Adventure Treks consistently has the highest repeat rate of any similar program for both students (60%) and instructors (70%).
“In just a few days’ time, strangers turn to friends, friends to family, and on the last day you WON’T want to leave.”
– Sierra Cocoziello
Cedar Grove, NJ
As educators, we have learned that the wilderness can be the best classroom. Since 1978, schools from all over the Eastern U.S. have brought 5th to 12th grade classes of students to the stunning mountain scenery of Western North Carolina for 4-8 day outdoor education programs. Our programs educate the "whole student" and are extremely powerful at teaching young people about their outdoor environment while unifying a student body.
The programs mix outdoor adventure activities like whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and backpacking with outdoor education and team building. The trips have become such a highlight for the students that the experience is often mentioned during graduation ceremony speeches several years later. Several students have also joined our summer Adventures to further develop their outdoor skills.
Adapted specifically for schools from our summer adventure trips, Backcountry programs have long been the bread and butter of our educational programs. Classes arrive, have a brief orientation, and head into the field with our highly-qualified staff team. Once in the backcountry, students master teamwork, communication, and outdoor skills while having amazing fun with their classmates and teachers. Backcountry programs are a profound experience; they're appropriately challenging, valuable to teachers hoping to unify their classrooms, and a great way to set the tone for the rest of the school year.
Please contact Adventure Treks to discuss backcountry program options for your school.
For base camp programs, we set up a large central campsite in nearby Pisgah National Forest. Each day, students and their teachers join our instructors on adventures in the nearby mountains ranging from rock climbing, hiking, and whitewater rafting, to learning about the local ecology and how to prepare meals as a team in the outdoors. Students practice the same community spirit and comunication skills as in our backcountry programs, but the return to base each night makes the experience slightly less challenging.
Adventure Treks also operates SASC at a basecamp near Flat Rock, NC. We combine hands-on science activities with communtiy buidling for an unparalleled educational experience.
Students explore watersheds from a canoe, study the night sky from a mountaintop perch, and peer at acquatic species collected from a cascading stream under a microscope. Students sleep in cabins, eat in the camp dining hall, and will love learning science outdoors.
Please contact Adventure Treks for a custom program for your school from SASC.
We've worked with teachers and veteran outdoor educators to develop races that test teamwork, problem solving, communication, and leadership rather than physical prowess. Classes are split into teams to complete challenges that combine geography, rock climbing, ecology, canoeing, logic and mathematics, and creativity. The race is deceptively non-competetive; rather than compete with other students, teams work to improve their own skills throughout the program. Students have a fantastic time while learning to work together and contribute to a larger group.
OUR MISSION is to ensure the safest, most substantive, and most exciting adventures for young people through our personal attention to every student, our caring, and our competence.
1. Safety.
Safety is our primary concern and we are extremely proud of our outstanding safety record. All of our instructors are certified Wilderness First Responders and have participated in our extensive training program.
2. Effectively reaching educational goals.
We work closely with teachers and administrators to create incredible educational experiences for students. The outdoors is the perfects place to augment classroom curricula, invigorate students' sense of curiosity and discovery, and make lasting impressions that are often the pinnacle of the school year for classes. Adventure Treks trips are heavily influenced by the framework set forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills: students are challenged to master communication, problem solving, creativity, and collaborative skills among other abilities essential to success in the modern world.
3. Building a community.
Knowing that we all have more fun and success when we feel included, valued and supported, we put a lot of energy into the intentional development of a small community. Students are divided into small groups as soon as they arrive. While a student may be in a group with one or two friends, they will also get to know a variety of classmates that they may not have spoken to before. Our instructors facilitate games, activities, and discussions that foster the development of a close, caring community. After a week of taking care of each other, you can safely expect your classes to return to school more united and energized.
Where are you located?
Students arrive and leave from the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. The colors here in the fall are absolutely stunning!
Groups will set up base camp near the Education Center, and all our overnight backpacking groups will be within a few minute's drive (or walk) of the base camp. Groups occasionally spend a night at Camp Pinnacle in Flat Rock, NC, or Camp Green Cove in Tuxedo, NC.
How can I contact my child?
