Due to a family medical emergency we have canceled this event. All deposits have been refunded.
Join us for our first Spooktacular adventure! We have something for everyone. In addition to the Wilderness First Aid course, we will have a Halloween bonfire, pumpkin carving, special effects makeup, campfires, s’mores, spooky stories, campfire cooking competition, real survival tales, shelter building, optional hikes and MORE.
For the adults, we will be also be offering optional morning yoga, massages, delicious meals, and wine tasting. Additionally, there will be time set aside for families to explore the magical town of Tavira.
Who is it for?
Families with teens or preteens. Younger children are welcome but may not be able to attend all of the activities. If you plan on bringing a younger child, please plan on having a responsible adult with them at all times. Your teen or preteen can also bring a friend, but please ensure that you take full responsibility for any minors that you bring.
What's Included
- All scheduled activities
- Accommodations
- Daily breakfast
- S’mores and more s’mores
- Wilderness medicine first aid instruction
- Hands on workshops
- Guided hikes
The Venue
Quinta da Capelinha, Tavira, Algarve
We will have exclusive use of this beautiful quinta for the event. Located just minutes outside of downtown Tavira, this agroturismo, opened in 2022, is a quiet and peaceful retreat amongst mature fruit orchards and centuries old carob trees. It offers beautiful views of the mountains and valleys of Tavira, as well as exquisite sunsets. There is also a salt-water swimming pool (unheated) and plenty of space, both indoors and out, for exploration.
See the Pricing section (below) for information about the available accommodations or visit www.quintadacapelinha.com
Space is limited to 12 families so don’t delay if you want to join us!
Registration deadline is September 29, 2023
Your Survival Camp Instructors
Scott Bisheff, MD
Scott is an emergency physician and wilderness medicine instructor. He trained at UCLA, served as Emergency Department chair in San Luis Obispo, California for over a decade, and is an avid surfer, mountain biker, trail runner, and backpacker.
Dan Gowanlock
Dan is a first aid instructor and teacher with a wide-range of outdoor coaching qualifications. Dan is also a surfer, biker, and seasoned traveler.
Natasha Raja Varley, MD
Natasha is a pediatrician, founder of SLOmads Natureventures, and a true believer in the the power of nature to connect, heal, and challenge us to become the best version of ourselves.
The Details
Rates are for the entire program, which includes 6 nights/7 days of accommodations and breakfast, and our exclusive use of the quinta:
- 2700€ – Premium Suite with queen bed in loft and a sofa bed (sleeps 4 people) (6 suites still available)
- 1680€ – Queen Double Room with one queen bed for 2 people [2 rooms still available]
- 1380€ – Twin Economy Room with 2 single beds for 2 people (1 room still available)
More information about the accommodations are available at https://quintadacapelinha.com/#alojamento
We will have access to the small quinta kitchen, but we recommend the full-board option that includes catered lunch and dinner for the group:
- 57€ per day per adult
- 29€ per day per child
All Prices Include VAT/IVA
What’s Not Included
- Transportation to/from the Quinta
- Catered group meals (available for extra cost)
- Optional morning yoga, direct payment to yoga instructor
- Optional massage, direct payment to massage therapist
- Optional wine tasting, direct payment to vintner
We are excited to welcome you to our Halloween Spooktacular Survival Camp! To ensure a smooth and organized event, we have established a 45-day cancellation policy. Please review the following terms and conditions:
Cancellation Period
Attendees may cancel their registration up to 45 days before the scheduled start date of the event without incurring any penalties or fees. The cancellation date for the 2023 Halloween Spooktacular Survival Camp is September 16, 2023.
Refunds
For cancellations made within the 45-day window, a full refund of the registration fee will be issued to the attendee. The refund will be processed using the original payment method and should reflect in the account within a reasonable timeframe.
Partial Refunds
No partial refunds will be provided for partial attendance or early departures during the retreat. The full registration fee will still apply.
Cancellation Process
To cancel your registration, please notify us via email at natasha@slomads.com on, or before, the cancellation date. Include your full name and the reason for cancellation in your communication.
