Wilderness Adventures - Parent Handbook
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Wilderness Adventures
Parent Handbook
Table of Contents
Welcome: 1 Packing: 10-11
Mission, Core Values: 2 Travel: 12
Leadership Team: 3-5 Communication: 13-14
Leaders: 6 Letter from a WA Parent: 15
Behavior, Risk Management: 7 FAQs: 16
Food, Medical Care: 8 Glossary: 17
Medications, Payment: 9
Welcome!
As the parents of four children, we are always in search of quality programming that will grow our kids’ minds and hearts,
and help them flourish into healthy and happy adults. When we find programs that achieve this, we love to get our family
involved. We have noticed that the organizations we find ourselves committed to are ones that take both our child’s ex-
perience into account, and also our entire family’s experience. That is why we believe wholeheartedly in working to make
the Wilderness Adventures experience a positive one for the entire family.
Over the course of the next few months, we will have many great adventures. With your children, we will climb peaks,
raft rivers, explore the wilderness, and meet new friends. As parents ourselves, we are deeply honored to have your
trust. You can expect that we will keep you informed of the adventure before, during, and after your time with us. We, as
a leadership team, will always be available if and when you need us. We will work tirelessly to give your child the best
possible adventure with fantastic role models as trip leaders. Finally, we will work diligently to give you all the necessary
information, so that you can rest easy, knowing that your child is in good hands.
You already have lots of information to help you prepare for your child’s specific adventure. But, we wanted to provide
this handbook to further expand on the Wilderness Adventures experience for our families. The information in this hand-
book is general to all of our trips, and we hope that it offers you a nice introduction to the Wilderness Adventures experi-
ence.
Once again, we appreciate your trust and we look forward to serving you and your child in the months to come.
Sincerely,
Tom and Catherine Holland
Owners and Directors
Meet the
Hollands!
Tom and Catherine
(dad and mom) are
the directors of
Wilderness
Adventures! John-
ny is the youngest
of the Holland
crew. Next comes
Lydia, then
Maggie, and finally
Madeleine is the
oldest!
Our Partnership with Parents and Students Our program is built on relationships: the relationships with our trip leaders, our students, our technical experts in the field, and our parents. For our students, this partnership is built on open communication. On the first night of each trip, our trip leaders will speak to all of our students about the goals and expectations for the trip. Our expectation is that our students openly communicate with us during the entire journey. This is both in the good times and in the times that are challenging. We will have one-on-one conversations with all students along the way. We also need our students to part- ner with us in abiding by the rules that are set forth at the outset of each trip. Our partnership with parents is equally important. We will seek to be as communicative as possible, and we hope our families will as well. We appreciate when families take the time to fill out all necessary paperwork in a timely manner. Moreover, we ask that you do so truthfully so that we can make the experience a wonderful one for each unique child. Our Philosophy At Wilderness Adventures, our programs are developed with our students and their families in mind. We seek to offer something different in outdoor education: an experience based on the current needs of 21st century students and their families. Consequently, when families enroll in our adventures, they can expect Wilderness Adventures will be striving to address the following needs: Kids and young adults need great role models. We pride ourselves on recruiting, training, and retaining the best and brightest role models for our students. Our trip leaders come to us with a background that demonstrates superb judgment, leadership skills, and a passion for working with students. Kids and young adults need time to disconnect. More and more evidence is demonstrating that students today need time to disconnect from electronic devices and from the pressures of young adulthood. At Wilderness Adventures, students grow their critical thinking, social, and leadership skills away from the distractions of electronics. We foster a community that supports them along every step of the way. Kids and young adults need time in the outdoors. As educators, we are passionate about the learning that happens under the stars and in the wilderness. On the trail, students will learn self reliance and leadership. They will also learn that a group has the power to accomplish something greater than the sum of its members. These lessons will instill them with confidence and clarity long after they arrive home. Families need communication and community. Our programs are not just built for those that are on the trail, but also for those who support the adventure back at home! As we seek to meet the needs stated above, we know that to do so successfully we also need to have strong partner- ships with the families of our participants. We are committed to open communication, above-and-beyond support, and
Meet our Leadership Team
These are the folks that work year-round to ensure that every student has an amazing summer experience! We are a
friendly team with decades of combined experience in the guiding and camp industries, and we love to hear from you!
Tom and Catherine Holland
Directors
Originally from the midwest, Tom and Catherine Holland are proud to
be members of the Wilderness Adventures team.
Tom attended Wilderness Adventures as a teenager and discovered a
passion for adventure and outdoor education during that time. The
program led him to get involved in the summer camp industry while in
college. An award-winning educator, Tom spent three years teaching
social studies at the secondary level before he left the classroom to
work at a camp in northwest Wyoming. In 2013, he went on to work
for the American Camp Association and held the roles of Chief Foun-
dation Officer and Chief Executive Officer. Known as a leading expert on the camp experience, Tom has spoken at both
national and international conferences on youth development, the camp experience, and children in the outdoors. He
holds a B.A. in secondary education and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Catherine’s passion for teaching children in the outdoors is partnered with her passion for nutrition and the culinary arts.
