Wildlife Service - Itinerary

day 1

Welcome to Wildlife Service! After you meet your group and leaders at the Denver Airport, we’ll head straight to the river and get prepped to raft the Arkansas River for the next two days! Enjoy our first meal from the designated cook group and get to know each other a bit better during our first moon-up under the Colorado sky.

day 2-3

We’ll raft the Brown’s Canyon section of the Arkansas River, which is a beautiful and wild stretch! We’ll form friendships quickly, as we’ll rely on each another to paddle strong through formidable rapids like Seidle’s Suckhole. Enjoy the beautiful terrain along the water’s edge and learn from some of the professional guides how to ride these rapids with grace.

day 4-6

Start off the service section of this adventure by helping to provide local solutions to local problems with the Continental Divide Trail Association. We’ll learn about trail maintenance and the human impact on wilderness areas. We’ll work together to preserve those areas and restore them to their original shape. We’ll learn about tools used for trail maintenance and create trails that are erosion resistant.

day 7-8

After two hard-working days on the trail, we’ll gear up and hike in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Here we’ll rise with the stars and hike by moonlight to the top of “High Dune.” We’ll experience what it’s like to see the sun rise across the sandy ocean. 1.5 miles further, we’ll summit “Star Dune” which is the highest dune in North America. Get a great nights’ rest and wake up fresh to summit the nearby 14,000 foot Mount Hope.

day 9

It's been over a week into our adventure already and we’re headed to work at a real working Colorado Ranch! At the Alpaca Ranch, you’ll help put the alpaca to sleep at night and construct the new Alpaca Mountain. This start to finish project is an important one to the Ranch; you’ll learn that the mountains are great resources for the alpacas, as they enjoy the higher views. You’ll help clean alpaca fleece, build fences, and have some time to get to know your favorite alpaca.

day 10-11

Continue our service adventure at Mission: Wolf. Here we’ll learn the importance of habitat protection and participate in various projects including constructing a new barn. We’ll assist the wolf experts with feeding the wolves and get to know these animals a little bit better each day. Your time at Mission: Wolf will be memorable as you’ll quickly realize you’re one of few who is lucky enough to experience such intimate time with these amazing creatures of the wild.

day 12-13

After a wonderful experience, there’s nothing like celebrating our new friendships than a traditional Moondance banquet! Spend our last night together reminiscing and telling stories with people you now call your best friends.