Adventure Treks consistently has the highest repeat rate of any similar program for both students (60%) and instructors (70%).
“In just a few days’ time, strangers turn to friends, friends to family, and on the last day you WON’T want to leave.”
– Sierra Cocoziello
Cedar Grove, NJ
This 24-day course is designed for 17-19 year olds with at least 2 years of previous Adventure Treks experience and permission of the director.
Get ready to further your outdoor skills and bridge the gap between being a student and being an instructor. Because students are expected to possess a high level of maturity and will take on many leadership roles and real responsibility, our instructor to student ratio is 1 to 6.
Each activity block will provide a basic foundation for sound judgment and experience in planning and leading outdoor activities. Lesson plans will also cover wilderness ethics, environmental education, games, leadership styles, group facilitation, and other topics important to outdoor leaders. We keep parts of the itinerary flexible to give the students maximum input in the direction of their trip.
Revisit great peaks you may have seen on past trips with Adventure Treks. Old Snowy is a three -day summit on the Pacific Crest Trail in our favorite area: the Goat Rocks. Lassen Peak is one of two active volcanoes in the contiguous U.S. and a great warm up!
Climb the other active volcano, too! This time, snow conditions permitting, we'll camp along the longer, winter route, possibly in the snow, as we prepare to climb this volcano. It is an early start the next morning. We begin in the dark. This hike is more challenging from this route and we will learn mountaineering skills along the way. At the summit you'll be above the clouds and the incomparable view is incredible. The crater beneath you is still smoking from the 1980 eruption. Glissade (slide) down the snowy mountain for high speed fun.
This may be the BEST day of your life! We will teach you everything you need to know as your summit team supports you all the way to the top. We start early (at 1 am) to begin the slow and steady hike to 14,162' with ice axe and crampons. The sunrise over the snow-covered ridgeline rivals your view from the summit. Then glissade (slide) down the snow for a high speed thrilling descent!
Spend the night camped on the side of the mountain; the stars overhead are like nothing you have ever seen. Your climb begins at 2 AM so you can reach the top of the 12, 281’ summit and witness stunning views of Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Rainier. Enjoy another thrilling glissade. What took hours to hike takes minutes to descend. You will never forget this amazing experience!
Everything from group dynamics to base camp management to mountaineering skills will be part of your summit of 7,965 ft. Mt Olympus. On the first and second days, you will backpack 17 miles trail through the Hoh Rain Forest (one of the wettest places on earth!) to the base camp at Glacier Meadows. Day three is the exciting day: rope, crampons, and ice axe (not to mention knowledge on how to use them) are prerequisites for the summit attempt of the mountain and a safe return to base camp. Finally, days four and five are a hike back out of the Rain Forest. This summit is the capstone of your Adventure Treks experience!
Topics during this 4-day course include assessment, treatment, evacuation, and most importantly, prevention. The curriculum uses practical applications and scenarios to fully engross students. Once students understand the challenges of medical issues in a wilderness context, they will have a new approach to safety.
*This is the standard level of medical training for most camp counselors, college instructors, and raft guides. It is an excellent introduction to the concepts necessary to help students prepare for more advanced courses like the Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT.
The Wild and Scenic, White Salmon River follows a cliff-lined canyon carved from ancient lava flows and fed by the snow melting from Mt. Adams. The rapids, especially the 10 ft Husum falls, are non stop and provide a fun end to your Adventure.
Space is Limited. Call 888-954-5555 for more information about this trip and to check availability. Apply early to ensure the trip of your choice.
Arrive in Sacramento, CA airport (SMF) by 1 pm opening day.
Depart Portland, OR airport (PDX) by 2 pm closing day.
*Note different arrival and departure cities
Already enrolled? Log in to the Registered Students Page for your equipment lists, paperwork, and more!
Tuesday, June 29: Students arrive in Sacramento, CA before 1 pm.
Wednesday, June 30: Summit Lassen Peak. This peak is one of two active volcanoes in the contiguous U.S.
Thursday, July 1 – Saturday, July 3: 3-day summit attempt Mt. Shasta with Shasta Mountain Guides. We will teach you everything you need to know as your summit team supports you all the way to the top. We start early (at 1 am) to begin the slow and steady hike to 14,162' with ice axe and crampons. The sunrise over the snow-covered ridgeline rivals your view from the summit.
Sunday, July 4: Whitewater raft the Upper Klamath with River Dancers. The Upper Klamath is huge, with bigger and longer rapids. One rapid is 1/2 mile long!
Monday, July 5: Drive day.
Tuesday, July 6 – Wednesday, July 7: Overnight summit attempt of Mt. Adams. Spend the night camped on the side of the mountain; the stars overhead are like nothing you have ever seen. Your climb begins at 2 AM so you can reach the top of the 12, 281’ summit and witness stunning views of Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, and Mt Rainier.
Thursday, July 8–Sunday, July 11: Wilderness Advanced First Aid course taught at Big Fir Campground by SOLO. This is the standard level of medical training for most camp counselors, college instructors, and raft guides. It is an excellent introduction to the concepts necessary to help students prepare for more advanced courses like the Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT.
Monday, July 12: Logistics day (shop for food, do laundry, and clean vans).
Tuesday, July 13 –Saturday, July 17: 5-day summit attempt of Mt. Olympus. Everything from group dynamics to base camp management to mountaineering skills will be part of your summit of 7,965 ft. Mt Olympus.
