BOLD & GOLD Outdoor Leadership Development Program
BOLD & GOLD Outdoor Leadership Development Program
On our trips, youth are able to develop their fullest leadership potential as positive multicultural leaders in their communities. Our small groups (six to ten participants and two to three instructors) travel to some of the most beautiful and natural places in the Northeast to build their community. Using breathtaking wilderness classrooms, our participants return from our programs knowing that the confidence, strength, and friendships they developed will help them meet any challenge on the trail, in the classroom, or back home in their communities.
BOLD & GOLD Dates, Rates, and Information
Registration Information * Financial assistance is available for all trips
Sample Trip Itinerary, Policies, and Procedures
Sample BOLD & GOLD Packing List
What Leadership Means on a BOLD & GOLD trip
While navigating the challenges of backcountry travel in the wilderness, our participants get to see what they are truly capable of accomplishing. We help our youth become multicultural leaders in the following areas:
- Confidence– Building confidence and self-worth through mastery of skills, achievement of goals, and development of positive relationships.
- Courage– Helping campers develop and act with courage. Empowering campers with a sense of resiliency to overcome life’s challenges.
- Community Awareness– Fostering respect and creating an environment where all feel valued for their unique perspective and contribution.
- Emotional Intelligence– Cultivating empathy, increased self-awareness, and stronger relationships with others.
- Wonder– Providing opportunities to have fun, learn to marvel at nature, and feel a sense of curiosity.
BOLD & GOLD Trip Descriptions
Appalachian Trail Expedition
Open to campers entering grades 7-10
Our Appalachian Trail Expedition is a backpacking adventure that brings small groups of young people out onto the Appalachian trail to explore new places, build relationships, and challenge themselves. This 5-day trip gives young people the chance to be independent and build confidence while stepping out of their comfort zones and exploring the natural world. On the BOLD & GOLD Appalachian Trail Expedition, teens have a chance to disconnect from technology and connect with those around them. The feeling of joy teens will experience with their new friends as they accomplish their goals is unparalleled, and it will lead them inspired to set and achieve new goals once they get back home.
Movement & Mindfulness – Not available in 2023
Our Movement & Mindfulness adventure is our Appalachian Trail Expedition with a twist. By following the same itinerary and program model, youth will spend 5 days along the Appalachian Trail and have the opportunity to engage with nature and summit Connecticut’s highest peak. Throughout the trip, the group will engage in ‘solo time’ for journaling and reflection and have an emphasis on a variety of mindfulness activities.
Camp & Hike
Open to campers entering grades 6-8
Our Camp & Hike adventure is an introductory level course for youth that desire more experience before taking on the challenges of a backpacking expedition. This 5-day trip takes place in Mt. Cardigan State Park, where youth will camp at an established campground and hike each day – culminating with a hike to the top of Mt. Cardigan and 360-degree panoramic views. During this time, youth will learn the skills it takes to be competent in the outdoors while engaging in the BOLD & GOLD curriculum to gain leadership skills and confidence to take back to their daily lives.
Canoe Expedition
Open to campers entering grades 7-10
Our Canoe Expedition offers a wide range of outdoor adventure learning opportunities. This five-day paddle along the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont will enhance campers’ canoeing and leadership skills, and the best part is that youth will learn what it looks like to paddle together and work as a team as they explore the outdoors together. Youth on the Canoe Expedition will get the unique opportunity to disconnect from daily distractions and connect with the other members of the group, all while using nature to instill a sense of wonder.
Canoe & Create
Open to campers entering grades 7-10
Our Canoe & Create adventure follows the same itinerary as the Canoe Expedition. Youth will have the opportunity to camp on islands, work together to navigate the river, and even make a short portage. Unlike on the Canoe Expedition, Canoe and Create participants will have the opportunity to engage in a creative activity each day inspired by the wilderness setting.
Advanced Backpacking: Adirondack Adventure
Open to campers entering grades 9-12
Our Advanced Backpacking trip is an adventure in Adirondack State Park. The Adirondack Adventure is an exciting new opportunity in the BOLD & GOLD program. This course is designed for youth that has gone on a BOLD & GOLD trip before or have similar previous experience, and are wanting to challenge themselves more than on the other trips we offer. Participants on the Adirondack Adventure will cover more mileage over more rigorous terrain than on our other expeditions, with the opportunity to summit Mt. Marcy (New York’s highest peak) along the way. On this adventure, teens will work as a team to support each other through an increase in physical difficulty and a higher level of leadership expectations.
Extended Backpacking Expedition – Not available in 2023
Open to campers entering grades 9-12
Our all-gender Extended Backpacking Expedition is a great opportunity for youth that have gone on a BOLD & GOLD trip before or are interested in spending a longer duration outdoors. The adventure is a ten-day trip along the Long Trail in the Green Mountains of Vermont that is slightly more challenging than the Appalachian Trail Expedition and allows curious teens to develop and strengthen the many skills it takes to explore the beautiful world around them. This adventure will allow campers to work as a team, discover new places, and form incredible friendships. On the Extended Backpacking Expedition, participants receive an exceptional opportunity to experience significant growth in their leadership and independence skills by having a closer relationship with nature and those around them!
Custom Courses
We are able to work with schools, non-profits, and various organizations to build custom outdoor experiences to meet the goals of each partner, ranging from single-day facilitation to multi-day expeditions. With our specially trained expedition leaders who have experience facilitating and leading transformative outdoor programs, we have the ability to execute high-quality experiences with a flexible curriculum tailored to your team which allows you to reach your goals in a unique and fun way. For more information about this opportunity, please contact boldgold@camphirock.org.
BOLD & GOLD Dates, Rates, and Information
Registration Information * Financial assistance is available for all trips