Longacre Expeditions: British Columbia Leadership Expedition Program Overview & Recommendation

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Longacre Expeditions: British Columbia Leadership Expedition

Since 1981, Longacre Expeditions has been offering wilderness-based adventure travel experiences for teens in the midst of breathtaking settings throughout the world. The Longacre experience inspires students to grow in leadership and personal responsibility, to feel empowered by their adventures, to discover self-confidence, to lead healthy and active lives, and to become more environmentally conscious.

In general, students who enjoy the Longacre Experience are enthusiastic about the activities and the outdoors. Many have never engaged in adventure travel before but the idea sounds great to them. They are intrigued about testing themselves in a physically challenging environment. And, they like the idea of becoming part of a tightly knit group in which members deal with each other in a caring manner. For students looking for an unforgettably transformative summer experience, Longacre Expeditions may be the perfect choice.

Trip Description

The Sea to Sky corridor of British Columbia provides unique settings and an abundance of challenging activities for the confident camper. This fast-paced expedition focuses on teamwork, communication, and personal growth, all occurring in settings where the beauty and vastness of nature are impossible to ignore.  

Backpacking in Garibaldi Provincial Park is a perfect initial test for the group. A four-day hiking trip is rigorous and rewards students with breathtaking scenery. With no civilization to distract travelers, the group emerges quite changed. At Squamish, a Mecca for climbers from around the world, the challenges of rock climbing are much more personal in nature. It’s simply the individual and the rock, with instruction from Longacre’s specialist and encouragement shouted by trip mates below.

A three-day sea kayaking expedition takes place in the bright blue waters of the Georgia Straits. Paddling from island to island, students are on the lookout for harbor seals, bald eagles, and the occasional whale. Back home in Washington, white water rafting on the Nooksack River is a day of celebration. The group’s spirit peaks on this final day - participants have accomplished so much both individually and as a team.

Staff Overview

Longacre Expeditions maintains the philosophy that “great staffers make great trips.” Each summer approximately 60% of Longacre staffers are returnees. These individuals understand the company, its expectations, and provide a core leadership that reinforces Longacre’s commitment to safety and appropriate behavior. The average staff age is 26.

Setting & Accommodations

Longacre’s motto is “food is love.” The company takes pride in the quality, quantity, and variety of food prepared during the summer. Menus are designed with individual travelers in mind, and Longacre is especially good at meeting each traveler’s special dietary needs throughout the program.

Safety Standards

All Longacre staff members obtain emergency wilderness medicine certifications from highly qualified organizations throughout the country – all staff members are certified in Wilderness First Aid and most are Wilderness First Responders. In addition, all staff members attend a nine-day leader training session which integrates the company’s safety management philosophy before the summer begins.

Students are heavily involved in the safety process while in session. Before participating in any activity during their trip, students receive a safety briefing. This briefing includes a presentation of all the possible risks involved in the activity and the procedures used to minimize those risks.