Welcome to Wyoming—home to some of the most remote and beautiful wilderness in the United States. Our Great Divide program is a 13-day summer adventure program designed especially for middle school aged students that finds us hiking through the Bridger-Teton National Forest, sea kayaking on Yellowstone Lake, whitewater rafting the Snake River, and rock climbing in the Tetons! Click on Read More to learn about one of RLT's newest adventure travel programs for youth!

We meet in the Wild West town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming and head for Grand Teton National Park, full of beautiful clear blue mountain lakes formed by 60,000-year old melting glaciers. With no foothills to obstruct the view, we see how nature’s elements have sculpted the sharply notched peaks.Truly a sight to behold, we gather and camp beneath the stars and realize that nothing can top this view.

As we navigate the beautiful Snake River by raft, we see elk scattered throughout the valley floor and eagles soaring high above. Day one takes us on a scenic float past the towering snow-capped peaks followed by a rapid, exciting run through the canyon on day two. We learn how to sit, paddle, and stroke as we laugh our way down river along side moose, bison, and pronghorn antelopes.

We travel by sea kayaks on Yellowstone Lake, perched on the Continental Divide and ringed with geyser basins framed by the Absaroka Mountains. We look for evidence of Yellowstone's elusive timber wolf and stop to take in some of the park's landmarks, including the breathtaking waterfalls of Yellowstone River's Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, and the enormous bison herds.

Next, we day hike trails that wind around and above the valley and wander along flowing streams, discovering hidden lakes and canyons, stopping to relax and enjoy the hot springs. You can learn rock climbing from on the rock, or by watching the experts, it's your choice! Taught by the world renowned Exum Mountain Guides, our introduction to rock climbing has been carefully designed to be challenging and fun, but not too difficult for our age and abilities. We'll learn basic climbing skills such as knots, signals, belays, and short rappels, then try our luck on the rock.

On our final night, the landscape lifts our spirits as we say goodbye from our campsite nestled among aster and lupine meadows. We share a traditional campfire complete with s’mores and stare in wonder at the bold Teton peaks set against the amber sky.

Settling In

Arrival in Jackson Holy, WY; transfer to campground; program orientation; day hikes in Jackson.

Our Adventure

Hiking in Bridger-Teton National Forest; sea kayaking on Yellowstone Lake; two days whitewater rafting on the Snake River; rock climbing in Teton National Park with the renowned Exum Mountain Guides.

And Then...

Final banquet; transfer to Jackson Hole airport; homeward bound!