Come for adventure, prepare for life.
From multi-day backpacking or canoeing expeditions in the Adirondacks and the White Mountains to rock climbing and custom challenge course programs at Gordon College, La Vida offers a broad range of outdoor programs for youth, families and a wide variety of groups. These experiential learning environments foster character and leadership development to prepare you to contribute to the greater good in your community and the world.
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Programs
ADVENTURE CAMP
Our summer day camp on the Gordon College campus is for children ages 10–15. Campers participate in outdoor activities that build confidence and give them the chance to learn leadership skills and important character lessons.
Wilderness Trips
Spend time backpacking or canoeing through the Adirondack Park in NY. Along the way, you’ll learn outdoor camping skills, discover your strengths and have uninterrupted time connecting with God in nature.
CHALLENGE COURSE
Team building provides fun and engaging ways to get to know one another and learn how to problem solve together. La Vida principles such as encouragement, respect and servant leadership are drawn out through our activities. Our newly renovated high ropes course offers the opportunity to test your limits and develop confidence.
Rock Gym
We provide a safe, fun and encouraging environment for kids and adults as they learn and practice climbing and belaying skills. Check out our youth climbing lessons, birthday parties and open gym hours.
what we stand for
La Vida’s Mission
Our mission is to catalyze character formation, cultivate community and develop servant-leadership skills in individuals, groups and organizations through outdoor experiential education.
ABOUT LA VIDA
STAFF OPPORTUNITIES
We hire seasonal staff throughout the year to facilitate outdoor and indoor experiences for participants of all ages. Staff are trained to belay at our ropes course and rock gym and are trained in other outdoor skills like map and compass, camping, mountain biking and more. Learn More »
OUR TEAM
Our core office staff of eight have a combined expertise of over 100 years. Each of us is an integral part of making La Vida a success. Meet us⇒
GIVE
Every gift matters. We need the entire La Vida community to rally together as our belay team. Make a gift⇒
Our Partners
Through the years, La Vida has partnered with a host of area non-profits. Together, we have guided kids, teens and adults through the life-changing experience of outdoor education and adventure activities. Without these partnerships, our mission and ministry wouldn’t be what it is today. We’re so grateful for them!
Stories from the Trail
Read articles, reflections and stories from members of our staff, students and our alumni community on our blog.
Teaching Internationally During a Global Pandemic
The following article was originally published by Gordon College on The Bell. If you had asked a second-grade Angela Epplett ʼ20 (‟Angie”) what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would have told you, ‟a teacher.” Today the students she serves are about the age she...
Count It All Joy!
The M1 patrol during La Vida’s May session of 2022 was spectacular. From the very beginning, though an energetic and sometimes rowdy bunch, they were a group hungry for spiritual growth and eager to embrace everything La Vida had to offer. La Vida curricula such as...
Trusting God on the Pacific Crest Trail
When faced with making big decisions, there is a tendency to hesitate. We analyze the situation, make a list of pros and cons and tend to make our decision based on what makes sense to us at that time. But what if we trusted God more and worried less about...
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