As a registered dietitian with a B.S. in culinary arts from Saint Louis University, she has always brought a wealth of knowl-
edge to meal planning and food preparation for backcountry trips. In the world of camp, Catherine has served in a variety
of roles including head chef, assistant director and director of a summer camp in northwest Wyoming. Outside of camp,
Catherine has worked as a registered dietitian and certified diabetic educator at the hospital in Jackson, Wyoming.
Tom and Catherine love to volunteer in the Jackson community and to get outside with their three daughters and son.
Contact Tom and Catherine: info@wildernessadventures.com
Carly Chanatry Shannon Jones
Director of Marketing Director of Enrollment and
and Sales Outreach
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Shannon is originally from North Car-
Carly found her way west during her olina and grew to love the outdoors in
college summers to begin her work in high school through her experience as
the summer camp industry. Completely a Wilderness Adventures student on
taken with the beauty of Wyoming and the Hawaii trip. She graduated from the
the important work of summer camps, she relocated full-time UNC with a degree in history, and led trips for WA in the
to Jackson. After 12 summers working at a residential camp Yellowstone area during the summer. After graduating,
outside of Jackson Hole, Carly decided it was time for a new Shannon moved to a small village in northeastern Thailand
challenge and adventure. She made her way to Wilderness to teach English. She then joined the Leadership Team at
Adventures to work as the Western Director. This position WA full-time in Jackson Hole and now lives in Buena Vista,
allowed her the ability to learn the details of the program and Colorado with her husband, Nelson. Shannon enjoys trail
immerse herself in the experience that WA provides. Now in running, mountain biking, long-distance bikepacking, skiing,
marketing, Carly is excited to be a part of the dynamic WA camping, rafting, reading, and card games. She attributes
team. She and her husband enjoy skiing, hiking, fly fishing, her adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors to her time
and playing outside with their two kids and dog! as both a student and a leader with WA and is excited to be
a member of the Leadership Team.
Contact: carly@wildernessadventures.com
Contact: shannon@wildernessadventures.com
Willy Ross
Operations Director
International and Hawaii Regional Director
Willy was born and raised in Bend, Oregon where he was introduced to an outdoor lifestyle at a young age.
During his summers, while enrolled in school at the University of Oregon, he would venture out to Wyoming
and work for a summer camp in the Jackson Hole area. This is where his love for camp started. After grad-
uating from the University of Oregon and living in Telluride for a winter he worked as a Trip Leader for WA
on our Hawaii trips. More recently, Willy worked for Columbia Sportswear and lived in Portland, Oregon. He
is now returning to the summer camp industry and could not be more excited. Willy enjoys skiing, climbing,
fishing and playing the guitar in his free time.
Contact: william@wildernessadventures.com
Robin Cameron
Staffing Director
Robin grew up in Princeton, New Jersey and was lucky to experience the Tetons for the first time when she
was 14 as a participant on a Wilderness Adventures trip. The invaluable lessons and beauty of the moun-
tains left a lasting impression inspiring her to become a Wilderness Adventures trip leader during college.
Robin brings nearly twenty years of teaching experience, including field science for the Teton Science
Schools, early childhood and art at the American School of Milan, Italy, and most recently, she was the
Dean of Students and a science and photography faculty member at the Jackson Hole Community School.
Robin is excited to return to an organization that helped her discover the power of time spent in the backcountry and the
value of the outdoor classroom. Robin lives in Jackson, Wyoming with her husband, two young sons, and dog, who all enjoy
exploring the natural world as much as she does. When they’re not outside, they can be found cooking, reading, playing
games, and making a mess with at-home science experiments and art projects.
Contact: robin@wildernessadventures.com
Tim Smith
Rocky Mountain Regional Coordinator
Born in Hamden, Connecticut, Tim got his start in the outdoors by going on trips with his local scout troop.
He spent summers working at residential camps and science programs in the east, eventually finding
himself at Wilderness Adventures, leading trips in both Yellowstone and Alaska. For college Tim attended
the University of Vermont, studying Animal Science, as well as Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Tim was
the Vice President of Operations for the UVM Outing Club and was heavily involved in the Department of
Outdoor Programs. Today you can find him mountain biking, skiing, backpacking, or doing anything that
involves some fresh air. Tim is excited to coordinate trips that will give youth from all over the world the opportunity to grow,
make friends, and experience adventure.
