Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Treetops eXpeditions (TTX)

Adirondack Field Ecology (AFE); Glacier and Rock Climbing, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Trail Building
Lake Placid, New York; Alaska; Vanuatu; Minnesota; Montana

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For More Information, Contact
Chad Jemison, TTX and AFE Director
Treetops eXpeditions
P.O. Box 187
Lake Placid, New York 12946
518-523-9329 Ext. 149
http://www.ttexpeditions.org
E-mail: chad.jemison@nct.org

Type of Program: Wilderness-based, academic, and adventure expeditions
Participants: Coeducational, ages 14–17 (TTX); ages 17–20 (AFE)
Program Dates: July 1–28, 2007 (most programs)
Head of Program: Chad Jemison, TTX Director

Location

Treetops eXpeditions (TTX) is based out of North Country School, which sits on a 200-acre sustainable farm on beautiful Round Lake in the Adirondack Mountains near Lake Placid, New York. The area provides many opportunities for hiking and backpacking, climbing (rock and ice), horseback riding, skiing (Nordic, Alpine, and Telemark), snowboarding, snowshoeing, canoeing, bicycling, and swimming. Although the main basecamp for TTX is in the Adirondack Mountains, the courses range across North America and even around the world to the South Pacific.

Background and Philosophy

Whether in Alaska or Vanuatu, climbing a mountain trail, or working on a trail, Treetops eXpeditions programs are about learning how to give back to the land and to communities. It is about pushing through the mental and physical challenges of hard work and strenuous hikes and paddles. It is about leaving the comforts of home for the adventure of a new and rugged experience. It is about the satisfaction of a job well done, the elation of reaching a destination, the warmth of relaxing around a fire with new friends, and the confidence gained from overcoming challenges. Treetops eXpeditions is about creating change in the world and in one’s self—and having fun doing so.

Program Offerings

Treetops eXpeditions of Lake Placid, New York, offers safe, fun, wilderness-based expeditions. For summer 2007, there are five teen expeditions (TTX trips) for 14–17 year olds, and there is also Adirondack Field Ecology (AFE)—a college-level course for students ages 17–20 for college credit.
TTX: Expeditions for Adventurous Teens: For more than thirty years, North Country School and Camp Treetops have offered exceptional summer adventure travel trips for teens. This summer the tradition continues, with transformative monthlong wilderness trips to the following exciting destinations: Vanuatu, Alaska, Boundary Waters (Minnesota), Glacier National Park (Montana), top-notch rock-climbing crags in the Northeast, and the wilds of the Adirondacks. These trips thoughtfully extend the guiding philosophy and values of North Country School and Camp Treetops beyond the 200-acre campus to the far reaches of North America and the world. Caring adults, strong communities, responsibility for self and others, embracing diversity, and environmental sustainability are at the foundation of all TTX trips. (http://www.ttexpeditions.org)
AFE: Real Experience, Real College Credit: Why sit for hours in a lecture hall this summer? Through AFE, education comes alive! This course has a major emphasis on learning ecology in the field through hands-on projects. AFE is one of the few opportunities for students in this age group to earn college credit while working in the field. Students work side by side with professors from Paul Smith’s College, “the college of the Adirondacks,” collecting data on professional studies. AFE’s research director, Dr. Ken Baker, is a tenured biology professor whose passion for fieldwork is contagious. For AFE’s final project, students conduct a weeklong authentic research project of their own making that can help prepare them for their undergraduate capstone/thesis. After all this fascinating work, a five-day wilderness canoe trip tops off a summer of expeditionary learning.
    Students who complete Adirondack Field Ecology with a grade of B or higher receive full credit for the Paul Smith’s College course Field Ecology 232. Students receive an official Paul Smith’s College transcript, and the credits may be transferred to other universities. Although this course has a far more cooperative than competitive approach to learning, there are high expectations for students’ commitment to their learning. The course depth is comparable to challenging AP-level or intro college-level science courses. (http://www.adkecology.org)

Enrollment

TTX: Students ages 14 to 17 (including any rising ninth graders) can enroll.
AFE: Students ages 17 to 20 (including any rising twelfth graders) can enroll.

Daily Schedule

	Although the schedule varies greatly, a typical day of activities may include:
	7:00 7:15 8:00 8:30 12:00 1:00 4:30 6:00 7:30 10:30 Wake up Breakfast Community meeting Morning field activity Deli sandwich lunch Afternoon field activity Free choice time/make dinner Dinner and clean up Evening activity Quiet time in tents

Facilities

Both TTX and AFE courses are primarily “car camping” or wilderness based. The trips seek to tread lightly on the land; therefore, students sleep in tents and cook and eat their meals outside. The beauty and challenges of the natural world define the program’s playground and classroom.

Staff

The Treetops eXpeditions and Adirondack Field Ecology program leaders are all first-rate—most have led trips like this for many years, and all are passionate about the wilderness. Renowned faculty members from Paul Smith’s College are involved in many aspects of the teaching and research projects during the AFE course. On each team, all leaders have CPR and Wilderness First Aid training, and at least one has Wilderness First Responder Certification for trips with backcountry sections. The instructor-student ratio is between 1:3 and 1:4. The staff is fully committed to making each student’s summer exciting and transforming.

Medical Care

TTX and AFE staff members are well qualified to care for day-to-day medical issues that arise and set plans for seeking professional medical attention at the nearest hospital or clinic should the need arise.

Costs

AFE tuition is $4800, and tuition for TTX trips ranges from $4800 to $5900. This fee includes food and lodging on all course activities as well as transportation to and from the airport and during the course. A $1000 deposit is due with the application. Students must supply their own clothing and backpacking gear. Group gear (tent, stove, cooking gear, first aid kit, etc.) is provided. A limited amount of scholarship assistance is available for each summer. For further information, students and families should contact Chad Jemison at chad.jemison@nct.org; 518-523-9329 Ext. 149; or visit the TTX Web site at http://www.ttexpeditions.org.

Transportation

Students typically arrive at and depart the course by plane, bus, or car at a specific airport closest to the course area.

Application Timetable

Applications are available on the TTX Web site at http://www.ttexpeditions.org, and it is possible to apply online. Applications are accepted until April 15. Students and their families should call after April 15, as space may still be available. A $1000 deposit is due with the application. The tuition balance is due one month prior to the beginning of the course, although other arrangements can be made.