Unleash your wild side, overcome your fears, and learn to lead well.
Come on a wild adventure of scaling granite walls and backpacking through mountains that will take your breath away. We’ll teach you how and then give you a chance to take the lead. In the process you will make life-long friends and discover the unique strength and beauty God has given you.
We need you and we believe you can.
We know there are so many voices out there telling you who to be and you feel the pressure – the pressure to be liked and successful. It’s exhausting.
Come get away to a place where you can hear God speak to your heart – telling you who He is and how He made you. You will walk alongside your team mates as you learn to cheer one another on while doing things you never thought you could. We’ll teach you how to lead well – from a place of inner strength, knowing that God’s got you.
DETAILS
June 27-July 19, 2024
Arrive: 2pm | Depart: 8pm
Age
15-18
Duration
20 DAYS
START & END BASE
LOCATION(S)
Vedauwoo,
Wind River Range
Academic Credit
None.
Essential Eligibility
Skill Level: Beginner Friendly
There are no prerequisites for this course except a desire to learn and grow. We will teach you the skills of rock climbing and backpacking, including the essential backcountry skills of gourmet cooking and using the bathroom in the wilderness.
Physical Ability:
- Carry a backpack 40-60% of your body weight, hiking 4-8 miles a day
- Hike and camp at elevations of 8,000 ft. and up
- Long, active days: often up at 6am and in bed at 9pm
We understand the physical requirements may be overwhelming, but we find most people can train and do great. We provide a training plan to help you be physically prepared for your trip so you can succeed and have the most fun.
Learned Skills*
TALK TO AN ADVENTURE SPECIALIST
We would be happy to chat. Call (307) 755-0642 or email admissions@srom.org.
Itinerary
ARRIVAL
You will meet your leaders and team at SROM headquarters in Laramie, WY. The afternoon will start with an orientation as you get to know your leaders and team members.
The next day we will issue any gear you need and lead you in packing your backpack. In the evening, you will have a send-off party before you leave for the wilderness the next morning.
Section 1 // Rock Climbing
With packs packed, you’ll head out to a world-class venue for rock climbing, Vedauwoo Recreation Area. Here you will start your time in community, learning to exercise trust and acquiring tools for overcoming fear. You will learn basic climbing knots, how to belay a climber, and climbing techniques.
Each day will have a spiritual theme with family time in the evenings that often includes worship, teaching and discussion. Your leaders will also model for you what it means to be a leader of the day (LOD) and then you will get a chance to be a leader of the day for at least one day on course.
A Typical Rock Climbing Day:
(times are estimates and will vary)
6:00 AM – Breakfast: cook breakfast with your cook group
8:30 AM: Gear packed for a day of rock climbing
Noon – Lunch: Eat while climbing
3:30 PM: Head back to base camp
4:00 PM: Time Alone with God (TAG), typically 1hr, and/or teaching.
5:00 PM – Dinner: Make dinner with your cook group
7:00 PM: Family Time – debrief day, worship, and devotional/teaching
9:00 PM: Bedtime
Special Days:
- Rest Day
Section 2 // Backpacking
From Vedauwoo, you will transition to the Wind River Range. There you will see towering peaks, beautiful alpine lakes and streams, meadows of wildflowers, and incredible starlit skies in some of the finest wilderness areas in North America. We will teach you the technical outdoor skills to thrive in the mountains, learning things such as campsite selection, route finding, and navigation.
In this section, you will also get an extended time to reflect and spend time alone with God on a solo. The lessons will build upon each other, putting it all to the test with your final peak attempt.
A Typical Backpacking Day:
(times are estimates and will vary)
6:00 AM – Breakfast: cook breakfast with your cook group
8:30 AM: Pack-up camp and head to your next campsite
Noon – Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a scenic spot on the trail
3:00 PM: Get to your new campsite and setup camp
4:00 PM: Time Alone with God (TAG), typically 1hr, and/or teaching.
5:00 PM – Dinner: Make a tasty dinner with your cook group
7:00 PM: Family Time – debrief day, worship, and devotional/teaching
9:00 PM: Bedtime
Special Days:
- Overnight Solo
- Peak Attempt
Departure
Returning to the SROM base, you will de-issue group gear and rented gear before showering . After showering, teams will often go out for a celebratory dinner* at a local restaurant.
The next day you will wrap up de-issuing group gear, debrief the course with a SROM staff member, and prepare to share what God has done on course at the celebratory dinner that night. In the evening, the welcome home cookout will commence, with family and friends welcome and encouraged to attend. It will be a time of sharing and celebrating the accomplishments of the team. The party and course officially concludes that evening**.
*This meal is not covered by SROM. However, it is a good thing to plan for. **Students with flights in the morning are welcome to stay overnight at the SROM base.
PHOTOS & VIDEO
Testimonies of Transformation
“I am going to not care about what other people think. Only God’s opinion of me matters. He loves me no matter how I look.”
“I was rejected, but now I am accepted.”
“I was formless, but now I exist.”
Regular
Applications March 1st - 60 days priorLate
Applications 60-30 days prior- Onto the regular price of $3625 per person
Bring a friend and you'll both save $50!
Questions About Covid-19
What if SROM has to cancel the course?
You will receive a full refund if we need to cancel the course.
Should I get travel insurance?
Yes, we highly recommend getting travel insurance and checking to see if it covers Covid-19 or not.
Not only is travel insurance helpful for a potential change in plans or a course closure, some travel insurance plans will also cover if you needed to be evacuated from a course for a medical emergency.
QUESTIONS?
What is Wilderness Ministry?
Get a FREE mailed catalog to learn about our philosophy of wilderness ministry that we have developed over 40 years. Topics include:
- Why Wilderness?
- Creation Deficit Disorder
- The Reward of Risk
- Leadership Development
- Philosophy of Education
- and much more!