Contact: tim@wildernessadventures.com
Elena Couch
Enrollment and Social Media Specialist
Elena was born in Texas and attended Northeastern University in Boston. Their study abroad program in
Tanzania sparked their interest and love for the outdoors! After university, they began working in outdoor
education in Washington and California so that they could live outside and share their sense of adventure
and passion for the environment with youth. Their favorite spot to teach was on Catalina Island because of
the diverse marine life and beautiful hikes. They first worked at Wilderness Adventures as the Trip Photog-
rapher in 2019 and are stoked to be back on the team in a new role! Now residing in Denver, Elena enjoys
spending time hiking, roller-blading, rockhounding, and hanging outside with their dog, Cora.
Contact: elena@wildernessadventures.com
Alec McKee
Logistics Support Specialist
Alec grew up by the waters of Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota and spent his childhood fishing, sailing, ski-
ing, and playing hockey. At the age of 16 he participated in a 30 day National Outdoor Leadership School
backpacking course in Lander, Wyoming and fell in love with the experience of backcountry living. Alec
began his college studies at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, where he developed an obsession for
surfing and rock climbing. After transferring and completing a major in psychology at the University of Min-
nesota, Alec began his professional career as a program director at the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School.
In March of 2021, Alec relocated to Jackson, Wyoming and joined the Wilderness Adventures team. In his free time Alec likes
to ski, climb, fish, surf, play guitar, sing, and write music. He is excited to support Wilderness Adventures students as they do
something wild!
Contact: logistics@wildernessadventures.com
Our Leaders Our leaders have a wealth of leadership experience and share a passion for working with our students in the outdoors. Although their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of every student, each Wilderness Adven- tures trip leader is selected because they are a great role model. Our leaders are talented, dynamic, professional, and charismatic adults who have a true passion for student growth. They are patient and inspiring teachers and skilled out- door enthusiasts who focus on fostering constructive group dynamics so that each participant can safely achieve goals consistent with his or her abilities. They are friends, confidants, and facilitators, and their dedication to our students each summer is a principal reason our programs are so successful. With the rich history and esteemed reputation Wilderness Adventures holds in the outdoor adventure industry, we re- ceive an abundance of highly qualified applicants each year. Our selection process is extremely thorough and involves The WA Program Explained Adventure Groups Discovery - students who have finished the 5th and 6th grades Explorer - students who have finished the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades High Trails - students who have finished the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades Wilderness Adventures Leadership Institute - students 18-21 years old Trail Maps - Our students’ educational experience is guided by Trail Maps. These booklets are designed for our stu- dents to track their own personal progress. Emphasis on outcomes- We track three developmental outcomes - collaborative skills, personal responsibility, per- ceived competence. We do not track individuals performance, rather the whole of our organization. Service Hours - Many programs include service work to give back to the communities that we visit. If your child is on a trip with service, you will receive a certificate in the fall certifying hours completed and a description of the service.
Student Behavior
All Wilderness Adventures trips are group experiences. This means that each individual is expected to contribute in a
positive manner in order to enhance the group experience. Our final goal is for every individual to have a wonderful
summer. No
individual within the group has the right to diminish another individual’s experience. Some examples of actions or behav-
iors that always lessen the quality of the experience for others and that constitute a lack of a cooperating spirit are (but
not limited to):
Cliques: These exclusive “in groups” make everyone not included feel uncomfortable. While, unfortunately, they are part
of school life, they cannot be tolerated on our trips and everyone is expected to work toward their prevention.
Mutually exclusive one-to-one relationships including romantic relationships: This summer is neither the time nor the
place for one to be looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Selfishness: Our trips operate under the premise that every individual must be able and willing to place the needs of the
group ahead of their own. As we all know, in a group living situation decisions do not always turn out the way we as indi-
viduals may prefer. For example, we may not agree with a major decision such as what we will be doing as a group on a
particular day or we may not agree with a minor decision such as where we may camp for the evening. Decisions made
by either the trip leaders or the group members as a whole are made for the well-being of the entire group and must be
adhered to by all.
Poor Language, Bad Attitude, and Topic of Conversation: This summer has the potential to be one of the most enjoy-
able and fulfilling experiences for you and your group. The success of this summer depends on a positive attitude from
all members. A bad attitude this summer, including poor language and inappropriate topics of conversation will not be
tolerated.
As we all know from our participation in sports and games, there are always rules and guidelines we must follow. We
view our expeditions in the same light. If you wish to participate you must be willing to abide by and be supportive of all
Risk Management
Through all of our programs, Wilderness Adventures offers fun and educational
activities in a variety of different environments around the world. While we expect that these adventures will offer great
opportunities for personal growth, they are not without risk. The inherent and other risks associated with engaging in
recreation, adventure, travel, or educational activities in a wilderness or outdoor environment can cause injury or loss.
Inherent risks are those that are integral to an activity and include risks that we seek, such as hiking at high elevations.
These risks can provide the opportunity to learn, and are a catalyst for personal growth. Inherent risks also include those
risks we don’t necessarily seek, but which exist as part of the environment—such as unpredictable weather. Other risks,
not inherent, also exist.
