Saturday, June 20, 2026-July 9, 2026 (meets at Eagle’s Nest Camp)
For participants completing grades 9th through 12th grade in Spring 2026
Cost: $6,575 plus Airfare
Pedal out of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and into the lands of the Picts, historic residents of the wild landscape of Scotland’s northeast region. Along the way, cultivate your own tales for young people of adventure and magic in the natural world. Linger for a couple days in Inverness, the gateway to the Highlands, known for its academic and cultural opportunities. Then embrace the challenge of the last stretch of this journey to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of mainland Britain. Bike packing is a challenging discipline that combines cycling with backpacking and allows for longer distances. This Hante will invite you to dig deep and discover what you’re capable of creatively and physically while being immersed in a culture known for its stories and dramatic landscapes. You will return to an eager audience at camp for the new book-in-progress you have created.
Register for Hante Scotland
Register and pay online securely using CampDoc. Once you complete the initial application in CampDoc, you will receive an email from CampDoc. Please follow the link and instructions in the CampDoc email to complete your participant’s Camp Application and Parent/Guardian Questionnaire as well as have your participant complete the online Participant Questionnaire by November 15th to be considered for a Hante Adventure. After November 15th, applications are considered on a rolling basis if spots are still available. Your participant’s application is not complete for the selected program until you receive an email from the Camp Registrar at molly@enf.org confirming receipt of your participant’s full application.
- The first bike packing Hante Adventure since Hante Utah in 2022.
- Camping in the Cairngorms, the United Kingdom’s largest national park, exploring and traveling through Inverness and the northern coast.
- Immersion into Scottish culture and long tradition of storytelling.
- Exploration of the intersection between hyperrealism and magic in children’s stories.
- Use the connectedness of a unique form of travel and a shared experience to create your own story from the trip.
- Develop competence in bike packing, camping, navigation, and extended, long distance travel.
Trip Highlights
Scotland Tentative Itinerary
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First few days (Days 1-4): Arrive at camp with Session 2 and settle in with communal activities like Kindred Hikes mixed with detailed orientation to the trip and final preparations before travel. Hop the “Pond” together and adjust to a new time zone while touring Edinburgh and being fitted to your bike. Explore one of Edinburgh’s oldest art shops for journals and supplies needed for the creative side of this journey.
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Phase One (Days 5-8): Leaving the capitol city behind and entering the wilds as we head up to the Cairngorms National Park. The scenery in the Cairngorms is breathtaking and the riding is challenging. This will be the most remote portion of the experience, castles included. This will be a time to explore story themes and begin thinking about what you want to create.
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Phase Two (Days 9 to 11): After the challenge of the Cairngorms will come the respite of a couple of days in Inverness, the gateway city to the Scottish Highlands. This phase also includes incredible opportunities for cultural exploration and one of the coolest bookstores in the world. This is a great opportunity to map stories and begin artwork. This phase also includes incredible opportunities for cultural exploration and one of the coolest unique bookstores in the world.
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Phase Three (Days 12 to 16): Heading northeast out of Inverness, we will push for the goal of Dunnet Head enjoying the coastal scenery. This is also the landscape specifically tied to the Picts, where the Pictish Trail gets its name. We will look for carved stones and the ruins of long ago Pict strongholds. This will also be when stories are shared in our small group and the editing process begins. Heading northeast out of Inverness, we will push for pursue the goal of reaching Dunnet Head and enjoying the coastal scenery
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Last few days (Days 17 to 20): After saying goodbye to our bikes, we will begin the journey back to the Nest. This will begin with train travel back to Edinburgh and our flight back to the States. During this time we will refine stories. Once back on campus we will unpack and clean up, returning our gear to the Pack Out House. We will close by sharing stories with the Camp community in celebration of Giving Day!
Scotland Equipment List: Coming in Fall 2025
To apply for a Hante Adventure:
All Hante participants and their caregivers must complete a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire in CampDoc and a Participant Questionnaire before being considered for acceptance. (*) Select Hantes have an application deadline of November 15th and are not eligible for the Early Bird Discount. Rolling admittance pending availability after November 15th for (*)Hantes.
“I just want to say ‘thank you’ for what you and Eagle’s Nest give to Evan. The letter we received from Evan was amazing. You simply can not imagine how great it feels to hear him tell me how he has grown emotionally and then list specific skills that have strengthened him physically. He said he feels so proud of himself and what he has accomplished. He described how he found each of his Hante instructors helpful to him in different ways. I wanted to say how grateful I am to the Eagle’s Nest staff for the gift you are to Evan.”
To learn more about what is gained on a Hante Adventure, visit our Vision and Curriculum page:
REGISTER TODAY!
All Hante Adventures, and Junior Counselor participants and their parents or guardians must complete all questionnaires before being considered for the program. Questionnaires are available with registration on CampDoc.
Questions about your application or having trouble getting started? Please email us at register@enf.org or call us at 336-761-1040.