Rocky Mountain Explorer

for 7th-9th graders

 A land of wide valleys and towering peaks, the Rockies are America’s outdoor treasure. In this spectacular setting, we’ll hike to over 14,000 feet and raft a great Western river. For two weeks, we’ll discover the beauty and excitement of America’s West in a small, spirited and adventurous Overland group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders).

At the start of our trip, we'll explore a variety of mountain environments on a series of introductory hikes.  We'll travel lightly, with small packs holding just our supplies for the day.  These hikes are a terrific way to build skills and fitness and to acclimate to the high elevation and arid climate.  At the end of our first week together, we'll be ready to head into the backcountry on a three-day backpacking trip below snowy mountains and along crystal-clear alpine lakes.

We'll take a break from the trail to enjoy a rafting trip on the Arkansas River.  With professional guides at the helm, we'll spend two days floating the long, calm stretches and enjoying the fun of the Class III rapids--a perfect river trip for our group.  Back on the trail, Rocky Mountain Explorer ends with a hike up one of the Colorado's famous "14ers"--mountain peaks over 14,000 feet.  Our hard work during the ascent will be rewarded with magnificent views from the summit and a huge sense of accomplishment.  At trip's end, we'll look back on two weeks of hiking, rafting and fun in the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park
• Backpack the Rocky Mountain High Country
• Summit one of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks
• Raft the Arkansas

GRADE

For students who will finish grades 7-9 in June 2008.  We plan on 1 group at each departure with 7th & 8th graders and 1 group at each departure with 8th & 9th graders.  Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

CHALLENGE LEVEL

4 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

START & END LOCATION

Starts and ends in Denver

2008 DATES & FEES

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 22 to Friday, July 4
Sunday, July 6 to Friday, July 18
Sunday, July 20 to Friday, August 1

$2995 (airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

"Very few programs exceed our expectations; this one did. We like Overland's core values and focus on detail." Alison Gwinn, Chappaqua, New York

Itinerary

Trip Start

Once everyone has arrived in Denver, we’ll head to our campground and spend time checking over our gear and getting to know one another before heading out to explore the best of the Rockies.

Day Hikes & Backcountry Hiking

We'll spend the first 4-5 days doing day-hikes, averaging around 5-7 miles to acclimate to the elevation and prepare ourselves for the more challenging hiking to come. Then we’ll head out on a three-day backcountry section, hiking below snowy mountains and along alpine lakes and camping in the beautiful and remote Colorado backcountry. Averaging 5-6 miles per day on the trail, we’ll carry all of our gear, learn about Leave No Trace principles and work together to enhance our backpacking skills. Each day we’ll get up early and hit the trail to avoid potential afternoon heat and weather, arriving at our campsite in time to relax and explore the area before dinner.

White Water Rafting

We’ll take a break from our hiking adventures to raft the Arkansas River with Wilderness Aware (www.inaraft.com). Wilderness Aware has been guiding rafting trips for many years and rafting is often a highlight for Overland groups.  Our experienced guides will take us down the river as we paddle in rafts and inflatable kayaks through calm flat water and exciting Class II and III rapids. We’ll spend the night on the river, waking up to breakfast prepared by our guides as we get ready for our second day of paddling.

Climbing a 14er

As a culmination of our two weeks in the Rockies, we’ll attempt to summit one of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. Colorado is famous for its 14ers and after our two weeks of hiking and rafting at high elevations, we'll be prepared to tackle one of these magnificent peaks. Rising early, we’ll hope to summit by late morning and return to camp in early afternoon—a triumphant and fitting end to our adventures in the Rockies.

Trip End

At trip's end, we'll head back to Denver for a final dinner as we reminisce about our two weeks together and celebrate all we have accomplished on Rocky Mountain Explorer, a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders, while loving the outdoors and being experienced hikers, are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On an Overland trip the group stays together all day: hiking together, playing games together, swimming together, and enjoying our evenings together. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing hiking trails that make sense for the age and abilities of each group. We hike with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear—and we take frequent rest stops. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer trips.

“I loved my experience with Overland. It was so much fun and challenging and I had a blast with everyone in my group!” Julie Smith, Dallas, Texas

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

Trip Details

Getting To & From The Trip

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Denver, Colorado. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Preparing & Important Equipment

Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this trip are: a backpack, hiking boots, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., backpacks, boots, sleeping bags).

“My leaders were absolutely amazing. They were kind, caring, understanding, willing to listen when I needed to talk, and were always upbeat and fun!” Elizabeth Lurie, Lexington, MA

What's it like?

 A recent Rocky Mountain Explorer leader had the following to say about this trip:

“Get the most out of your trip because it will be over before you know it! Colorado is a beautiful state and Rocky Mountain Explorer hits the best of the Rockies! Our hikes were challenging yet fun; the three-day back country was perfect for beginner backpackers and a great way to get in shape for our trip-ending climb of one of Colorado’s 14ers! Remembering our group together at the top of Mount Yale in the early morning sunrise is something I won’t soon forget. Teamwork and enthusiasm, even in the early hours of our hike, are what made our climb successful. Our final night in Denver was spent telling stories and laughing about our adventures together – hard to believe we had only known each other for two weeks!”

“Jesse saw some terrific and dramatic parts of the country. She tested and challenged herself physically, gaining outdoor skills and competencies.” Judy Cohn, Westfield, New Jersey

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