New heights, new perspective, and a breath of fresh air.
Escape the daily pressure and come be a kid again. You will go on a wild adventure of scaling granite walls and backpacking through mountains that will take you to new heights. All along the way you will be rediscovering who God is and who God made you to be. It’s going to be wild and it’s going to be great.
We understand how difficult it is to disconnect, discern and reflect in this hyper-connected, noisy world. Wilderness is naturally quiet, a proven healer that fosters reflection and spiritual growth. Your instructors will provide the structure and space for you to reflect deeply on where you have been and time to listen to where God is taking you next.
DETAILS
Course details at a glance.
July 15-24, 2024
Arrive: 8 am | Depart: 8 pm
Age
18+
Duration
10 DAYS
START & END BASE
LOCATION(S)
Vedauwoo, Wind River Range, WY
Academic Credit
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 on the backpacking section
- Hike and camp at elevations of 8,000 ft. and up
- Long 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.
Major Skills Learned
TALK TO AN ADVENTURE SPECIALIST
We would be happy to chat. Call (307) 755-0642 or email admissions@srom.org.
Itinerary
An overview of what to expect on course.
ARRIVAL
You will meet your leaders and team at SROM headquarters in Laramie, WY. The day will start with a brief orientation as you get to know your leaders and team members. We will issue any gear you need and lead you in packing your pack before heading out.
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 of the days 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 out 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
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:
- Solo
- Peak Attempt
Departure
Returning to the SROM base, you will de-issue group gear and rented gear before showering and debriefing with one of our staff members. Officially closing the course, you will be awarded with a course completion certificate. Afterwards, teams often go out for a celebratory dinner* at a local restaurant.
*This meal is not covered by SROM as it is outside of the official course. However, it is a good thing to plan for.
PHOTOS & VIDEO
Get a glimpse into the experience.
Testimonies of Transformation
Hear what others experienced.
I didn’t know that I needed a break and a chance to see that I needed rest and relaxation from my personal schedule. I also saw that I needed to be more vulnerable and honest with myself and other people if I was going to experience change. This course has equipped me by showing me the value of temporary escape and intentional introspection to see the necessity for change.
Regular
Applications March 1st - 60 days priorLate
Applications 60-30 days prior- Onto the regular price of $1875 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?
We would be happy to answer any questions you have. Ask away below or call (307) 755-0642.
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!