BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS, NC

Because the Appalachians were once one of the largest mountain ranges in the world they have many different geologic landforms, climates and soils. This long evolutionary history and temperate climate create an area which is teeming with life. Participants can expect to share the wilderness with over 700 different kinds of trees, more than 50 types of mammals, 150 different types of birds and about 40 species of amphibians. 

This course area is situated within a million acres of national forests, federally-protected wilderness areas, and other public lands. Its diverse landscapes have been featured in many motion pictures, including The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. <Click to learn more about this course area.>

FLORIDA EVERGLADES

This course area is on the west coast of southern Florida in the Everglades National Park and Ten Thousand Islands national Wildlife Refuge. As the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the United States and third-largest national park in the lower 48 states, The Everglades provides a variety of precious wildlife habitat. The aquatic preserve includes more than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, and 40 species of mammals, within its confines. Everglades National Park is one of only three locations in the world to show-up on the following lists: an International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of an International Importance and World Heritage Site.

TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS, FL

Participants will paddle through lush mangrove tunnels in a land of contrast: between tropic and semi-tropic, land and sea, and salt and fresh water as they learn to work together to read tide charts, explore unique ecosystems, cook and set-up camp on white sandy beaches under the stars and paddle to new areas each day. Participants will also learn about what makes the Ten Thousand Islands famous worldwide, the environmental value the area adds, and how we can better take care of it.

 <Click for more information about this course area.>

PHASE l: TEN THOUSAND ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

February 5 - February 27, 2022

This phase will take you and your crew through a maze of lush mangrove tunnels in a land of contrast: between tropic and semi-tropic, land and sea, and salt and fresh water. As a team, you will work together to navigate with tide charts and maps, explore fragile and unique ecosystems, cook and set-up camp on platforms and white sandy beaches under the stars and paddle to new areas each day within the Ten Thousand Islands. You will also learn about what makes the Everglades famous worldwide, the environmental value the area adds, and how we can better take care of it.

It will be necessary for you and your crewmates to perform a swim assessment; as well as a flip and swim assessment as practice for paddling and self-rescue. This activity is closely monitored by your instructors. It is critical for us to determine your paddling comfort as you and your crew explore the islands. Even if you are a non-swimmer or weak swimmer, you will still participate in this safety assessment. All students will be wearing personal flotation devices (PFD's) during the assessment. PFD's are required gear anytime students are on the water.

Activities during this phase will include the following:

Coastal Canoeing: You will be canoeing in Everglades National Park. Navigate a maze of lush mangrove tunnels and explore this "river of grass," 120 miles long and 50 miles wide in search of adventure. All activities are weather permitting.

Skills:

• Riverine expedition risk assessment and management
• Riverine route planning and navigation
• Paddle strokes and techniques for propulsion and steering
• Canoe-based assisted rescues and self-rescues.
• Canoe expedition equipment use, care and maintenance.
• How to work with your paddling partner

Ongoing Initiatives/Activities/Workshops

Skills:

• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Personal Growth

Crew Led Expedition

• Put your new skills to the test as you and your crewmates plan and lead your own expedition.

PHASE II: BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

February 28 - April 10, 2022

This phase will take you and your crew through the beautiful and varied terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Appalachian Range, of which the Blue Ridge Mountains are a part, are more than 200 million years old. These mountains once rivaled the Himalayas in stature. You and your crew will discover some of the finest terrain for outdoor adventure in the country. You will learn and hone backcountry backpacking, rock climbing and whitewater canoeing skill as you expedition through Pisgah National Forest.

Activities during this phase will include the following:

Backpacking: Weather permitting you will spend up to 17-days backpacking. You will learn you learn safety precautions for backcountry foot travel, how to find campsites, how to navigate terrain as well as how to use a map and compass. Since your crew’s navigation depends on individual and group decision making, your crew could make some navigational errors along the way. You may hike 12 to 15 hours in one day to reach your destination or you could go three miles uphill one day and 12 miles over varied terrain the next day. The backpacks can weigh 55+ pounds. Remember, PHYSICAL PREPARATION IS KEY!

