LA VIDA ADVENTURE PURSUITS

As a reminder, we do not charge for chaperones. Cost is based on the estimated participant numbers and the number of staff contracted for the specific event. Participant numbers should be finalized no later than a week before the event. The invoice will reflect the finalized numbers. After numbers are finalized, you will be charged for any absent participants or “no-shows.” An additional charge will be given for any additional participants than was finalized. Group leaders should still notify the director of a change in participant numbers prior to the event. For event payment, we request checks made out to Gordon College. Checks can either be mailed to the La Vida Office or given to the lead staff on the day of the event. The $100 deposit is non-refundable, but it can be used for reserving another event.

Events may be canceled by the Adventure Pursuits director due to bad weather such as the prediction of heavy rain, lightning or severe winds. The weather forecast on the North Shore changes frequently; therefore, we do not decide to re-schedule or cancel an event until one to two days before the event. Safety is the main factor when making the decision to cancel an event. In case of a weather cancellation, groups may reschedule and use their $100 deposit for a rain date.

An event may be canceled by calling two weeks before the actual event. The $100 deposit is nonrefundable.

La Vida and the Adventure Pursuits experience have had excellent safety records for over 50 years. The La Vida challenge course is inspected yearly and meets all safety standards as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. All physical challenges are well within the safety limits, and standard safety procedures are strictly enforced. All participants are required to complete a risk-release form and a basic medical history form.

The minimum group size is eight. The maximum size for a day is one hundred participants. For larger groups, the lead facilitator can divide participants into small groups ranging from 10 to 14 people per group. The maximum size for overnight groups is 30 people. Leaders and chaperones should be included in the group size. Please note that Adventure Pursuits hires staff based on the group size reserved.

Please let Adventure Pursuits know if your numbers change at least 72 hours prior to the event. This enables us to increase or decrease staffing levels so that we have the appropriate number of staff available to facilitate your event. There are fees involved if your participant number decreases within 72 hours of the start of your event. Please see “What is your refund policy?” for information on those fees.

The minimum age is 10 or 4th grade.

We have limited funds available each fiscal year for offering discounts, and each group is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. If you are planning a spring event, then we encourage you to reserve your event dates as early in the fiscal year as possible and make your discount request at that same time. If the discount request is approved, we will be able to reserve those funds for your group that could otherwise be fully depleted throughout the fall season. Additionally, every group is allowed one free leader with every 10 paying participants.

The program does not provide meals for challenge course day programs. Groups often pack their own lunch or order food from a local vendor. If interested in having food catered or delivered for your event, please contact the La Vida office for details.

After receiving the confirmation packet, leaders should distribute the packets to their participants or the parent/guardians of participants. The packet includes a COVID-19 waiver, medical and risk release form, and Important Adventure Pursuits Information. All individual participants are required to fill out the COVID-19 waiver and the medical and risk release form. These forms can be sent any time before the event or printed out the day of the event and given to the La Vida staff.

In addition to this form, every group is required to send or fax a certificate of liability insurance from their insurance company. This is a certificate from your insurance company that states your group is covered from this type of event and names Gordon College and additionally insured. This is a requirement for all groups and an example has been included in your confirmation email. Please contact your insurance company and have them email this form to [email protected].

Adventure Pursuits facilitators will be leading group games, problem-solving initiatives, trust-building exercises, high course elements and debrief and reflection times. Facilitators are there to help the group safely participate in activities, have fun and learn from their experience. Please check in with the facilitators at any time to clarify roles or communicate feedback.

Group leaders and chaperones help participants make connections, handle behavioral problems and develop relationships with the students. Group leaders can also do additional activities to help students transfer their learning before or after an event.

We recommend that you talk to all of your group leaders or chaperones before the event and explain what to expect from the day and what the group goals are for the day.

Each individual participant is responsible for bringing his or her own lunch and a water bottle. Participants are also encouraged to bring sunscreen and insect repellant. Please note that the group will carry everything about a quarter of a mile into the woods to the challenge course (program area).

We provide tents, tarps, sleeping bags and ground pads for participants to sleep on. Overnight participants will receive an overnight packing list. 

Depending on the day of your event an Adventure Pursuits representative will meet you in the Jenks Parking Lot for a weekend (Saturday/Sunday) events or at the Chapel Loop Lot for weekday (Monday-Friday) events. The location will be confirmed in the follow up call the week before your event.

Click here for the map to Jenks parking lot.

Click here for the map to the Chapel loop.

Adventure Pursuits follows the guidance of the CDC as well as the practices at Gordon College. Students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are expected to follow guidelines set by the Massachusetts Department of Health if they are symptomatic or if they test positive for or are a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19.