W. Alton Jones Campus




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!