All 8th graders are invited to come and take part in this Outdoor Program tradition.  We will attempt to climb to the summit of this Northwest landmark, and will hopefully have a chance to peer down into the impressive crater.  On June 9th, our enthusiastic group will drive up to the climber's bivouac where we will set up our camp with many of the other climbers who will be poised to hike the mountain the following day.  With a bright and early start, we will make our way through the forest until reaching timberline where we will then gain the prominent Monitor Ridge.  The ridge should still have plenty of snow on it, which will make our walking a lot easier.  We will continue up the mountain, reaching as high as we are able.  After some glissading on the descent, we will get back on the bus and head back to Portland for some well-deserved rest.

There is no experience necessary, and you do not need to be an athlete to complete this climb. You do need to be in good physical condition and willing to work hard in a group setting.  All participating 8th graders must attend one of the three conditioning hikes offered through the Outdoor Program in the month leading up to the climb.

The cost of this trip is $125.  This fee covers permits, transportation, instruction, and most food.  This trip is only open to graduating 8th graders.  You can sign up by sending an email to David Zonana at zonanad@Catlin.edu 

Global and Outdoor Education unite! Join leaders David Zonana, Erin Goodling, and Peter Green for an amazing two and a half weeks in Ecuador.  While in country, students will deepen their understanding of the natural and cultural diversity of the High Andes of Ecuador, strengthen their spanish skills, and gain outdoor skills and experience in the wonderful Andean Cloud Forest and Paramo (high Andean grassland) ecosystems.  Sign-ups for this trip will be managed by the Catlin Global Education Program. For more information, check out our trip page (http://www.catlin.edu/global-education/global-trips/ecuador).

WIth its headwaters high on the flanks of Mt. Adams, the exciting White Salmon River flows through lush forests and steep gorges before emptying into the Columbia River.  On this trip, we will spend two days rafting and exploring the most exciting sections of this Wild and Scenic River.  With the help of a commercial guiding company on the river, we will descend the famous S-Turn, Flume, and Rattlesnake Rapids, and may even take the plunge of Husum Falls.  The water is crystal clear, and the sun should be shining! 

Students do not need rafting experience, but should be willing to learn, work as a team and paddle hard.  This trip is open to all Upper School students and graduating 8th grade students.

The estimated cost of this trip is is $135. This fee covers rafting instruction and gear rental, permits, transportation, and most food. All interested students should email David Zonana (zonanad@catlin.edu) to sign up.

The plan is to head south to explore the old-growth drainages of the Willamette National Forest and Opal Creek Wilderness on foot! We will arrive at the Shady Grove Campground (see included map), and will explore the area around there, either hiking west along the North Little Santiam Trail, or if the weather is good, and we are feeling adventurous, exploring the canyon of Gold Creek. The last mile of Gold Creek before its confluence with the Little Santiam River would be a nice warm-up for our objective on Sunday. On Sunday, we will hop in the bus and head as far as we can on FS Road 2209 before reaching a gate and parking area. We will continue on foot another couple of miles up the gravel road before dropping down into Opal Creek itself where we will travel in and along the stream itself for 7+ miles until we arrive back at our campsite. The hikes will not be on a trail. There will be times where we have to climb down short cliffs, or wade across the streams. These are beautiful, true wilderness creeks, and we may wade in the narrows of the creeks on occasion. It is bound to be a blast!

Members of the group should have wilderness skills and be comfortable scrambling and moving through varied terrain. Students do not need to be expert climbers, but should be good team players, and be willing to work hard.

This trip is open to all Upper School students.  The estimated cost of this trip is $50.  Interested students should email David Zonana (zonanad@catlin.edu) to sign up. 

What a great place to explore in the Summer sun!  Over the course of three days, we will head to the Clackamas River watershed, south of Mt. Hood, and hike into beautiful Serene Lake- one of the great gems of the Pacific Northwest.  This wonderful, and seldom-visited lake is part of the newly designated Roaring River Wilderness.  Along the way, we will hike to Rock and Upper Rock Lakes, before ending at the shore of the legendary Serene lake.  We'll pitch our tents in an amazing campsite, build rafts and hang out in the sun.  During the evening we will cook a fine dinner over our trustee little camp stoves.  Marshmallows, s'mores and storytelling around the campfire will close each perfect day.  This area is rich in wildlife and features to explore, including newts, floating logs, and old-growth forests..

This trip is open to all Middle Schoolers. You do not need to be an expert backpacker, but students should be comfortable in the outdoors, and eager to learn and work hard.

The estimated cost of the trip is $90.  Interested students should email David Zonana (zonanad@catlin.edu) to sign up.

We have designed the ideal summer bicycle trip.  We'll bike on paved roads through the old growth forests south of Mount Hood.  On each of the two evenings we'll camp in campgrounds and cook some fine meals.  We've designed this trip so that our route will be mosty downhill.  The bus will drop us off on the first day at a high point -- then we'll bike and cruise across the landscape- mostly downhill.  The group will carry its own food, tents and gear with us - a self supported adventure through some of the most beautiful forests of the west.  We may stop and swim at a few of the dozens of lakes along our chosen route.  The plan is to bike 12-15 miles each day.

Students should be comfortable camping in the outdoors and in good physical condition.  Students should plan to bring their own bicycles.

The cost of the three day trip will be $95.

The trip is open to students 14 and older.

To sign up send an email to Greenp@catlin.edu

Could there be a better place to bicycle tour than the Canadian San Juan Islands?  Join Len Carr and John Mayer for a five-day cycling trek in Canada. Each day We’ll explore by bike, sometimes taking a ferry to another island. we'll explore hidden coves, sandy beaches, and mossy forests—with wildlife and swimming holes waiting around each bend. At night we cook dinner and camp under the stars. Rides are moderately difficult (12 to 25 miles each day with some hills). Extensive bicycling experience is not necessary, but students should be in good physical condition and comfortable riding on road shoulders. Students must provide their own bicycle; either a road bike or mountain bike is fine.

The cost of this 5-day trip is $375.  The trip is open to graduating 8th graders and all Upper School Students.
 

You can sign up by sending an email to Peter Green at greenp@catlin.edu