Day 1-3

After arriving at the airport in spectacular Jackson Hole, you will meet your trip leaders and the rest of your group. From the airport, you will proceed directly to our first campsite only ten minutes away in Grand Teton National Park. It is an exciting first couple of days getting to know everyone in your group and setting up your tent for the first time. We will also prepare for our backpacking and sea kayaking trip in the Teton Wilderness and Yellowstone National Park by meal planning, shopping, and learning how to live and have fun in the outdoors. On our third evening we'll crawl into bed early, anxious to store up energy but barely able to sleep -- the excitement overwhelming for the days ahead.

Day 4-14

We'll rise early and begin the backpacking portion of our journey at spectacular Brooks Lake on the edge of the Teton Wilderness in the Absaroka mountain range. Our backpacking trip will take us through the Teton Wilderness and into Yellowstone National Park. We will start the trip by traveling shorter distances while learning all of the skills necessary to travel and live comfortably in the wilderness. We will hike deep into the Thorofare region, one of the most remote areas in the lower 48 states. Literally, we will be as far as you can possibly get from any road anywhere in the contiguous United States! The Thorofare region is home to elk, bald eagles, deer, Grizzly bear, and Big Horn sheep. We'll meet up with the headwaters of the majestic Yellowstone River and follow its westward flow. While learning backcountry cooking skills, minimum impact camping techniques, and map and compass skills, we will follow the Yellowstone River from its source in the Teton Wilderness down to Yellowstone Lake in the world renown Yellowstone National Park. After camping on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, we will pick up our resupply of food and trade our backpacks for sea kayaks so that we can begin our six days of sea kayaking on Yellowstone Lake.

Day 15-20

After picking up our sea kayaks, we will learn the basic paddling and safety techniques of kayak touring. The kayak route takes us along the southern arms and shoreline of Yellowstone Lake, where will have the chance to view a variety or wildlife and fish for native Cutthroat trout. Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore areas of the country's oldest National Park that are not accessible by foot. We'll find that the sea kayaks are the perfect way to spot wildlife along the shores of the largest high alpine lake in the country. Each night, we'll crawl into bed, relaxed from a day on the gentle water, under a star-filled sky -- waking up early and rested for a misty morning paddle where we're sure to see Moose wading through the shallow waters. After six days on the water and an incredible 17-day vacation from civilization, we will make our way out of the backcountry, where will take some well-earned showers, do laundry and revel in the elation of our accomplishments with a group that is sure to form many lifelong friendships.

Day 21-22

As a fun reward for our adventure in the Wilderness, we'll take a day to raft the exciting whitewater through the fabled canyon of the Snake River. Our last full day together will be an exhilarating time -- paddling fun rapids, exploring the Old West town of Jackson (where we'll also explore one of its many ice cream shops) and feasting on a delicious meal during our culminating group banquet. It will be tough to leave all of your new friends. Three weeks of incredible fun and bonding have come to an end. Although it is always good to return home, the close friends that you have made and the things that you have accomplished will make you wish that the trip were longer. As you board the plane, you will never forget the life changing experience that you just enjoyed.