Start exploring Wilderness & Adventure summer programs for high schoolers

Dates:

Jun 20 – Aug 1, 2027

Length:

6 weeks

Cost:

$19,100

Location:

Cape Eleuthera, South Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Grades:

Rising Sophomores-Seniors (completed grades 9–11)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Due January 15, 2027

Six-week, field-based residential program combining Marine Ecology and Human Ecology coursework, connecting students to the natural and cultural landscape of South Eleuthera through fieldwork alongside scientists at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, including scuba-diving-based coral reef study.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field research quantifying tropical tree growth and carbon stocks at the CIEE Monteverde eco-campus. Farm-based living (milking cows, composting, tree nursery care). Week on the Pacific coast studying marine conservation.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Gaborone, Botswana

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field research on wildlife conservation with an expert guide; stays partly at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Excursions to Khama Rhino Sanctuary and the Okavango Delta, including camping in pristine parks.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field observation in the Monteverde Cloud Forest; Pacific coast excursion covering marine wildlife and lowland forests.

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 (completed grades 8–11)

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:

Jul 1–20, 2027

Length:

20 days

Cost:

$6,600–$7,600

Location:

Panama

Grades:

Completed 9th-12th grade (not yet in college)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Feb 15, 2027

Three-week program in Panama exploring cloud forests, coral reefs, and city life: hiking highland trails, snorkeling in the Caribbean, and living with local families while learning how communities balance conservation with daily life.

Dates:

Jul 4–24, 2027

Length:

21 days

Cost:

$7,900–$8,900

Location:

Ecuador (Quito, Mindo Cloud Forest, Andean homestay, Galápagos Islands)

Grades:

Completed 9th-12th grade (not yet in college)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Feb 15, 2027

Three-week program in Ecuador combining the Mindo Cloud Forest, a weeklong Andean homestay with community service, and six days in the Galápagos snorkeling, hiking, and visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jul 6–Aug 11, 2027 (6 weekly half-day sessions options)

Length:

6 weekly half-day sessions

Cost:

$200

Location:

Alley Pond Environmental Center, Douglaston, Queens, NY

Grades:

High school students, age 14+ (completed grades 9–12)

Format:

Commuter

Deadline:

May 1, 2027

Six-week, once-a-week field biology internship in Queens where high school students study Alley Pond Park ecosystems through biodiversity surveys, bird observation, soil and water sampling, coastal seining, and native planting, and meet local environmental professionals.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 26–Aug 4, 2027 (5 days options)

Length:

5 days

Cost:

$2,000

Location:

Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)

Grades:

8–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apply until the course fills; $500 deposit with application

Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Colorado Rockies for high school students (backpacking, rock climbing, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.

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:

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:

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

Grades:

6–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Guided backpacking trips in Olympic National Park. Groups hike and camp in the backcountry with their guides.

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

Grades:

6–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Guided wilderness trips in and around Yosemite National Park. Groups hike and camp in the backcountry with their guides.

Dates:

12 sessions between Jun 4–Aug 12, 2027 (6 days, 9 days, and 14 days options)

Length:

6 days–14 days

Cost:

$2,495–$5,145

Location:

Blue Ridge Mountains, NC (course starts in Asheville, NC)

Grades:

8–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apply until the course fills; $500 deposit with application

Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Blue Ridge Mountains, NC for high school students (backpacking, rock climbing), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 5–Jul 29, 2027 (6 days, 5 nights options)

Length:

6 days, 5 nights

Cost:

$1,725

Location:

San Diego, CA (Mission Bay)

Grades:

Entering grades 7–12 in fall 2027 (completed grades 6–11)

Format:

Residential

A residential marine science camp on Mission Bay with labs, plankton and water chemistry studies, a shark snorkel at La Jolla Shores, kayaking, paddleboarding, boogie boarding and a full-day boat trip for snorkeling and marine mammal watching.

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 9-12

Format:

Residential

Entry-level liveaboard week combining scuba and sailing; PADI Scuba Diver or Advanced Open Water certification plus one sailing certification available. No experience required.

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)

Grades:

Completed 1st-9th grade (ages 7-15)

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 (completed grades 7-11)

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 (completed grades 1-10)

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 (completed grades 3-10)

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:

2 sessions between Jun 26–Jul 25, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$3,000

Location:

Appalachian Trail, MD (course starts in Baltimore, MD)

Ages:

14–16 (completed grades 8–10)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apply until the course fills; $500 deposit with application

Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Appalachian Trail, MD for high school students (backpacking, rock climbing), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.

Dates:

Jun 14–20, 2027

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$3,000

Location:

Chesapeake Bay, MD (course starts in Baltimore, MD)

Ages:

16–18 (completed grades 10–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apply until the course fills; $500 deposit with application

Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Chesapeake Bay, MD for high school students (sea kayaking, service), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 7–Jun 27, 2027 (7 days options)

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$2,945

Location:

Outer Banks, NC (course starts in New Bern, NC)

Ages:

16–18 (completed grades 10–12)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apply until the course fills; $500 deposit with application

Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Outer Banks, NC for high school students (sea kayaking, service), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.

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)

Grades:

Completed 2nd-10th grade (ages 8-16)

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.