Adventure Trips for Teens

Safe Adventures
Safety is our number one priority. We hire and train mature staff certified in wilderness first aid and life guarding who are experienced in leading overnight trips. Leaders set guidelines for camper behavior, instruct campers in safety procedures, and report to the administration at Chingachgook throughout the trip.

Tradition
Chingachgook Adventure Trips are the culmination of a history of extended camping trips begun in 1912. Summer camp has always offered three- to four-day canoeing and backpacking trips on Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the southern Adirondacks. In 1966, two-week Adventure Trips began. Today, Chingachgook offers over 30 Teen Adventure Trips each summer, hosting 250 youth on adventures of a lifetime.

Character Development
A Chingachgook Teen Adventure Trip teaches and instills the YMCA's four core values: responsibility, respect, honesty, and caring. Stepping away from the normal routine on a wilderness adventure naturally develops these values. They emerge continually while helping to prepare and clean up group meals, encouraging each other through physical and mental challenges, and choosing the moment to step up and lead. Our teens gain self-confidence, self-awareness, and skills in leadership and teamwork—all of which help them throughout their lives.

Adventures right in our backyard
You don't have to travel far to get that away-from-it-all feeling. Chingachgook sits at the base of two majestic mountains on the shore of Lake George in the Adirondack State Park of New York. Here you find some of the oldest mountains in the world, lots of wilderness, and more than 100 of the most beautiful lakes and waterways in the country including Lake George. Known as the Queen of American Lakes, Lake George is 32 miles long and offers fantastic swimming, kayaking, and sailing. Chingachgook is located near other natural attractions including the Green Mountains of Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts. This proximity to so many great wilderness areas makes our trips affordable, practical, and efficient. We use new, 12-passenger vans for transportation.

Variety
Chingachgook Adventure Trips offer myriad activities, destination, durations, and degrees of challenge, so there's always a trip that's just right for you:

• Sailing
• Kayaking
• Boat Building
• Canoeing
• Rock Climbing
• Community Service
• White-Water Rafting
• Hiking and Backpacking
• Bicycle Touring
• Mountain Biking

Biking

Pedal through some of Vermont's finest biking areas, from the forested Green Mountains to the wild Northeast Kingdom. Camp at state parks and campgrounds as you progress from riding on dirt roads to double and single-track trails. A support van takes us to each area for day rides throughout this weeklong adventure for beginning to intermediate riders. Rating: B

Ferry to Martha's Vineyard to experience the cyclist's haven of Cape Cod as you enjoy a week of riding along the bikeways. Sample Cape cuisine, swim at the beautiful beaches, become awestruck by the amazing cliffs of Aquinnah, enjoy pedaling through the sunset-lit forest, visit the local landmarks, and more. The youth hostel in West Tisbury provides your home base. Rating: B

Hiking

If you’re looking for a hard-core adventure, you’ve found it. Offered for physically prepared, high-energy hikers who love to go for it, the Adirondack 46er Adventure Trip is an intense backpacking classic. Each camper strives to become an Adirondack 46er while working as a team, living in a small community, and exploring the first American wilderness while climbing the 46 High Peaks. Backpack into remote home-base sites and then spend a few days hiking up the 4,000-foot or higher mountains in that area. Campers must be at least 14 years old. Rating: A