Transfer of Registration
If you are unable to attend the retreat but wish to transfer your registration to another person, you can do so within the 45-day cancellation period. Please contact us to provide the new attendee’s full details for the transfer.
Insurance Recommendation
We highly recommend that attendees consider purchasing travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances that might arise leading up to or during the retreat.
By registering for our retreat, attendees agree to these terms and conditions. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain the quality and organization of our event.
Ebb Tide Ventures LLC, doing business as SLOmads, retains the right to cancel or delay any event in light of unforeseen circumstances or situations that make it unlawful, unfeasible, or improbable for attendees to participate. Such situations may encompass globally recognized health threats, as determined by reputable organizations like the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control, or local governmental or health authorities. Examples of such health threats include but are not limited to COVID-19, H1N1, or analogous contagious diseases, which may lead to restricted transportation access or similar issues, justifying event cancellation. In the improbable event of a cancellation or postponement, Ebb Tide Ventures LLC will either provide credit for a future event or refund the registration fee. However, Ebb Tide Ventures LLC is not liable for any other expenses, losses, or fees arising from the event being cancelled.
We will be glad to assist you with any special needs (e.g. physical, dietary, etc). Let us know when registering or contact us prior to the event.
This program has been created to have fun but also to teach real life-saving skills. We have qualified instructors, including physician volunteers, and we request that you attend all CORE events. We promise that each day will still have the option for free time for you and your family to relax, but we also have tons of options for non-stop FUN!
Monday
3pm Check-in, relax or explore
5pm Welcome drink and introduction to the program
7pm Dinner break (catered meal option)
8pm Campfire: S’mores and survival stories
Tuesday (Halloween!)
8am Kid-free yoga (€ optional)
9-11am Breakfast buffet
11am-1pm Wilderness/Survival medicine discussions with hands-on breakout sessions
1pm Lunch break (catered meal option)
2-7pm Special effects makeup with hands-on wound care, gory makeup competition, pumpkin carving, games
7pm Dinner break (catered meal option)
8pm Campfire: Trick or Tree-T and Spooky Stories
Wednesday
8am Kid-free yoga (€ optional)
9-11am Breakfast buffet
11am-1pm Wilderness/Survival medicine discussions with hands-on breakout sessions
1pm Lunch break (catered meal option)
2pm Shelter building
3-7pm Free time
7pm Dinner break (catered meal option)
8pm Campfire: Smores and What to Pack for Travel & Nature
Thursday
8am Kid-free yoga (€ optional)
9-11am Breakfast buffet
11am-1pm Wilderness/Survival medicine discussions with hands-on breakout sessions
After 1pm Free time in Tavira (lunch and dinner on your own)
8pm Survival Movie Night! (optional)
Friday
8am Kid-free yoga (€ optional)
9-11am Breakfast buffet
11am-1pm Wilderness/Survival medicine discussions with hands-on breakout sessions
1pm Lunch break (catered meal option)
2pm Tavira Hike (Hands On Skills and Carrying out the Injured). Hiking level: easy
6pm Dinner break (catered meal option) & Campfire: Backcountry meal planning & Campfire Cooking Challenge
Saturday
9-11am Breakfast buffet
11am-1pm Wilderness/Survival medicine discussions with hands-on breakout sessions
1pm Lunch break (catered meal option)
2pm Activities TBD (optional)
6pm Wine Tasting and Mocktail Bar (€ optional)
7pm Farewell Dinner (catered meal option)
8pm Campfire: Game night (Injury Charades)
Sunday
8-11am Breakfast buffet and Check Out
Arrabida Trek with Hands-On Skills
- Manage risk through pre trip planning and preventative techniques: first aid kits, pre-trip medical assessments, travel medicine, telemedicine.
- Assess and treat life threatening emergencies: airway management, hemorrhage control, CPR, shock, and stabilization.
- Practice common trauma techniques: wound and fracture management, head injuries, neck and spine injury, blunt trauma, burns, dental and eye trauma.
- Develop important judgment skills for the assessment and evacuation of medical and environmental emergencies in the backcountry: heat and cold emergencies, animal bites and stings, lightning and adverse weather, search and rescue basics, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, diabetes, seizures, anaphylaxis.
