ROCK CAMP EXPEDITION
8-day adventure through developing climbing techniques, leadership and outdoor skills in navigation, camping, backcountry cooking and teamwork.
Dates: July 12-19, 2024
Age: 16-18
Group size: max 10 students/2 instructors
Length: 8 Days
Tuition: $2,580 (75% of Montana students receive a partial to full scholarship)
Course Highlights
Developing outdoor climbing techniques
Developing traditional climbing gear placement and multi-pitch climbing
Navigation, orienteering, and wilderness travel skills
Wilderness decision-making and communication skills
Experiencing abundant wildlife and ecosystems
Course Description
The Rock Camp Expedition offers 16 to 18 year olds a chance to dive deep into the world of outdoor climbing. While no climbing experience is necessary, this course will be particularly valuable to students with some indoor climbing experience who are interested in learning to climb outside.
Students will travel together to a unique wilderness climbing location, where they will have 8 days to learn essential climbing skills from a team of experienced instructors: setting up secure rock sites, moving well on the rock, lowering and rappelling techniques (and when to use them), and best practices for belaying and communicating with a partner in a ‘top rope setting. The curriculum will include backpacking skills, as the group will be traveling between several different rock sites ideal for practicing specific skills.
During the evenings, the team will come together at camp to prepare communal meals, and the instructor team will engage the group with lessons on Leave No Trace® land stewardship principles, camp craft, wild ecology, Native Peoples and public lands histories, and leadership development. Each student will have multiple opportunities to lead the group as the Expedition Leader of the Day to gain experience with newly acquired leadership skills.
For more information about MWS core curriculum and expedition progression check out Expedition Life. If you have additional questions please check out our FAQ page or reach out to contact us.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Learn positive communication skills with diverse group members to create a healthy community, build trust, and make sound decisions in the backcountry together
Develop an expedition philosophy, apply it to the course, and understand how it can transfer back to the student’s home environment
SAFETY AND WILDERNESS BASED DECISION MAKING
Backcountry hazard evaluation and risk reduction guidelines and tools
First aid awareness for backcountry settings: identification and treatment of common backcountry illness and injuries
Learn to collaboratively make decisions in remote environments that prioritizes individual and group safety
CONSERVATION ETHIC
Use basic observational and interpretive skills to demonstrate an understanding and respect for the natural environment
Discuss the history, facts and potential solutions to pertinent environmental and social issues affecting the wilderness in the expedition area
Reflect upon and discuss the conveyance of wilderness conservation ethics into personal life and build a capacity for commitment and stewardship to wild places
Develop comprehensive understanding of Leave No Trace® ethics and apply them during the expedition
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING AND NAVIGATION SKILLS
Use safe backcountry kitchen practices to cook nutritious meals on a camp stove or fire
Demonstrate an ability to select an appropriate campsite and set up a shelter while minimizing the impact on the ecosystem
Understand and demonstrate how to stay healthy, warm, and comfortable in the backcountry
Understand and demonstrate techniques for camping and traveling in bear habitat
Use various navigation and route-finding tools and methods for on and off trail travel
Travel efficiently in the alpine environment using map and compass skills
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Climbing
Outdoor climbing techniques
Learn traditional climbing gear placement
Become competent in multi-pitch climbing
Opportunity to apply these skills to technical ascents
"We have an immense amount of gratitude to donors. This program is amazing. These experiences are much needed for anyone who may be interested, or wanting personal growth."
— Parent of 2022 MWS Participant