As a result, safety and risk management considerations are an important part of our programming. We aspire to manage
risks, knowing we cannot eliminate risks or assure students’ safety unequivocally. Our trip leaders are certified in CPR
and trained Wilderness First Responders, the industry standard medical certification for backcountry guiding. They are
also trained in best practices for managing risk in their specific trip en-
vironment and they come to our program with a demonstrable wealth
of experience in the field. Students and parents must understand that
students share in the responsibility for their own well-being and the Did You Know...
well-being of others on their program. all WA trip leaders carry cell phones
and satellite phones into the back-
Please review our website, other program information and the WA country just in case they need to get
Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity in touch?
Agreement for information about the activities and risks, and
participants’ and parents’ responsibilities.
Food at WA
At Wilderness Adventures we recognize
the
importance of providing healthy, nutri-
tious
foods to all of our participants. Proper
nutrition and hydration are vitally import-
ant in order for your child to participate
effectively in our programs.
WA meals are plentiful and nutritious. We
meal plan, shop, and prepare foods as
a group and only one meal is prepared
at any given mealtime. Should a group
meal include foods that a student choos-
es not to eat, they will simply avoid this
portion. All of our students are part of
the planning and preparation of meals,
and can work
together to plan meals that the entire
group will enjoy.
Food Allergies & Dietary
Restrictions:
Since our programs take place in a wide variety of settings all over the country and the world, we oftentimes will buy
groceries in stores with limited food choices. This can make preparing specialized diets difficult. On our international
trips, many of our meals are prepared by outside parties such as our partner organizations. Our students and leaders
take the time to communicate with these separate parties to ensure that students are properly fed and food allergies are
addressed.
Please alert the office to any allergies your student may have. Allergies should be listed on the student’s health form.
Allergy
notifications are distributed to the directors, trip leaders, subcontractors, and additional guides. Depending on the aller-
Medical Care
All of our trip leaders are certified as Wilderness First Responders. As such, they are trained to respond to emergency
situations in remote locations. Still, our programs are not without risk and many of our travel destinations, both domestic
and international, are hours (or potentially days) from definitive care. Consequently, we seek to equip our teams with the
ability to manage risks to the best of their ability and also provide them with communication tools for support.
In the case that a student needs medical care, we will move as quickly as possible without endangering the safety of our
participants, to get that person the care they need. Should a stu-
dent make a trip to the hospital or urgent care center, we will be
in touch with you to inform you of the situation. We then work as a
team with doctors, student, parents, trip leaders, and our Wilder-
“Don’t worry if an issue or problem aris-
ness Adventures Leadership Team to bring about the best possible
es during your child’s trip! WA will immedi-
outcome for the student.
ately go into problem-solving mode and
not only take care of issue with great
care, but will immediately notify you of
how they plan to handle the situation.
-WA Parent
Medications
If your student is taking prescription or non-prescription medication(s), they must be listed on their health forms and a
physician must approve that they are capable of participating in the activities of WA. Upon arrival to WA, all medications
(both prescription and non-prescription) must be handed over to the trip leader for safekeeping. This is for the safety
of your child and the entire group. There are a few exceptions to this rule and, should you have any questions, please
contact the WA office.
If a student brings a medication that does not match one listed on their health form, a parent will be contacted and will
need to
provide clarification before administration of that medication. WA trip leaders carry some over-the-counter medications
including Benadryl, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Imodium, and topical antibiotic creams. However, if your student takes an over-
the-counter medication on a regular or semi-regular basis, it is best to pack that medication with your student. For exam-
Payment
$1000 - due upon application.
Final Payment - due April 1
If you enroll after March 1 - final payment is due within 2 weeks.
Payment plans - we offer payment plans! Call our office for more information.
FINANCIAL AID - we offer financial aid! Call our office for more information.
Tuition Protection Plan
Your child’s summer with Wilderness Adventures will be a life-changing experience. All of our participants prepare for
their summer to the best of their ability, but each summer, there is always a small percentage of our students that must
cancel their trip prior to the summer due to an injury or unexpected illness. Some must even leave their trip early for simi-
lar reasons. Your family’s enrollment in the Tuition Protection Plan is optional, but highly recommended.
There are many reasons that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or require emergency medical
treatment while traveling. In order to stress the importance of enrolling in our tuition protection plan, here are a few
examples of ways families have been covered under the tuition protection plan in the past.
1. Your child comes down with mono two days before the trip begins. If you are enrolled in the tuition protection
plan, you will receive a full refund of the trip tuition.
2. Your child gets injured in spring sports and will require surgery on a torn ACL. If you are enrolled in the tuition
protection plan, you will receive a full refund of the trip tuition.
3. Your child sprains their ankle on day 5 of a 13-day trip and a doctor has decided that they can no longer continue
the trip. If you are enrolled in the tuition protection plan, you will receive a pro-rated refund for the 8 days they miss.
