LA VIDA ADVENTURE CAMP
TrailblazersAges 15–17
Program Activities
Trailblazers is a brand new program collaborating with La Vida Adirondack Expeditions. Trailblazers combines everything from the previous Adventure Camp programs and adds in the element of overnight camping and traveling to the La Vida Base Camp in New York. Campers get to experience all the great elements of camp while also spending time in the Adirondack State Park.
Summer Dates:
Week 5: July 14–18
Week 7: July 28–August 1
Overnight Camping
Campers will camp at the La Vida Base Camp property and learn Leave No Trace skills while learning how to cook, set up a tent and make a campfire.
Team Building
Team-building activities like games and initiatives prepare the campers to work together and face future challenges. The 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.
Rock Climbing
Our scenic rock climbing site is where campers will learn the importance of trust and communication. As they attempt each climb, their group is right behind them cheering them on.
Hiking
Views from the Adirondack mountain peaks are spectacular. The group works together to make it to the top of the peak, and hiking gives opportunities for deeper conversations.
Canoeing
The Adirondack Park is home to pristine rivers and lakes that are a short drive away. Campers will pair up with another group member to paddle which is a fun way to get to know one another.
High Ropes Course
Campers will still get the opportunity to do the Giant Swing at Gordon on the last day of Adventure Camp.
The La Vida NY base camp is located in Lake Clear, NY which is about a five and a half hour drive from Gordon College. Our 75-acre property is the perfect location for adventure and exploration.
Trailblazers Schedule
Monday
Arrive at Gordon College campus and drive to NY base camp (lunch is provided). Get outfitted with equipment and get settled into cabin. Indoor meal with La Vida staff, campfire and lawn games.
Tuesday
Rock climbing in the morning and afternoon canoe paddle at Middle Saranac Lake. Return to base camp for camping on site and dinner.
Wednesday
Day hike of ADK high peak then return to base camp for dinner. Second night of camping or indoor lodging.
Thursday
Return borrowed equipment after breakfast and then drive back to Gordon College. Return to campus around 4pm and go home for the night
Friday
Return to camp for final day and celebration activities. Receive special edition Trailblazers camp shirt. Participate in Giant Swing, mountain biking and low ropes depending on group desires. Join AC for camp celebration at 3:30pm.
Camp Counselors
Staff You Can Count On
Each camper is placed in a small group with trained counselors. Staff are current Gordon College students or alumni along with other carefully selected, caring adults. Adventure Camp’s primary concern is seeing to each camper’s physical, emotional, and social needs. We limit our camper to staff ratio to 5:1 or lower. Each group will have one counselor from the New York-based staff and another counselor from Adventure Camp. Working together, the leadership team will oversee the technical aspects of the trip as well as the social emotional growth of campers and the group as a whole.
Adventure Camp Values
Challenge by Choice
Even though we believe it’s beneficial for our campers to learn how to overcome challenges, we follow a “challenge by choice” approach. This means each child decides exactly how far they want to push themselves when stepping outside their comfort zone. No experience or above-average physical strength is needed—just a desire for growth, adventure and fun.
Redefine Success
At La Vida, we believe that success is not always dependent upon completing activities and is not based on comparison. Both succeeding and failing are valuable learning opportunities and shape us as individuals. If someone gives 100% during an activity, yet doesn’t finish successfully according to the world’s standards, La Vida still views that as a success because they put forth their best effort.
Quick FAQ
Contact us with any additional questions not answered here.
How does the Trailblazer’s program differ from the other Adventure Camp options?
Trailblazers is a new Adventure Camp program collaborating with La Vida’s Adirondack Expeditions program. Campers will spend the first part of the week in the beautiful Adirondack Park and will return to Gordon on Thursday in time for celebration on Friday and to participate in Adventure camp activities such as mountain biking, if desired. Groups will be led by one Adventure Camp staff and one Adirondack staff member working together to facilitate positive growth opportunities in New York and on Gordon’s campus.
Does my child have to have attended Adventure Camp in the past to be a Trailblazer?
No! Our main audience for this program is Adventure Camp alumni, but we would welcome any 15–17 year–old that is up for this week-long adventure.
What will a typical day look like for the Trailblazer camper?
Each day, campers will do an exciting adventure activity like rock climbing, canoeing or hiking one of the Adirondack’s 46 high peaks. Campers will share meals together and will do a mix of indoor lodging and on-site camping. Throughout the week, the group will do fun team-building activities at the high and low ropes course. Each night the group will do a campfire and debrief the day.
If my student hurts themselves, who is qualified to help?
Your leadership team will have someone certified by the Wilderness Medical Associates at the Wilderness Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder level. The Department of Environmental Conservation Rangers in the Adirondacks can also be called in for emergencies, and there are phones posted at ranger stations throughout the park.
Is financial aid available for the Trailblazer program?
We offer an early bird discount for campers registered by January 31 and another $25 discount for placing an Adventure Camp yard sign in your yard in late spring through the beginning of summer. Yard signs may be returned at the end of each camper’s camp week or kept for the following summer and additional discounts.
A 10% sibling discount is applied to each sibling attending Pathfinders, Explorers or Trailblazers (for the same number of weeks). Please notify the La Vida office at [email protected] immediately if you think this applies. The yard sign and sibling discounts do not apply to Adirondack Leadership Program participants.
We at La Vida care about all campers, and we don’t want cost to prevent anyone from coming to camp. Thanks to our community of supporters, financial aid is available. If interested, apply with these forms.
Contact us with additional questions about discounts or financial aid.
What gear is available to the Trailblazer camper?
La Vida has a large assortment of boots, socks and clothing that can be rented for a small cleaning fee if you prefer to not buy all your own equipment. Quantities are limited so please let us know and we can reserve them for you.
Can I contact my child while they are in New York?
Campers will be asked to turn their phones off and store with their belongings while they are on the Trailblazer program. Cell phone service can be spotty due to the rural area that we are located. If you need to contact your child, please call the base camp directly at 518-891-4188.
What if my child has never camped before?
Most people who do La Vida have never camped before. Your trip leaders will teach you new camping skills and the group will work together to accomplish the daily camp chores.
Is there a faith component to the Trailblazers program?
All of our staff are Christians, but there is no planned faith curriculum for the Trailblazers program. Instead, we will spend intentional time talking about the activities done during Trailblazers and connecting those lessons to a camper’s life back at home. If you are looking for a faith-based adventure experience, please check out La Vida’s Adirondack Leadership Program.
Get in touch!
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984
Adventure Camp is a summer 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 our summer 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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