Off-site - Experience Learning

Off-site Learning Programs

We offer a variety of off-site wilderness courses to meet the specific needs of individual schools. The location and content of the courses varies but the themes of hands-on education, real world experience, group living, and individual responsibility remain the same.

Within these programs, each group will move as a self-contained unit as they travel to different primitive campsites. Each day, they will set up camp, cook, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and grow as a team. The following is a list of our most popular offsite expeditions. If you have an idea for a program in a specific area please contact our Program Manager, at 304-606-3233, or at info@experience-learning.org for more information.

Backpack & Climb Along the Appalachian Trail

This trip is based out of either the Michaux State Forest Pennsylvania or Stokes State Forest in Branchville New Jersey. The expedition offers access to a beautiful stretch of the Appalachian Trail, rock climbing, and countless opportunities for scenic vistas and exploration. These trip sites can be used for any group size and courses can be tailored to fit any desired amount of days.

Hike, Climb, & Raft Along the Appalachian Trail

On this exciting multi-sport sampler, the group will backpack along the Appalachian Trail as it winds through the high country of Western Maryland. Along the way they will stop at Annapolis Rocks to learn and practice climbing and rappelling skills and the Shenandoah River just above its confluence with the Potomac for a half day of whitewater rafting. A visit to the nearby town of Harper’s Ferry drives home the historical significance of this unique area. This trip site can be used for any group size and is typically four to five days in length.

Potomac Historic Paddling Expedition

This paddling expedition offers participants the opportunity to experience the rich history and geography of the Potomac River just as early settlers did – paddling canoes, setting up camp alongside the river, and cooking outdoors. We’ll visit Fort Frederick, Hancock, MD, Antietam National Battlefield, and Harper’s Ferry. These stops illustrate a variety of pivotal events in the formation of a young and unsteady nation. This trip is best for individual groups of ten to twenty participants and in its entirety is five days in length, although destinations can be cut for shorter trips.

Our trip to SKMC has now turned into an annual event that is not only highly anticipated, but essential to bringing together the social dynamics of our class as we prepare for a year of working together. Additionally, my students feel empowered and connected to each other from our adventures that carries on through our schoolwork. – Jen Osha Buysse, teacher, Morgantown Learning Academy
Mountain Stewards at Experience Learning is a fantastic week-long summer camp for kids who like the outdoors (or who WILL like the outdoors after this wonderful experience!) Stewardship of our natural resources, self-reliance, leadership, and fellowship, are all integral to this program. My daughter LOVES this camp, and that makes me a happy dad. Experience Learning also has great programs for learners of all ages. I recently completed an excellent Wilderness First Aid course at their wonderful Spruce Knob Mountain Center. Check it out! – Mark Wenzler
Hands down Experience Learning’s Water Sampling trip (AWSM) for my 5th graders this past year has been the highlight of my career thus far! – Megan Bacorn, teacher
The leaders at Experience Learning do an extraordinary job of utilizing “outdoor education” to create opportunities for our boys to learn, grow, and develop an appreciation for our world beyond traditional classroom environments, which is valuable on too many levels to fully celebrate. – Mike Wallace, Gilman School
We are currently in the process of exploring a Trout in The Classroom project because of the interest that was piqued during the AWSM activities. – Julie Colaw, 5th grade science teacher, Petersburg Elementary School
Experience Learning and their staff make our school trips possible. From scouting things out before hand, to keeping everyone fed, safe, entertained and informed during the trip, none of it would be possible without their professionalism. They create a safe environment that allows students to push themselves out of their comfort zones and take risks while being fully supported. All of this translates to huge growth at home both in and out of the classroom. – Evan Schlissel, Winston Prep NY
Experience Learning has for a long time been dedicated to understanding our students, and on each trip builds a program to meet our goals. The experience we have each year creates a channel for learning that helps students further understand and internalize skills for planning, organization, problem solving and risk taking, and shows how these skills lead to success and happiness. We also have a wonderful time, and the experience is a staple of school culture and our collective memories. – Greg Koehlert, headmaster, Winston Prep

Off-site Learning Programs

Backpack & Climb Along the Appalachian Trail

Backpack & Climb Along the Appalachian Trail

Hike, Climb, & Raft Along the Appalachian Trail

Hike, Climb, & Raft Along the Appalachian Trail

Potomac Historic Paddling Expedition

Potomac Historic Paddling Expedition

What Folks are Saying