This NOLS course will take you through the Adirondack Forest Preserve, one of the oldest protected lands in the country. You’ll climb high rocky peaks, ford chilly creeks, and camp in ancient hardwood forests. You'll work hard hiking over terrain that can be steep or muddy with all your gear on your back—often following a trail, sometimes forging your own.
Spend a few weeks of your summer on an epic mountain adventure. Summit peaks, explore hidden corners of the woods, and learn the skills to thrive in the outdoors. If you’re looking to spend your summer challenging yourself and learning to live in the wild, making lifelong friends while you do, then this is the course for you.
Join a group of your peers and start exploring the wilderness. On this course, you’ll dive into learning leadership and outdoor skills as you backpack through the hills and lakes of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, one of the oldest protected lands in the country. Climb high rocky peaks and cross chilly creeks. Learn about local ecology as you wander through ancient hardwood forests. Cook your dinner on a camp stove with a group of new friends, and fall asleep in your tent ready to take on the next day. Even if you’ve never been camping before, this course is a great way to learn more about the outdoors and yourself.
Leadership skills will be a key part of this course. You and your group will learn how to be leaders as you meet fresh challenges, and you’ll use your new skills every day. Making a decision about where to camp teaches you about good judgment, while resolving an argument teaches you about communication. These experiences will help you figure out what your leadership style is and how you support your group. At the end of this course, you’ll walk away with real experiences that will help you be a leader at school, at home, and for the rest of your life.
Features
*Duration: 14 days
*Route length: 45-60 miles
*Average group size: 6-8 students / 2 instructors
*For 14- and 15-year-olds only
*Average pack weight: 35-45 pounds
*Elevation range: 1,200-5,000 feet
*Travel through forests and mountains, black bear habitat, and on and off-trail in the Adirondack Forest Preserve
*Potential opportunities for: peak ascents, baking, and human history exploration
