Direct contact with the elements—during a boisterous, adventurous and supportive group trek over the highest peaks and ridges in New England.

—a field environmental philosophy adventure that takes students above treeline for several days of elemental wilderness, hiking and “thinking outside”.

The goal of Claws programs is positive character transformation and it is achieved by pushing boundaries. (At Biocitizen students begin as Wings, and Claws is the ultimate student level: Wings “learn to use their wings and fly”, Claws”soar” and “get a grip on things”.) Students assume and surmount challenges, gaining confidence and valuable self-awareness. New ideas and abilities are experienced, and new spaces—physical, conceptual and existential—are opened for the kind of personal growth that contributes to long term happiness.

Claws learn the biocultural history of the Presidential Range as they hike with a friendly, supportive and humorous group. They learn enough mountaineering skills so they can return to traverse the Presidentials again without guides.

Logistics:

1) Participants must be physically fit. This is a demanding marathon hike. We trek through challenging terrain exposed to the weather. It can hail on us, or be raining the entire time. Participants must want to exercise and push themselves.

2) Our group has 1 teacher, 1 ass’t teacher, 2 guides in training (all first responder certified) and 11 students. We form a team in the field. Everybody helps each other.

3) Meals Provided: Day 1: D | Day 2: B/D | Day 3: B/D | Day 4: B

On the trail, participants provide their own food. It’s part of the fun