3 Things Families Don't Know About Our Colorado High School Trip
TL;DR
Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary for rescued wolves outside Westcliffe, anchors this 14-day high school trip. Over six days at the sanctuary, teens feed and care for the animals, chop firewood, haul water, and build and maintain enclosures. They spend two days backpacking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (reaching 12,000+ feet). They whitewater raft Class II-III rapids on the Arkansas River, rock climb granite spires in San Isabel National Forest, explore the tallest sand dunes in North America, and soak in natural hot springs. They camp the full 14 days, cooking meals together and managing group logistics. Wilderness immersion with service and skill-building as the spine.
Read more about the full Colorado high school trip.
How parents should read this post
Colorado trips abound for teens. Here's what makes RLT's high school program different, and why the structure asks real things of your teen.
1. Days 3-8: Wolf Sanctuary Service Work at Mission: Wolf. Six Days Caring for Rescued Wolves, Learning Predator Ecology, Building Enclosures
Direct answer: Your teen will spend six days at Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary for rescued wolves, performing hands-on care: feeding, grooming, hauling firewood, fixing fencing, and helping maintain the sanctuary's operations.
Mission: Wolf is a sanctuary located in southern Colorado near Westcliffe that rescues wolves from captive or problematic situations and provides lifetime care. The sanctuary houses 20+ wolves and operates on a limited budget, relying on volunteer and visiting support for daily operations. RLT teens contribute six days of meaningful service work that is genuinely needed. This is no symbolic volunteer experience, it's integral to sanctuary operations.
Tasks include: preparing and distributing food (understanding canine nutrition and behavioral responses), hauling firewood for winter storage (heavy, sustained work), repairing and building enclosures (fence work, basic carpentry), grooming animals (learning to read wolf behavior and approach safely), operating equipment for firewood processing, and general site maintenance. Teens work alongside sanctuary staff and learn about wolf reintroduction efforts, predator-prey ecology, ecosystem role of apex predators, and why wolves matter to landscape-scale conservation.
According to the Defenders of Wildlife, wolves are keystone predators that regulate prey populations, increase biodiversity, and create ecological cascades that benefit entire ecosystems. In North America, wolf populations are recovering slowly, with wild populations now around 12,000 (compared to millions pre-1900). This recovery depends on public understanding and support, exactly what direct engagement at sanctuaries builds. (Source: Defenders of Wildlife: Wolf Ecology).
Research from the American Camp Association demonstrates that hands-on animal care experiences in natural settings deepen teens' understanding of ecological relationships. Research on predator ecology and conservation education shows that direct engagement with wolves and other predators shifts perceptions from threat-based to ecosystem-based understanding, building long-term conservation commitment (Source: International Wolf Center: Education Research).
Service-learning experiences that combine environmental stewardship with wildlife education consistently show measurable gains in conservation commitment and ecological knowledge retention among adolescents. High school participants often report that sanctuary work changed their perspective on predator conservation permanently.
2. Days 7-8: Backcountry Hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Summiting Peaks Above 12,000 Feet, Sleeping in Tents Above Treeline
Direct answer: Your teen will hike into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, reaching elevations of 12,000+ feet, camping above treeline and sleeping under stars on a mountainside surrounded by alpine peaks.
The Sangre de Cristo range is part of the Rocky Mountains, running north-south through southern Colorado. Peaks in the range exceed 14,000 feet (called "fourteeners"). RLT's high school hikes target peaks in the 11,000-12,500 foot range, high enough to challenge and excite, demanding enough to build real resilience, not so extreme as to require mountaineering skills.
On Days 7-8, the group hikes into the range, carrying loaded packs (25-35 lbs typical for high school participants), gaining 2,000-3,000 feet of elevation over 5-8 miles. They camp above treeline, where trees stop growing due to altitude, wind, and cold, sleep in tents on rocky terrain, and wake to sunrise over surrounding peaks. Nights at altitude (11,000+ feet) are cold (below freezing even in summer), clear, and still. Stars are visible in extraordinary clarity. Teens experience the reality of high-altitude camping: cold sleeping bags, thin air, rugged terrain, and the earned confidence that comes from managing real physical challenge.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Sangre de Cristo range is geologically ancient (formed during the Laramide Orogeny 70 million years ago) and among Colorado's most rugged and least-developed ranges, preserving alpine ecosystems found nowhere else in the world. The range supports species adapted only to high-altitude environments. (Source: USGS: Colorado Geological History).
