La Vida Adirondack Expeditions
Growth in the WildernessBackpacking and canoeing trips in the Adirondack State Park of New York focused on developing transformational leadership, exploring your faith and building community.
We Were Made for Community
Society’s definition of connection is constantly changing as new technology is developed. We all long for some type of connection—with people, with God and with the world around us, but that can be hard to achieve. Our technological connections can often feel surface focused and don’t allow us to be our true selves. God’s word shows us that we were not created to face this world alone, but rather to be in community with one another and to carry each other’s burdens. On a La Vida Expedition, your group will have daily opportunities to connect, build trust and serve one another.
Building Trust in the Outdoors
The foundation of a tight community is one built on trust and dependability. On a La Vida Adirondack Expedition, you will not just talk about trust, but will live it out through the various challenges your group faces. You will experience what it actually means to trust someone who is holding your rope while you are rock climbing. If someone is struggling with the weight of their backpack, the group will work together to lift that burden. While navigating the Adirondack wilderness together, the group will bond while hiking or canoeing, cooking meals for each other and sharing stories around the campfire at night. All of these experiences take place in God’s beautiful creation and are meant to point each individual towards strengthening their relationship with Jesus and with one another.
What people are saying about La Vida
Join the thousands of people whose lives have been transformed through a La Vida Expedition
Adirondack Expeditions
Activities
All of our activities are safe and appropriate for any skill level. Most campers come with no prior camping experience. We are a certified NY State Department of Health children’s camp, and we meet the Association for Challenge Course Technology ropes course guidelines.
Team Building
Team-building activities like games and problem-solving initiatives prepare the group to work together and face future challenges on the trail or the water.
Outdoor Adventures
You will enjoy the beautiful Adirondack mountain landscape while rock climbing outside, navigating the high ropes course, canoeing, backpacking and camping.
Leader of the Day
Each participant will get the chance to practice their leadership with the group. Under the guidance of trip leaders, participants are paired together and will initiate the group activities for the day, making decisions about the route, order of activities and delegation of tasks.
Outdoor Skills
Leave No Trace ethics are an important part of camping that the group will learn, along with how to set up a tent, use a map and compass and cook meals in the outdoors. Groups will travel to a new campsite most nights and will spend the evenings debriefing the day with their group.
Solitude
At the end of the trip, each person will experience an unplugged solo period up to 24 hours for Bible study, fasting, reflection and goal-setting. The leaders check on participants regularly throughout this experience. Although intimidating for many, this part of the trip is what campers have said impacted them the most.
Daily Devotions
Each morning the group will have time to read their Bible, journal and discuss as a group how each person is seeing and experiencing God in the world around them. Each day is a chance for God’s Word to be heard, experienced, and integrated into daily life on the trail or on the water.
Program Options
BRING A GROUP ON AN EXPEDITION
This wilderness discipleship opportunity is for groups high-school-age and older that are accompanied by a leader like a teacher, mentor or pastor. Groups will go on an 8- to -12-day backpacking or canoeing expedition facilitated by trained La Vida staff. The trip leaders take the group through experiences to develop their faith and leadership potential. God’s Word is heard, experienced and integrated into daily life by spending extended time in creation.
SIGN UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL
High school students age 15–18 can sign up individually to spend time backpacking or canoeing with other students through the Adirondack Park in NY on our Adirondack Leadership Program. Along the way, they’ll learn outdoor camping skills, discover their strengths, develop their faith and expand their leadership potential. Trip leaders will guide campers through a leadership journal to consider how they’ll apply what they’ve learned.
PARENT AND CHILD CANOE TRIP
This 7-day canoe trip trip is an extraordinary opportunity that will enrich your relationship with your child like never before. Through focused time and attention, organized physical activities, group challenges and scriptural application, you and your child can enjoy God’s creation while shaping memories that will last a lifetime.
ADVENTURE RETREATS
Not quite ready to jump into a 12-day expedition? Lighten the load and spend the night in our beautifully renovated Algonquin cabin that can house up to 18 people and includes comfortable community meeting space. Groups will be able to enjoy the comfort of a cabin but still venture out into the ADK Park to explore trails, ponds and rock climbing walls.
Outdoor Education at Gordon College
Complete your outdoor education requirement with a 12-day camping trip with other incoming freshmen.
Our Legacy
Celebrating Over 50 Years of Ministry in the Wilderness
In an age of extreme sports, there is a growing tendency to have a “been there, done that” attitude. But does extreme learning accompany the experience? La Vida provides participants with more than just extreme experiences. Our mission is to provide a supportive experiential environment that encourages participants to explore the meaning of their relationship with Jesus Christ and foster a deeper personal commitment to Him.
We do this by providing small-group, wilderness adventures, facilitated by trained and qualified staff, all through which God’s Word can be heard, experienced, and integrated into daily life. For over 50 years, God has used the power of the wilderness and the La Vida experience to help young people unplug from technology long enough to be transformed by the love and grace of Christ as they learn to “hold fast” to Him.
Get in touch!
September 1–May 15
La Vida Adirondack Expeditions at Gordon College
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984
978.867.4111
[email protected]
May 15–August 31
La Vida Adirondack Expeditions Base Camp
460 County Route 50
Lake Clear, NY 12945
518.891.4188
[email protected]
Adirondack Expeditions is a program of the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College located on the North Shore of Boston. La Vida houses six different programs for the community including an adventure day camp for middle and high schoolers, a rock gym and challenge course activities for all ages. La Vida provides spiritual development and leadership experiences for Gordon students as well as community organizations utilizing Gordon's campus and our Base Camp in the Adirondack mountains of New York.
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