The tuition protection plan provides a complete tuition refund if you cancel your trip prior to the starting date because of
a medical emergency to the participant that prevents he/her from participating in the program. A pro-rated refund will be
provided if the participant cannot complete a trip because of a serious injury/illness that prevents further participation
NOTE: COVID-19 is not covered by the Tuition Protection Plan
To qualify:
You must have submitted your child’s Health History and physical exam forms.
• The injury/illness must result in a disability making it impossible to participate, or resulting in hospitalization or long-
term confinement to bed.
• For participants who withdraw before the beginning of a program, Wilderness Adventures requires the examining
physician to submit a letter to Wilderness Adventures detailing the injury or illness preventing participation in the
program. After review, Wilderness Adventures reserves the right to get a second opinion from a physician designated by
Wilderness Adventures.
• For participants who become ill or injured during the program, Wilderness Adventures will have the participant
examined by a designated physician who will determine whether or not the student can continue on his or her trip.Packing for your adventure
Packing for your child’s first WA trip can seem a daunting experience, but do not fret! We have prepared the following informa-
tion, as well as your Pack List and the Guide to the Pack List to help you through the process!
You can find your child’s Pack List in the Forms and Documents section of your CampInTouch account, titled “Packing
List: Trip Name”. Detailed descriptions of what to look for when selecting each item on the packing list can be found in
the “Guide to the Pack List” which can be found on our website.
Here are a few notes to help you through the process:
Look at home first
We highly recommend that before heading to the gear store, you take a look at what you already have at home. Many
students will have synthetic clothing from playing sports, as well as long underwear and fleece layers.
Rent from us
We offer the option to rent a number of items from us if you are on a domestic program (excluding Hawaii). If you choose
to participate in our rental program, the items you select will be waiting for you when you arrive in your starting location.
To request rental gear, simply email the office at info@wildernessadventures.com or give us a call at 307-733-2122.
Visit The Canteen! – The Wilderness Adventures Store
The Canteen has a number of items that would satisfy items on your packing list. Visit our website to shop!
Shop for new items
If you choose to order an item online, be sure to order early so that you can make sure it is a good fit. Backcountry.com
as well as REI.com are great online retailers.
Local gear stores, from national chains like REI to independently owned gear stores, are excellent places to find the
items on your packing list. The employees there are also great resources for questions. If you do happen to receive con-
flicting information from them, do not hesitate to call us right from the store for advice.
There are lots of options for budget friendly gear shopping. Athletic sections of department stores often carry clothing
items well suited to outdoor adventures, from socks and shorts, to t-shirts and heavier layers. Thrift stores and second-
hand stores often carry outdoor-appropriate options as well.
Avoid Cotton
Clothing keeps you warm by trapping warm air next to your skin. When cotton gets wet, it loses its ability to insulate as
the fabric fills with water. Synthetic and wool fabrics, however, will not absorb as much water and will retain their ability to
insulate. Synthetic fabrics will also wick sweat away from your skin, whereas cotton will not. We recommend either avoid-
ing cotton completely or limiting yourself to one cotton t-shirt to use when sleeping or on travel days.
Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes
A common mistake students make is forgetting to break in new shoes or boots before arriving. It is essential that you
break in your boots at home!
Leave the electronics at home
In an effort to eliminate distractions among the group and to promote full engagement in all activities and the group living
experience, personal electronic devices, such as music players, tablets, and phones are prohibited during our programs.
Digital cameras and GoPros are acceptable. While we encourage stu-
dents to carry a cell phone if they are traveling alone, cell phones will be
collected by their leaders and held until the end of the program. There
will be a chance to charge phones prior to departure, so do not forget a “Stick to the packing list!! My daughter
charger. Per our Trip Expectations & Rules, WA is not responsible for any is one who would pack 2x as much as
electronic devices that are lost, damaged, or stolen. For more information necessary “just in case” but insist that
about communication during your program, see the section about Com- your camper pack ONLY what is on
munication. the list! Leave plenty of time to do the
necessary shopping. The lists aren’t
long but if you are like me, stores like
-WA ParentLay everything out, don’t forget anything
As you and your child are getting the gear organized, it can be helpful to lay everything out on the floor before starting to
pack items and then check them off the list!
There will be a gear check
Do not worry too much about where and how you pack each item. Upon your child’s arrival, trip leaders will go through
their gear with them to ensure each item is appropriate and that nothing has been forgotten. They will then help them
to organize and pack everything back into their bag. If an item is forgotten or if an item is inappropriate, there will be an
opportunity to purchase those items at the beginning of the trip.
Carry the essentials on the plane
There are a few items that are essential to carry on the plane, in the event of a lost or delayed checked bag. Those items
are a wallet with identification or passport, spending money, medications, rain jacket, water bottle, and an extra set of
clothes.
