HIGH SCHOOL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP AND ADVENTURE PROGRAM
JULY 12 - AUGUST 1, 2025
LENGTH 21 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 10 - 12
ARRIVE: Denver (DEN)
DEPART: Salt Lake City (SLC)
TUITION $6750
This unique RLT program is for older high schoolers who want to develop their outdoor leadership skills. Students will gain a Wilderness First Aid and Leave No Trace certification, tackle a range of outdoor adventure activities, and gain experience in back country settings as they complete our leadership program. This is a challenging program that will cover leadership, navigation, first aid, leave no trace, group management and other key outdoor leadership skills.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
TRIP OVERVIEW
ACTIVITIES
WFA Certification: Take a Wilderness First Aid course, and gain this certification
LNT Certification: Earn a Leave No Trace certification
Backcountry Hiking Skills: Lead a backcountry hiking expedition
Whitewater Raft/Kayak: Class 2 and 3 rapids of the Arkansas River
Rock Climb: San Isabel National Forest
Orientation and Navigation: Develop essential backcountry navigation skills
Camp Out: Across Colorado and Utah
SWIMMING ABILITY
Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING
Accommodations are tent camping for the full 21 days of the trip. Tents are provided and we aim for it to be 2 participants in a 3-person tent or 3 participants in a 4-person tent with luggage, divided by gender.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 3-4 days even when showers are readily available. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.
FOOD
Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.
Meals are prepared on back-country-style camp stoves. Meals are nutritious and filling, but the back-country nature of the program often necessitates a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
TRAVEL
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their students from home to Denver (DEN) on the first day of the trip, and from Salt Lake City (SLC) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all students to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.
TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance nor do we require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, travel insurance can protect your investment in your participant's trip from the risk of unexpected expenses from last-minute cancellations or early trip departure. If you are interested in more details regarding travel insurance, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“the entire experience reassured me that she was well cared for and exposed to a fantastic experience. It was a great adventure, From clear planning and communication to the extensive itinerary.”
- SUMMER 2024 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Arrival (Day 1)
After we’ve all arrived at Denver International Airport we’ll head to our first campsite, nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and then spend time getting to know one another.
Course introduction and hike (Day 2)
We start our day with an introduction to the leadership program, and continue getting to know each other. We will spend about half the day hiking in the area, getting to know the place we are visiting.
Leave No Trace workshop (Day 3)
We will spend the day learning the ins and outs of Leave No Trace (LNT). The 7 Principles of LNT will help us navigate the rest of the trip in a way that minimizes our impact on the places we travel. At the end of this training, each participant will receive a Certificate of Completion. This certification and the skills learned in the workshop are valuable for anyone wanting to continue exploring the natural world or working in an outdoor leadership capacity.
White water expedition (Days 4 and 5)
We spend days exploring the Arkansas River by raft and/or inflatable kayak. Raft down class II and III rapids through the iconic Brown's Canyon National Monument! Our guides will teach us how to read the river and navigate the rapids, drops, and rock formations as we journey down the river.
Preparation Day (Day 6)
We take the day to rest and recharge before our Wilderness First Aid course. We take time to explore the local town, grab ice cream, do laundry, shower, and prepare ready for a busy course over the next few days.
Wilderness First Aid course (Days 7 - 9)
A core certification for all outdoor enthusiasts. This comprehensive 3 day course covers a wide range of first aid emergencies, enabling all who complete it to deal with future emergency situations with confidence in a prompt, safe and effective way, particularly while waiting for professional medical to make their way to a wilderness setting. This certification is a great skill to have, especially for those wanting to pursue work in the outdoor travel adventure field.
Rock climbing development (Days 10 and 11)
Over the next two days, we learn the basics of rock climbing as well as having the opportunity to refine and develop more advanced skills. Based in the San Isabel National Forest, there are routes for all abilities to challenge themselves.
Transfer to Northern Utah (Day 12)
Today we pack up camp and transfer to Northern Utah for the next leg of our leadership challenge.
Orientation and navigation (Day 13)
A key backcountry skill, we spend the day developing our navigation and orientation techniques. From maps and compasses, to natural navigation, students will gain an understanding of the best practices for backcountry expeditions.
Backcountry hiking expedition (Days 14-18)
We put the skills learned over the first two weeks into practice as the students will have an opportunity to take the lead on a back country hiking expedition through the Wasatch Mountains. On this leg of our journey, students will be stepping into a leadership role, working with the Trip Leaders on navigation, camp set-up, backcountry cooking, group management, and more. This is the capstone of our trip, allowing students to put into practice all of the skills they've acquired over the first two weeks of the program.
Trip wrap up (Days 19 and 20)
We wrap up the trip with an overview of the course, the skills learned and what the group has achieved. We transfer to our final campsite and finish the trip with an RLT Banquet.
Homeward bound (Day 21)
We say goodbye to new friends before starting on the journey back home. We reflect on the adventures of the last two weeks before flying out of Salt Lake City.
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