Patrick sees Nikki on TV and reaches her on a horrible antenna and car battery phone system she set up in the wilderness. After hours of laughing, brainstorming and sharing where they were at with their skills, they realized they had a similar idea for a transformative new business.
After saying, “No thank you,” for 5 years, Nikki agrees to participate on History Channel’s survival series Alone when she finally finds out she could win $500 000. >>>
After completing a graduate degree in Conflict and Dispute Resolution, Patrick becomes the Director of Overnight and Adult Programs for Wolf Camp for 1000 students.
Permitting and community pressures shut down Echo Bay EcoVentures forever and halt the vision of LUMINARIA.
Nikki runs overnight adventures to test her ideas and learns not everyone has owl-like night vision in order to hike in the dark without a flashlight.
Nikki is booked for speaking events, documentaries, private trips and becomes a requested guide for adventure companies and luxury resorts. Her trips are written about in GQ India by Bollywood’s biggest star. >>> Patrick’s role with Wolf Camp further expands and he takes over training and mentoring of all new and returning staff members from Wolf Camp’s executive director.
Nikki starts Echo Bay EcoVentures. Her 4-hour speed boat tours are embraced by the yachting community. “We had a life experience spending an afternoon with Echo Bay EcoVentures. Very few mini adventures could impart the fondness and knowledge of ancient culture, survival skills and plant life Nikki shared.” – Ric Forest (first guest and now longtime friend) >>> Patrick’s Wolf Camp ascension continues, his role expands to include Health and Logistics Coordinator and Staff Facilitator.
Patrick takes a leave from college and moves into a tent in the woods. His goal is to become a “Professional Tracker.” He realizes he is limited by ignorance and needs a mentor. As his frustration builds, a friend asks if he wants to see his childhood idol, Eminem. Patrick drives from the forest to a music festival of 50,000+ people. He’s in the second row. Culture shock.
Nikki officially moves to the wilderness community of Echo Bay and starts building her off-grid log cabin. >>> After two years defying the odds as a Youth Mentor and not yet a legal adult, Patrick completes the Teaching Apprenticeship and becomes the youngest Lead Instructor in Wolf Camp’s history.
Nikki returns to Wolf Camp (camp name Wren Faerie Foxglove) and meets Patrick (camp name Sasquatch) and immediately thinks, “Here’s a brilliant kid smarter than me, he’s going to put me to the test, this is gonna be great.” Patrick becomes the school’s most exceptional student, especially after surviving her horrid seaweed pudding debacle with hours of laughter.
Patrick approaches Wolf Camp’s Director and inquires about the possibility of becoming a Youth Mentor. He is told he will “never be mature enough, let alone become an instructor.”