Greta Pukstyte
On this course for adults, you’ll dive into learning leadership and outdoor skills as you backpack through the hills and lakes of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, one of the oldest protected lands in the country. Climb high rocky peaks and cross clear creeks. Learn about local ecology as you wander ancient hardwood forests decked out in their fall colors. Test your strength on a “46er,” one of the Adirondacks’ famous High Peaks. Cook your meals on a camp stove as you form new relationships with your peers, then fall asleep in your tent ready to take on the next day. Whether you’re new to camping or come to this course with years of experience, you’ll find plenty of challenges and opportunities to grow in the Adirondacks’ High Peaks region.
On this course, leadership will be more than a discussion topic—you’ll practice it every day. Making a decision about where to camp teaches you about good judgement, while resolving an argument teaches you about communication. Using these experiences, you’ll gain an awareness of your own leadership style that transfers from the wilderness to whatever group you find yourself in. In the end, you’ll bring home leadership skills and experience, memories of a unique place you’ll treasure, and the ability to continue exploring on your own backpacking trips.
“Being responsible for the energy that I can bring to any situation and the effect it can have on a group was a powerful lesson I wont soon forget.”