Skills: 

• Map and compass navigation
• Expedition planning
• Leave No Trace minimum-impact techniques,
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR
• Emergency procedures and weather forecasting.

Rock Climbing: Weather permitting, you may spend up to eight days climbing and attending climbing workshops. Start out bouldering then progress to more challenging climbs. Each day that you climb you learn and practice new climbing techniques.

Skills:

• Climbing safety systems and practices,
• Bouldering
• Belaying
• Multi-pitch climbing
• Rappelling
• Care and use of equipment
• Knot-tying.

Whitewater Canoeing: Weather permitting, you may spend up to six days canoeing on the French Broad or Tuckaseegee Rivers.

It will be necessary for you and your crewmates to perform a rapid swim assessment; as well as a flip and swim (or canoe capsize) assessment in the river. This activity is closely monitored by your instructors and river specialists. It is critical for us to determine your whitewater paddling comfort as you and your crew maneuver challenging rapids. Even if you are a non-swimmer or weak swimmer, you will still participate in this safety assessment. All students will be wearing safety helmets and personal flotation devices (PFD's) during the assessment. Helmets and PFD's are required gear anytime students are on the water.

Skills: 

• Basic water safety and rescue techniques
• Identification and use of paddling equipment;
• How to work with your paddling partner to successfully negotiate class II and III rapids;
• Advanced skills paddling strokes and maneuvers.

Swiftwater Rescue Training

The Swiftwater Rescue (SWR) encompasses a broad range of skills related to performing rescues and keeping one's self and others safe on whitewater rivers. Participants on this course will spend two days learning and practicing those skills. Topics will include whitewater swimming, use of throw ropes, technical rigging and rope-work, rescue strategies and philosophy, and more. This portion of course will be provided as a Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue training course by American Canoe Association, and at the end of the skills course, participants will be provided with a participation card.

Wilderness First Aid and CPR Certification

While in the Blue Ridge Mountains, participants will have the opportunity to prepare for the unexpected by earning a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification during the mountains phase of the course. This fast-paced, hands-on training is designed to teach skills to care for those who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care. Offered through a partnership with Landmark Learning, this certification will include classroom lectures and demonstrations, combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge participants to use what they've learned.

Ongoing Initiatives/Activities/Workshops

Skills:

• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Personal Growth

Crew Led Expedition

• Put your new skills to the test as you and your crewmates plan and lead your own expedition.

Please refer to your Applicant Portal to confirm your balance and make payment. 

If you are unsure of your balance due, please call 1-800-878-5258 or email [email protected]. 

Please review the Application & Cancelation Policies. 

If your payment is not received by the due date listed in your Application Portal, you will risk losing your position on the course and your $500 deposit. 

During course, you will use several different types of shelters: tarps, tents or megamids. You will also be given a ground sheet and a foam pad to place under your sleeping bag.

This is only a SAMPLE itinerary only. Adjustments will be made due to weather, programming area availability and group dynamics.

Day 1: Course start; duffle shuffle, team building initiatives, safety management skills

Day 2-8: Canoe expedition: Introduction to canoeing equipment and marine environment. Canoeing training expedition: navigation, tides, rescue and marine camping skills

Day 9-10: Service project

Day 11-16: Continue canoe expedition

Day 17-18: Solo

Day 19-21: Canoe final expedition

Day 22: Town/Laundry day

Day 23-24: Transportation to North Carolina.

Day 25-30: Backpacking training expedition: navigation and safety management skills

Day 31-33: Wilderness First Aid certification + CPR

Day 34-41: Rock climbing, belaying, rappelling and multi-pitch climbing, climbing technique and advanced skill workshops

Day 42-44: Solo

Day 45: Town/Laundry day

Day 46-49: Backpacking main expedition: advanced navigation and group decision-making

Day 50-55: Whitewater canoeing: paddle strokes, boat maneuvers, rapid scouting, self-rescue

Day 56-57: Service project: trail building or work with community service organization

Day 58-59: Swift-water rescue training

Day 60-63: Backpacking final expedition: leadership and independent student travel

Day 64: Personal challenge event, clean and de-issue gear. Course-end ceremony.

Day 65: Course End.