Colorado: Call of the Wild

72-80 Community Service Hours

Environmental Community Service, Wolf Conservation at Mission: Wolf Refuge

Activities

• Whitewater Raft: Arkansas River

• Aerial Course: Lost Canyon, San Isabel National Forest

• Rock Climb: San Isabel National Forest

• Explore: Great Sand Dunes National Park; Buena Vista; Cottonwood Pass

• Swim: Princeton Hot Springs, Chalk Creek
  

Completing Grades

8-12

Duration

17 Days

Tuition

$4,895

Arrive/Depart

Colorado Springs, CO

A Certificate of Community Service indicating 72-80 hours worked and a Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program.

All of the lectures, films, photos and books combined do not compare with an eye-to-eye personal encounter with a live wolf. In the intensity of a single gaze, we catch a glimpse of the untamed beauty, power, and mystery of the wild. To touch, feel, smell, hear and experience these wild creatures benefits not only the wolves, but also us, the people who want to understand and contribute to the delicate balance of their threatened future.

We head to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, home of the tallest dunes in North America. For two days we explore the rolling sand waves and make them our playground as we get acclimated and prepare for our time at Mission:Wolf.

Sadly, selling wolves and wolf dogs as pets is a big business; hundreds of these majestic creatures are abandoned when their owners can no longer provide the space and care they need. For nine days we live nestled alongside the wolves in their wolf sanctuary home between the red alpenglow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the jagged peaks of the Greenhorn Wilderness. Working deep inside the pens, we assist the staff in the care and feeding of the 40 resident wolves. We repair old fences, construct new pens, restore habitat, and assist in the observation and documentation of wolf behavior ensuring the animals are well adjusted. At sunset, we hike and explore the many rivers and streams in this remote sanctuary.

Our adventures continue as we raft down the Arkansas River, challenge yourself on an Aerial course outside of Buena Vista, rock climb in San Isabel National Forest, and take a nice soak in the local, natural hot spring. The hot springs pools are located right in the midst of the cool rushing waters of Chalk Creek, where each pool is fed by its own natural geothermal spring, bubbling up into the creek bed and into circles of stones that create natural pools of warmth and rejuvenation. We spend our last day together on “the road less traveled” taking in the expansive breathtaking views of the Continental Divide at Cottonwood Pass, and celebrating both our new “pack” of friends and the difference we make preserving an endangered species.

Arrival (Day 1):

Once everyone arrives in Colorado Springs, CO we’ll head out to our first stop, Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Park (Day 2):

Explore some of the tallest dunes in North America, just over 750’ high.  We’ll hike up and down through the small valleys and up the hills to reach our goal, Star Dune (the highest).  From the top comes the fun part, sledding back down the way we came.

Mission: Wolf Community Service (Day 3-11):

Depart for Mission Wolf in the morning and, upon arrival, start to get acquainted with the wolves. Our projects include; building fire bunkers, rebuilding Wolf enclosures, cutting firewood, making repairs to the full time staff’s housing, repairs around the enclosures, helping out at the farm and more. Our daily tasks include feeding the wolves in the morning and socializing with the ambassador wolves.  We have the unique opportunity to interact with a special group of wolves used to educate the public about these beautiful and often misunderstood animals. Along with being a sanctuary for wolves, horses also call this home.  We’ll have the opportunity to feed, clean and learn different training techniques.

Rafting, High Aerial Course, Hot Springs and Climbing Adventure (Day 12-15):

Departing from Mission: Wolf we’ll head north to Buena Vista to begin our next adventure, rafting down class three and four rapids through Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River.  The next day we’ll harness up for a high Aerial course, then head to the local hot springs to unwind. Our final day of adventure will be spent trying out some basic rock climbing in San Isabel National Forest.  We’ll set up various climbing routes for everyone to test their skills and practice what they’ve learned. 

Closing (Day 16):

Pack up and explore Buena Vista and Cottonwood Pass.  We’ll prepare our final banquet and have our last evening together before heading home.

Homeward Bound (Day 17):

Homeward bound