Alpine Expedition: 9-Day High School Program

FEATURES

  • Duration: 9 days, 8 nights

  • Average group size: 10 campers* / 2-3 joy-filled and well-trained counselors counselors

  • Intentional and age-appropriate programming for high school campers (single-sex groups)

  • Encounter our Lord through incredible adventures in the Rocky Mountains

  • Spend the day soaking in the beauty of the outdoors and then go to sleep in 25 foot teepees

  • Put Christ at the center of the fun with daily Mass, Adoration, and ample opportunities for Confession and prayer.

  • Try new things including fishing, archery, a highline course, a high alpine summit attempt, rock climbing, zip lines, and more

  • Adventure to off-site expeditions, including rock climbing, an early morning summit attempt in the Rocky Mountains, a day white water rafting on the world-class** Arkansas River, and a night camping in Buena Vista

  • Form a sisterhood or brotherhood with fellow campers and learn from amazing counselor mentors

  • Learn the skills to live confidently in the outdoors

  • Elevation range: 7,000 to 13,700ft

    *For campers entering 9th-12th grade and freshman year of college; Campers must be at least 14 years old by October 1st to participate

    **We use a variety of transportation methods, including camp vehicles and commercial motorcoaches.

DESCRIPTION

During the Alpine Expedition Program on Camp Wojtyla’s 1,200 acre wilderness property, campers experience an intentionally crafted and sequenced program that seamlessly integrates adventure, faith, and formation.  High school campers live jam-packed days of adventure. They learn to shoot a bow and arrow, fish in our pond, traverse through the trees on our high line course and participate in a variety of challenges and competitions among teepee groups. They also embark on off-site expeditions of a lifetime! They are invited to try hard things, accomplishing feats they may have never thought possible, as they go outdoor rock climbing at renowned climbing destinations, hike to pristine alpine lakes and summits in the Rocky Mountains, and take on the rapids of the Arkansas River. Each adventure is designed to help every camper’s journey in faith, giving them skills and tools they will take with them long after their session at Camp Wojtyla is over. The adventures provide excellent opportunities to learn about leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and self-advocacy! Every day is deeply rooted in the sacramental life of the Church. Our counselors model the joy that is found in living “life to the full” through Mass, Adoration, Confession and friendship with Christ. Campers form Christ-centered friendships through adventure and intentional discussions with their teepee groups and counselors where we take the tangible adventure experiences  and connect them to the more abstract aspects of our faith. Students leave these expeditions with a newfound understanding of their faith and a deeper conviction to live their life close to Jesus Christ. This program focuses on each camper’s identity as a son or daughter of God, a truth that is the root for living a life fully alive in Jesus Christ! Campers leave with the tools to be great leaders and even greater saints! 

A DAY IN THE LIFE

While no day is “typical” at Camp Wojtyla, campers can expect most of the following elements on most days:

  • 7am - Rise and shine as a teepee group. Morning hygiene routine, short prayer as a group, pack daypacks and dress for the days’ activities

  • 8am- Breakfast in basecamp

  • 9am- Morning activity block (could include archery, fishing, crafts, highline, rock climbing, prayer time, hiking, low ropes, or other activities)

  • 12:30pm- Sack lunch break, group processing

  • 1:30pm- Afternoon activity block (could include archery, fishing, crafts, highline, rock climbing, prayer time, hiking, low ropes, or other activities)

  • 5pm- All camp Mass

  • 5:45pm- Friendly group competitions and songs

  • 6pm - Hot dinner and skits in basecamp

  • 6:45pm- Trading post is open

  • 7pm - Night program (night game, adoration/confession, off-mainsite overnight, campfire, or other activities)

  • 9pm - Return to teepees for small group time; prepare for bed

  • 10pm- “Lights out”

*Campers are always supervised.

*There’s structured free time including time to pray together and what the campers know and love as Teepee time.