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: Arrive & Head to Colorado Springs
Land in Denver and meet your leaders and group. Travel to Colorado Springs and settle into your campsite at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Kick things off with time to connect and settle in under the Colorado sky.

Day 2: Garden of the Gods Hike
Spend the day exploring the stunning red rock formations of Garden of the Gods. Hike through towering spires and scenic trails as you take in your first big taste of Colorado’s natural beauty.

Day 3: Transfer to Mission: Wolf
Drive south toward the mountains and arrive at Mission: Wolf, a sanctuary for rescued wolves. Tour the site, get oriented, and set up camp for the days ahead.

Days 4–6: Wolf Sanctuary Service & Westcliffe Visit
Dive into hands-on projects like feeding the wolves, chopping firewood, and helping with fencing and basic construction. Learn about wolf behavior and reintroduction efforts. On Day 6, head into the town of Westcliffe for pizza, ice cream, and a well-earned break.

Days 7–8: More Wolf Work & Mountain Hiking
Wrap up your service time at Mission: Wolf with continued care and connection. Hike trails in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains and reflect on the week’s work.

Day 9: Head to Buena Vista
Say goodbye to the sanctuary and travel to Buena Vista, your new base for high mountain adventure. Settle in and prepare for the days ahead.

Day 10: Whitewater Raft & Hike the Continental Divide
Raft Class II–III rapids through Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River. In the afternoon, hike Cottonwood Pass for expansive views from the Continental Divide.

Day 11: Paddleboard & Soak in Hot Springs
Stand-up paddleboard in a calm stretch of river, then unwind at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, soaking with views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 12: Great Sand Dunes National Park
Explore the tallest dunes in North America—hike, climb, and try out sandboarding. Stop at waterfalls in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on your way back to camp.

Day 13: Rock Climb & Final Celebration
Learn climbing basics in the San Isabel National Forest and spend your last full day on nearby trails. End the night with a final RLT banquet under the stars.

Day 14: Homeward Bound
Wake up early, pack up, and travel back to Denver for flights home.

We camp in the Colorado wilderness for the full 14 days—surrounded by forests, mountains, and big open skies.

Tent Camping Only
Participants sleep in shared tents—2 per 3-person tent or 3 per 4-person tent—with groupings by gender. All tents are provided by RLT.

Rustic Toilets + Showers
Bathrooms are a mix of latrines and flush toilets. Showers are available every 3–4 days, even when facilities are nearby, to help conserve water and time.

Shared Responsibility
Teens help with meal prep, camp upkeep, and group logistics. Living in community is a key part of the experience.

What to Expect
Mountain sunrises, simple routines, and nights spent under the stars with your crew.

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.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

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.