What to expect
What to Expect ...
The Mountain Workshop's Adventure Camp series is a carefully graduated sequence of adventure activities, beginning with day trips at local sites for our youngest campers ages 8 to 14 and progressing to overnight expeditions at locations throughout New England for teens ages 11 to 17.
Day Programs Offer Different Activity and Location Each Day!
Awesome Adventure Day Programs combine Canoeing, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Caving, Kayaking, Sailing, River Rafting and River Tubing with laughter and play!
Program weeks have pick-ups and drop-offs in Branchville or Westport, Connecticut. Our staff and vans will meet the campers at the pick-up location at 8:00AM and drop them off each day at 4:00PM. Each program group will be assigned to a separate van which will head off for their activity and destination each day, based on a tentative itinerary for the week. Participants bring their own lunches and water every day and The Mountain Workshop provides all activity-specific gear.
Overnight Expeditions
With over 29 years of experience, Trailmark Expeditions is a national leader in outdoor programming and adventure travel. Trailmark Expeditions take participants on 1-2 week adventures and community service trips throughout New England. Expedition fees include instruction, food, accommodations, camping and permit fees, admissions, program equipment (except bikes), group camping equipment, and transportation from Ridgefield, Connecticut. Airfare is not included in Trailmark Expedition programs. Specific trip itineraries, clothing and equipment needs will be sent to you upon registration.
Group Size
All programs run with a minimum of 6 and no more than 13 participants and two adult staff members. All programs are offered as co-ed, with one male and one female staff member assigned to each group. This small group allows for full group participation, interaction and decision-making, as well as individual instruction.
Transportation
We travel in passenger vans for all of our programs. Day programs offer pick-ups and drop-offs in Branchville or Westport, Connecticut. We understand that the amount of time spent in the vans is a concern to many. Although some activities and locations are further away and may require more travel time, our goal is to keep our travel to within one hour.
Trailmark Expeditions programs leave from and return to Ridgefield, Connecticut. Many expeditions have a second pick-up location as well.
Participant Commitment
For most programs, previous experience is not necessary. Attitude is everything! All activities are designed to be age-appropriate and instruction is provided for each activity.
Reasonable physical condition and a desire to participate is needed.
All participants share in The Mountain Workshop's Contract, agreeing to work individually and as a group towards goals set together, to adhere to behavior and safety rules, and to give and receive feedback during daily "Group" meetings. The group provides the opportunity to share insights, concerns, plans, successes, difficulties and appreciations.
Finally, unsafe or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. With a serious infraction, parents are called. The camper, counselors, and parents will discuss the situation and if the unsafe behavior continues, parents will be asked to pick up their child without compensation.
Safety
Safety is our primary consideration at all times. It is the bottom line in all decisions regarding the outdoors. While outdoor activities do entail certain risks, we greatly reduce the chances of injury with strict guidelines and thorough instruction. Our staff is certified in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard and/or Waterfront Lifeguard, Wilderness First Aid, and all are trained in the safety aspects of the activities according to the industry standards. We are extremely proud of our excellent safety record.