Personal Property Policy
Please consider the items below when packing and preparing for your
adventure! Did You Kn
one of the ow...
most impo
Personal Sports Equipment do before rtant thing
your trip is s to
We ask that students do not bring personal sports equipment on their hiking boo to break-in
ts to avoid your
adventure. This includes archery equipment, bats, hockey sticks, per- blisters?
sonal climbing gear, etc. Small balls (hacky sacks, baseball, frisbee,
etc.) are acceptable.
Vehicles
Students are not permitted to drive a personal or Wilderness Adventures vehicle at any time during their program. Stu-
dents that drive themselves to their program starting location are prohibited from driving their own, or any other, vehicle
until the conclusion of the program. Wilderness Adventures vehicles may only be driven by Wilderness Adventures staff
members or subcontractors.
Animals
Students are prohibited from bringing any animal or pet on their Wilderness Adventures program.
Weapons
Students are prohibited from bringing any item that may be considered a weapon on their Wilderness Adventures pro-
gram, including knives, pocket knives, and multi-tools (i.e. Leatherman).Trip Travel
The first day of your Wilderness Adventures program is always an exciting one! Traveling across the country, or maybe
even around the globe, is when the adventure begins! WA partners with Aspen Travel to assist our families in making
their travel arrangements. Working with Aspen Travel is not required, but we do highly recommend it!
Get in touch with Aspen Travel at 307-733-7893.
Helpful arrival day tips:
Clothing: You will receive a WA t-shirt before your trip. You must wear this t-shirt on the airplane! Your trip leaders will
also be wearing a Wilderness Adventures shirt, so they will be easy to find!
Contact: When you arrive and meet up with your group, you will give your parents a call to let them know that you’ve ar-
rived safely and are with your trip leaders! After this call, your leaders will take your phone for safe-keeping until the end
of the trip. We do not permit phone calls to or from students during WA programs. Parents can be assured that in cases where
it is important that the student talk with his or her parents, we will make sure that they are in touch as soon as possible.
International Travel Information
Are you headed abroad?
International programs at Wilderness Adventures work a little bit differently. Depending on the trip, you may take a group
flight, an escorted flight, or be met by your trip leader in country. Please refer to the Travel Information sheet in your
CampInTouch account to review the specific travel details for your program!
Arrival Day in
Jackson Hole!Communication
Pre Summer: You will likely communicate with many members of our Leadership Team prior to your child’s adventure.
One of our PROGRAM EXPERTS will be in touch with you regarding paperwork and financials, but also to discuss any allergy,
medical, or other considerations. Your REGIONAL COORDINATOR is your contact for any questions regarding the logistics of
your child’s trip. This includes packing and equipment, travel, specific itinerary, and any other questions you can think of.
While these members of our team are the best people to contact, any member of our Leadership Team can help answer
most questions you have.
A week before your child’s trip, you will receive your child’s TRIP LEADERS’ names and biographies! They will also give you
a call before the start of the trip.
During your Adventure:
You will hear from us during the summer! Some of the reasons that we may reach out to you are:
-When you child arrives in their destination on arrival day
-For a mid-trip check-in
-Trip itinerary change due to inclement weather or other reasons
-If your student needs to see a doctor or visit a hospital or a clinic for any reason
Trip Updates: We know that it’s important for families to receive updates throughout the summer! While many of our
programs are heavily wilderness based, we make every effort to keep families up-to-date. Technical challenges and lim-
ited connectivity in remote locations can limit updates from the field, but a schedule of updates will be provided for each
trip on the trip itinerary. This schedule will let you know when you can expect to hear from your student’s trip!
Each update will include a handful of photos. As transmitting this information can be difficult from remote locations, note
that we are unable to share all trip photos during the trip. Rest assured that trip photos will be shared with you at the end
of the summer!
Keep an eye on your email for incoming information about joining the
Wilderness Adventures App to access trip updates!
On occasion, groups are unable to transmit updates as planned. In these cases, the Wilderness Adventures office team
will post on the app to inform families of this change in schedule! Also, always feel free to give us a call in the office if
you’d like to check-in.
Note:
In the event that we have an emergency which disrupts our phone lines, we will use our website to get information to
families. Additionally, during the summer months, we utilize a phone answering service after our office hours. During
these hours, you will be able to speak with a live person, who can take a message or connect you to the on-call member
of our Leadership Team. If you should need to get in touch with your child, our Leadership Team may be able to connect
you to them, depending on their location. During the summer season, a member of our Leadership Team is available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week!After the Adventure: We will be in touch with you soon after your child returns from their trip for a few reasons. First,
we will send you instructions to access all of the photos that the Trip Leaders took throughout the adventure. Second, as
we highly value feedback from our families, we will send you a link to a survey about your experience with us. And finally,
you will receive an evaluation, completed by the Trip Leaders, of your child, showing their progress over the course of
the trip.
