Mountain Wisdom Programs
2025 Young Men's Ultimate Adventure | July 14-19, 2025
Become A Man Of Integrity And Honor
Move from Adolescence, Into Young Manhood
Our camp takes place in a pristine natural setting free from the distractions of electronics, junk food, and modern urban life. Some of the activities include hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, archery, hatchet throwing, ceremony, drumming, song, storytelling, campfire time, grief, and lost work. Campers will experience team building and leadership training through interactive cooperative activities and trust development exercises.
The young men will learn wilderness survival skills and bush craft skills such as fire making, shelter building, knots, tracking and flora identification.
We offer partial Scholarships for those that qualify.
2025 Boys and Men Integration Weekend | TBD
For: Boys (12 and up), Men- Fathers, Grandfathers, Uncles, Brothers, Sons, Mentors and Elders
Men of all ages come together in community to deepen their relationships with each other and nature so that they gain a better understanding of who they are as a man, and unite with confidence and courage. Gain respect and honor for men from other generations with different perspectives and wisdom. This transformative experience will include activities like team building, archery, axe throwing, hiking, and campfire time with drumming and storytelling.
Healthy meals will be provided, with special dietary needs accommodated.
Participant Fee: $200 Per Participant
Includes all meals, snacks, and programming.
Partial Scholarships are available.
Family Rates Available | $300 for Two - $400 for Three
Trending Fire Mentorship Program
A Safe Place For The Young Guys To Explore Their Potential
Mountain Wisdom’s ongoing mentoring program, Tending Fire, is designed so that male youth 12-17 have a consistent space to connect with adult male mentors to discuss whatever is on their mind, and to ask for whatever guidance they may need. Currently this space is on Zoom, every Sunday from 8-9 PM (EST). There are 2-4 mentors on every call.
The program has been active since June of 2024 and has proven to be a benefit for a number of young men who have chosen to participate. Even if they are not on every call, they know that the mentors are. This provides a consistency which is a huge asset to any mentoring program.
Tending Fire is a safe place for the young guys to explore their potential and to be vulnerable in sharing what’s going on for them. The mentors create this safety by having a few crucial guidelines in place for everyone on the call to follow, and also by having their own set of guiding foundational principles. Over time a trust develops between mentees and mentors and it creates a fertile soil to grow in.
Young Men's Camp Staff
Jay "Hawkeye" Zipperman - Director
My home is in the mountains of North Georgia, and I've been married for over 30 years. I have a love for the outdoors and have a lifelong passion for mentoring teens to live their full potential. These values are the foundation for Mountain Wisdom. I have extensive experience working with teens from wildlife camps to the Boys and Girls Club of America. My goal is to inspire all people to feel a sense of purpose and know that they make a difference in the world.
Steve Crossley
I am a degreed Chemist from West Georgia University, and I have been working in the chemical field for over 20 years. I have been happily married for 11 years, and my wife and I believe in eating healthy, sustaining healthy practices and teaching others to do the same. I love being outdoors. I also believe in giving back to our youth. Volunteering for Mountain Wisdom provides me the opportunity to connect with nature, foster self-esteem and most importantly mentor our youth to have a more wholesome, deeper connection to what matters.
Dan Rodenberger
I am a Project Facilitator for an Atlanta residential and commercial painting company, as well as an artist. I grew up the youngest of 3 boys in the suburbs of Georgia. I've always enjoyed the solitude of the woods and camping. I do a lot of volunteer work in my spare time. I have been a Staff member of this camp since its inception in 2003, and appreciate the positive impact it makes on the young men and the impact it makes on the staff who participate as well.
Camden Vancil
I've been part of Mountain Wisdom since 2017, combining my passion for mentorship, nature, and personal growth. From 2019 to 2021, I taught English in Thailand, an experience that shaped my approach to education and connection.
With a Master’s in Psychology, I work as a therapist in Carrollton and co-run a nature-based homeschool support program with my wife. My background includes mentoring in the Big Brother Big Sister program and co-leading Mountain Wisdoms weekly Zoom mentoring calls for adolescents. Outside of work, I love hiking and playing disc golf. At Mountain Wisdom, I aim to help the young men build confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with the outdoors and ultimately themselves.
David Castaldini
Growing up in the mountains of Northern California as the son of a forest service ranger, I developed a deep love and personal connection with nature.
