Colorado: Call of the Wild

Trip Name
Colorado: Call of the Wild

Who It’s For
High school students (grades 8–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 22 – July 5, 2026
Session 2: July 9 – July 22, 2026
Session 3: July 26 – August 8, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Southern Colorado

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
20–30

Tuition
$5,295

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Arrival & Garden of the Gods Hike
Fly into Denver, meet your group, and drive to southern Colorado. Stretch your legs with a hike through the stunning rock formations at Garden of the Gods before settling into basecamp.

Day 2: Settle In & Group Connection
Get to know your crew and your surroundings. Unpack, tour the property, and dive into group games and team-building.

Days 3–4: Wolf Sanctuary Service Work
Work side by side with staff at the local wolf sanctuary—preparing food, helping with animal care, and assisting with daily operations. Learn about conservation and what it takes to protect these animals.

Days 5–6: Trail Work & Habitat Restoration
Clear brush, build fencing, and help maintain natural corridors. This is hands-on land stewardship, supporting the local ecosystem and wildlife.

Day 7: Full-Day Hike in the San Isabel Forest
Head out for a longer group hike through alpine meadows and forested ridgelines. Lunch on the trail and reflect at scenic viewpoints.

Days 8–9: Greenhouse & Solar Projects
Dig into sustainability projects around basecamp—working in the greenhouse, helping maintain off-grid solar systems, and supporting permaculture efforts.

Day 10: Sandboarding & Scenic Exploration
Take a break from service with a fun day out—climb and ride the towering dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park. End the day with a cookout and campfire.

Days 11–12: Final Service Push
Return to the land and finish what your group started. You might be chopping wood, fixing trails, or expanding garden beds—whatever the site needs most.

Day 13: Reflect & Celebrate
Wrap up the experience with time to reflect, share stories, and celebrate all you’ve accomplished as a group.

Day 14: Departure
Pack up and head back to Denver. Say your goodbyes and fly home.

We stay at a remote wilderness center in southern Colorado, surrounded by forested land and mountain views.

Rustic Cabins + Campsites
Teens stay in gender-based sleeping cabins and occasionally tent camp during outdoor excursions. The cabins are simple and shared, with bunk beds and screened windows.

Composting Toilets + Outdoor Showers
Facilities are basic and sustainable. There’s no running water in cabins, but outdoor showers and sinks are available nearby.

Shared Responsibility
Everyone pitches in—whether it’s chopping wood, helping prep meals, or keeping common areas clean. Living in community is part of the experience.

What to Expect
Sunrises over the mountains, shared stories around the fire, and nights under big Colorado skies.

All meals are cooked together at basecamp or on the trail.

Cook Crews
Each day, a small group rotates through cooking and cleanup duties—learning how to prep meals outdoors and support the team.

Simple & Filling
Meals are kid-approved, hearty, and easy to make—think burrito bowls, pasta, pancakes, grilled cheese, and stir-fry.

All Diets Welcome
We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs—vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and more.

Snacks + Hydration
We build in breaks for water and snacks throughout the day—especially during active service work and long hikes.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Denver, Colorado (DEN).
Do not book flights until you receive confirmed travel windows from our team.

Travel Days
Session 1: Departs June 22 (Mon) from Denver
Session 2: Departs July 9 (Thurs) from Denver
Session 3: Departs July 26 (Sun) from Denver
Teens return home on the last day of their session.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as a UM, we’ll provide full check-in and pick-up details.

Packing
We’ll send a full packing list after enrollment. Everything should fit in one duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag and pad
Sturdy hiking boots
Headlamp
Rain jacket
Warm layers
No need for special gear—just outdoor basics.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked duffel and one small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
After enrollment, families will get access to their RLT portal with all required forms:
Health history, medical forms, waivers, and emergency contact info.
These must be submitted before the trip.

Medical Clearance
A doctor’s visit isn’t required unless your teen has a new or complex condition.
Our team reviews all forms to make sure we’re ready to support each participant.

Medications
All medications must be listed in the medical form.
Leaders manage and dispense meds as needed during the trip.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll share a Code of Conduct for families to review together.
It sets clear expectations so everyone feels safe and included.

Trip Insurance
Not required for domestic trips, but strongly encouraged.
You’re welcome to use any provider—recommendations available on our FAQ page.

Vaccinations
No special vaccinations are required for this trip.
Please ensure your teen is current on CDC-recommended routine immunizations.

Passport
Not needed for this program.

Device-Free Philosophy
All RLT trips are phone-free by design. Leaders collect phones and electronics on Day 1 and return them at the end of the trip.

Why?
Unplugging helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be fully present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without distractions

Cameras Welcome
Teens may bring a camera or GoPro (anything that doesn’t connect to the internet).
Leaders also capture moments and share an online photo gallery after the trip.

Communication
Families receive regular updates throughout the program.
In case of emergency, our on-call team is available 24/7.