Adventure Leadership 1

CHE: Junior High Adventure Leadership

Please direct all questions to michaela@ventureoff.org

Course Description:

This course provides the base level of training focused on beginner techniques in the outdoors. The class will encompass intro-level training in outdoor and leadership skills, with a spotlight on exciting sports like climbing and canyoneering. We focus on leadership and teamwork through physical and mental challenges. Most of all, Junior High Adventure Leadership allows students to explore their abilities and passions for the outdoors. 

Course Objectives:

In this class, students will practice:

  • Knot Tying
  • Base Camp Skills
  • Safe Harnessing
  • Outdoor Safety
  • Cleaning of Equipment
  • Rappelling / Braking
  • Climbing / Canyoneering
  • Anchors
  • Navigation
  • Backpacking
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Teamwork
  • Humility
  • Serving Others
  • Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Patience
  • Communication

Certifications: 

With successful completion of this course, students can gain a Wilderness First Aid certification.  

Scope and Sequence:

This course is designed to develop students’ passion for outdoor leadership and give them valuable technical skills. No prior knowledge or experience is required or needed to be a part of this class. Class time will be comprised of an initial teaching time, with space for practice at the end. Eventually, bigger opportunities to test their knowledge and skills will come with climbing and canyoneering trips. By the end of this course, students will learn technical skills including adequate knowledge of knots, outdoor safety, and repelling. Also, confidence in critical decision-making and experience working with other people in many different situations. This course can be taken for the acquisition of new skills or as part of a larger trajectory to become an adventure guide after high school.

Course Materials and Resources:

In class daily:

  • Binder or notebook
  • Pen/Pencil 
  • Appropriate activewear (for the current weather conditions)

*If a day requires any additional materials, families will be notified prior to class

Gear:

Various technical gear will be required throughout the course. All technical gear will be provided for in-class activities and outdoor activities. A thorough gear list will be provided prior to an upcoming trip.

Grading Policies:

As a homeschool enrichment class, we do not issue grades or credits.  However, this class is designed to help gain certifications in Wilderness First Aid and canyoneering, which require successful completion of material to gain certification. 

Technology: 

Phones, tablets, and laptops will not be permitted in class for note-taking, or other purposes, except when they are required for assignments or occasionally with permission to do assignments in class.

Schedule: 

CHE JH Adv. Schedule

CHE JH Adv. - Fall 2025 Schedule

# Class Type Date Range Topic Hours
1Class9/1 - 9/6Why do we do what we do? / Teambuilding/ Leave No Trace3
2Day Trip9/8 - 9/1314er8
3Class9/15 - 9/20Camping and Backpacking Basics: Fire building/LNT Review/Camp Selection/Cooking3
4Class9/22 - 9/27Camping review/Knots/Hitches3
5Overnight Trip9/22 - 9/27Camping/Solitude Trip24
6Class9/29 - 10/4Climbing: YDS/Terms/Gear3
7Class10/6 - 10/11Climbing: Moves3
8Class10/13 - 10/18Climbing: Belaying/Communication3
9Class10/20 - 10/25Climbing: Belaying3
10Day Trip10/20 - 10/25Local Climbing Day Trip8
11Class10/27 - 11/1Teambuilding/Soft Skills3
12Class11/3 - 11/8Intro Anchors3
13Class11/10 - 11/15Intro Rappels3
14Class11/17 - 11/22Ascending3
15Day Trip11/17 - 11/22Local Climbing Day Trip8
16Class12/1 - 12/5Rappelling and self rescue3
17Class12/8 - 12/12Trip Debrief/Canyoneering Review3
18Party12/15 - 12/20Semester Debrief/ Party3
Total Hours90

CHE JH Adv. - Spring 2026 Schedule

# Class Type Date Topic Hours
1Class1/19 - 1/24Wilderness First Aid3
2Class1/26 - 1/31Wilderness First Aid3
3Class2/2 - 2/7Wilderness First Aid3
4Class2/9 - 2/14Wilderness First Aid3
5Class2/16 - 2/21Wilderness First Aid3
6Class2/23 - 2/28Climbing Review3
7Day Trip2/23 - 2/28Indoor Climbing Day5
8Class3/2 - 3/7Knots and Hitches3
9Class3/9 - 3/14Canyoneering: Rappels3
10Class3/16 - 3/21Canyoneering: Rappels3
11Class3/30 - 4/4Canyoneering: Z-rig3
12----4/6 - 4/11----0
13Day Trip4/13 - 4/18Local Climbing Day8
14Class4/20 - 4/25Trip prep/Soft Skills10
15Overnight Trip4/27 - 5/2Canyoneering Trip40
16Party5/4 - 5/9Debrief/Party3
Total Hours96

Cost:

Families are being offered access to this class at no cost because this class is a Colorado Homeschool Enrichment (CHE) program. CHE is a publicly funded program to benefit homeschooled and private schooled students with programs to enrich their standard course load.  All students must enroll with CHE starting in the spring to be prepared to start class in the fall. Eligible students must NOT be enrolled in any other publicly funded program at the time of enrollment.  

*Ineligible students may pay $4500 out of pocket for the course.  

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