One of my roles at Mountain Wisdom Camp is to provide experiences that allow our campers and staff to reconnect to the beauty and wisdom that nature has to offer. I oversee the waterfront activities. I teach paddleboarding, canoeing and archery. I encourage the campers to practice the principles of Leave No Trace. I am part of the emergency response team at camp and use my experience as a National Ski Patroller and White-Water Raft Guide to provide first aid and emotional support to the young men and staff. I also enjoy keeping our staff up to date with their CPR and first aid certifications.
I live near Kennesaw Mountain National Park in Marietta, GA with my wife Liz of 37 years. We enjoy hiking and camping.
Matt Zavadil
Matt Zavadil is a self-employed craftsman who takes pride in running his business with integrity. He also has been working with youth since 2007, both in rites of passage work and in ongoing mentoring programs. His passion for working with males in their adolescence is in part fostered by his love for his own 13 grandchildren, 10 of them being boys. Currently Matt is the mentoring program coordinator for Mountain Wisdom and also has been part of the veteran staff team on the YMUA for many years since 2007. He believes strongly that every boy has what they need inside them and is committed to helping them discover what that is, and to help bring it to life so they can become the man they want to be.
Scotty Greenheart
Scotty is a devoted father of two boys. He knows that people need nature connection and rites of passage and strives to provide those to children and adults in his life. He has worked with teens and children in nature since 2010, when he worked as a wilderness therapy field guide. He has worked as an instructor for Forest Floor Wilderness Programs since 2015. He began working for Mountain Wisdom in 2016 and brings his naturalist and earth skills experience to the camp. Scotty also teaches gardening and permaculture at his community outside Asheville, North Carolina through his organization [www.soulgardens.love]Soul Gardens. He is passionate about soil, edible forest gardens, sustainable living, yoga, and wilderness adventures.
Jack Griffin
My name is Jack Griffin, i'm 19 years old and from Roswell, Georgia, but currently live in Boone, North Carolina. I've been involved in the camp since I was 11, and have a second family here. I am a swim safety instructor, and have also been teaching music to young men for many years. This camp has been a hugely important part of my life as a young man. This camp was a safe space for me as a teenager to freely express myself and learn about who I am and who I want to be. I am very passionate about helping create that space for other young men.
Young Men's Camp FAQ's
Who staffs your camp?
Our staff is volunteers who bring passion, gifts, and life experiences.
All staff are CPR/First-aid certified and must have a criminal background check.
All staff participates in our MWI staff mentor training.
What's the ratio of camper to staff?
3:1
What is the cost?
6 days, 5 nights $600
Do you have scholarships?
We offer partial scholarships to those who need financial assistance. Scholarships are awarded through an application process and are based on availability and on the family’s need. We ask for a minimum of $150 per camper.
Can I pay online?
Yes, through our secure Paypal link on our website.
What do they need to bring?
We have a What to bring and not bring list on the website or they can be mailed to you if necessary.
Do they have to bring a tent?
If they have a tent bring it, but it is not necessary.
Do you provide transportation to camp?
Not generally, but we will do our best to help if needed.
Do they have to be experienced in the woods?
No
Is this a religious camp?
Our camps are not religious, but they are spiritual. We do not promote any specific religious path but embrace teachings from many paths.
What if my child does not want to participate in an activity?
All our activities and participation are by choice, although we do encourage campers to participate so they have the best possible experience.
Can I talk to my child during the week?
There is no communication between parent and camper during the week, except in an emergency.
An emergency phone number is provided for you to call, and a staff member will deliver the message for you.
Does my child need money during the week?
No. We prefer that they have no money or any valuables.
Can they bring snacks?
No. Snacks in tent area may attract animals. All snacks and food will be provided.
How do you handle medications?
The camp staff holds and dispenses meds. All meds taken by the camper are charted.
How do you handle a medical or weather-related emergency?
Minor medical needs will be handled by our trained camp staff. For serious injuries, we call 911 or take them to the nearest hospital which we will know where it is before each camp. We keep up with the weather each day using our cell phones and handheld radios. We have an emergency plan we will follow in case of severe weather.
What is the graduation ceremony?
This is an important part of the camper's experience. All family and friends are invited. The young men and women are honored and welcomed back into their family and community as young adults.
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