We believe that time and experience in the natural world are essential to growing into a fully realized human being. Deer Hill offers a variety of educational and group bonding experiences for a wide-range of middle and high schools. Our programs are especially potent as a capstone/culminating experience, or as a beginning to a new academic year in support of building rapport, trust, and cohesion as a group/cohort is forming.
We partner with colleges in support of faculty-led programming related to leadership, environmental science, reciprocal service in Indigenous communities, and more.
Deer Hill empowers students to connect authentically with each other and themselves by utilizing the powerful and grounding nature of a wilderness experience.
Our program activities vary naturally to keep students engaged, challenged, and working as a team, while they also include time for reflection and solitude at the end of each day.
We work closely with you to design a program that aligns with your curriculum and desired outcomes, creating an unforgettable capstone learning experience.
Engagement with the natural world and different cultural contexts provides essential learning experiences and insights that compliment and expand upon the classroom model. Students benefit from relaxing the analytical mind that (over) emphasizes metrics, hard facts, and test scores. Instead, they enter the world of experiential learning, wherein they are steeped in a joyful sense of adventure, the responsibilities inherent to an expedition, the awe and wonder of an infinite starry sky, and the relational nuances of reciprocal service among Indigenous communities. Tremendous learning takes place as students form deeper connections with self, each other, and the natural world. This learning translates seamlessly into the rest of their lives, including school/academia.
Partner with us to create a transformational experience for your students.
Customizable Program Options
River & Reciprocal Service Learning
Generally, the program takes place on the San Juan River, a vital contributor to the Colorado River basin. The scenery is spectacular: red rock canyon walls, sandy beaches, desert flora and fauna, and epic sunrises, sunsets, and starry skies. We’ll start with learning the basics of Expedition Behavior. Groups will navigate Class I-III+ rapids, learn to set up/take down camp, prepare meals together, explore Ancestral Puebloan cultural sites, learn/practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and more. Each evening ends with “Circle”, a time for intentional reflection. Saying farewell to the river, the group begins their time learning with Indigenous hosts through cultural exchange and reciprocal service. Many students say this is the most profound and rewarding part of their journey.
Backpacking & Reciprocal Service Learning
There is tremendous beauty in the seemingly simple act of walking in the natural world. It has been a fundamental part of our collective human history, and remains a powerful tool for learning and connection. Deer Hill has permits in some of the most beautiful and breathtaking wilderness areas of the U.S., including the epic red rock canyons of Southeast Utah (Spring/Fall) and the spectacular alpine environment of the San Juan Mountains (Summer).
We’ll start with learning the basics of Expedition Behavior. Groups will navigate varied desert/canyon or mountain terrain, learning about the local geology and ecology. They’ll learn to setup/take down camp, learn the art of backcountry cooking, learn/practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and take time in the evening for guided reflection. Leaving the wilderness, the group begins their time learning with Indigenous hosts through cultural exchange and reciprocal service. Many students say this is the most profound and rewarding part of their journey.
River, Backpacking, Service
Combine all 3 elements for a powerful and immersive 18-21 day program more akin to our summer open enrollment expeditions. Over the years we have found the combination of river, service learning, and mountains to be a powerful and effective platform for transformation in our participants.
Create Your Expedition with Deer Hill
You provide the group, we guide the experience. Certain activities are dependent on the season, but we operate year-round. Inquire online to discover how partnering with Deer Hill supports and enhances your goals for your students/group.
- Review the suggestions above (more options available)
- Contact the Outreach Manager by submitting an inquiry (see below)
- The Outreach Manager works closely with you to design a program for your group