So...what, do they just hike?

I've had a couple of questions along these lines and a couple of Twitter requests for this so I thought I would write a little about the curriculum of the expedition.

From a big picture point of view our goal is to teach students about leadership, responsibility, conflict resolution and overcoming obstacles that at first seem insurmountable. While backpacking is a tool we can use to do this, not everyone is physically able to go backpacking. Thus the activity we do, hiking, canoeing or whatever, is just the medium we use to teach.

Students practice map reading before leading the group themselves in the 'Final' phase of the trip.

The real heart of the trip is the curriculum. That begins with a framework we call Training / Main / Final.

Training is the first phase of the trip where students are re-learning how to do everything. They must learn how to walk, keep themselves warm, even eat in a different way (not to mention using the bathroom!). Students in this phase of the expedition are learning key skills to take care of themselves and others in the outdoors.

Main is the part of the trip where higher level teaching happens. We have activities on leadership, decision making, conflict resolution and the connection of freedom to responsibility. Students are starting to take over parts of running their trip like deciding when to stop for a break, where to set up camp and what is for dinner.

During Final the instructors step back and let the students run the show. While they will always be on hand to monitor safety, many key choices like which trail is the correct one, how to cook dinner and when to break camp are up to the group. At times students may find they have made an error during this phase of the trip and have hiked out of their way, or may spoil dinner. How the students, with instructor facilitation, overcome these errors is one of the most interesting parts of the trip.

This progression from learner to competent hiker is quite possible in five intense days, but really the program isn't about creating outdoorsy people. These lessons apply not only to backpacking but also to school, family and life.

Safely overcoming a river crossing presents a good opportunity to hone leadership skills transferable far beyond the expedition.

As adolescents our students are actively negotiating the Training / Main / Final progression. At times in our work (and in your families perhaps!) this can be a challenge. As sophomores get their drivers permit they are taking a big step toward 'Final' yet they may need the support and care of 'Training' in school and family to overcome other challenges.

The skills they learn and practice on expedition (hikers and non-hikers alike) are directly transferable to the challenges and obstacles they will face as juniors and as young adults.

Interested in finding out more about the specific activities we might teach on course? In the 'For Parents' section of the right side bar there is a link to download a sample of our lessons.