Outdoor Education

Rocky Mountain Summer Adventure Camps for Teens: Unleash Confidence and Explore the Outdoors

By Wilderness Adventures October 28, 2024

The Rocky Mountains stand as one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. Explore teen outdoor adventure camps in the Rockies! For kids and teens seeking unforgettable experiences, our youth adventure trips offer an array of adventures designed to inspire, challenge, and foster personal growth. Read on to explore why the Rockies are an ideal destination for your child’s summer travel and delve into the program offerings of Wilderness Adventures.

Why Choose the Rocky Mountains for Your Child’s Summer Adventure?

Wilderness Adventures’ Unique Permits

When Wilderness Adventures was established in 1973, we were lucky to receive operating permits in the most spectacular and beautiful national parks, national forests, and Wilderness areas in America. Over time, we have built on these relationships and expanded our operating permits – we are immensely grateful to be able to take students to these wonderful places and we recognize the tremendous responsibility to see that these areas remain preserved and protected for future generations. A few of the special permits we hold in the Rockies include…

Bridger-Teton National Forest – check out the Grand Teton trip.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest – check out the Teton Crest trip.

Rocky Mountain National Parkcheck out The Rockies trip.

Yellowstone National Park – check out the Yellowstone Teton Discovery trip.

Grand Teton National Park – check out the Wild Teton trip.

The Benefits Of An Outdoor Education For Today’s Youth

The Rocky Mountains are known for their stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, and rich ecosystems which provide a unique setting for exploration. Immersive outdoor experiences like Wilderness Adventures promote active learning through hands-on experiences like hiking and rock climbing while enhancing students’ environmental awareness and appreciation for the natural world around us. Engaging in outdoor activities, working with a team, and overcoming challenges allow students the opportunity to develop their intellectual, physical, social skills, and build self-esteem and confidence. Kids and teens participating in summer camps learn to step out of their comfort zones, and build resilience and a sense of independence. Whether it’s overcoming fears while rock climbing or navigating a challenging backpacking route, each experience is invaluable and contributes to their personal growth and self-discovery.

Wilderness Adventures Program Offerings in the Rocky Mountain West

Wilderness Adventures offers a range of programs tailored to different age groups, ensuring that every camper finds the right fit for their skills and interests. Note that no prior experience is necessary for any of our programs! Want help choosing the perfect adventure? Chat with a member of the Wilderness Adventures team!

Discovery Trips for Campers Currently in 5th-6th Grade

Discovery Trips are designed for younger campers, focusing on exploration and foundational outdoor skills. These trips encourage kids to engage with nature through fun activities like backpacking and hiking, games and team-building exercises, and even cooking meals. We aim to spark a love for the outdoors while fostering friendships among peers.

Pathfinder Trips for Campers Currently in 6th-8th Grade

Pathfinder Trips allow campers to dive a bit deeper and tackle slightly more challenging activities. Participants engage longer stints of activities like backpacking and sea kayaking. These programs encourage teamwork and problem-solving as campers learn to work together to achieve common goals.

Explorer Trips for Campers Currently in 7th-8th Grade

For those ready to step into adventure, the Explorer Trips introduce an even deeper dive into  multi-day backpacking trips and wilderness living. Campers will develop essential skills while exploring the stunning landscapes of the Rocky Mountain West. 

High Trails Trips for Campers Currently in 9th-12th Grade

High Trails Trips cater to older teens seeking outdoor experiences. We welcome campers of all experience levels! Engage in activities such as spending days on end in backcountry settings and explore more technical activities like mountaineering and rock climbing. 

Exciting Activities To Explore In The Rockies

Place-Based Curriculum 

Surrounded by decades of rich history and the diverse flora and fauna and decades of the Rocky Mountains, campers will be presented with opportunities to learn about the land that they adventure across in engaging and hands-on ways. It is our hope that this approach fosters a deeper connection to the environment and understanding of the importance of preserving these special places.

Backpacking Adventures Through the Rockies

Backpacking trips are a highlight of many adventures at WA and allow campers the opportunity to explore remote corners of the Rocky Mountains and camp under the stars. These experiences teach essential skills including way-finding with a map and compass, cooking with a backcountry stove, and teamwork. We have seen year after year that backpacking instills a sense of accomplishment and connection to nature and peers in a way unlike any other experience provides.

Fly Fishing Trips: The Art of Angling

For those interested in learning how to fly fish, or developing existing fly fishing skills, Wilderness  Adventures offers a few wonderful programs perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Campers will learn the techniques of this art and gain patience and skill as they cast lines into some of the most renowned waters of Wyoming and Montana. Wilderness Adventures’ fly fishing trips offer moments of tranquility and excitement, as campers connect with nature in this special way.

Adventures in the Rockies: From Rock Climbing to Rafting

The diverse landscapes of the Rockies offer a plethora of thrilling activities, from rock climbing to whitewater rafting. Campers can challenge themselves physically while developing skills that promote teamwork and perseverance. When embarking on more technical activities like these, we work with third party subcontractors who show campers the ropes. They are vetted by our team and are long-time trusted partners that add an additional level of safety to these activities.

Three people looking out on a lake with the Tetons in the background.

Testimonials: Real Experiences from Real People

Hearing from those who have participated in Wilderness Adventures trips can provide valuable insights! Here are two testimonials that highlight the impact of WA…

Discovering Adventure and Friendship

“Wilderness Adventures is a terrific program! I have done three of their trips, and they have been the best three summers of my life! The experience of being with a small group of kids for 3 weeks brings you really close. You bond over doing the coolest outdoor activities. I was very hesitant going into my first trip, nervous about if I would like the kids and nervous about backpacking, but I loved it. I would highly recommend WA to anyone and everyone. It has brought me some of the best experiences of my life. Their Trip Leaders are some of the coolest people I have ever met, and their office staff are super nice and easily accessed. Overall, they run a phenomenal company, and you should definitely adventure with them!” — Jack

The Opportunity to Dream

“Most importantly, thank you for providing me the opportunity to dream. From the moment I met my friend Audrey, a WA Trip Leader, I wanted to be like her. That’s how I found myself in the Tetons, summiting the Grand, frolicking in fields, sleeping under the stars, and meeting the most genuine/beautiful souls. The adventure was a blast, the views were amazing, but the people were even better. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Real people who care and love this life for all the right reasons. It was a wild ride, but what fun would it be if it were easy? This summer taught me what adventure is all about and to experience everything the world has to offer. I choose to adventure because a life full of adventure is the only one worth living.” — Zane

The Unmatched Youth Adventure Travel Experience

Traveling through the Rocky Mountains with Wilderness Adventures offers an incredible opportunity for teens to explore, grow, and create lasting memories. With a vast range of activities amidst the stunning natural world, the Rockies are the perfect destination for your camper’s summer adventure. Whether they’re hiking through majestic valleys, mastering fly fishing, or making new friends around a campfire, it is our goal that they return home with newfound confidence and cherished memories.

Resources for Finding Your Best Adventure Yet

Ready to sign up for a 2025 adventure? Or do you have questions about our programming or want to learn more? 

Embrace the spirit of adventure and give your child the gift of exploration, friendship, and personal growth. The Rockies are waiting—let the journey begin!