Teton Environmental Studies

Overview

Over the course of three weeks, we’ll see the Tetons in entirely new ways through a hands-on environmental studies program with professional instructors. Hiking and rafting will add to the fun of three weeks out West.

We’ll begin with short hikes in Grand Teton National Park where we’ll enjoy the beauty of the area while developing friendships and having fun. Next, we’ll head to the Teton Science Schools for 10 days where we’ll work with TSS teachers to learn about the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Our studies will begin with an overview of the region. We’ll look at the area’s geography and human history and then dig deeper to understand its geology and ecology. We’ll spend the majority of our time outdoors, with lessons and activities focused on hands-on experiential learning. Our studies are designed to be a fun exploration of this beautiful place and, in the process, to engage our curiosity in ways a science classroom back home cannot.

When our lessons are finished, we’ll head north to Yellowstone National Park and we’ll spend a few days on short, scenic hikes. We’ll celebrate our time out West with a challenge hike to a peak and a raft trip on the Snake River. When we head home we’ll be able to look back on three weeks of learning, exploration, friendship and fun.

Highlights

• Hike in Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks
• Study geology, ecology & natural history
• Track & observe wildlife
• Learn & explore outdoors
• Raft the Snake River

Grade

For students who will finish grades 7-9 in June 2010.

Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

3 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Jackson, Wyoming

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

Dates and Fees

Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 16
Sunday, July 18 to Friday, August 6

$4595 (airfare is not included)

Itinerary

At The Start Of The Trip

Teton Environmental Studies begins with day hikes around the Jackson area. We'll spend the night in frontcountry campsites and head out on introductory day hikes carrying just our supplies for the day. These hikes will help us build fitness and get to know each other as we explore the beautiful area around us.

Teton Science Schools

We'll spend the next 12 days at the Teton Science Schools on one of their beautiful and remote campuses outside of Jackson. Each day, we'll wake up early, have breakfast on campus and pack a lunch before departing with the professional instructors from the school. We'll explore the area on hikes and through outdoor activities spending the majority of our days outside and being active. We'll learn about where we are to gain our sense of place, about the geology and ecology of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, about sustainability, and about the wildlife in the Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. Our lessons will be engaging and hands-on and our professional instructors will have fun with us along the way. In the afternoon, we'll return back to campus to spend time with just our group and have dinner. Each night will end with an evening program on campus and then we'll retire to our indoor camping accommodations. We'll also have a day to take a break from our lessons at the Teton Science Schools to explore Jackson with just our group.

At The End Of The Trip

Our time in Wyoming will wind down with a visit up north to Yellowstone, taking time to see Old Faithful and other historic sites within the park. We'll sleep in tents at national forest campgrounds and spend each day on exploratory hikes with our new environmental studies knowledge to see the area in a completely new way. We'll challenge ourselves with a hike up a high peak and also spend a day whitewater rafting on the Snake River. These Class II rapids will be a fun and exciting way to experience the rivers and take a break from the trails. At the conclusion of the program, we'll head back in Jackson to celebrate all we've learned and seen on Teton Environmental Studies.

Trip Details

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee.

 

“Overland is an exceptionally well-run organization that parents can trust.” Jennie Tashima, Wilmette, Illinois

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Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Hiking

Stay active in sports and get out for some walks and hikes this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike safely this summer.

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while hiking and camping this summer. Nighttime temperatures are much cooler when you are at high elevation than they tend to be in the regions most of us are from. The warm clothing and layers listed may seem unnecessary now, but we guarantee you'll appreciate them this summer. Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short, and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Oftentimes more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.  Bring only what you need and pack everything in a duffel bag or your daypack. You should carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.

Clothing

• Tennis Shoes or Sneakers
  Comfortable shoes to wear around all day and on day hikes.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for rafting, swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for rafting. If you do not have sport sandals, your sneakers will work fine for rafting and around camp.


• Waterproof Rain Jacket
  Your rain jacket must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof and breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from.


• Fleece Jacket/Pullover or Warm Sweater/Sweatshirt
  One or two. To wear in camp on cool evenings. If you get cold easily, we recommend two.


• Winter Hat & Gloves/Mittens
  To stay warm in camp on cool nights.

• Long Pants
  One or two pairs. To wear in camp on cool evenings. One could be a long underwear layer or a pair of sweat pants.


• Shorts
  Three pairs of comfortable shorts to hike in.


• Shirts
  Three short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; two long-sleeve shirts.


• Underwear
  Six pairs.


• Socks
  Six pairs.


• Pajamas
  One pair only.  Pajamas are not required as many students will just sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.


• Bathing Suit
  One only.

Hiking & Camping Gear

• Backpack
  For everyday adventures and hikes. Your backpack should have two shoulder straps (i.e., not a satchel) and be big enough to carry your lunch, snacks, two water bottles and a rain jacket or extra warm layers. A regular school backpack will work fine as a day pack.


• Sleeping Bag
  The bag should be reasonably compact (most come with a stuff sack) and rated to 30 degrees or less. Carry your sleeping bag on the plane with you in case your checked luggage is delayed.


• Sleeping Pad
  Either a full length or 3/4 length closed cell foam (thin and firm) pad like a Therma Ridge Rest or inflatable like a ThermaRest is appropriate. Carry your sleeping pad on the plane with you.

• Pillow
  Optional. Many students will use their fleece or sweatshirt as a pillow.


• Flashlight or Headlamp
  So you can see in camp when it's dark outside.  A headlamp is a small light attatched to a band that you can wear on your head which is nice because it allows both hands to be free.


• Utensils
  6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils. A Rubbermaid dish and regular eating utensils are fine.


• Water Bottle
  Any kind, to stay hydrated out in the sun.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Toiletries
  Travel size as items can by replenished en route.


• Sunglasses & Hat
  Hat with a visor - like a baseball cap - to keep the sun off your face.


• Sunscreen, Chapstick, and Insect Repellent
  SPF 15+ sunscreen, chapstick with SPF.


• Camera/Batteries/Memory Card

Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.

• Journal and/or Book
  Optional. Your group will collectively keep a group journal, and you will receive a copy of the journal after your trip. If you would like to keep your own journal, you should bring one.


• Spending Monday
  $50 per week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out, camera film or envelopes to mail letters.)

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Admissions

Below is the Admissions Materials packet and other information for Alaska Environmental Studies.

Admissions Materials 2010

Flight & Travel Information 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

Teton Environmental Studies Release Form 2010

Apply

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.