OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Most of our Summer Experiences include a backpacking component. It can also include other activities, such as hiking, rafting, and rock climbinh.
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If you're curious and want to learn more about some of the activities you might do, click through the links below!
backpacking
When you're backpacking, you'll have everything you need to survive and camp in the outdoors all in a backpack. This includes your food, tent, sleeping bag and clothes. This bag can weigh close to 40 pounds, and you'll carry this with you as you hike through the mountains or forest. Your trip leaders will teach you how to safely navigate through the terrain, use a map and compass, find & set-up camp, and how to cook in the outdoors. You'll do many of these activities as a group and work together to share the load and navigate through your trip. It sounds hard, but students say it's one of the most rewarding and empowering parts of their Summer Experience.
Some additional resources to learn more about backpacking:​
kayaking
Kayaking is a watersport that involves a kayak and paddle - and that's it! You will mostly like be in a tandem (or two-person) kayak, so you'll have the support of another person to paddle. It takes some arm and upper body strength to paddle, but you'll get the hang of it quickly and learn a few tricks to make it easier. All of our kayaking trips will be led by trained guides who will teach you everything you need to know to kayak safely and effectively. You'll also wear a personal flotation device (PFDs) or life vest when you're on the water.
Some additional resources to learn more about kayaking:​
RAFTING
Rafting or white water rafting is also a water sport where you're in an inflatable raft with 6-8 people paddling down a river with rapids. As you're moving down the river, some portions will be calm and give you an opportunity to play games with your raft mates. Other sections will have rapids where the water is moving faster and rougher, and you'll work together as a team to navigate through it. All white water rafting portions are guided and led by trained professionals, so your experience will be safe and fun. You will also be required to wear a helmet and personal floatation device (PFDs) while rafting.
Additional resource to learn more about rafting:​
ROCK CLIMBING
Some of our experiences will include top-rope style of climbing. Top-roping is a style of climbing where you wear a harness and a rope is attached it and the top of the wall. As you climb, another person will be holding the other end of the rope (the belayer) who will make sure the rope catches you if you slip or need a rest. All rock climbing adventures are facilitated by professional guides who will teach you the basics, such as how to tie climbing knots, belay someone with a rope, and how to rappel (or descend) down after you reached the top.
Additional resources to learn more about climbing:​