Denver, Colorado Rocky Mountain Adventure
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Rocky Mountain Adventure

Overview Details Itinerary What to Pack FAQs Before You Go

Overview

The Colorado Rockies are dramatic and beautiful—a great place to explore, make new friends and have fun.

Our approach is simple: take a great group of kids (and keep the group small—no more than 12), add two terrific Overland leaders (there to guide you, teach you, encourage you and support you) and go to a beautiful place (the Rocky Mountains). Once there, get out on the trail for hiking and adventure. And every step of the way, keep the focus on having fun and making friends.

Rocky Mountain Adventure offers two spectacular weeks out West. The trip is perfectly paced: start with day hikes at a lower elevation, an introduction to climbing, move to more challenging day hikes and celebrate the end of two phenomenal weeks with rafting.

As with every Overland trip, you’ll be in the capable, caring hands of two wonderful Overland leaders. We call them leaders, but they’re more than that, much more: they’re leaders, yes, but they’re also mentors, role models, friends.

When you head home, you’ll take the some of the Rockies with you. The Rocky Mountains will be a part of you—we know it will. And you’ll be back. We know that, too.

Questions? Contact us!

Reed’s leaders truly helped to bring out the very best in him!


- Virginia Gilbert, Old Greenwich, Connecticut
Itinerary may vary by group and is subject to change.

Rocky Mountain Adventure is new! Please check back later in the fall for our 2019 itinerary.

Things to know

  • We travel light on Overland trips; please only bring items on your packing list.
  • Your group will have access to laundry periodically.
  • Please do not bring any electronics (including your cell phone).
    Please visit the FAQ tab on your child's trip page for more information on our electronics policy.
  • Do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (such as a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool).
  • If you are flying to your trip start, carry your sleeping bag with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.
  • There are no reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen items.
  • Please wear the navy Overland shirt that you will receive from the Overland office to your trip start location.

Luggage

  • Medium-Sized Duffel Bag or Backpack
    3,000-5,000 cubic inch (50-80 liters) duffel bag. You will leave the duffel bag and any extra items in our van during the trip and use your day pack for hikes and daily activities.

Clothing

  • Navy Overland Shirt
    We will send students an Overland shirt prior to their trip, and we encourage students to wear their Overland shirt to trip start. We highly recommend this for students flying to their trip start location.
  • T-Shirt (3)
    Short-sleeve T-shirt or tank top.
  • Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (2)
    Lightweight for sun protection.
  • Synthetic Shorts (3)
  • Pants (2)
    Suitable for cool evenings in camp (synthetic pants are preferred).
  • Underwear (6)
  • Athletic Socks (pair) (6)
  • Swimsuit
  • Hat with Visor
    For protection from the sun. Baseball hats are acceptable.
  • Winter Hat
  • Gloves or Mittens (pair)
    To stay warm in camp on cool nights.
  • Pajamas
    Students sometimes prefer to sleep in shorts and a T-shirt instead of bringing pajamas.

Outer Layers

  • Waterproof Raincoat
    Waterproof material required (not just water resistant). Rain coats provide protection from wind and rain and serve as an extra warm layer. Your jacket should be large enough to allow layers underneath. We recommend hoods and breathable materials. Gore-Tex is a well-known waterproof and breathable fabric but there are many other quality fabrics. Ponchos are not acceptable.
  • Fleece Jacket or Pullover (1)
    Medium to heavyweight and reasonably compact.
  • Packable Synthetic or Down Jacket
    Lightweight, compressible, synthetic (Primaloft or similar) or down jacket. Full zip or 1/4 zip are acceptable.

General Gear

  • Day Pack
    Basic two-shoulder backpack large enough to hold your lunch, two water bottles, snacks, extra layers and rain jacket. Use your day pack as a carry-on for your flight and for daily activities or hikes. A standard school backpack is usually fine (no satchels or shoulder bags).
  • Sleeping Bag
    A lightweight, compact sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or less. We recommend either synthetic or treated down material. Your sleeping bag should compress into a stuff sack no larger than 20" in length.
  • Sleeping Pad
    Full- or ¾-length compact sleeping pad. We recommend closed cell foam that is thin and firm (e.g., RidgeRest) or self-inflating (e.g., Therm-a-Rest).
  • Flashlight or Headlamp & Extra Batteries
    Headlamps are preferable because they free up your hands.
  • Bowl, Mug & Utensils
    6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top, insulated plastic mug, spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils (a Tupperware dish and regular utensils are fine).
  • Water Bottle
    One 1-liter bottle (a smaller size is acceptable).

