Mountain Workshop > For Schools

For Schools

Mission

The Mountain Workshop's mission is to encourage positive personal change through experiential and adventure education. With a comprehensive graduated curriculum we have developed a sequence of activities to incrementally increase the level of challenge and is customizable to embrace and support each school's values, culture and classroom objectives. Students undertake activities designed to develop character, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, conflict resolution and fun. We employ dynamic outdoor education professionals committed to experiential education and the environment. Our commitment to environmental conservation and the practice of Leave No Trace principles are used on every program. Part of every program includes time for reflection to attach real life meaning to activities and enhance learning outcomes. We truly believe in giving back to our community through our programs and other philanthropic endeavors.

Why Adventure and Experiential Education?

Adventure programming creates a risk-free environment that levels the playing field and allows for continued conversation regarding the shared experience. Adventure is an opportunity to realize governing principles such as values and ethics and practice core competencies in a safe environment. Challenges are experiential in nature and explore work systems, goal setting, feedback and learning. Experiential activities stimulate creative thinking and problem solving. They encourage risk taking to generate teachable moments. We offer programs that:

  • Create opportunities for active learning, hands on experiences.
  • Challenge participants on a mental, physical, and emotional level.
  • Incorporate multiple intelligences within the framework of adventure programming.
  • Offer activities that build real life metaphors.
  • Establish an environment that will encourages risk taking to generate teachable moments.
  • Dovetail with classroom curricula.

Program Outcomes

  • Resource Management
  • Problem Solving
  • Confidence
  • Cooperation
  • Fun/Play
  • Effective Feedback
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Team Building 
  • Trust Building
  • School Spirit
  • Exploring Diversity
  • Group Consensus
  • Motivation
  • Peer Respect
  • Courage

Activities

Activity rotations are designed to be age and skill level appropriate and to focus on the specific objectives of each group.  Activities include:

  • Team Building Games
  • Low Ropes
  • High Ropes
  • Camping
  • Caving
  • Ice Breakers
  • Canoeing
  • Raft Building
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking
  • Nature/Marine Study
  • Orienteering
  • White Water Rafting
  • Rock Climbing
  • Backpacking

Day Adventures

Day programs can be delivered either on campus or at a venue of your choice. We will design a day of adventure focused on your learning outcomes and curricula.  Each program activity is followed by a debrief with breakout groups. The day ends with a group debrief and information share.  Day program locations include:

  • Hudson Highlands
  • Hudson River
  • Long Island Sound
  • Central Park, NYC
  • Long Island Sound
  • Candlewood Lake, CT
  • Norwalk, CT
  • On Your Campus
  • Housatonic River Valley, CT

Overnight Programs and Expeditions

Overnight adventures range from two day/one night programs within a two hour drive from school to mulinight programs and wilderness expeditions throughout the US and Canada. Accommodations vary by program and include heated cabins, dormitories, tents and sleeping under the stars! Overnight destinations include:

  • Hudson Highlands
  • Moab, UT
  • Alaska
  • Acadia National Park, ME
  • Delaware River
  • Florida Everglades
  • Quebec Province, CAN
  • West Elk Mountains, CO
  • Housatonic River Valley, CT

 

After School Workshops/Outing Clubs:

The Mountain Workshop will create a 12-week adventure workshop that will introduce participants to the outdoors. Each workshop is designed to introduce outdoor and leadership skills and studies in a sequential format culminating with an overnight adventure that is planned by the students.

Custom Summer Camps:

The Mountain Workshop will create a private label adventure-based summer camp on your campus.  The process is turnkey and includes trained and certified staff, equipment and curricula in the surrounding area near your school. As always, we will work together to choose the appropriate activities to support the needs of your students and families.

Professional Development for Faculty and Staff

The Mountain Workshop has over 20 years of experience delivering staff development and team building programs.  Even the most highly functioning teams need assistance from time to time.  Our programs are used by schools and organizations to:

  • Create insight into the benefits of experiential and environmental education
  • Provide opportunities to combine traditional and non-traditional teaching methodologies
  • Encourage teamwork
  • Improve communication
  • Build team spirit
  • Set the tone for the school year
  • Clarify program goals
  • Practice skills and behaviors that contribute to high performing teams
  • Grow interpersonal relationships

 


For Students: Day Program

For Students: Overnight Program

Faculty and Staff