The Pathfinder Leadership Expedition allows students to reflect on their strengths while giving them skills and ideas that could help to shape their future. This 30-day course takes place in both the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains and the rural towns of the Arkansas Valley. Spring time courses will transfer to Southern Utah for the second half of course. Course includes a Wilderness First Aid certification.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Pathfinder Leadership Expedition course is specifically designed for young adults searching for a direction in life. This course offers a more purposeful approach to using the time and activities in the wilderness to build leadership, character, and service ethic. The focus is on learning leadership skills (such as communication, collaboration, decision-making, and conflict resolution) and extracting self-awareness values, priorities, and goals from the expedition activities.
This course begins in the mountainous wilderness of Colorado. Here you will learn about backcountry expedition techniques, including leadership skills, teamwork, navigation, and backcountry living skills. You and your new team will attempt a peak, learn to rock climb and begin to learn about each other, as well as yourselves. Snow travel is a guarantee in April and May, so during these months you will learn to use snowshoes and ice axes to assist in your travel. Snow travel is also a possibility in September and October, and may require the use of an ice axe.
After the first section of wilderness, you spend 3-5 days in the Arkansas Valley, including Leadville, on a service expedition that explores the relationship between self and community. There will be ample opportunity to work on extended service projects, such as helping out on a local goat farm, and to learn about the people and the area. After the service expedition, you will take a Wilderness First Aid certification class, as well as attend professional life coaching sessions.
The course will end with your Final Expedition, where you and your team will head back into the mountains to put all your newly acquired skills into practice. Depending on your team’s ability levels, your instructors will step back during this section and allow you and your team to take over decision making responsibilities for navigation, time schedules, communication, and general leadership.
Course Area
Sawatch Range
This range contains the three highest peaks in Colorado: Mt. Elbert (14,433), Mt. Massive (14,421) and Mt. Harvard (14,420) Two Wilderness areas in this range are the Collegiate Peaks and Mount Massive Wildernesses. Many of its more prominent peaks were named for the alma maters of early explorers and surveyors. Many “first ascents” in this range can be attributed to nameless miners searching for gold and silver, which were both abundant. The silver bust of 1893 caused many once-booming cities to become ghost towns.
Denver, Colorado
This is the state capitol, where urban sophistication meets outdoor adventure. Nicknamed, the Mile High City, this is a beautiful setting with a walk-able downtown, thriving art and cultural scene, and the Rockies as a backdrop. Denver offers affordable exploration of the world's most spectacular playground. Since its Wild West beginnings, Denver has attracted all kinds of people. There is a rich ethnic history and diverse cultural heritage to the city. With a population that is 40% Hispanic and 10% African American, Denver is a dynamic city of diverse cultures, rewarding those who visit with a montage of sights, sounds, smells, and flavors.
To apply for this course click the apply button next to the course dates that work for you. The non-refundable application fee of $125 is due at the time of application. For full fee schedule and process, click here. Course tuitions listed do not include our application fee or transportation fee.