Footwear

  • Sneakers (pair)
    Comfortable shoes to wear on daily activities. Shoes should be supportive and have a good tread on the bottom for traction.
  • Water Shoes
    Closed-toed sport sandals, water shoes or old sneakers to wear on the water. Sandals must have a heel strap for activities such as kayaking, rafting or canoeing (flip flops and Crocs are not acceptable).
  • Rocky Mountain Adventure
  • Rocky Mountain Adventure

Miscellaneous

  • Synthetic Camping Towel
    A medium-size synthetic camping towel (synthetic camping towels dry much faster than regular towels).
  • Toiletries
    All items should be travel size (if necessary, you will be able to restock during the trip).
  • Sunglasses
    Polarized sunglasses that wrap around to protect from glare are ideal.
  • Spending Money
    $30 per week in cash or a debit/ATM card.
  • Camera, Charger & Extra Batteries (optional)
    A digital or disposable camera and, if necessary, a charger and large enough memory card to accommodate your pictures (4 to 8 GB).
  • Health Insurance Card
    Please bring an original or copy of your health insurance card.
  • Insect Repellent
  • What is the weather like on Rocky Mountain Adventure?

    The weather on Rocky Mountain Adventure varies. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly and afternoon showers are common. Sometimes it is sunny and warm while other times it is rainy and cold. Summer temperatures in Colorado range from the 50s to the 70s during the day and are cooler at night. Our packing list takes these variables into consideration. Layering is the best strategy. Please follow the packing list, paying close attention to rain gear specifications.

    Additionally, the Colorado environment includes a variety of elevations. The group camps at elevations between 8,000 and 10,000 feet. Leaders will make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids and applies sunscreen to help prevent dehydration, altitude sickness and sunburn.
  • What are the arrival and departure airports for my child’s trip?

    You will need to arrange transportation for your child to and from Denver International Airport (DEN) at trip start and trip end. We will provide more specific travel information once we have placed your child on a program.

  • How often will my child have access to showers and laundry?

    While we have regular access to showers, most students will shower once or twice a week. Groups will do laundry once a week.

  • Please tell me about safety at Overland.

    Safety and risk management are at the forefront of our decision-making–from trip planning to leader training to supporting our groups in the field. We cannot guarantee absolute safety–no program can. All recreational activities include inherent and other risks. Therefore, we strive to manage the risks that we can, knowing we cannot eliminate them. We work hard to recruit, train and support our trip leaders so they can create the kind of trips that have made us successful for over 30 years. Please click here to read more about our approach to risk management and our accreditation by the American Camp Association.
  • Does my child need to have previous experience?

    While no previous experience is required, we have high expectations of our students. We expect your child–with your help–to select a trip that is appropriate for his or her interests and abilities. You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the details of the specific program and help your child understand what to expect. We also expect our students to prepare ahead of time: to review the packing list, gather clothing and gear and complete whatever training the trip requires (for recommended training please see the Before You Go tab). Once the trip begins, your child should be ready–and excited–to contribute to a wholesome and enthusiastic group where each group member feels welcomed and valued.
  • Please tell me about Overland's admissions process.

    For more information, and to access our application, please visit our Apply page.

    When we receive your child’s application, if the first choice is available, you will receive a phone call and an email containing a link to our Overland Portal where you will find our Admissions Review Forms. We will accept your deposit to hold your child’s place in the program pending a favorable Admissions Review. If the first choice is not available, we will call you to confirm that the second choice is acceptable. If neither the first choice nor second choice are available, we will call you to discuss options. For those students placed on our waitlist, we will notify you as soon as a spot becomes available.

