In the fall and the spring, the Walkabout backpacking experiences encourage students to look within, challenge themselves and build a supportive community. In the fall, we spend a week in the Catskill Mountains. In the spring, we look back on the year's accomplishments from the Adirondack Mountains. The students learn how to transfer the lessons they learned in the wilderness to their lives back home. There are, also, two other reasons for the backbacking trips. First of all, it's fun. Second of all, it's their gym credit.

"This is the most amazing way to get gym credit!"
        Charles Wild; Briarcliff HS

Matt Weth
North Salem High School

Walkabout has really opened my eyes to the whole world. On the backpacking trip in the Catskill Mountains, I had many important insights into my life and I also developed a wonderful sense of respect for the beauty and power of the natural world.

Walkabout Students descending Mt. Marcy, with panorama of mountains in the distance.

Images From Our Recent Backpacking Trips in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains

During the fall wilderness backpacking trip in the Catskills, students gain confidence and create a strong community for learning.

A butterfly welcomed these students on the top of Blackhead Mountain in the Catskills.

During the spring wilderness trip to the high peaks region in the Adirondacks, students relflect upon their accomplishments during the school year. This group climbed Slide Moutain.

Slide Mountain, with Gothics Mountain, another peak students climb on the trip, in the distance.

The wilderness trips help students find the strength and maturity to gain clarity about their goals for the future.

The wilderness trips give students the opportunity for something else: having some fun while gaining gym credit for graduation!