Adventure Course

Designed for youth ages 10 and up. The Adventure Courses usually take place in the early summer and fall. Approximately one week in length, the purpose of the Adventure Course is to make friends while adventuring together in remote and beautiful places, engaged in exciting and challenging activities. Social development and community are key on the Adventure Course. Younger students learn valuable skills and older students attend in the capacity of "student mentors", helping to teach and guide the younger students, while building multi-age friendships.

What could be better than living outdoors for a week with others your age, swimming and canoeing on a beautiful mountain lake, playing and working together on a ropes course, hiking to secret spots in a river canyon, spending nights around a campfire, and making new friends?

ADVENTURE. Young people between the ages of 10 and 13 crave adventure. Adventures in wild Nature are some of life’s best. Recent studies have shown that young people are not getting out in Nature nearly as much as they need to. The inspiration that Nature provides is essential to a young person’s growth and wellbeing. Whether this comes through wildlife, or literature, hikes along the river, or exploring the beach or mountains, the pull of the natural environment is irresistible.

FRIENDSHIP AND LEARNING. There is something about learning together intensely and well, that brings about a whole different relationship than simply playing or hanging out together. Perhaps it is the excitement of meeting a challenge, or discovering mystery and wonder in the company of another, that binds us so closely. Unlike so many aspects of modern life, Nature is real, and living in Nature for a time reminds us of what we truly need.  

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

The course starts at Synergia, where we camp for the first couple of days, play games, build teamwork and trust on the Challenge Ropes Course, and prepare for our canoe journey. The core of the trip takes place on a high Sierra lake, where we pack everything we need for several days and canoe to a remote place in the wilderness. During this time we will take a day and night to hike up a beautiful river gorge and spend the night beside the river; hike to the top of a peak; adventure and live together as a close community. Back to Synergia to close our time together and reunite with family.

STUDENT MENTORS AGE 14 AND OLDER

If you are 14 or older, we have a special opportunity for you. Come to the Adventure Course as a student-mentor. You will help with leading and teaching as part of a small team of student mentors your age. Student mentors will participate in all activities and will also receive guidance in Leadership Skills. Older and younger siblings are welcome, and may be together or separate on a given activity as is appropriate for everyone’s best learning. Note: we recognize that age can be relative. Therefore, if you consider yourself to be a mature 13, and are interested in coming as a student mentor, call us.

Note: Enrollment is limited. There are fourteen spaces only for participants age 10-13, and six spaces only for student-mentors. Registration is by application with deposit. 10% discount if you bring a friend who is new to Synergia. 

Synergia Learning Ventures offers holistic outdoor education programs for all ages. Tom and Debra Weistar are the directors of Synergia. They will be teaching this course with young adult staff members and apprentices.