A Guide to Expedition Overnight Camps

When you think about the outdoor experiences that really made an imprint in your memory, what comes to mind? Camping in a tent, sleeping under the stars, conversations around the campfire that went uninterrupted by a buzzing phone, getting covered in dirt after a breathtaking hike or testing the limits of your mountain bike (or yourself) in the great outdoors? These types of experiences are what our overnight Expedition Camps for rising 5th-12th graders are all about. 

What makes expeditions special?

Different from our more traditional resident overnight camps, where campers live in cabins and regularly come together in larger groups for themed meals, silly skit nights and talent shows, our Expedition Camps offer a gratifying back-to-basics journey, full of opportunities for reflecting, team building and gaining self-confidence. Out in stunning state and national parks in California, Colorado, Oregon and Wyoming, campers travel in small groups of no more than 13 kids (plus two instructors), a perfect size for forging life-long friendships and building connections out on the trail and around the campfire. 

Other organizations offer expedition programs, but none of them is Avid4 Adventure. We design every experience with kids and teens in mind, from the equipment we use to the staff we hire. We also train our instructors together at one time, in one place, to create a consistently excellent and unforgettable experience for campers. And finally, we offer one-week expeditions, which we've found are a great fit for a lot of families.

But what do expedition campers actually do?

Basically, they go on a weeklong trip entirely outdoors, adventuring every day and camping in tents every night. These trips come in five different flavors:

• Expedition Backpacking:

  A true wilderness adventure, this expedition offers full days of hiking as campers travel from one beautiful place to another, setting up their campsite, cooking their meals and experiencing the satisfaction of carrying everything they need for the week on their backs.

Colorado | 5th - 6th Grade | 7th - 8th Grade | 9th - 11th 

Oregon | 5th - 6th 

• Expedition Mountain Biking:

  These expeditions (designed for campers with mountain biking experience) are based in Curt Gowdy State Park in Wyoming, known for its dramatic scenery and miles and miles of bike trails. Campers will set up camp in one spot and spend hours each day honing their trail riding skills, plus a day rafting on the Cache la Poudre River.

Colorado | 5th - 6th Grade | 7th - 8th Grade | 9th - 11th

• Expedition Rock Climbing:

  Designed for campers with rock climbing experience, these expeditions offer daily opportunities for kids to hone their skills on the rocky outcroppings and featured formations of Staunton State Park in Colorado. They’ll learn camping fundamentals as they pitch tents and make meals outdoors, plus spend a day whitewater rafting through Clear Creek Canyon.

Colorado | 5th - 6th Grade | 7th - 8th Grade | 9th-11th