WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE
Vermont Adventure Camps?
We understand you have several options when choosing a safe outdoor adventure for your teen. Below are some of the many reasons Vermont Adventure Camps is the best choice.
Why is Vermont Adventure Camps a better choice for your teen than other Adventure Camps?
- We hire the best staff from all over the country and the world.
- Most of our staff has lots of experience in the outdoors with Adventure or Nature related Majors in college or Degrees. All of our staff has to have outdoor certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, Mountaineering certificates, and Kayaking certificates.
- We hire actual Guides and outdoor instructors for our staff. We run a professional guide service in New England and in South Carolina.
- Students Stay in a rustic camp ground and experience real camping. They stay in small cabins and tents on tent platforms. They get some meals cooked for them and others they cook over open fires. They have hot showers available for them in our modern bath house.
- Our Adventures are some of the best outdoor adventures on the market. We offer adventures that no others offer in New England. We have the best adventures period!!
OUTSTANDING VALUE
While our programs are not inexpensive, we work hard to provide outstanding value for your hard earned dollars. We take your investment seriously and provide the best instructors, great food, nice vans, and great specialty guides. Many people are amazed that a high quality program that limits enrollment, provides one of the lowest instructor to student ratios in the industry, and can be priced more reasonably than other quality programs. We can charge less because we manage office expenses wisely, spend far less on marketing due to our high student return rate, and operate educational programs all year long. We strive to give you the best possible return on your investment.
SAFETY FIRST
You will be entrusting us with your teens life at some points through out the week. We acknowledge this responsibility and make every decision in the field based on your trust. Safety is our primary goal and we are extremely proud of our outstanding safety record.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
At Vermont Adventure Camps we enjoy getting to know every person. Our intentional small size allows us to give every person personal attention. Our office staff are experienced professionals who are also instructors during the summer. We will gladly answer any questions you may have. We will help you decide which trip is the best fit for your teen.
Our summer staff ratio of one instructor for every five teens allows every one to receive individual attention throughout the trip. Director & Owner, William Williams, try's to get to know each student as well as personally guiding some of the adventures.
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS
Typically Vermont Adventure Camps students actively choose our program, arrive eager to participate in activities, and take on challenges willingly. People have joined us from all over the U.S. and several countries around the world. We help ensure a successful experience by taking the time to match each student with the most appropriate adventure considering age and challenge level. When motivated students are teamed with excellent counselors and guides in a positive community, they make long-lasting friendships, learn valuable skills, and have the time of their lives.
INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIO
We maintain a 1:4 instructor to student ratio. This ratio becomes even lower for activities such as Whitewater rafting or rock climbing. We are proud that 60% of our instructors return every year. This ensures that the high quality of our programs remains consistent. With an average age of 23 years, our instructors bring plenty of real world experience, safety-conscious maturity, and a fun-loving attitude to each adventure.
VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES
No other program offers as many different activities on each trip. Vermont Adventure Camp is a great way for teens new to the outdoors to explore a wider variety of activities.
Kayaking Slow Moving Rivers
Southern Vermont has many great areas to tour by kayak. Kayaks are prefect vehicles to spot wildlife or have an awesome afternoon. We also teach basic flat-water kayak paddling techniques, as well as correct ways to enter and exit your boat. We run paddling trips on the Ompompanoosuc River, CT River, White River, and many more. Enjoy the wildlife and tranquility. We can take you on many rivers and lakes.
White Water Kayaking Instruction
We will fit you into a kayak and then we will head out to the White River or Sumner Falls. Both places are perfect for beginner kayakers. We will teach you how to paddle you kayak in small rapids and teach you all of the different techniques that you will need to know. If you want to break into the sport or just get out for the day to do something different this will surely be a thrill.
Multi Day River Trips
Kayak through the rural Vermont countryside with fine views of the Green Mountains. You are most likely to see many covered bridges, and wildlife on the paddle down the river. You will paddle until lunch time and then have a leisurely lunch on the banks of the river. There may be some portages to get around dams, etc. After lunch, we will continue to paddle the river. Once we reach a good camping spot, we will take out of the river and set up camp. We will teach you how to properly set up camp beside a river making the least amount of impact. We will enjoy a wonderful dinner that everyone will pitch in to help make. After dinner, depending on the location, there could be an optional night hike. You will be sure to get a good night's sleep with the sounds of the river and nature in the background. The next morning you will wake up, eat and pack for another day on the river. If we happen to pass any towns that you are interested in, we can stop so you can walk around and visit the town.