In an emergency, please contact your school, and they will be able to contact our office and our base camp. There is a phone at the Pisgah Center, but groups will not typically have access to cell phones during the Adventure.
What should I pack?
Your school should have a complete gear list for you. Daytime highs can be 85 degrees, and night-time lows can be as cold as 35. Please plan for rain by packing your raincoat! Most often, students forget water bottles, good shoes, and raincoats. Please do not send snacks, as we provide plenty of food. Please do not send electronics, as all of your equipment will be stored outside under tarps at base camp.
We believe that Adventure Treks has the finest instructors of any outdoor program. We are proud that we have the most committed and most professional outdoor instructors. Most importantly, they are outstanding role models for young adults. During a summer program with Adventure Treks, we have a return rate of over 75%, and the average age of our instructors is 27. We are delighted that so many of our excellent summer instructors continue to work with us each fall in North Carolina.
[2012 Instructor Bio's will be posted very soon. Please check back!]
John "Doc" Dockendorf - As our Director, Dock has been leading trips for young people since 1978 and founded Adventure Treks. He has an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Management from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. Dock has worked as a corporate team builder and consultant with dozens of companies and organizations. He is a Wilderness First Responder, a whitewater paddler, former extreme and freestyle skier, marathon runner, mountain biker, and mountaineer. He is the Chair of two School Boards, and the outdoor instructor for his children Audrey, Ella, Ava Rees, and Charlie.
Dave “DMAC” McGlashan - DMAC is our Educational Program Director, and is a fifth year Trip Leader. He has a Master’s in Recreation from The University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School. He is a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor. He has climbed and kayaked all over the world, most recently in Southeast Asia.
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Niki Gaeta – Niki is our Logistics Director and Summer Regional Director for the sixth year. She graduated from Clemson University and an Outward Bound Instructor Course. Niki has led trips all over the country, climbed 19,947 foot Mt Chachani in Peru, and is a world-wide traveler, backcountry skier, and yoga teacher. She has earned her Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Avalanche Level I certifications.
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Hobbes Barber - Hobbes earned a degree in Zoology from Western Washington University, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Hobbes is a world traveler, most recently returning from Guyana where he volunteered at Iwokrama Eco Lodge. Hobbes spent seven years volunteering for Sardis Raptor Center, rehabilitating birds and educating people about birds of prey, eventually becoming a golden eagle trainer. In the spring and fall, Hobbes is an outdoor educator for the Appalachian Mountain Club in NH. He enjoys snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking and most anything found in nature, except ticks. This is Hobbes’s second year with Adventure Treks.
Andy Bleckinger – Andy joins us for his third year with our school programs, and is the Director of the Science School Programs. Andy earned a degree in Environmental Studies from Southern Oregon University and spent the winter as a ski instructor in Winter Park, CO. He has led biking trips in New England and traveled throughout Central America. Andy is a certified Wilderness First Responder and frog/amphibian expert.
Daniel Bleckinger – Daniel joins us for his fifth year. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Portland State University and has spent time teaching outdoor science in several states. Daniel has traveled through South East Asia, Central America, and Europe, and has ridden his bike throughout Mexico and across the entire US. He is also a SCUBA Divemaster, ski instructor, and a fire performer. Daniel is trained as a Wilderness First Responder and in Outdoor Emergency Care.
Steph Bryant - Steph hails from Carrboro, NC. She earned her degree from the University of Connecticut, where she was an active member of the Outing Club and competed for the Women's Rowing Team. Steph has backpacked and hiked through Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and much of the Northeastern US. She has worked as an outdoor trip leader for at-risk youth from NYC, as well as volunteer coach for Girls on the Run International. Steph currently works at Fleet Feet Sports in Carrboro, and is the head coach of "Mini Milers," the store's youth running program. In her free time, Steph enjoys running, rock climbing, hiking, cooking, and reading. Her goal is to run a half or full marathon in all 50 states. Steph is a Wilderness First Responder.
Nicole Cronin - Nicole grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, and then traveled to Maine to study Adventure Therapy at Unity College. Since graduating she has been leading young people on wilderness trips around the continental United States as well as Hawaii and Alaska. She loves to rock climb, swim in the ocean, and quilt. She is a Wilderness First Responder, lifeguard and just finished crocheting her very first afghan.
