Registration
Q. How do I sign up?
A. To register for a trip or receive a brochure in the mail, call us at 603-466-2727. You can also sign up on the Web by selecting a course from our 2008 online schedule and clicking "Sign up."
Q. Who signs up for these adventures?
A. Teens like you sign up because they love being outside, challenging themselves in new ways, meeting new friends, and learning interesting things about the places they visit.
Q. Should I sign up with a friend?
A. Although we don't prohibit it, we do discourage you from coming with a friend. We strive to create a community of people on each trip where there are no "cliques" and exclusions. Friends signing up together can sometimes make this difficult. We are sure that you will make new friends quickly, perhaps people you might never have met otherwise!
Q. Are scholarships available?
A. Yes! If financial constraints are prohibiting you from signing up for a Teen Wilderness Adventure, please call or email the Education Programs Coordinator for more information on how to apply for scholarship assistance. You may reach the Coordinator at 603-466-2721, ext. 125, or email us by selecting "Teen Wilderness Adventures" on this email form.
Q. What if I've never done any of these activities before?
A. No prior experience is necessary to participate in a Teen Wilderness Adventure, with the exception of the Leadership Training Program or the Ultimate Expedition. We'll teach you all the skills you need to succeed and have a good time. What we do expect is a desire to try new things and face new challenges as well as a willingness to cooperate with your group to make the experience the best it can possibly be for everyone. Participants are expected to help each other with camp chores and daily activities, with the help and guidance of the instructors. You do not have to be athletic to enjoy any of the activities, but you will have a more comfortable experience if you are physically fit. We recommend a simple routine of regular exercise beginning a few months before your trip.
Q. If I've taken a Teen Wilderness Adventure before, can I do it again?
A. Of course! We'd love to have you back. Many of our participants return, often coming back for a longer trip, a new activity, or to advance their skills on the Leadership Training Program or the Ultimate Expedition. Even if you return for the same trip, it will be a completely new experience with new friends and instructors.
Food & Gear
Q. What will I eat?
A. You will be offered three full meals each day including plenty of snacks. We provide fresh food, probably similar to what you eat at home, but we might ask you to try something new. Favorite meals include various pastas, burritos, stir-fry, hamburgers, bagels and cream cheese or peanut butter and jelly, dry and hot cereal, cookies, granola, fruit, and hot chocolate for chilly evenings and mornings. We easily accommodate most dietary restrictions; let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. All the participants help prepare and clean up after meals. You'll learn how to safely use a camp stove to cook your favorite meals and perhaps learn some new creations to impress your family at home.
Q. What do I need to bring?
A. You can view the equipment and clothing list for a particular course by clicking on the individual course link. In addition, when you register for a program, you will receive an equipment and clothing list by email. We ask that you bring your own personal gear, and we provide the group gear. That means you need a few changes of clothes, boots and shoes, toiletries, flashlight, hat, sunglasses, water bottles, and other similar items. We provide tents, stoves, cooking equipment, all food, and all the technical equipment for rock climbing and water sports. We ask that you bring a backpack, rain gear, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. We do have a supply of these items and can loan them to you free of charge if you can't bring your own. Please give advance notice if you need to borrow equipment.
Safety
Q. How safe will I be?
A. Safety is a high priority in all aspects of our programs. Our leaders all have extensive Wilderness First-aid training and are selected for their proven good judgment, among other qualities. Any outdoor activity has inherent risk: cooking in camp can be just as dangerous as paddling down rapids or being caught in a lightning storm. So we do our absolute best to minimize the potential dangers and maximize the safety precautions with everything we do. Your cooperation and good sense will help us to make every trip as safe and successful as possible.
Q. Are there any rules I have to follow on the trip? A. A complete detailed list of our policies can be found on the Trip Policies Form you will receive upon registration. Or you can click on any individual course link and scroll through to find the trip policies form. These have been set for your safety, as well as the safety and consideration of others on your trip. Your commitment to these policies will ensure your trip to be fun, enjoyable, and comfortable.
Here are a few examples of policies we ask you to abide by: Instructors will carry and administer all participants' medications. We do not tolerate the use of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs on any of our programs. Sexual behavior, exclusionary cliques, and disruptive behavior are also not tolerated. Boys and girls always sleep in separate tents, and supervision by our trained instructors helps to ensure that privacy is respected.
Activities
Q. How do the multi-element programs work?
A. If you choose an adventure that includes more than one activity, you will either return to the starting point of your trip between each activity or have your extra bag brought to you in the field. For example, that means you can pack clothing and equipment for canoeing and don't have to bring it along backpacking. We'll store your extra gear and you will have access to it between trip sections.
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