Service Adventures
Wildlife Service
“Moondance is an unbelievable program that helps improve the lives of many people.”-Colin Gleason, Kenilworth, IL
| Length: | Cost: | Highlights: |
|---|---|---|
| 13 days | $ 2695 | - Community Service - Learn about wolf habitat, protection and conservation - Help maintain and construct new trails - Work on a real working Colorado Alpaca Ranch - Summit one of Colorado's 14,000 foot peaks, Mount Hope - Run big whitewater on the Arkansas River - Community Service hours 30-50 |
| Current grade: | Begins/ends: | |
| 9th - 11th, ages 15 - 17 |
Denver, CO | |
| Dates: | Challenge level: | |
| June 24 - July 6 July 10 - July 22 July 26 - August 7 |
moderate |
Experience the great outdoors in the gorgeous Colorado setting. Located in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, our Colorado Service trip is designed for those who want a taste of Colorado adventure in addition to experience working with local organizations that preserve the area’s unique wildlife and historical trail heads. Whether hiking on the tallest dunes in North America, swimming in cold snow-melt streams, meeting wolves in captivity, rafting a tumbling mountain river, summiting a Fourteener, or restoring sensitive alpine ecosystems—this trip is bound to be nothing less than a deeply rewarding adventure!
TRIP GEAR - EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
We have made it easy to help you find the right gear for your adventure. We have partnered with Half-Moon Outfitters on approved gear.
Purchase gear at Half-Moon Outfitters for your trip
.
WHITEWATER RAFTING - THE ARKANSAS RIVER
Start your trip off right by getting drenched when you're paddling the Arkansas River, one of the most exciting whitewater tours in the nation. With the help of professional guides, your group will learn
how to navigate a raft through its' class III and IV rapids. Surrounded by distinctive geologic formations and
canyon walls, you’ll soon experience the reward of teamwork as you and
your raft mates learn how to read the river’s rapids. You’ll be sure to
sleep soundly on these first two nights of your adventure, as the sounds of the river soothes you to sleep with your new Moondance friends around you.
Once your group has acclimated to the altitude, you’ll venture higher into the mountains to learn about human impact on wilderness areas. You’ll work with a local non-profit organization restoring the land on the
HIKING & EXPLORATION - GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
Located
in southwestern Colorado, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and
Preserve contains the tallest sand dunes in North America. Here, your
group will be able to learn about the intricate beauty of Colorado’s
unique and diverse sand dunes, grasslands, shrub lands and wetlands
while hiking along these incredible dunes. You and your group will have
the opportunity to climb the tallest sand dune on the continent – 750
feet above the Sangre de Cristo Range – an adventure that is
accompanied by wild winds and breathtaking views. After exploring this
incredible area, you and your group will take a short hike to the
majestic Zapata Falls, a perfectly chilled waterfall sculpted out of
rock that will provide a refreshing dip after hiking on the dunes for a
day.
LIFE ON THE ALPACA RANCH
Welcome to life on the ranch! You'll spend the next two days tackling everyday chores at the ranch: fleece cleaning, fence building, caring for the animals, and completing a start to finish project where you create an Alpaca Mountain. You'll learn that these mountains are great resources for the alpacas as they enjoy higher mountain views. Help put these gentle animals to rest at night and realize you've helped improve the quality of life of these inquisitive creatures. During your time at the ranch, you'll be certain to enjoy a hike or two in this gorgeous setting, create tasty mealtime dishes, make friends with the alpacas, and certainly develop your friendships with your Moondance family.
MISSION: WOLF - SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FOREST
You and your group will spend the last two days of your trip at Mission: Wolf, a Wolf
Rescue and Preservation Organization. Here you'll learn the importance of habitat protection and participate in various projects including the construction of a new barn on the property. You'll work with wolves in captivity, get
to know their individual personalities, and learn about their natural
habitats, behaviors, and challenges in the wild. As you deepen your
relationships with your furry friends, you will be tending to their
needs, such as feeding them or helping to care for their young. Your time at Mission: Wolf will be everlasting, as you'll work to provide the resident wolves a peaceful environment they come to know as home. After almost 2 weeks have flown by, you'll spend your last moon-up with some of your now closest friends, get a great last nights' rest under the Colorado stars, and head home to share your stories.
See also
- Trip Finder
- Program Chart
- Get Your Gear
- Service Adventures - Other trips