Liz Doby - Born in Virginia, Liz earned a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland where she raced with their cycling team, twice competing in Collegiate Nationals. Upon graduation she moved to the mountains of Colorado to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She has worked as a raft guide on rivers in both CO and WV and has done numerous multi-day trips, including one on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. She has taught and coached a swimming, downhill skiing, and Nordic skiing in Breckenridge and Steamboat ski resorts. She is a Swift Water Rescue Technician as well as an Emergency Medical Technician.
Meghan Ecclesine - Originally from the Great Lakes State, Meghan majored in Spanish at Western Michigan University. She's traveled and studied Spanish in Guatemala and Spain. Meghan joins us from Western Massachusetts where she has worked for the Student Conservation Association teaching Environmental Education and maintaining trails across the state, as well as working as a Zip Line Canopy Tour Guide for the past two summers. Meghan completed the Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College. She is a Wilderness First Responder, ACA Certified Canoe Instructor and Leave No Trace Trainer. In her spare time Meghan loves to paddle, hike, play ping pong, and cross-country ski.
Ali Garel – Ali was born and raised in Denver, and grew up skiing, biking and exploring the Rockies. After high school, Ali migrated west to study biology and environmental studies at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She spent the summers of her college years exploring glaciers in the Pacific Northwest. Ali graduated in the spring of 2010, and then spent time in Tanzania before moving to Bozeman, MT. She spends winters teaching skiing Big Sky, Montana.
John Greene - A graduate of Brevard College, John holds a BA in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. Since graduating, John has spent his time teaching and leading kayak trips on North Carolina's Green River. He has also traveled throughout the US and guided in Alaska. John enjoys climbing, backpacking, and whitewater in any form. John is a Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, Level IV Whitewater Kayak Instructor, and holds a Level IV Swiftwater Rescue Certification.
Carolyn Jackson - After four years as an Adventure Treks student, Carolyn joins us for her second year as an instructor. She recently graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Geography. She has previously worked for NBC News during political conventions as well as the Vancouver Olympics. Carolyn enjoys running, hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, skiing, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Daniel Kreykes - Daniel is a recent graduate of Brevard College with a degree in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. He has instructed whitewater kayaking and canoeing in Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and he has backpacked more than 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail. When he is not out kayaking on the local rivers, you can usually find him exploring the hidden trails and gorges of North Carolina with a fly rod and camera in hand. Daniel is a certified Wilderness First Responder, American Canoe Association Level 4 Kayak and Canoe Instructor, Leave No Trace Trainer, PADI Open Water Diver, and ACA Swiftwater Rescuer.
Lauren Liebling - Lauren is ecstatic about returning for her fourth year as a Trip Leader at Adventure Treks in New England! After participating in Adventure Treks for several summers as a student, Lauren followed her academic and recreational interests to Boulder, Colorado where she earned degrees in Sociology and Ecology from the University of Colorado. While in Boulder she served as an instructor for the university outdoor education program and interned at a local non-profit teaching principles of ecology to elementary students. She has traveled across the country in search of the best skiing and rock climbing, and now works as a member of the Keystone Ski Patrol. Lauren is a certified wilderness EMT.
Callie Nelson - Originally from southern Wisconsin, Callie earned her degree in Organismal Biology and Environmental Science. She has done a variety of work in the environmental field including working with elephants as a zookeeper, teaching environmental education, leading a crew on the Pacific Crest Trail, and leading backpacking, whitewater canoeing, and climbing trips for teens. She enjoys running and backpacking and is a Wilderness First Responder.
Valerie Pufahl - Valerie grew up on a farm in Kansas, earned a degree in Community Recreation & Outdoor Education, and has been a whitewater guide, avid mountain biker, and teacher. Valerie taught Movement & Outdoor Education at the Portland Waldorf High School in Oregon for four years. Valerie has cycled the Pacific Coast from Astoria, OR to San Francisco, self-published and printed a book of essays, and spent this last year writing, art-making, and homeschooling on a ranch in Big Sur, California. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder, a Waldorf-trained Movement Educator, and continues to work on her handstands.