High-altitude backpacking builds both technical outdoor skills and psychological resilience. Teens learn to manage physical challenges in remote settings, recognize their own capabilities, navigate uncertainty, and develop the kind of earned confidence that comes from sustained challenge in a natural environment, not manufactured achievement in a controlled setting. Research in outdoor education shows that multi-day high-altitude experiences create measurable increases in self-efficacy and resilience in high school participants.
3. Day 10: Whitewater Rafting the Arkansas River. Class II-III Rapids Through Browns Canyon with ACA-Certified Guides and Full Safety Protocols
Direct answer: Your teen will navigate Class II-III whitewater rapids on the Arkansas River, paddling with teammates, learning to read current and work as a crew under experienced guide leadership.
The Arkansas River is Colorado's most-rafted river and the state's primary whitewater education corridor. Browns Canyon, a section south of Buena Vista, features 5-7 miles of consistent Class II-III rapids (manageable for teen first-timers but genuinely challenging) with scenic canyon geology, wildlife viewing opportunities, and excellent safety infrastructure.
On Day 10, teens raft with guides holding American Canoe Association (ACA) certifications and minimum Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training. Guides teach paddle technique, boat positioning, and basic hydrology before launching. Teens sit in the boat and paddle coordinated strokes, responding to guide commands in real time. Class II-III rapids create genuine excitement and challenge, you feel the power of moving water, without the serious danger of Class IV+ water. Teens learn what teamwork under pressure actually requires.
According to the American Whitewater Association, whitewater rafting is increasingly recognized as an outdoor recreation with measurable developmental benefits: learning teamwork under pressure, reading environmental conditions (water level, current, obstacles), and managing manageable fear in a structured setting with expert guidance. (Source: American Whitewater: Rafting Education and Safety).
Whitewater rafting in structured, skilled-led settings teaches real teamwork under pressure. Teens must coordinate with teammates, trust guide expertise, and respond to dynamic environmental conditions, skills that don't transfer from classroom settings or simulations. That trust built under real (not simulated) challenge transfers to confidence in other high-stakes situations and builds peer bonding that lasts long after the trip.
How to Talk to Your Teen About This Trip
Before they go: "You'll be caring for wolves, camping above clouds, and rafting real rapids. Bring a strong work ethic and expect to be cold at night, tired during the day, and proud at the end."
After they return: "What surprised you most about the wolves? What was it like camping at that elevation? How did your crew perform on the river?"
FAQ
Q: How is this different from a typical Colorado adventure camp? A: RLT prioritizes service-based learning (wolf sanctuary) and backcountry skill-building (backpacking, rafting, climbing) over convenience or comfort. You're camping 14 straight days, cooking all meals together, and caring for animals. It's immersive and demanding, not glamorous or easy.
Q: What physical fitness is required? A: High fitness expected. Teens will hike 5-10 miles daily with significant elevation gain, carry 25-35 lb packs, raft for 5+ hours, and climb granite faces. If your teen is sedentary, this trip would be an extreme starter. Consider building fitness or doing a less intense trip first.
Q: What if my teen hasn't camped before? A: No prior camping needed. RLT teaches all skills on the trail. That said, comfort with sleeping on the ground, outdoor bathrooms, and minimal creature comforts is important. If your teen gets anxious without electricity or running water, discuss with RLT leadership before enrollment.
Q: Will they really feed wolves? A: Yes. Wolves are fed whole prey (rabbit, deer) 2-3 times per week. Teens participate directly in food prep and distribution, learning about predator nutrition and handling safety around large, powerful wild animals.
Q: Are there bears in Colorado? A: Yes, black bears inhabit the mountains. RLT uses bear-safe food storage, educates teens on bear behavior and prevention, and maintains protocols for safe coexistence. Actual bear encounters are rare; bears typically avoid humans.
Q: How old do they need to be for rock climbing? A: No minimum age, but minimum fitness and comfort with heights required. Some 14-year-olds thrive; others at 17 are not ready. Climbing is available (not mandatory) for participants. Most face and overcome height anxiety through structured instruction.
Q: What about altitude sickness? A: Altitude sickness can occur at 8,000+ feet for some people. RLT acclimates gradually, stays hydrated, and monitors all participants. Teens rarely experience severe altitude sickness; mild headache or tiredness is common and passes within a day or two.
See the full Colorado high school trip
For 2026 dates, tuition, and the day-by-day, see the Colorado high school trip page.
Talk with us
Questions about what wolf sanctuary work looks like, or whether backcountry camping and whitewater rafting are right for your teen? Schedule a call with an RLT director to discuss fitness requirements, altitude acclimatization, prior outdoor experience, and what to expect.