Rock ‘N’ Trail is a backpacking and rock climbing
adventure for ages 13-16. Two trained expedition leaders will
guide a maximum of ten participants on an expedition that
takes place in some of the most scenic natural areas of Rhode
Island and nearby Connecticut. It is an expedition that involves
many skills and challenges combined with outdoor living and
group cooperation. During the expedition you will participate
in the W. Alton Jones Campus' low-ropes challenge
course, the exuberance of carrying your provisions on your back
and the thrill of climbing a rock ledge and rappelling back
down. As you hike down the trail you will be camping out under
the stars as you backpack to a new primitive campsite each night.
Sunday afternoon is spent checking in, settling in to your
screen house, getting to know your group-mates and leaders,
and taking a swim test at the lake. After eating a hot
meal at the Poor Farm picnic area there will be an all-group
orientation to the programs and some group time. An
all-expeditions game is followed by a campfire by the barn and
bed time.
You and your trip mates will meet
the physical challenges of the low elements ropes course that
involves group cooperation, trust and problem solving. These
are important elements of working together and will help establish
strong group dynamics for a successful trip.
You will spend three days backpacking through the
W. Alton Jones Campus and the adjoining land in Rhode Island's
Arcadia Management Area and Connecticut's Pachaug State Forest.
This 40,000 acre area is one of the largest preserved regions
in southern New England and is home to diverse wildlife.
Your group will work together to navigate the trails past
lakes, a waterfall, across streams, and over hills using a map and
compass.
At the end of each day of backpacking you will help set up the
campsite and cook dinner. Everyone will share in the
duties of setting up camp and preparing meals. Food will be
cooked over small camp stoves, and dishes washed with biodegradable
soap far from the water's edge. After dinner, the group might
take a night walk, play games, stargaze or just relax at the
campsite. In keeping with the principles of leave-no-trace camping,
all trash will be carried out and not a trace will be left
when we break camp and continue hiking the next morning. It
is important to be sensitive to the natural areas that we visit.
Back at camp your instructors will teach
you the basics of rock climbing, rappelling, and safety
systems. You will learn how to safely tie knots and use climbing
equipment. We will visit a local rock gym to practice our
skills. A sense of accomplishment and a view over the treetops
will be our reward as we scale up and rappel down cliff faces at a
unique local climbing
site. Since the backpacking and climbing take place at
different locations, when transportation is needed a W. Alton Jones staff member will drive
participants in a URI authorized passenger van.
Participants of Rock N’ Trail
should be in reasonably good physical condition that will
enable them to backpack for more than five miles a day (with
reasonable rest stops). If you are unsure of your physical
condition, do some exercising before the trip. Bike riding,
jogging, swimming, lots of brisk walking, push-ups, and pull-ups
are some good ways to get muscles in shape. All participants
are expected to cooperate with fellow group members and leaders
and abide by all rules. In preparing for the expedition, you
may want to spend some time thinking about why you have chosen
this trip and what you hope to learn from your wilderness
expedition. Experience is not a requirement, but a positive
attitude and a willingness to have fun while learning is!
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