Adventure Trips FAQs
Who Goes on Adventure Trips?
Who Leads Our Trips?
I Am Having Trouble Deciding What Trip is Best for My Camper.
Where Do Campers Stay?
What Kind of Food Do We Eat?
What Gear Do I Need To Prepare For My Trip?
What Happens if it Rains During My Trip?
What Is Expected of Everyone On My Trip?
What is the Difference between Frontcountry and Backcountry?
What Does a “Backcountry Lifestyle” Involve?
Where Do Trips Leave From?
How do we get to our trip site?
Will my camper shower while on their trip?
What about laundry?
Will my camper encounter any wildlife while on their trip?
Do I need to send my camper with any money?
Will my camper be able to have their phone on the trip?
Can I send my camper mail while on their trip?
Who goes on adventure trips?
Frost Valley Adventure Village and Adventure Trips are for teens looking to have fun, try new things, and make great friends in a dynamic and safe environment. Multiple trips run concurrently and each trip consists of co-ed groups of teens. Some teens come with a friend while others attend on their own. If you are interested in attending a trip with a group of friends, check in with the adventure director to find the best trip for you.
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Who leads our trips?
Frost Valley trips are led by two qualified and responsible trip leaders. Trip leaders have significant experience as leaders in the outdoors and there will always be at least one 21+-year-old per trip. Our hiring process includes interviews, extensive background and reference checks, in-depth training, and a high standard for required certifications and qualifications. All adventure staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, and many have more advanced training including, but not limited, to Swift Water Rescue, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). In addition, our staff are chosen for their specialized skills and abilities as they relate to trip-specific activities.
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I am having trouble deciding what trip is best for my camper.
Email adventure@frostvalley.org and we will be able to help you find the best program for your child’s interests.
Where do campers stay?
Each trip is unique, and accommodations vary from backcountry campsites to beaches to front country campgrounds. Please contact us or refer to the sample itinerary for the accommodations specific to the trips you are interested in attending.
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What kind of food do we eat?
A balanced healthy diet is essential to maintaining energy on an Adventure Trip. We work hard to give each group a variety of well-balanced, tasty foods that fit within the style of the trip. Breakfast and lunch vary between hot and cold options, dinners are always hot. In addition to three meals per day, our menu planning includes snacks and treats. We discourage trip participants from bringing, or purchasing, junk food. If you have dietary needs or restrictions, please call to discuss the specific details before registering.
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What gear do I need to prepare for my trip?
Campers are responsible for bringing any personal items such as clothing, toiletries, comfort items, books, etc. but any required outdoor gear (sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks, etc.) can be provided by Frost Valley. Personal rain gear and hiking boots that are broken in prior to the beginning are essential in promoting camper comfort and preventing blisters!
There is no need to reserve items in advance of your camper’s trip. When you arrive for your session, we will make sure all campers have the necessary equipment and provide anything that is needed. Our Trip Center is fully stocked with enough to accommodate everything campers could need on the trail. If you do already have these items, feel free to bring them and our trip leaders will determine whether or not they will be usable on the trip. You can find links to the specific packing lists for each trip on each respective trip’s webpage.
What happens if it rains during my trip?
Rain is a common occurrence during the summer, and we continue the trip rain or shine! Personal rain jacks and rain pants are vital to promoting camper comfort while on their trips. In the event of thunder or lightning or other inclement weather, we take all of the necessary precautions to minimize risk in these events.
What is expected of everyone on my trip?
Frost Valley Adventures expects everyone on a trip to be an active member of the trip community. Your positive attitude and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the trip make the experience great for everyone involved. Cooking, clean-up, equipment maintenance, fire-building, and many other aspects of your trip are the responsibility of the group. Honesty and respect are very important. As people face the physical and mental challenges of the trip, they need the support of the group to learn and grow.
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What is the Difference between Frontcountry and Backcountry?
In the backcountry, you are in an area that lacks plumbing, electricity, or phone lines. Everything you need must fit in a backpack or dry bag. You could be in the middle of a forest, on a coastal island, or in any number of “wild” places. A front-country experience is akin to car camping. Typically, front-country involves the same campsite every night at an established campground that is accessible by vehicles. These sites sometimes involve modern plumbing and public bathrooms, but this is not always guaranteed.
What does a “backcountry lifestyle” involve?
In the backcountry, it is a more rugged experience than in the front country. These areas are typically accessed through hiking or canoeing many miles into the wilderness away from vehicles, electricity, plumbing, and even cell phone coverage. Everything you need must fit in a backpack or dry bag. You could be in the middle of a forest, on a coastal island, or in any number of “wild” places. Trip Leaders on backcountry trips have advanced medical certifications, are equipped with in-reach communication devices, and are familiar with emergency procedures for the area. Living in the backcountry gives people a chance to reflect and unplug. These experiences are some of our most challenging and our most rewarding.
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Where do trips leave from?
All trips start and end at Frost Valley YMCA. Instructors will transport all participants to-and-from the activity locations. Campers will arrive at Frost Valley YMCA on the check-in day of a session where they will meet the other trip participants and their trip leaders and begin preparing for their trip. For more details about the departure and return days, please see the sample trip itinerary for the trip you are interested in.
How do we get to our trip site?
Our transportation depends on the trip’s needs. Eight or nine-passenger sprinter vans are the typical modes of transportation. Frost Valley drivers are all over the age of 21, with safe driving records, and go through extensive driver training. Buses may be contracted to transport us to different sites.
Will my camper shower while on their trip?
While campers are on their trip, there may or may not be access to showers depending on the nature of the trip. Backcountry trips typically do not have access to showers, toilets, or running water while they are on trail. We encourage campers to maintain good hygiene through teeth brushing, hand washing, hand sanitizer, wading in bodies of water when deemed appropriate, and using pack towels or a bandana to wipe away any dirt. They will shower when they arrive back at camp after their trip.
What about laundry?
Time in the outdoors is limited and precious and our goal is to prioritize camper’s time building connections with each other and nature. Due to the nature of trips and limited access to laundry facilities while on the trip, laundry is NOT provided and there are no opportunities for laundry to be done while on trips.
Will my camper encounter any wildlife while on their trip?
Wildlife encounters are a normal part of being outdoors, and we do our part to limit direct exposure to wildlife. In order to do this, we regularly make sure that the food is not in the tents to prevent any unwanted visitors, give larger wild animals their space, and carry the necessary food storage devices so that we are only feeding our campers and not the animals. Our trip leaders are well-trained in wildlife safety, and how to prevent any unwanted encounters with wild animals.
Do I need to send my camper with any money?
Campers should not bring money on their trips. There will not be time for them to spend it and we do not want to risk it getting lost. Trips campers will have access to the Frost Valley store while they are on-property where they can purchase forgotten items such as toothbrushes or other souvenirs of their time on a Frost Valley trip.
Will my camper be able to have their phone on the trip?
Frost Valley is an unplugged camp and our trips are no different. Campers are not allowed to bring their cell phones or other electronics (iPods, video games, ect.) on trips. These devices get in the way of campers’ ability to connect to nature. Additionally, we would not want these devices to be damaged, so it is best for everyone if their electronics are left at home.
If your camper would like to take photos for the memories, we recommend bringing either a disposable camera or a digital camera. The staff will also be taking pictures throughout the trip that will be shared on Smugmug once the trip concludes.
Can I send my camper mail while on their trip?
You can send trip campers mail; however, they will not receive it until they have returned to Frost Valley at the end of the session. There is no way to send campers mail while they are out on their trip.