Enjoy views along the spectacular mountains of the High Peaks wilderness area. Savor the feeling of accomplishment as you reach some 4,000-foot summits to catch amazing views. This exceptional journey into the Adirondacks south of Heart Lake takes you into the core of the High Peaks region. We set up secluded base camps in the wilderness and spend our days bagging whatever summits peak our interest. Rating: B            Adirondack Great Range August 2 – 7 Bag peaks in the Great Range of the Adirondacks on this one-week backpacking and hiking trip. You'll backpack into the John's Brook area and day hike to catch amazing views from over 4,000 feet elevation on Lower Wolf Jaw, Big Slide, Little Marcy, Little Haystack, and beyond. Combine this trip with Adirondack High Summits for a spectacular summer of summits in two of the best areas of the Adirondacks. Rating: B            back to the top Water Trips Southern White Water June 28 – July 10 We’ll have a blast on our rodeo ride down the raging New River Gorge in West Virginia in a raft or in our own inflatable boats. Any white-water enthusiast would love to be on this trip tackling Class I to V rapids. No experience required, just an eagerness to get wet and ride the waves. Supported by a van, we’ll travel to the Cheat and New Rivers of West Virginia, and to Pennsylvania’s famous Youghigheny River. Run some of the finest white-water rivers in the southeast and learn to read the water. Try white-water kayaking, rafting, and play boating with new friends. We camp at state parks and campgrounds. Rating: B            Sail Lake George I and II July 19 – 24; August 9 – 14 Lake George is one of the most beautiful lakes in North America and is known as the Queen of American Lakes. We explore this pristine lake while learning boat navigation as we sail north from Camp Chingachgook and through the Narrows and Mother Bunch Islands. Learn the thrill and technique of sailing 24-foot sailboats, as we learn to read the wind, tie knots, jibe, and tack. Swim in crystal-clear water, go fender-boarding, and share evening campfires on island and shoreline campsites. If you like learning new skills, making new friends, and feeling the wind blow through your hair, you’ll like sailing on Lake George. Rating: C            Kayak Lake George not offered in 2009 Kayak touring is a recreational activity taking outdoor enthusiasts by storm, and we are excited to offer kayaking adventures on Lake George. From Camp Chingachgook we paddle north to the Narrows and Mother Bunch clusters of islands. We learn basic kayaking techniques while we visit and explore the surrounding mountains, play on and in the water, and camp among the many beautiful island and shoreline campsites. This adventure offers the independence of paddling a one-person kayak while enjoying the camaraderie of group travel. Rating: B            Major Rivers of New York July 12 – 17 Become a white-water enthusiast as you raft and kayak on famous New York rivers on this weeklong white-water extravaganza. Work your way through the spectacular Adirondack Mountains as you travel westward, paddling a new river each day and building your skills from the Hudson River all the way out to the Black River. You'll camp at nearby state parks and experience some of the best rapids in New York. Campers must be at least 12 years old. Rating: B           > Canadian Waterways July 12 – 24 Follow the footsteps of generations of native people on a paddling and camping journey through Canada's vast wilderness. The Algonquin Park offers miles of canoe routes through pristine, moose and loon habitats, and Lake Huron presents a vast coastline ideal for paddling by sea kayak along the Georgian Bay. The Ottawa River offers great white-water rafting to complete your two weeks of exploring the spectacular waterways of Ontario. Passport required. Rating: B            Kayak Lake Champlain not offered in 2009 Tour the Northeast's largest inland waterway on this one-week paddling excursion. Bordered on the west by the Adirondacks and on the east by the Green Mountains of Vermont, Lake Champlain presents incredible beauty. Sea kayaks are easy to paddle, offer unbounded delight and independence on the water, and provide for a relatively easy-going journey. Join a fun group of teens in exploring and camping on the shores, islands, and beaches. Rating: B            Kayak Lake George End to End I and II July 12 – 17; August 9 – 14 Set out to paddle all 32 miles of one of the northeast’s most beautiful waterways. The journey begins at the southern end of Lake George at Million Dollar beach and then heads north past scenic bays and majestic mountains. We camp among the hundreds of state-owned islands while seeking hidden natural treasures that have made Lake George one of the most popular lakes in the Adirondacks. Our objective is to reach the northern end of the lake at the town of Ticonderoga. Rating: B            Adirondack Waterways July 26 – 31 Ride the wild waves of the Adirondacks! We learn the thrill and technique of sailing and kayaking on Lake George and we camp among the hundreds of islands that dot the lake. Then we head northwest for our next water adventures: white-water rafting and kayaking on the Hudson River. We build our paddling and sailing skills toward peak performance on this great water-sport sampler. Rating: B            Boat Building July 26 – August 7 Experience the delight of constructing and then paddling your own 14-foot, open and flat-bottomed boat—then take it home with you. Spend the first week in Camp building your craft and getting to know the campers on your trip. The final reward comes the second week as we venture out in our boats on a classic Adirondack canoe route. No previous woodworking experience is necessary, just determination to carefully construct a simple boat. Materials are included. Rating: B            back to the top Variety Adventure Camp I, II, and III June 28 – July 10; July 12 – 24; and July 26 – August 7 Here is a way to enjoy summer camp at Chingachgook and a thrilling five-day adventure trip. Spend the first five days as a senior camper spending mornings in regular skill classes, eating meals in the dining hall, and attending evening programs. In the afternoons participate in adventure programs such as sailing, rock climbing, and rafting. Leave for a fiveday canoe and hiking trip on Saturday and return when summer camp hikes return on Wednesday. You and your trip companions are in for the best of both worlds—summer camp and an adventure trip—in Adventure Camp. Rating: B            Adirondack Grand Slam June 28 – July 10 An expansion of our Rock ’n Roll trip, these two action-packed weeks will have you exploring the water and land