2006 Summer Programs

Three different programs are offered: High Adventure Trips, Primitive Survival Camps and Summer Camps. Each program offers participants many different challenges, and life-long learning opportunities.

Click here for online registration

High Adventure Trips

Charlie Marsden climbing Center Crack at Deer's Leap, Killington, VT

5 days, 4 Nights; BOYS, Ages 14-17

*This camp will fill with a maximum of 8 participants.

Connecticut River Paddling Trip

Participants will learn wilderness living skills as well as experience the beautiful Northeast wilderness!

5 days, 4 Nights Co-ed, Ages 14-17

This trip is spent paddling the Northern Connecticut River by canoe. The trip will focus on paddling techniques, as well as canoe camping skills. Meals will be provided and cooked over open flame, and backpacking stoves. Participants will paddle from Barten, VT south to the Junction with the White River. The river changes rapidly throughout this section, moving from wide slow moving sections, to narrow faster moving water. Participants will camp along the shores on pre-established camp sites. Participants will learn camping skills such as site selection, water filtration, cooking with open flame and backpacking stoves, leave no trace practices, and more. Participants should supply their own sleeping bag and pad, as well as clothing and personal items. Vermont Adventure Tours will provide the paddling equipment such as boats, paddles, personal flotation vests, and waterproof storage.

  *This trip will fill with a maximum of 8 participants.

Mountain Bike Vermont

5 days, 4 Nights Co-ed, Ages 14-17

Participants on the Mtn. Bike Vermont trip will average 20-30 miles a day on a mountain bike!

A 5 day, 4 night co-ed camp spent cross-country mountain biking on some of the best terrain the Green Mountains has to offer. Campers will learn basic and advanced riding skills, basic bike maintenance, riding safety, as well as camping skills. Food is provided; although campers must bring their own bikes. Participants are encouraged to bring their own Front or Full Suspension mountain bike. Participants should have some off-road riding experience and be in reasonable physical condition. Ages 14-17 only. Contact Us for more information.

Participants will learn basic and advanced riding skills, such as high speed-braking and cornering!

*This trip will fill with a maximum of 8 participants.

5 Days,4 Nights Co-ed, Ages 14-17

A 5 day, 4 night co-ed adventure camp that offers some of the most exciting and adventurous activities possible. This camp will combine mountain biking, rock-climbing, white-water paddling, caving, and other awesome adventure activities! Participants will learn how to safely participate in each of these activities, they will learn how to respect the environment, and also learn cooking and camping skills. Food is provided; participants should have prior off-road biking experience, as well as be in good physical condition. Ages 14-17 only. Contact Us for more information.

Participants will be instructed by professional guides.  They will learn and experience high-end adventure skills while on these trips.

*This trip will fill with a maximum of 8 participants

Summer Adventure Camps (ages 5-13)

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Thrill Seekers Camp (Girls and Boys Sessions)

Caving at the Pittsford Ice Caves	Learn to rock climb in Vermont!

Awesome Adventures on the Water	Learn to Kayak on Flat Water

Tadpoles Adventure Camp

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Primitive Skills Courses

Timber Cruiser

A primitive shelter constructed by hand can make a warm and cozy bed on cool summer nights.

5 Days, 4 Nights Co-ed, Ages 13-16

 An adventure based experiential course, devoted to learning primitive woodcraft skills, survival knowledge and back country wisdom through actual hands on experience.     The Timber Cruiser is a non- intimidating course oriented toward the beginner. Our gorals for this five-day wilderness skills course is to take an intensive look at our role as responsible humans in the setting of remote wild lands. While trekking through the most untouched and pristine portions of the Green mountain national Forest (no trails, roads, or signs of human activity), we will begin learning the "wilderness way".  Our method of instruction is through hands on adventure. Today's outdoor arena is filled with high tech gadgets that in some ways take away the real vitality of what the forest means. In this course we ignore the existence of these gadgets and thrive on the accomplishments of our own wisdom and hands. While surrounded by the ultimate classroom, nature, we will practice and use newly acquired skills such as using fire as a tool, building a fire with no matches, advanced wilderness cooking techniques, identifying flora and fauna and their significance, back country navigation, primitive shelter construction, environmental issues and concerns, and much more.  The surrounding wilderness will serve as our hosts as we sleep in shelters of our own creation, and sit around campfires made with no matches, munching on delicious meals prepared in the "old style". In the spirit of the "Timber Cruiser", we will constantly be engulfed in a world of excitement. Weather it is examining a beech tree scarred by the mighty paws of a black bear, traveling through old growth forests in the dead of the night while tree frogs sing their songs and we search for our next campsite, or watching the smoke roll off a bow and drill as we make a fire during the 24 hour long "solo", each participant will have the opportunity to accomplish at the end of the week.  There is no better place to build a foundation for a lasting relationship with the natural world, than the north woods of Vermont.  With that relationship comes the joy and responsibility of being able to protect ourselves from the sometimes-harsh elements of the out of doors.  This is the spirit of the Timber Cruiser and the goal of this special course.

*This program will fill with a maximum of 8 participants. 

