The staff will outfit you with expedition clothing and equipment. We provide almost everything you need to participate. You’ll be given a packing list with all the specifics.

Each day you’ll spend time reading your Bible, journaling and discussing 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. Read an excerpt from our journal here.

Team-building activities like games and initiatives prepare your group to work together and face future challenges. Your group will bond as they tackle the low ropes elements, and they’ll learn the importance of working as a team and supporting one another.

Our high ropes course on property is a great way for students to encourage and support each other. Our circuit course is unique in that all the elements are close enough that you can see multiple people climbing at a time.

Our scenic rock climbing site is where students will learn the importance of trust and communication. As they attempt each climb, their group is right behind them cheering them on.

Groups backpack or canoe through the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondack Park and will camp at a different campsite most nights, giving them the chance to hone their outdoor skills acquired during the first couple days. Each evening, everyone will enjoy meaningful conversation and have the opportunity to share their life story.

Leave No Trace ethics are an important part of camping that you will learn, along with how to set up a tent, use a map and compass and cook meals in the outdoors.

You will get the chance to practice your leadership with the group. Under the guidance of your leaders, you and a co-leader will initiate the group activities for the day and make decisions about the route, order of activities and delegation of tasks. 

The Adirondack Park is home to pristine rivers and lakes that reveal the beauty of God’s creation. Students will pair up with another group member to paddle together to their next camping destination. Canoeing trips are a wonderful way to get to know your other group members because of the extended time in the canoe together. 

There’s nothing like standing at the top of a mountain peak in the Adirondacks. The group works together to make it to the top of the peak, and hiking gives opportunities for deeper conversations. Students carry everything they need in their pack.

The solo is a one day period at the end of the trip that is free from distractions, worry, and responsibilities—a chance for you to think, pray, fast, read your Bible, write in your journal, and plan future goals without life’s usual interruptions. Participants are regularly checked on throughout the course of the solo by the trip leaders. Although intimidating for many, this part of the trip is what campers have said impacted them the most.

All of the expedition groups come back to the La Vida Base Camp property to celebrate what they’ve accomplished. Groups and individuals will be able to share what they’ve learned at our Celebration service and how they plan to incorporate it into their lives at home.

The final challenge is an 8.6 mile run or walk. It is one last opportunity to challenge yourself but also to reflect on the experience. We encourage participants to use this time to pray for something or someone specifically. You can read more about Evelyn Murphy’s run experience on our blog.

La Vida is just the start. Our hope is that you continue to incorporate La Vida’s philosophies like Be Here Now, Commitment Move and Challenge by Choice into your daily life. While living without your phone for multiple days on end is not always realistic in our modern world, we can still practice being present and removing distractions when possible.