all over the spectacular Adirondacks. We’ll fit in a multi-day canoe trip along the classic canoe waterways and time to play in a variety of boats in the white water of some of the big rivers like the Moose and the Hudson River Gorge. By land, we’ll mountain bike the extensive networks of trails, hike in the High Peaks, and rock climb in the famous Keene Valley area. We camp at state campgrounds and back country sites. Rating: B            New England Grand Slam July 12 – 24 Experience the best of New England—from the shores of Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island in Maine to the lofty heights of the Long Trail in Vermont. Who hasn’t wanted to hike the great range in the White Mountains, look for humpback whales off Southwest Harbor, and white-water raft the impressive rivers of Maine? Grab a paddle, a bike, a pair of hiking boots, or a climbing harness, as each day offers a new adventure in New England’s diverse wilderness. Rating: B            Maine Multisport July 26 – August 7 The land and waters of Maine offer a paradise for adventures. Powerful rivers give way to waterfalls for inspiration, large inland lakes provide great canoeing, and rambunctious rivers such as the Kennebec offer white-water rafting. Mountains abound for summitting, rock walls for rock climbing, and trails for hiking (such as the Appalachian Trail). And we haven’t even gotten to the coast, with its wild, rocky shoreline rich with sea life along which we’ll paddle for several days in sea kayaks. We camp at state campgrounds and backcountry sites during our two weeks enjoying the best of Maine. Campers must be at least 14 years old. Rating: B            Rock 'n Roll I and II July 19 – July 24; August 2 – 7 If you love to rock climb, white-water raft, and mountain bike, this trip is for you. Rock ’n Roll is a great introduction to a variety of outdoor activities in the North Country. Spend two days rock climbing in Keene Valley, two days rolling through the Adirondacks on mountain bikes, and a fast-paced day of white-water rafting on the Hudson River. This is one of the most action-packed trips we offer. Rating: B            Adirondack Explorers July 5 – 10 Sample the best of the Adirondacks on land and by water in one fantastic week. You'll day hike in the High Peaks region, ride mountain bikes for an introduction to basic trail riding at Mt Van Hovenberg, learn to rock climb in famous Keene Valley, white-water raft on the Hudson, and war canoe on Lake George out to an island. Camp at local campgrounds along the way. Rating: B            back to the top Community Service Habitat for Humanity 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 June 28 – July 3; July 19 – 24; July 26 – July 31; August 2 – 7; and August 9 – 14 Help those less fortunate on a one-week service project working on a house that Habitat for Humanity Thousand Island Chapter is constructing or refurbishing. Daily responsibilities may include landscaping, foundation work, demolition, painting, installing insulation, and simple carpentry. After work, participate in adventures such as kayaking, sight-seeing along the St. Lawrence Seaway, or hitting the mini golf course. If the house has been assigned to a family, hope to meet them along the way. Give part of your summer to service. Campers must be at least 14 years old. Rating: C            back to the top Rock-Climbing Major Rock of the Northeast June 28 – July 10 This adventure has us literally climbing the walls. Each day of this two-week, rock-climbing extravaganza offers new routes and techniques. From the Shawangunk, Pawtuckway, and White Mountains to the ledges above the salty waters of Maine, we’ll challenge ourselves with top roping, bouldering, multi-pitch routes, and more. We’ll belay, build anchors, and practice basic safety procedures. We travel by van and camp in nearby state campgrounds and parks. Rating: B            back to the top Trips for 11 and 12 Year Olds Bike Tour of Adirondack Lakes June 28 – July 3 If you like to swim, camp, and bike, this trip is for you! The Adirondacks' many lakes and secluded ponds, such as Limekiln, the Fulton Chain of Lakes, and Raquette Lake, are our destinations for day rides. This troop of young road-biking enthusiasts will pedal around the Santanoni Preserve, explore the beautiful Adirondack State Park, and take a refreshing swim each day. A support van accompanies us with our gear and supplies. Rating: B            Bike Tour of Lake Champlain Not offered in 2009 Tour the Northeast's largest inland waterway on this one-week cycling excursion. Bordered by the Adirondacks on one side and the Green Mountains on the other, Lake Champlain offers multiple bike loops and rail trails on both the New York and Vermont sides, each offering plenty of sights and beaches along the coastlines and islands. Camping at state parks and campgrounds along the way, you'll enjoy rides to new destinations daily; and possibly even pedal to Canada. Rating: B            Adirondack Waterways I and II July 26 – 31; August 9 – 14 Ride the wild waves of the Adirondacks! We learn the thrill and technique of sailing and kayaking on Lake George and we camp among the hundreds of islands that dot the lake. Then we head northwest for more water adventures: white-water rafting and kayaking on the Hudson River. We build our paddling and sailing skills toward peak performance on this great sampler of water sports. Rating: B            Adirondack Explorers I and II July 19 – 24; August 2 – 7 < Sample the best of the Adirondacks in one week on land and by water. You'll be day hiking in the High Peaks region, getting an introduction to basic trail riding at Mt. Van Hovenberg on mountain bikes, learning to rock climb in the famous Keene Valley area, white-water rafting on the Hudson, and war canoeing on Lake George. You'll be camping at local campgrounds along the way. Rating: B            back to the top Leadership Development Trips Southwest Sea and Sand June 28 – July 17 This exciting three-week leadership adventure will have you exploring the southwest and your own leadership potential. Investigate leadership styles, interpersonal communication, and motivational skills through hands-on learning in a variety of workshops, cultural experiences and adventure activities such as backpacking in the Sierra Mountains, sea kayaking along the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, participating in community service, and surfing the Pacific waves. Each participant will have the opportunity to lead the group along the way. This trip includes airfare and has a minimum age requirement of 15. Passport required. Rating: B            back to the top

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