The River Runner

Catching Dinner on a Foggy afternoon

For centuries people have traveled Vermont's majestic rivers. Native Americans used them for basic everyday travel, while French trappers used them as trade routes, Log runners used them to float giant log barges to saw mills, and today a lucky few are fortunate enough to paddle them in a quest for adventure, solitude, and beauty. This five-day course is designed for those participants who want to experience that excitement while learning the fine art of wilderness skills. We will paddle through stunning woodlands by way of the canoe, while sleeping under the brilliant stars of the Northeast's skies. Each day we will introduce a new wilderness skill. Areas of focus will be primitive fire making, gourmet open flame cooking and baking, traditional shelter construction, flora, fauna, and there relationship to humans, water gathering, purification, and filtration, the survival attitude, preparation and packing techniques, cordage making, and paddle and portage skills. In a time where the hustle and bustle of modern day technology has spilled over into the back country and created high tech wilderness gizmos and an intense conquer-the-earth attitude, it is refreshing and valuable to get back to the basics and learn how to enjoy yourself by way of relying on your own wilderness skill and wisdom. Our instruction is designed to do just that. With the help of the finest classroom available (the outdoors) our instructors provide one on one learning opportunities while insuring that each participant has an adventure of a lifetime. We believe in educating through experience and adventure, each evening will be spent practicing new skills, munching awesome open flamed cooked meals, laughing and listening to the spring peepers, all the while reflecting on the marvels of the natural world and humans place in it.

*This program will fill with a maximum of 8 participants.

The Art of the Paddle and the Fly

5 Days, 4 Nights Co-ed, Ages 13-16

This is a non-intimidating five-day course directed towards beginners. Our quest will bring us to the northern boundary waters of the mighty Mississiquoi River, which meanders along the border of Quebec and Vermont before diving through the farmlands and forests of the famed Northeast Kingdom. Our goals will be to learn the fine skills of canoe camping and fly fishing, and there is no better place to acquire such talents than the gentle runs, frisky rapids, and remote campsites of the Mississiquoi. Participants will be educated in the ways of the ‘river runner”, such as how to pack, paddle, portage, set up practical camps, and cook mouth watering meals. While Beavers, Kingfishers, and Otters look on we will begin discovering the delicate craft of fly-fishing. Our quarry will be the elusive and stunning trout. Our adventures will lead us up tributaries, through deep clear pools, and stunning riffles where we will learn to cast, tie knots, choose flies, study Entomology, read trout water, and to land the exquisite wild brook, rainbow, or brown trout. As well as learning the skills of fly fishing, time will be spent educating participants about the environmental responsibilities and safety requirements of the fly fisher. This age-old thrill is one that will never be forgotten and will send each participants well on their way to becoming a master adventure angler. Nights will be spent beneath the north countries brilliant star lit skies around a blazing campfire "tellin' fishin' stories", there is no better way to spend a summer vacation in Vermont.

*This program will fill with a maximum of 8 participants.

Registration: Registering for Summer Programs is Easy!Click here for online registration or call us at 802-773-3343

Please be ready to provide your personal info, as well as payment information. (Please note: registering online does not guarantee availability. We will contact you directly regarding your online registration.) Payment, Deposit, and Refunds: 

A $100 non-refundable deposit is due upon registration. This deposit is non-refundable unless the program is canceled by Vermont Adventure Tours.  The remaining balance is due the first day of the program.  Payment may be made in the form of Visa/MC/Discover, cash, or by personal or business check.    

What do you do next: 

Within two weeks of registering you should receive an information packet in the mail. You will find equipment/clothing lists, general itinerary, medical and emergency contact forms, and our liability waiver. You should fill out the forms and return them to us as soon as possible. Also, please notify us of any medical problem or conditions that will affect your participation in a program, as well as any allergies (include foods). You should have all the equipment/clothing well before the start date of the program. It is much easier than running around Sunday night looking for a sleeping bag. If you do not receive any info about your program, please contact us so we can get the packet to you.

Our Guides:

Our staff are recognized as professional guides in the industry. They are required to maintain their Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications.  Our staff all have extensive experience working with summer camps, kids programs, and high adventure activities.  Each member of the staff is required to attend pre-season training two times a year.  This ensures the staff are up to date on the latest safety protocol.  . The staff are overseen by a team of three managers who, together, have more than 30 years of experience in the outdoors.  Our staff are evaluated by professional climbing, paddling, biking, and outdoor guides.  The safety of the participants is always the top priority of every trip.   Click here to learn more about our guides. 

A Word About the Dangers of Adventure Activities:

All Adventure related activities involve risk. We take every step possible to minimize those risks. Our instructors are highly trained professionals, certified in Wilderness First Aid and technical skills. Even so, accidents that result in injury or death are possible. Please be informed of these risks by reading our liability waiver. Even if you don't go with us, please seek qualified instruction.

Please Note: Vermont Adventure Tours reserves the right to cancel any course at anytime due to inadequate registration, weather or for other reasons at our discretion. In the event of a cancellation, you will receive a full refund. However, Vermont Adventure Tours can not be held responsible for other expenses incurred by you as result of the cancellation. All information in this web page is subject to change.