Hiking
If your outdoor interests are piqued by the prospect of hiking a diverse trail system over varied terrain, encountering panoramic vistas, breathing fresh mountain air, splashing in brisk alpine streams, and resting in forests abundant with wildlife, then you have found your outdoor paradise in the mountains and woodlands of Vermont. Yes, Vermont is a wonderful place to hike and explore. Vermont offers miles of woodland walks, hikes and trails in every region of the state.
Overnight Backpacking Treks
Backpacking for anyone, we will guide you on a trek through the Vermont woods. You can come with your own pack or use one of ours. We will go over what people have brought and make sure everyone has what they will need as well as leave behind things that are not need. On this adventure, you will hike through the woods of Vermont on the long trail and the summit trails just off from the long trail, experience the canopy of songs from wild birds in the big woods. It is always a great time to hike in the Vermont woods. The air is crisp and views are breathtaking. The essentials of backpacking will be taught. From hydration, setting up camp, leave no trace, pace setting, food preparation, and much more.
Rock Climbing Instruction
Our rock climbing is for beginner and intermediate climbers. This is the first step in learning how to rock climb. You are never too young or too old to start climbing. This course teaches participants the fundamental skills needed to participate in top rope climbing. Students will learn how to tie into the climbing rope, how to belay another climber on top rope, how to properly anchor themselves while belaying, and basic climbing technique. Climbing safety will constantly be stressed during this course. The next step in improving your climbing skills and technical knowledge is to learn how to set anchors. Students may watch the guide build top rope anchors using natural protection: ie, trees, boulders, and natural features of the rock. Students will also learn to rappel using a back-up method.
Rappelling
Abseiling, rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection. Abseiling can be dangerous, and presents risks, this is why our experienced guides will teach you what you need to know for a safe day out on the rock. You can choose to rappel 20 feet to 100 feet. You will have fun no matter what.
Gorgineering
Welcome to the northeast’s version of canionerring. VAC will take you down a gorge from the top to the bottom. You will rappel into the gorge where you will be hooked up onto safety lines that we attach on the rocks in the river. From here you will stay on rope as you maneuver down the river. The currents are strong and we will show you how to safely maneuver over rocks and through holes. We ask all participants to wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. If it is cold we will provide you will wet suits.
Mountain Biking Back Roads and Trails
Tours are for all ability levels, beginner to expert. We also offer mountain bike skill clinics. Each tour can be customized to fit your desires and to give you a great experience while you are with us. Riding skills, bike handling, exposure to various terrain surfaces, trail etiquette, and environmental impacts are all issues and topics you will learn. Our tours are geared to any ability level, beginner to experienced riders alike. We offer mountain bike rides from quiet Vermont country dirt roads to classic New England Trail. The Connecticut River Valley.
Caving
Explore one of the areas spectacular caves with us leading the way. This trip is not for people that are claustrophobic. You will go deep into the ground exploring the underworld. You will have to go through some very small holes to get to large underground rooms. We will take you to underground streams and waterfalls. You will see some spectacular rock formations. You will go over the Waterfall, go to the Lake, go to the Scenic over look, and go down the Funnel.
Surfing Instruction
Whether you are brand spankin' new to surfing, just a little curious about getting out on a board you will find all the information and instruction needed to get up on a wave, up and riding...and ripping (note: ripping is good). We will need to leave early for Hampton Beach where you will be trying out surfing and spending the day at the beach. This is a great time and you may even learn to catch a big wave.
White Water Rafting
The class II and III rapids on our trip are ideal for beginner and intermediate rafters, and the unspoiled valley creates the perfect setting for wilderness adventure. Our 6-mile trip begins at Fife Brook Dam. Rapids such as Microwave, Freight Train, and Pinball allow crews to hone their skills in preparation for the raging Whitewater of Zoar Gap. We will have lunch on the river.
Tubing
Tubing will put you and your friends at camp in our specially designed river tubes for fun ride down the wild and scenic White River. Traveling over multiple sets of rapids, you'll experience a thrill as you splash through the white water.
