Looking for a structured, fun summer adventure for a student transitioning out of a therapeutic placement, transitioning home, or preparing for college?  Explorations is pleased to offer the Summer Leadership Adventure Course.  This unique program will incorporate high adventure activities and certification, service learning, leadership opportunities and vocational instruction with continued emotional growth and high school credit.  Students and families will also participate in the signature Explorations Parent Float Trip.
Students will:

• Attend whitewater raft guide school
• Become First Aid Certified
• Participate in a meaningful service learning opportunity with academic credit
• Engage in practical vocational instruction with academic credit
• Work as river guides on the Big Sky Summer Parent Float Trips
• Enjoy a beautiful, fun Montana summer

This program is designed to enhance and build upon the work that the students have done in previous programs and provide them with continued treatment and growth opportunities, and to provide a FUN summer adventure!

To start the summer off, the students will all participate in a CPR/First Aid course, which will enable them to be prepared for their summer of adventure, as well as their involvement as mentors in the Big Sky Summer courses, and the Family River Trips. 

This will be followed by a 7 day backpacking adventure.  During this time the students will enjoy some time in the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness or Scotchman Peak Wilderness.  This will be a time to reflect upon the school year, focus on new goals, and gear up for an exciting summer full of opportunity. 

After a two day break back at HomeBase for parent calls, therapy sessions, and some showers, the students will depart for the 5-day Raft Guide School.  All students will be trained by professionals to become certified whitewater rafting instructors.  We are very excited about the opportunities that this will present to the students, including working as mentors on the summer trips, guiding the family river trips this summer, and the possibility of eventually finding paid employment in the future. 

Students will then participate in the summer staff training program for a few days before they set off on their Service Learning Adventure from June 18th to June 30th. 

Students may have the opportunity to travel home for home visits on June 30th, returning July 6th.  We hope that you will enjoy the 4th of July holiday as a family!

Following the home visits, the students will return for two weeks at HomeBase.  During this time the students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of structured activities, including vocational training, as the boys work to construct a pole barn from the ground up.  Students will have the opportunity to earn academic credit as they work with a contractor to plan and construct this project. 

The boys will then leave to work as guides and mentors on the Big Sky Summer river trips, and the Family Float Trips. 

The Family Float Trip is scheduled from July 31st to August 6th.  Mark your calendars! We hope you can join us for this important adventure, and watch your son utilize the river skills he has acquired over the summer. 

Following the Family Float trip, there will be a closing ceremony and the students will either depart their families or get ready for sports practice and the new school year.

By the end of the summer program, we expect our students to leave with:

• 80-120 hours of documented service and vocational training
• River Guide and Whitewater Rescue Certification
• First Aid certification
• 2 weeks river guide experience
• Vocational skills
• Academic credit for travel/service
• A great tan

Space on this unique adventure opportunity is very limited.  Please call for more information.