    We seek to admit students who have demonstrated that they possess the personal qualities and experience necessary to succeed on an Overland trip. While Overland is always supportive and nurturing, an Overland program is unlike a traditional camp in that our small groups–12 students and 2 leaders–travel, live and work as a group, making all of their own meals, helping each other and cooperating in ways big and small, and they do all of this far from home. As a result, every student must be able to thrive in an environment that places equal emphasis on:

    1. 1. Teamwork and Shared Responsibilities.
    2. 2. Independence and Self-Reliance.
    3. 3. Support of Others and Consideration for Others.
  • What are Overland’s policies on phones, electronics and communication?

    PHONES:
    To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our campers (the exceptions to this are: your child will call home on arrival and departure with our phones and assistance, and in the case of an emergency). If your child brings a phone for use while en route to Overland, please do not send him or her with an expensive smartphone; instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone. All phones will be collected on arrival and returned at departure. While we will take reasonable steps to prevent damage, theft or loss to phones, we take no responsibility for phones and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones.

    ELECTRONICS:
    Cameras are welcome but please do not bring any other electronics (e.g., iPods, iPads, Kindles or other readers, GPS or similar devices). All electronics (except cameras) will be mailed home on arrival (at your risk and expense).

    COMMUNICATION:
    We are committed to providing extraordinary support to you and your child; to that end, the Overland office is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days a week during the summer (outside of office hours our answering service provides emergency coverage). Our leaders in the field are in touch with our office regularly; they carry cell phones (and in some cases satellite phones). Anytime a camper is treated for an injury or illness by a doctor or medical personnel, parents are notified by our office. A director will call the parents to explain the nature of the injury or illness, the sequence of events leading up to the injury and/or the steps leading to the treatment. Parents are typically able to speak with the medical personnel, with the leaders and with their child.
  • Can I send mail to my child during a trip?

    Getting a letter, card or postcard while on an Overland trip is always exciting.

    Please keep in mind that sending mail to your child on an Overland trip is different than sending mail to camp because your child will be on the move. Our experience has been that mail often does not arrive on time, and, sometimes, even when it does, post offices, campgrounds and other mail stops do not reliably deliver mail to our groups. For these reasons:

     

    1. Please do not send anything valuable – please send letters, cards or postcards only.  If mail is late, lost or misdirected, Overland’s leaders and staff are not able to return to the post office (or other mail stop) to collect it.

    2. Please use the US Postal Service first class mail only; do not use UPS, FedEx or DHL (many of our mail stops accept US Postal Service mail only).

    3. Please do not send overnight letters: many overnighted letters arrive before or after we arrive and are then sent back (for this same reason, please do not send mail that requires a signature upon delivery).

    4. Please allow one week for postal delivery to U.S. mail stops.

    5. Please allow two weeks for postal delivery to international mail stops.

Hike, raft and explore in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Students going on Rocky Mountain Adventure should prepare for:

  • 7 days of hiking with an average of 4 miles per day
  • Travel to and from the trip
  • An Overland experience

We expect you to arrive to your trip fully prepared for all activities.

Preparing for Hiking

You should be prepared for day hikes in the Rockies on well-established trails; on some hikes you will reach elevations higher than 10,000 feet. Your group will hike together and take breaks for rest, lunch, snacks and water as necessary.

Pre-trip training:

  • before your trip: Stay active this spring, playing sports, walking and hiking..

Preparing for Travel to and from the Trip

Families are responsible for arranging flights to and from the designated airport during a specified window (please do not purchase flights until you have received an email confirming our review of your health forms and school reference). Overland staff will be at the airport to welcome you at the start of your trip and to assist with your departure at trip end. You will call home upon arrival and before departure. You may also be dropped off at the airport, or in Williamstown (depending on your program’s start and end locations). More information regarding travel to and from your trip will be provided with the admissions review forms upon applying.

Preparing for an Overland Experience

Overland programs are wholesome, structured experiences with high expectations of each student’s behavior. Overland expects all students to contribute to an enthusiastic, positive group. We expect you to be helpful and supportive of your trip mates and leaders. We ask that you leave your cell phone and electronics at home (cameras are always welcome), so you can fully engage with your group and your trip. You will have the opportunity to send letters and receive mail at designated mail stops, which are shared in the spring.

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