<p>We are considering (for our daughter) a 2-week summer ‘adventure’ in Yellowstone/Grand Teton national park. The activities look great (kayaking in the lake, hiking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, etc) and the cost is also pretty steep, but as a parent my biggest concern is that I only found it from a random Google search. Their website has all the reassuring stuff- great testimonials, long term experience, etc, but that is just what they say. I’m looking for independent confirmation. </p>
<p>Two of my kids did summer trips with Wilderness Ventures. They both had a terrific experience and I had absolutely no complaints about the way the trips were run. My D did the Hawaii trip when she was entering 9th grade and my son did the 6 week Alaska Expedition trip when he was entering 10th grade. Expensive, no question. But they both learned a lot from their experiences.</p>
<p>NOLS and Outward Bound are the two most reputable groups, with which I have experience. Outward Bound offers substantial scholarships. When I was researching, NOLS had none.</p>
<p>REI (the outdoorsy store stuff) also does trips. They have a catalogue about their trips you can order online. They are also expensive, and the trips may be primarily for adults.</p>
<p>One Outward Bound trip I remember was a three week mountaineering and rock climbing expedition in Alaska. It cost about $4000, and the scholarship was $1600.</p>
<p>When you calculate your costs, don’t forget the price of good equipment. My belief is that the outdoor experience can be ruined if the boots are the wrong type, cheap, poorly fit. Same with rain gear, etc. Buy the best.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that Outward Bound (haven’t heard of NOLS) was a physically rigorous camp for kids with some experience. My D is fit but she is no Annie Oakley :-)</p>
<p>EDIT: I looked at OB website. Sounds like mostly backpacking in the wilderness…am I correct about the physically demanding part?</p>
<p>VP, they have a catalogue, as does NOLS, you can order, if all the info isn’t online.</p>
<p>Most of these adventure trips are divided by age group and offer similar trips.
Outward Bound at one time was used to discipline problem kids, but there were no problem kids on the trip with mine. Also, plenty of the kids were not in the best shape. All were within two years of all in the co-ed group.</p>
<p>I think the guides (who are usually young adults and college kids) and the training they have received is the most important. I know the Outward Bound guides are of the highest quality and training. </p>
<p>I also called and spoke in detail with people running the organizations. I had questions, just like yours, about the ability level.</p>
<p>We have had experience with NOLS. It was a great experience for my child. Life changing in some ways.
I don’t know about scholarships but I recall that several of the boys on my son’s trip had “won” scholarships after touring the traveling NOLS bus.</p>
<p>Both of my kids went on The Road Less Traveled ([The</a> Road Less Traveled - Wilderness Expeditions for Teens, Teen Community Service Abroad, Adventure Summer Camps, Outdoor Adventure Travel for Teens, Teen Community Service Opportunities](<a href=“http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com%5DThe”>http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com)). My son went on Water and Rocks ([The</a> Road Less Traveled - Water and Rocks - Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Wilderness Expeditions for Teens, Wilderness Adventure Camp, Adventure Summer Camps, Outdoor Adventure Travel for Teens](<a href=“http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/index.php?/water-and-rocks/]The”>http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/index.php?/water-and-rocks/)) and climbed Mount Rainier - he had the time of his life. My daughter did a Spanish immersion and community service program in Costa Rica called El Sendero ([The</a> Road Less Traveled - El Sendero - Costa Rica Community Service, Cultural Immersion Costa Rica, Teen Service Costa Rica, Spanish Language Immersion, Costa Rica Language and Service](<a href=“http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/index.php?/el-sendero/]The”>http://www.theroadlesstraveled.com/index.php?/el-sendero/)). Both programs were top quality, and although they were an investment, well worth every penny. The level of supervision and safety was very important to me, and you really get what you pay for. I have heard from other parents that the level of supervision on other programs is not so great, and I wanted wholesome, safe experiences for my children. The Road Less Traveled was excellent and I would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a quality summer program.</p>
<p>My son went on 2 trips with Wilderness Ventures [backpacking in Alaska and hiking through the Alps] and LOVED both the programs and the people running them. From start to finish he/ we had no problems from the wonderfully responsive staff and really, I can’t recommend WV enough! 2 big thumbs up here!</p>
<p>Been there with my family. We didn’t know how tranquil the Tetons are when we went there. Had heard loads about YSNP and not much about Tetons somehow. If I were to do this again, I would rather stay closer to Tetons. Although we didn’t do anything exhilerating like white water rafting, we did go fishing in the streams. Tetons have some of the best streams teeming with cutthroat trouts and salmon. </p>
<p>I would go back to the Tetons in a heartbeat!</p>
<p>College Credit is available as well. Superb reputation I was born and raised in Wyo about 100 miles from Yellowstone. It is my summer playground I especially love it in in early spring and the late fall when all the tourists are gone LOL. September is the best season in the park.</p>
I especially love it in in early spring and the late fall when all the tourists are gone LOL. September is the best season in the park.</p>