Rockies Service

for 9th-12th graders

Overland's Rockies Service offers students the chance to join in a historic volunteer undertaking--building a trail along the Continental Divide.  Join us as we carry forward the work of the visionaries and volunteers who built the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.  Come with us to the beautiful Rocky Mountains and help create a lasting gift to America's mountains and to her people.

Soon after our arrival in Denver, we’ll head into the backcountry on a three-day backpacking trip. This time together before our volunteering begins will help us to acclimate, get to know our small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) and prepare for the rigors of trail building. Once at our work site, we’ll join together with the Continental Divide Trail Alliance and with local public land officials to build a section of trail. This is demanding work (depending on the site there will likely be digging, rock moving, brush cutting, etc.) that requires enthusiasm, dedication and teamwork. Our long days will be rewarded, when, at the end of our ten days of volunteering, we’re able to walk out on the trail that we have built—a trail that will be a part of the CDT forever and that thousands, perhaps even millions, will enjoy.

Our program will end with a hike to the top of one of Colorado’s 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) and a rafting trip on the Arkansas River. Our time together in the Rockies—on our trail building project, on top of a 14er and rafting an exciting river—makes for a wonderful western experience where through giving of ourselves we gain so much on Rockies Service; it's a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

“My favorite part was the trail work; we worked as a team, and it felt really good to be able to give something back to everyone who loves the outdoors.” Lauren McDonald, Bethesda, Maryland

Highlights

• Help build the Continental Divide Trail
• Backpack the Rockies
• Climb one of Colorado's 14ers
• Raft the Arkansas River

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2008.  We plan on 1 group with 9th & 10th graders and 1 group with 10th-12th graders.  Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

Start & End Location

Starts and ends in Denver, Colorado

2008 SERVICE HOURS, DATES & FEES

3 Weeks

80 hours of community service credit

Sunday, June 22 to Friday, July 11
Sunday, July 13 to Friday, August 1

$3995 (airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

“We love Overland--the leaders are all superb!” Glenda Seldin, St. Louis, Missouri

Itinerary & Day-to-day life

Program Start

We'll meet in Denver and head to our campground outside the city to get to know one another, check over our gear and prepare for our backcountry hike.

Rockies Backcountry Hike

We'll head out on a three-day hike in the beautiful backcountry a bit south of Leadville. The Colorado Rockies offer some of the most scenic hiking in the country, with peaks towering over 14,000 feet and beautiful valleys offering breathtaking views. We'll strap on our packs with all our food and gear, averaging four to six miles per day on the trail. This will serve as a great intoduction to life in the backcountry and help prepare us for our work on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT).

Trail Work on the Continental Divide Trail

We'll begin with a short hike into our backcountry campsite that will serve as our home base for the next ten days. Continental Divide Trail volunteers (www.cdtrail.org) will then give us a orientation on how to construct a new section of trail. Our first task will be to clear the way for trail, moving logs, clearing brush and rocks, and building water and rock bars. Once the clearing is done, we'll build wooden framework and complete the new trail. Our evenings will be spent relaxing in the beautiful Colorado backcountry and resting for the upcoming days' work. At the end of ten days, our efforts will be rewarded as we hike out on a new and improved section of the Continental Divide Trail.

 Rafting the Arkansas

After our ten days of trail work, we'll raft the Arkansas River with Wilderness Aware (www.inaraft.com). Wilderness Aware has been guiding rafting trips for many years and rafting is often a highlight for Overland groups! Our experienced guides will take us down the river as we paddle in rafts and inflatable kayaks through calm flat water and exciting Class II and III rapids. We’ll spend the night on the river, waking up to breakfast prepared by our guides as we get ready for our second day of paddling.

Climbing a 14er

As a culmination of our three weeks in the Rockies, we’ll attempt to summit one of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. Colorado is famous for its 14ers and after three weeks of hiking and trail building, we'll be well prepared to tackle one of these magnificent peaks. Rising early, we’ll hope to summit by late morning and return to camp in early afternoon—a fitting end to our three weeks together in the Rockies.

Program End

At program end we'll head back to Denver for a final dinner as we celebrate our three weeks together and the new section of the CDT that we built on Rockies Service!

"Overland helped me grow and learn as a person and as a friend." Ross Feehan, McLean, Virginia

Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On an Overland service program the group stays together all day: working hard on our service projects, exploring the beautiful surroundings and enjoying our evenings together as we prepare dinner and dessert and talk about the day's adventures. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the program a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our programs carefully choosing well-established organizations for whom we can provide meaningful service. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer programs.

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

Trip Details

Getting To & From The Program

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Denver, Colorado. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

Preparing & Important Equipment

Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this program are: a backpack, hiking boots, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., backpacks, boots, sleeping bags).

"I made lifelong friends who were supportive and fun." Mallory McLean, New Canaan, Connecticut

Students: Is this trip right for you?

Rockies Service requires a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard as volunteers. Participants should be eager to take part in ten days of trail work and be ready for both the challenges and rewards that service work offers.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:

1. Your motivation. Service work is not always easy—you must be motivated!
2. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates and you’ll find that you have a great experience!

We will spend some long days on the trail but by working together as a group and keeping a good attitude, trail work can be positive and rewarding. Expect to be tired at times, but also expect to have an incredible experience with 11 of your peers in Colorado.

What's it Like?

Here are some comments about Rockies Service from one of Overland's Logistics Staff:

"Rockies Service is the perfect combination of service and outdoors. The service aspect of the trip is centered around trail work; ten days working alongside CDT volunteers to help create one of the longest and most scenic trails in the country. Although the work will be challenging and the days long, we will be working together as a group and enjoying the magnificent scenery that the Colorado Rockies have to offer. Before and after our days of service, we'll have a chance to explore some of the best of Colorado. Our backcountry trip allows us to hike through the beautiful Colorado backcountry as we acclimate to the altitude. After our time working on the CDT, we will have a chance to relax as we enjoy two days of paddling on the Arkansas River. At the end of our trip, when we are acclimatized and in shape, we will tackle one of Colorado's famous 14ers, a spectacular way to end our three weeks together."

"Overland is so different from everyday life and that is what's so great about it!" Meredith Gettleman, Evanston, Illinois

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