We also may be in touch with you throughout the rest of the year! The
Wilderness Adventures experience has grown over the years to have over
26,000 alumni. This has occurred through the help of families who share
the story of WA. In the non-summer months we may reach out to you to
ask for your help hosting a winter recruiting show, to connect us with “Every single time I have called the
other families who might benefit from our program, provide us feedback office over the past 7 years I have
and, most importantly, to see how your child is doing. We appreciate the spoken to someone who is friendly and
willingness of so many people who have helped us to share this wonder- helpful.”
ful educational experience.
-WA Parent
Feedback
Since 1973, Wilderness Adventures has grown and evolved due to our willingness to accept feedback, and make appro-
priate changes where necessary. We strive to have everyone provide us with feedback on the trip, the trip leaders, and
WA as an organization.
Feedback from students about trip
At the end of the trip, each student will fill out a survey about the trip.
Feedback from students about trip leaders
At the end of the trip, each student will fill out a survey about their trip leaders.
Student Evaluation from leader
Following the trip, each leader will provide an evaluation for the student, which will be sent to all students in the fall.
Feedback from parents about trip experience
After the trip, parents will receive a link to our parent survey. In this we will ask a wide range of questions about our
program, summer opportunities, and the service you received as a family. If you have a specific question about a certain
topic that demands immediate feedback, we encourage you to call us as it takes us some time to read through all the
parent surveys.
Did You Know...
that all WA students receive an eval-
uation from their trip leaders after the
summer? This can serve as a useful
reference for future endeavors!A Letter from a WA Parent about trust Dear WA Parents, The thing that served me best from our first trip on was TRUST. Before our first trip 7 years ago, I did my due diligence and asked around about this company. I spoke to the owner and asked questions about safety, activity details, food, etc. I felt secure that this trip would be an invaluable experience for my 6th grade son. And then I simply trusted that all the rest would be ok. I trusted that the counselors would keep my child safe to the best of their ability. I trusted that even if some of the kids didn’t get along it would be a good lesson in interpersonal relations. I trusted that even if the food wasn’t great, no one would starve. I trusted that if the weather was horrendous it would make for a more interesting story to tell when he came home. I trusted that during the long radio silent days between trip updates, something marvelous was happening. I trusted that regardless of what happened, negative or positive, it would be an experience that he would remember for the rest of his life and learn at least a little about himself. I trusted that the time away from me, my nurturing, my caring, my watchful eye, was extremely necessary and incredibly important for both of us. I encourage parents to trust in WA, to trust enough to let go, to trust enough to step away from being intimately involved for just a short time, and allow their child’s growth to occur within that space. From, A WA Mom (7 summers running)
FAQs
Where will I sleep?
Students on trips in the United States will be sleeping in tents or under the stars! For students on international adven-
tures, sleeping arrangements span from tents and hotels to hostels and beach bungalows!
How much money will I need to bring?
It’s good to bring some spending money along with you on your trip for extra snacks and souvenirs along the way! We
recommend bringing $50 per week for a domestic trip, or $75 per week for an international trip.
What if my birthday happens while i’m on a trip?
Not to worry! We will celebrate!
Can I do 2 WA trips back to back?
Yes! In fact, it’s not just possible, it’s a fantastic idea! We offer many different dates of most trips, so pairing 2 (or even 3)
WA trips together in one summer is no problem.
Can friends come on a trip together?
Sure! Most of our students come without a friend, but if you would like to do a program with a friend, sibling, cousin, etc.,
that’s just fine. During the program it’s important that the whole group is included, so your trip leaders will probably talk
with you to ensure that you are making new friends as well as building memories with the friend you arrived with!
Where do WA students come from?
All over the USA and internationally!
Who will be my trip leaders?
One of the coolest part about WA is our leaders! About a week before your program begins, you will get an email with
the names, photos, and bios of your leaders.
What do I need to bring on my trip?
A specific pack list is available for each WA program! This pack list is located online in your student’s account.
Can I get mail during the summer?
Because you will be traveling to some amazing and remote locations, we are unable to provide mail services. But don’t
worry, you can send mail home from your trip!
