Start exploring Wilderness & Adventure summer programs for middle schoolers

Dates:

Jul 18–31, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$4,985

Location:

Smith College, Northampton, MA

Grades:

Students entering grades 9–12 in fall 2027

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Feb 1, 2027 · Tuition assistance Mar 1, 2027 · Final May 1, 2027

Two-week residential program at Smith College on the causes of and solutions to climate change, with time on New England trails, farms, and community gardens, hands-on farm work, and study of sustainable agriculture and Smith's carbon-neutrality efforts.

Dates:

August 16 - August 21, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$2,550

Location:

Huntington Lake, Sierra National Forest, California

Grades:

Completing grades 4-9

Format:

Residential

A one-week, standalone waterskiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding session held at the camp's island outpost in the middle of Shaver Lake, where campers sleep under the stars. Only available to returning Gold Arrow campers.

Dates:

2 sessions between Aug 16–Aug 28, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$2,550

Location:

Huntington Lake, Sierra National Forest, California

Grades:

Completing grades K-6

Format:

Residential

A one-week introductory session including nightly campfires and a range of the camp's activities (sailing, kneeboarding, rock climbing, ropes course, archery, riflery), with wakeboarding and water skiing available to campers who take part in early-morning or free-time activity periods. Not all of the camp's full activities are offered during this shorter session.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jul 12–Jul 31, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$2,850

Location:

Huntington Lake, CA (Sierra National Forest)

Grades:

Completed 5th-10th grade

Format:

Residential

One-week lakefront overnight camp at Huntington Lake in the Sierra National Forest, with a horseback trail ride available.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 14–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week and 2 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–2 weeks

Cost:

$3,525–$5,450

Location:

Soquel, CA (Santa Cruz Mountains)

Grades:

Completed 1st-8th grade

Format:

Residential

Coed overnight camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains redwoods with ropes courses, riding, climbing, arts, beach days, and overnight outpost campouts.

Dates:

17 sessions between Jun 20–Aug 20, 2027 (6 days, 10 days, and 13 days options)

Length:

6 days–13 days

Cost:

$1,990–$3,890

Location:

Olympic National Park, WA

Ages:

Grades 5–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

18 sessions between Jun 6–Aug 13, 2027 (6 days, 10 days, 13 days, and 20 days options)

Length:

6 days–20 days

Cost:

$1,990–$6,585

Location:

Yosemite National Park, CA

Ages:

Grades 5–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 21–Jul 24, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN (base camp)

Ages:

Grades 4–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 29–Aug 11, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$2,099

Location:

Maine

Ages:

11-12 per program site (matches completed grades 5–6 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Entry-level hiking/backpacking trip on the Maine coast, designed for the youngest eligible age band.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 17–Aug 9, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$3,580

Location:

St. Martin + St. Barths, Caribbean

Grades:

Completing grades 6-8 (must be 12 years old by program start)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

10 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, and 7 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–7 weeks

Cost:

$2,450–$16,100

Location:

Hinsdale, MA (Berkshire Mountains)

Ages:

7-15 per program site (matches completed grades 1–9 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Coed overnight camp in the Berkshires with an elective-based program of more than 40 activities, offered in one- and two-week sessions that combine into stays of up to seven weeks.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 20–Jul 24, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$1,975

Location:

Circleville, WV (starts and ends in Harrisonburg, VA)

Ages:

13-17 per program site (matches completed grades 7–11 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

One-week outdoor adventure program based at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures in Circleville, WV, with rock climbing, via ferrata, river paddling, ziplining, and an overnight backpacking trip.

Dates:

8 sessions between Jun 13–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week and 2 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–2 weeks

Cost:

$1,983–$3,950

Location:

Harrisonburg, VA

Ages:

6-16 per program site (matches completed grades 1–10 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Camp sessions with different activities.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 13–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week and 2 weeks options)

Length:

1 week–2 weeks

Cost:

$2,450–$4,250

Location:

Harrisonburg, VA

Ages:

9-16 per program site (matches completed grades 3–10 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

English riding instruction, stable management, grooming, horse-show preparation, and trail rides, taught at levels from beginner through jumping, within an overnight camp.

Dates:

9 sessions between Jun 13–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$2,750

Location:

Running Springs, CA (San Bernardino Mountains)

Ages:

8-16 per program site (matches completed grades 2–10 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Weeklong co-ed overnight camp in the San Bernardino Mountains where campers pick one of 27 specialties - from trapeze and extreme sports to film, DJ, and culinary - for three hours each morning, plus afternoon electives; campers can stay one week or several.

Dates:

7 sessions between Jun 13–Aug 14, 2027 (7 days and 13 days options)

Length:

7 days–13 days

Cost:

$2,795–$5,400

Location:

Sattley, CA (Tahoe National Forest)

Ages:

Grades 2–11 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Camp sessions with different activities.

Dates:

8 sessions between Jul 4–Aug 28, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$1,625

Location:

Edmonds, WA (Puget Sound)

Grades:

6–9 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

July 18 - July 24, 2027

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$3,195

Location:

Acadia National Park

Grades:

Completing grades 6-8

Format:

Group Housing

7-day tent-camping program, shortest/lowest tuition among service-inclusive RLT programs. Middle school session.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 17–Jul 11, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$2,295

Location:

Wyoming

Grades:

Current grades 6-7

Format:

Residential

Entry-level, shortest and least expensive trip in the High Trails/Explorer/Pathfinder tiers.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 6–Jul 20, 2027 (8 days options)

Length:

8 days

Cost:

$3,395

Location:

Kailua-Kona & Big Island

Ages:

14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Group Housing

Third session.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 8–Aug 10, 2027 (8 days options)

Length:

8 days

Cost:

$2,895

Location:

Camaronal Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

Ages:

14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Group Housing

Several departures, each with its own route.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 16–Aug 5, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$4,299

Location:

US Virgin Islands

Ages:

14-16 per program site (matches completed grades 8–10 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Community service trip in the US Virgin Islands combined with adventure activities.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 3–Jul 24, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$3,599

Location:

Colorado (Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder)

Ages:

12-14 per program site (matches completed grades 6–8 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting through Rocky Mountain National Park, ending with a community service project in Boulder. Rated Challenge Level 3/10 - a beginner-friendly trip.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 17–Aug 11, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$3,499

Location:

New England

Ages:

12-14 per program site (matches completed grades 6–8 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Hiking and backpacking adventure across New England's mountains and coastline.