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
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
Appalachian Trail ExpeditionOpen to campers entering grades 7-10
Click here to download a sample Appalachian Trail Trip Itinerary & Packing List!
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 leave them inspired to set and achieve new goals once they get back home.
Camp & Hike
Open to campers entering grades 6-8
Click here to download a sample Camp & Hike Itinerary & Packing List!
Our Camp & Hike adventure is an introductory-level course for youth who desire more experience before taking on the challenges of a backpacking expedition. This 5-day trip takes place in and around the Berkshires and Taconic Valley area surrounding Camp Hi-Rock. The group will have their base site at camp and journey out every day on a new and exciting expedition! 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
Click here to download a sample Canoe Expedition Itinerary & Packing List!
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.
Advanced Backpacking: Adirondack Adventure
Advanced Backpacking: Adirondack AdventureOpen to campers entering grades 9-12
Click here to download a sample Adirondack Hike Itinerary & Packing List!
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 want 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.
Advanced Backpacking: Long Trail Trek
Open to campers entering grades 9-12
Click here to download a sample Long Trail Sample Itinerary & Packing List!
This Advanced Backpacking trip is an incredible trek up a section of the Long Trail in Vermont. Formerly featured as a 10-day trip, this 5-day adventure will take campers through the Middlebury & Lincoln Gaps of the Long Trail, summiting four mountains along the way! This course is designed for youth that have gone on a BOLD & GOLD trip before or have similar previous experience and want to challenge themselves as participants on this trip will cover more mileage over more rigorous terrain than on our other expeditions. 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.
Advanced Canoeing Expedition
Advanced Canoeing ExpeditionOpen to campers entering grades 9-12
Sample itinerary coming soon!
We are reworking our Advanced Canoeing for the 2025 season to go on a grand adventure along the East Coast! Campers on this trip, regardless of the location, will get a chance to traverse longer distances across new terrain, practicing their paddling and teamwork skills along the way! There may even be a chance to try portaging on these backcountry routes. We will update the location and sample itinerary as soon as they are complete!
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 joe@camphirock.org.
BOLD & GOLD Dates, Rates, and Information
Registration Information * Financial assistance is available for all trips