Pacific Northwest Adventure and Leadership
 For Public and Private School Groups 

Custom 10 Day Course - - Grades 7 - 12

Environmental Service Project – Outdoor Adventure – Career Awareness
Leadership — Outdoor Living & Travel Skills – Backcountry Immersion

All that makes Cascadia School extraordinary is packed into this 10 day course. You will experience the wonders of the Pacific Northwest the best way possible – by traveling throughout its awesome landscape and packing each day with adventure, experience and learning. This course combines a curriculum focused on outdoor  proficiencies, environmental studies, leadership, and a chance to discover career opportunities related to the environment and natural resources. You will help plan and implement a significant service learning project iwhile working alongside accomplished professionals in environmental science. Each section of the course gets spiced up with our cadre of guest presenters.

Your instructors, multi-talented individuals and accomplished mentors, will lead the way as you venture from mountains, to rivers, to canyons and caves.  Focused skill building segments include classes in kayaking, whitewater rafting, backpacking, outdoor cookery and leave no-trace camping. In addition, stimulating  opportunities are presented to hone your leadership skills and advance your ability to organize service projects.  In the end, you will gain lifetime experiences and skills that will serve you well for years to come.

Highlights

• Travel and camp while exploring some of the most beautiful wildlands in the Pacific Northwest.
• Develop/advance your skills. Become proficient in camping, outdoor cooking, and adventure travel.
• Embark on a multi-day river trip in an expedition kayak traveling from one river camp to the next.
• Work side by side with natural resource professionals advancing your career awareness.
• Explore, discover and advance your outdoor pursuits. Learn to "read a river" and roll a kayak.
• Lead. Inspire. Get involved. Make good in the world.
• Join in a significant student-led service project to preserve wildlands and protect critical habitat.
• Enjoy good times with good people… and get in touch with nature.

Destinations

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Yakama Nation Lands, Mt. Adams Wilderness Area, Trout Lake Natural Area Preserve, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Cascade Mountain Range, White Salmon Wild and Scenic River.

Topics Covered

Service project planning; career awareness; leadership, teamwork; first-aid, emergency procedures; minimal impact camping; outdoor cookery; kayak paddling and roll; hydrotopography; river safety and rescue; whitewater raft paddling; backpacking; backcountry camping; GPS navigation; snowfield glissading; flora and fauna, natural awareness, ecological life systems; mountain building processes, fishing.

Prerequisites

• Students need to demonstrate good character, maturity and physically be in good shape.
• Possess a strong work ethic to accomplish a challenging service project.
• Enjoy water-based outdoor activity.

Course Description

Day One - Meet fellow students and instructors in Hood River Oregon. (Pick-up at Portland International Airport can be arranged). Scenic drive through the Columbia River Gorge enroute to Trout Lake, Washington. Set out on a backcountry hike to the top of an ancient volcanic feature known locally as “Sleeping Beauty”. Afternoon program orientation and wilderness camping class. Welcome dinner, orientation and overnight at Trout Lake base camp.

Day Two to Three  Kayak school will be one of your course highlights. Receive personalized instruction learning the fundamentals of kayaking.  Learn paddle strokes and practice your kayak roll while understanding the challenges of river running.  Your days are filled with excitement as you progress and learn more advanced river running techniques. On the Day 2 you’ll paddle down a stretch of river practicing your newly acquired skills.

Day Four to Six – Pack your expedition inflatable kayak for a multi-day river trip featuring side canyon hikes, swimming and fun water activities.  You'll perfect your camp cookery skills and camp deep iside a remote river gorge.  Enjoy your luck fishing and learn to paddle expeditionary kayaks carrying all your gear from one river camp to the next. In the evenings we'll show off celestial bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies with our "Star Scout GPS" and laser beams.

Day Seven to Nine - Our top rated backpack trip takes us up into Mt. Adams high country.  We’ll hike through Bird Creek Meadows, a vast region filled with wildflowers and waterfalls and a look down into a glacial carved valley.  With backpacks strapped on we’ll hike and explore the upper reaches of Hell Roaring Canyon and Mystery Ridge, a miniature volcanic cinder cone. While traversing a trail above timberline we’ll discover a small alpine lake floating with icebergs, and not far away, our camp, dramatically located below the Klickitat icefall.  Over three days your instructors will teach all the techniques for living safely and navigating through a magnificent wilderness area. We’ll ascend trails for fantasic views of the Cascades. We’ll glissade the snow fields, traverse below dramatic glaciers, and keep our eye out for wild Mountain Goats. For the next couple of days, You will receive hands-on learning opportunities and become proficient wilderness backpackers. On day seven depart the high country and meet up with a backcountry ranger. Working together we’ll assist with a service project in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest or Yakama Tribal Lands to protect and preserve critical habitat.

Day 10 – Our final activity day takes us to the famous White Salmon River where we will experience an action packed whitewater raft trip. Professional guides will coach everyone on how to paddle and navigate thrilling rapids. A final celebration lunch awaits us with awards and course completion certificates before returning home.

Registration Information

Tuition Includes: All accommodations, transportation and meals; instruction; pre and post course preparation/communication; permits and entry fees; equipment and gear.
Not Included:  Air transportation and transfers to/from Portland, Oregon; pocket cash for items of a personal nature (souvenirs, hats, shirts, toiletries, etc).
Start and End Location:  Hood River, Oregon, USA

Important Notice:  Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive in Hood River, Oregon for your course. This may require departing your hometown or country one or more days in advance and possibly traveling on an overnight flight.  Please consult our admissions office for air travel recommendations.

We look forward to having you join us on this course –
an experience of a lifetime!   

Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

To Enroll: Call 503-673-2023

Upon enrollment a complete confirmation packet will be sent to you.

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