Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾 (Active) Ditch the desert heat and head into the cool, pine-scented forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains for the ultimate mountain adventure! Mt. Lemmon Bound Geocaching combines the thrill of backcountry exploration with the precision of GPS technology. Join us for a week of high-stakes "hide and seek" where you’ll master handheld GPS devices to track down hidden caches across the mountain. From programming coordinates to navigating rugged trails, you’ll hunt for "SWAG" (cool trinkets) and secret treasures left by explorers from around the world. Are you ready to find what’s hidden? Weekly Highlights Master Navigation: Use GPS units and coordinates to track down hidden "caches" tucked away among granite boulders and towering Douglas firs. Practice Stewardship: Learn "Cache In, Trash Out" (CITO) principles to ensure we leave the mountain cleaner than we found it. Whether reaching a rocky overlook to find a "micro-cache" or solving a multi-stage puzzle, this camp focuses on: Problem Solving: Decoding coordinates and using digital tools. Teamwork: Working together to find hidden containers in the wild. Environment: Identifying local flora and fauna in the high-altitude pine forest. Physical Demands & Requirements This trip is designed for those with beginning outdoor experience and good health. Daily Stats: 3–4 miles per day with 500+ ft in elevation change. Stamina: Low to moderate exertion; requires the ability to hike for short periods at a steady pace. Footwear: Supportive soled shoes are required (Hiking shoes and/or trail runners). No flat-soled shoes (like casual sneakers or sandals) are permitted. What’s Included GPS units are provided. A detailed supply list will be emailed before camp to ensure all explorers are fully equipped for the mountain terrain and cooler temperatures of Mt. Lemmon.

Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾🥾 (Adventurous) Embark on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking Gila Wilderness of New Mexico! This expedition combines ancient history, world-class stargazing, and deep-backcountry immersion, offering campers an unforgettable opportunity to explore one of the most remote landscapes in the United States. The Journey The Catwalk & Cosmic Skies: We begin by traversing the historic Catwalk Recreation Area, suspended over a dramatic canyon. We will also spend a night under some of the darkest skies on Earth at the Cosmic Campground. As an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, it offers an unparalleled, crystal-clear view of the Milky Way. Ancient Ruins: We will step back in time at the Gila Cliff Dwellings to stand within the 700-year-old stone homes of the Mogollon people. Middle Fork Backpacking: The heart of our adventure is a 2-night backpacking expedition into the Gila Wilderness. Camping along the Middle Fork, campers will navigate rugged terrain, cross pristine river systems, and master the arts of backcountry cooking and camp setup. We will even visit natural hot springs to soothe those tired legs! Throughout the trip, campers will develop a "Wilderness Toolkit," including: Navigation: Map reading and route finding. Stewardship: Deep-dive into Leave No Trace principles. Outdoor Leadership: Teamwork, safety procedures, and emergency preparedness. Physical Demands & Requirements This trip is designed for active individuals with prior camping experience who are ready to challenge themselves. Backpacking Journey: 3–5 miles in/out with 1,000+ft of elevation change. Stamina: Must be able to carry a 30–40 lb pack for extended periods over uneven terrain. Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or shoes are required. No flat-soled shoes or casual sneakers permitted. What’s Included We provide all the essentials: food, mess kits, tents, entrance fees, and transportation. Backpacks for overnight use may be available upon request. Prior to departure, a comprehensive itinerary and packing list will be emailed to ensure your camper is fully prepared for this New Mexico adventure. Trip departs 9:00am Monday and returns 4:00pm Friday

Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾 (Moderate) Escape the heat and conquer the peaks! Join us for an epic mountain takeover as we head up to the "Sky Island" of Mt. Lemmon. This isn’t just a camping trip; it’s a week-long ascent into a totally different climate. We’ll spend Monday and Tuesday exploring lower elevations, then pack up to spend three days and two nights on Mount Lemmon. Join us in exploring rugged ridges and hidden forest groves that most people never see. The Mission Level up your wilderness IQ. You won't just be hiking; you’ll be: Botanical Scouting: Master essential knots, precision map-reading, and navigating by the landscape. Leadership in Action: Take the lead on the trail and make real-time decisions for your crew. Alpine Angling: Master the basics of mountain fishing at Rose Canyon Lake. Field Journaling: Document rare plant discoveries and wildlife sightings like a pro explorer. The Journey Madera Canyon: Trek through the oaklands and shrub biomes to explore Dutch John Spring, a lush oasis in the heart of the canyon. Mount Lemmon Overnight: From Wednesday to Friday, we make base camp at Showers Point Campground. From our retreat in the pines, we’ll launch summit hikes, identify high-altitude flora, and cool off by the water. Physical Demands & Gear This trek is designed for those with a foundation in camping and hiking. Mobility: Must be able to carry a daypack; prior experience on short hikes is preferred. Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or closed-toed shoes are mandatory for rugged terrain. Weather Prep: We are chasing the shade, but the sun is strong. Campers must bring a water bottle (provided upon request), sunscreen, and a hat. What’s Included We provide all the essentials: food, mess kits, entrance fees, tents, fishing poles and transportation. Daypacks are available upon request. Prior to departure, you’ll receive a comprehensive itinerary and packing list to ensure your camper is ready for the ascent. Personal cooling accessories (like cooling neck towels or buffs) are highly recommended for our desert adventures! 9:00am – 4:00pm (Monday – Tuesday), Wednesday – Arrive at 9:00am for our overnights, return Friday at 4:00pm

Difficulty Rating: 🥾 (Easy) Step into a week-long exploration of Southern Arizona’s extraordinary plant life! From shady mountain forests to lush desert canyons, this immersive camp session invites campers to uncover the ecological diversity, cultural history, and edible treasures of the Sonoran Desert. Through hikes, hands-on activities, and exciting excursions, campers will learn how plants grow, survive, and sustain life in the Sonoran Desert. Weekly Highlights Mt. Lemmon & Madera Canyon: Discover how plants change from desert to forest on short hikes though the sky islands. Sabino Canyon: We will take the canyon tram tour and learn about unique, water-dependent habitats within the desert. Mission Garden: Explore fruit trees, crops, and edible native plants and discover how people have grown food in the desert for thousands of years. Sonoran Desert Museum: See desert plants from all over the region and learn their amazing survival tricks. Campers will unearth: Botanical Blueprints: Unlock the secrets of Sonoran flora and learn to identify the unique "personalities" and survival traits of our local desert greenery. The Living Pantry: Trace the fascinating history of desert plants as ancient and modern sources of food, medicine, and craftsmanship. The Invisible Harvester: Master the art of ethical foraging and learn how to gather desert bounty while keeping the ecosystem thriving. Nature’s Blueprint: Connect the dots between water, heat, and height to see how the landscape dictates exactly where plants choose to grow. Physical Demands & Requirements This trip is designed for beginner level hikers, with participants interested in plant life. Hiking/Walking: Must be able to carry a small backpack with a water bottle. Experience on short hikes is not required. Footwear: Closed toed shoes are required for hiking. Heat: Because summer programs are subject to seasonal heat, all campers are required to have a water bottle. If a student does not have one, we can provide it upon request. What’s Included We provide transportation, entrance fees and snacks. Backpacks for daily use may be available upon request. Prior to departure, a comprehensive itinerary and packing list will be emailed to ensure your camper is fully prepared for daily experiences.

Difficulty Rating: 🥾 (Foundational) Ditch the heat and hit the heights! Mini Mt. Lemmon Bound is the ultimate "starter kit" for young explorers ready to master the mountains. We trade the desert dust for cool pine breezes, spending our mornings conquering scenic trails and building the skills of a true woodsman. The Morning Trek: Each day, we’ll tackle a new trail, gaining trail-cred as we learn: The Explorer’s Code: Master "Leave No Trace" to protect our forests. Wilderness IQ: Learn to read maps, identify local wildlife, and practice essential survival skills. Trail Stamina: Build confidence on 2–3 mile hikes through some of Arizona's most beautiful terrain. Afternoon Maker-Space: The adventure doesn’t stop at the trailhead! Afternoons are dedicated to "Basic Outdoor Skills" where you’ll transition from hiker to woodsman. Through hands-on workshops, campers will: Build Your Kit: Craft custom paracord survival bracelets and assemble a personal first aid kit to take home for your next adventure. Fire-Starting 101: Master the art of the "spark" as you learn to create emergency fire-starters from scratch. The Grand Finale: Celebrate the week on Friday with a legendary campfire cookout and a mountain of gooey s'mores!

Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾 (Active) Five days. Three National Parks & Monuments. Countless memories. Join us for a whirlwind tour of Northern Arizona! From the cool waters of a White Mountain lake to the breathtaking rim of Canyon de Chelly, we’re hitting the road to see the best of the Southwest. This year, we’re blending rugged exploration with iPad photography, teaching campers how to capture the "golden hour" against ancient cliff dwellings and the vibrant hues of the Painted Desert. Between hiking the historic White House Trail and camping under the darkest skies in the country, your explorer will return with both outdoor stamina and a stunning digital portfolio of their journey. Trip Highlights Lakefront Adventure: Kick off the week at Fool Hollow State Park with an afternoon of lake fun among the ponderosa pines. Petrified Forest & Painted Desert: Walk through 225-million-year-old "crystal logs" and see the vibrant, multi-colored badlands of Northern Arizona. Canyon de Chelly Exploration: Experience one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes in North America. We’ll hike the White House Trail to see ancient cliff dwellings up close. Navajo National Monument: A rare chance to see the massive Betatakin cliff dwellings from the rim and stay at one of the most scenic, remote campgrounds in the Southwest. Dark Sky Camping: Spend four nights under some of the darkest skies in the country—perfect for stargazing and campfire stories. Physical Demands & Requirements This trip is perfect for explorers who love being active and don't mind a little dirt on their boots!. While the daily mileages are not extreme, this is not a casual stroll. The itinerary requires steady footing and physical stamina especially for our White House Ruins Trail!. What’s Included We provide all the essentials: food, tents, entrance fees and transportation. Prior to departure, a comprehensive itinerary and packing list will be emailed to ensure your camper is fully prepared for this Northern Arizona adventure. Trip departs 9:00am Monday and returns 4:00pm Friday

Difficulty Rating: 🥾🥾 (Moderate) Get ready for a hands-on week of adventure, teamwork, and essential outdoor skills! This immersive Outdoor Skills Camp is designed to build confidence, creativity, and a strong connection to the natural world. Campers will learn how to prepare for, travel through, and care for wild places—culminating in a multi-day camping experience on Mt. Graham, the tallest mountain in Southern Arizona! The first half of the week focuses on skill-building and preparation through day excursions to Mt. Lemmon. Campers will practice core outdoor skills, learn how to pack and prepare for a camping trip, and work together as a team. Wednesday through Friday, we’ll put those skills into action during a two night camping adventure on Mt. Graham, where campers will set up camp, cook meals, explore high-elevation forests, and enjoy unforgettable mountain nights under the stars. Daily Excursions & Highlights: Mt. Lemmon (Monday–Tuesday): Learn and practice essential outdoor skills through short hikes, group challenges, and hands-on activities. Campers will focus on gear prep, navigation, Leave No Trace principles, and teamwork while preparing for our camping expedition. Mt. Graham Camping Trip (Wednesday–Friday): Camp at high elevation in a beautiful mountain environment. Campers will set up tents, build campfires, cook meals, hike forest trails, stargaze, and explore Riggs Lake while practicing the skills they’ve learned throughout the week. You will sharpen your skills in: The 10 Essentials: Understand exactly what to pack, why it matters, and how to stay prepared for any outdoor adventure. Leave No Trace & Stewardship: Master the art of caring for natural spaces and minimizing human impact on the trail. Navigation Skills: Learn to use GPS units and topographic maps to navigate the wilderness with confidence. Camp Craft: Practice essential survival skills, including shelter building, knot tying, fire starting, and outdoor cooking. First Aid Basics: Learn how to identify and respond to common outdoor injuries and emergencies effectively. Botanical Discovery: Identify native plants and uncover their fascinating medicinal and edible uses. Team Building: Build trust, communication, and resilience through group challenges and shared responsibilities. What’s Included We provide all the essentials: food, mess kits, entrance fees, tents and transportation. Daypacks are available upon request. Prior to departure, you’ll receive a comprehensive itinerary and packing list to ensure your camper is ready for the ascent. 9:00am – 4:00pm (Monday – Tuesday), Wednesday – Arrive at 9:00am for our overnight, return Friday at 4:00pm