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yours!! ros, soGlossary of Terms We know that all of our WA jargon can be confusing! We put together a little glossary of terms to help explain some of the words we use at WA all the time! Arrival Day: Arrival Day is the first day of the program. Your Wilderness Adventures t-shirt should be worn all day to help pick up in the airport go smoothly. Aspen Travel: For many years, Wilderness Adventures and Aspen Travel have been working together to help families coordinate their travel to and from the program. Aspen Travel is a local travel agency who, like Wilderness Adventures, can be reached at any time. Backcountry: Campsites in the backcountry are sites that are only accessible by foot or boat. These sites are remote in the wilderness without the amenities of a front country site. CampInTouch: This is where you can find all of your Forms and Documents to get ready for the summer. Canyoneering: A bit like reverse rock climbing, canyoneering is the sport of exploring a canyon by rappelling. Circles: Each group will start and end each day with a circle, as well as before every meal. Circles are a time to share information with the group and get to know your tripmates. Cook Crew: If your trip includes outdoor cooking, you will be split into Cook Crews to be in charge of food for a day. Each Cook Crew, typically 3 – 4 students, will decide what they want to make, plan the meal, then prepare and cook the meal for the entire group. It’s a great chance to learn some of the basics of cooking! Departure Day: Departure Day is the final day of the program. With only a few exceptions, you will arrive home the final day of the trip, meaning some flights leave the night before on a redeye flight. Evening Circle: Every day will end with our Evening Circle. This is a chance for the group to sit around the campfire and debrief the day, while also partaking in an activity planned by the Leader of the Day. This could be a fun game, sharing stories, or teaching the group about the local flora and fauna. Final Circle Ceremony: Each trip will culminate with a Final Circle Ceremony. Front country: Campsites in the front country are sites that can be driven to. They typically have running water and bathrooms and oftentimes have showers. GORP: GORP, meaning Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, is a slang term used in the outdoor world meaning trail mix. GORP is a staple snack food for many of our programs as it is packed with nutrients, filling, and tasty! Group Gear: Everything not on your Packing List that WA will provide for you to use during the summer is Group Gear. This includes the tents we sleep in, the kayaks in which we paddle, the stoves we use for cooking, etc. Each member of the group will be responsible for a piece of this group gear when traveling into the backcountry. Group Journal: Each night the group will make an entry into their Group Journal. This will be sent to all families after the summer concludes. It is a day by day journal that is always a blast to look back at! Hiking vs Backpacking: Hiking as an activity indicates a home-base has been established, and the group will head out to explore the local area, but return to said home-base. This is different from backpacking, where we put our belongings on our backs and travel to a new area where we make camp, eat, and sleep. Ice Climbing: Ice climbing is the activity of ascending inclined ice formations. Like rock climbing, participants are roped into the wall with a harness and belayers. Leader of the Day (LOD): As part of our leadership training that takes place on every one of our trips, each student will
have the opportunity to be the Leader of the Day at least once during their trip. Among other things, the LOD will wake
the group up in the morning, ensure Cook Crew are getting meals ready on time, and leading the Evening Circle.
Leadership Team: The leadership team is located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Leadership Team will be your main
points of contact during the pre-summer and summer months, available Monday – Saturday pre-summer and 24/7 during
the summer.
Packing List: Each program comes with a trip-specific Packing List.
Quote Book: Each Wilderness Adventures trip will utilize a WA Quote Book. Before each meal, the Leader of the Day
will pick a quote to share with the group. Each student will be mailed their own WA Quote Book after the summer.
Regional Coordinator: The person in charge of planning the logistics for your trip. There is a Rocky Mountain Coordina-
tor, Western Regional Coordinator, and International/Hawaii Coordinator. While these people will be able to help you with
trip specific questions, anyone on the Leadership Team will be able to help you as well.
SCUBA: Some of our trips offer the chance to get a PADI certification. This certification is a lifetime certification good
for SCUBA diving all over the globe. Our Hawaii programs have an e-learning course that you must complete before the
summer. This eliminates most of the classroom portion of the class prior to arriving in Hawaii.
Sea Kayaking: Kayaking in a bay, lake, ocean coast, or island system, Sea Kayaking is typically done in double kayaks,
which are very sturdy and perform well in these larger bodies of water. Oftentimes we access the backcountry via Sea
Kayaking.
Trail Map: To gain access to the Final Circle Ceremony, students must first complete their Trail Map. This is an educa-
tional component, where trip members must learn and often teach the group about specific things related to the local
areas.
Trip Leaders: Your Trip Leaders are the two or three people who will be running the trip from the ground. They will meet
your child at the airport and see them off from the airport on Departure Day.
Trip Updates: Throughout your program, the group will be posting photos based on the schedule provided in your trip
specific itinerary via the WA App.
WA Bands: These are given out at the Final Circle Ceremony to all who finished the Trail Map.
Water Purification: On all of our trips that venture into the backcountry, we will be equipped with Aquamira, as water
purification system. Aquamira treatments purify drinking water using chlorine dioxide. We will drink bottled water on
international trips as necessary.
Whitewater Kayaking: Kayaking on a river where there are whitewater rapids, similar to those you would go through
when whitewater rafting.
WFR: Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is the definitive course in medical training for outdoor educators, guides, search
and rescue team members, and others who work or play in remote areas. The curriculum is comprehensive and practi-
cal, including all of the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in isolated and
extreme environments. All of our Trip Leaders are Wilderness First Responder certified.
Contact Information
Phone: 307-733-2122 Mailing Address:
Fax: 307-739-1934 PO Box 2768
Jackson Hole, WY 83001
info@wildernessadventures.com
Physical Address:
Office Hours: 85 E Snow King Avenue
8:00am – 5:00pm MST, M-F Jackson Hole, WY 83001
Summer Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm MST, everydayYou can also read