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Allison Qubain - Alli is returning for her second summer as an AT instructor. She has a degree in Biology and minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies from the University of Puget Sound. After graduating, she spent last fall working on an alpine ecology study in the Colorado Rockies looking at the effects of climate change on tree seedling growth. She took advantage of her first winter out of college to explore the mountains throughout the west coast on skis. She has lived in Ecuador, where she studied ecology and conservation. Alli is passionate about horse packing and backcountry skiing, and is a certified Wilderness-EMT.
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Neil Rudis - Originally from Chicago, Neil joins us for his second year. He holds a degree in History from Northern Illinois University where he was captain of the school's Ultimate Frisbee Team. He also spent a year at Southern Cross University, Australia where he studied Outdoor Education and Aboriginal Studies and surfed the East Coast. Neil coaches his climbing gym's youth climbing team. He is a graduate of the NOLS Outdoor Educator Semester and is a certified Top-Rope Site Manager, Leave No Trace Master, Wilderness First Responder, and EMT. His passion lies in surfing, climbing, and backpacking, which has taken him to almost every state in the country. He loves life!
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Carter Timbel - Carter joins us for his fourth summer as an instructor, and he was a three-year Adventure Treks student. He is a certified US Sailing Small Boat Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and PADI Open Water Diver. Carter has volunteered as an English and Math teacher at a school in Accra, Ghana. He is an avid skier, road cyclist and fly-fisherman, and just returned from a trip to Bhutan. Carter recently graduated from Whitman College with a degree in Geology.
"Every year my school does outdoor ed, but this year was amazing! I had fun trying new things and getting to know everyone better. Thank you!"
- Orianna, student from Atlanta, GA
"Our 8th grade students know each other in a way they did not before. They have a newfound respect for each other having shared this common experience."
- John Meredith, Middle School Principal, Frederica Academy, St Simon's Island, GA
Dear Dock and Adventure Treks:
I just returned from Grace’s 8th Grade Graduation from Seven Hills Middle School. The next time I attend one of these, which will be for Timmy in two years, remind me to bring an extra handkerchief, because for some reason there was a lot of water around my chair!
There were several students that actually gave their “Reflections of Middle School”, to the assembled group of parents, grandparents, family and friends. No less than three out of the seven specifically mentioned the 7th grade Adventure Treks trip as one of their most memorable experiences of Middle School. You need to know the significant positive impact your programs have had on Seven Hills students.
In fact, in the Seventh Grade “Response” to the Eighth Grade “Farewell” by seventh grader Matthew, he also mentioned the recent School trip with Adventure Treks this last month.
So, I thought you would like to know that at Graduation ceremonies around the country this month, Adventure Treks and your programs are being hailed as some of the most significant experiences these kids have enjoyed. You can’t beat that!
Congratulations!
Regards,
David O. Cawdrey
Please contact us! Call Dave at 888-954-5555 or email davemac@adventuretreks.com. We are happy to provide you with referrals from any of the schools we currently provide programs for, including:
| School |
City, State | Program / Grade: | |
| Outdoor Education | SASC | ||
| Seven Hills | Cincinnati, OH |
7th |
|
| Battleground Academy | Franklin, TN | 7th | |
| Frederica Academy | St Simon's Island, GA | 8th | |
| The Galloway School | Atlanta, GA | 7th | |
| Hendricks Day School | Jacksonville FL | 6th and 7th | |
| Pinewood Prep | Summerville, SC | ||
| St Johns CDS | Orange Park, FL | 8th | |
| The Mountain Community School | Hendersonville, NC | 6th, 7th and 8th | |
| University School of Nashville | Nashville, TN | 6th an 10th | |
To learn more about Adventure Treks programs for your school, please contact:
Dave "DMac" McGlashan, Educational Program Director
email: davemac@adventuretreks.com
phone: 888-954-5555
fax: 828-698-0339
mail: PO Box 1321, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Read Dmac's complete A.T. biography
Click map to enlarge
| Duration: |
Custom programs: 4-8days |
| Dates: |
Available Sept, Oct, and May |
| Grades | 5th - 12th |
| Activities: |
Backpacking Whitewater Rafting Outdoor Skills Building Rock Climbing Environmental Science |
| Price: |
Call 888-954-5555 for details |
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