leader of the Outstanding in Nature program- a program that offers hands-on field courses and subtle 'coyote' teaching methods to reconnect youth with the virtues and intricacies of the natural environment. He is passionate about survival skills, nature exploration and building sustainable communities. Having two kids of his own, his focus is […]
Learn more about Erin Carr