Sunday, July 18: Drive day.
Monday, July 19 –Tuesday, July 20: Overnight summit attempt of Old Snowy Mountain. Old Snowy is a day trip from the highest point on the Pacific Crest Trail in our favorite area: the Goat Rocks.
Wednesday, July 21 –Thursday, July 22: 2-day summit attempt of Mt. St. Helens. At the summit you'll be above the clouds and the incomparable view is more than worth the effort! The crater beneath you is still smoking from the 1980 eruption.
Friday, July 23: Whitewater raft the White Salmon River. The Wild and Scenic, White Salmon River follows a cliff-lined canyon carved from ancient lava flows and fed by the snow melting from Mt. Adams.
Saturday, July 24: Students depart Portland, OR by 2pm.
Alterations to Itinerary: Severe weather, high or low rivers, high snowpack, unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, volcanic activity, forest fires, illness, any potential threat to safety; even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student may necessitate itinerary changes. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant changes.
Is this the best trip for me?
Leadership Summit is only open to experienced Adventure Treks students with approval of the Director. This is the perfect capstone course for student who want to further their outdoor skills and learn how to be outdoor instructors.
I can't decide between Leadership Summit and Peak Leadership!
Call our office at 888-954-5555 for help choosing the best Leadership Trip for you. Dock knows all of the Adventure Treks students, and can help you decide on a trip so you can experience your best summer yet.
Can I participate in Leadershp Trips after I've graduated from High School?
Yes! We often have students who come back from their gap year or their freshman year of college to join us for one last summer.
For more answers, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or call us at 888-954-5555. We’re always happy to help you out!
Clayton Peirce – Clayton grew up on a family farm in Kansas, before leaving the flatlands behind to earn his Psychology degree from Pomona College. After working in Alaska, he taught several seasons of environmental education and was inspired to hike the entire 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Clayton has summited Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, and Denali. He now lives with his unicycle in Portland, Oregon and pursues climbing of all types, especially alpine routes in the Cascades. Last winter he climbed in Ouray, Colorado and Indian Creek, Utah and enjoyed a 21-day rafting trip of the Grand Canyon. Clayton patiently awaits his first Himalayan climbing invitation. He is a Wilderness First Responder and returns for his sixth year as a Trip Leader.
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Adrienne Kirkwood - Adrienne Kirkwood is returning for her sixth summer as a Trip Leader. Adrienne currently works at Snow King Mountain in Jackson Hole, WY where she is the Director of Snow King's Volunteer Ski Patrol. During the summer she is also a guide for Jackson Hole Whitewater on the Snake River. Adrienne is a certified Outdoor Emergency Care Technician and Instructor. Adrienne graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Natural Resource Management/Parks and Recreation from the University of Kansas and has letters from three different varsity collegiate sports: rowing, track and volleyball. Adrienne can usually be found either in the mountains, skiing, snowboarding, and trekking, or floating on the rivers in and around Jackson Hole.
On Mt Olympus Only:
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Andy Bond – A former Adventure Treks student, Andy joins us for his second year as an instructor. He graduated from Colorado College with BA in Sociology. When he’s not leading trips for A.T., Andy mountain guides on Rainier, Denali, and the North Cascades for Rainier Mountaineering Inc. He has climbed in Nepal and has summitted Denali 3 times. Andy's is a former ski patroller at Taos, New Mexico, and spent this winter in British Columbia skiing and climbing. Andy is a Nationally Registered EMT who has traveled all over North America and Mongolia taking photographs and studying avalanches.
*Instructors may change prior to your trip – we’ll let you know if this happens.
Adventure Treks is a program for teenagers, so we don’t allow any inappropriate language or content in our reviews. We do screen reviews for spam and legitimacy, and we will post all appropriate comments in full.
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Waitlist... call now for details 888-954-5555!
Fill out our online application or apply by phone by calling 888-954-5555 Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST.
Our core office staff, consisting of Dock, Kyndra, Dmac, Holly and Alice, welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions and help you choose the best summer experience for your child.
1. Apply online and submit an $800 deposit by check or Visa/MC to hold your place on the Adventure of your choice. As a smaller, more personal company, enrollment is limited, so please send in your application early.
2. You will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to complete your student essay, medical form, and 2 references (phone calls or e-mails to our office) from a teacher and another non-related adult who knows your child well. We may also arrange a brief phone interview to get to know your child better. Our acceptance process ensures a great peer group for your child.
3. Your remaining paperwork and information about your trip is available on our Registered Students Page and will be mailed to you upon acceptance. Adventure Treks is selective. Applications will be carefully reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
All deposits are refundable prior to March 1st, less a $200 processing fee, for cancellation for any reason. For cancellations after March 1st, tuition is non-refundable. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance for your protection. If a participant withdraws voluntarily or is sent home as a consequence of unacceptable behavior, no refund of any kind will be granted. It is the parents’ responsibility to cover any additional travel expenses.
Click map to enlarge
| Duration: | 26 days |
| Dates: | June 29 - July 24 |
| Ages: | 17-19 |
| Activities: | Whitewater Rafting Backpacking 6 Great Summits AWFA Certification |
| States: |
Washington |
| Price: | US $4,395.00 |
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