La Vida Adirondack Leadership Program

Where leading becomes second nature

An 8-day backpacking or canoeing adventure for ages 15–18 in the Adirondack Park of New York.

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Build Character

Develop Leadership

Grow in Faith

Gain Leadership Skills While Growing in Your Faith

Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice and begins with knowing who you are and who God made you to be. On ALP, you’ll learn different leadership styles and have the opportunity to use your unique gifts and strengths as you lead. You’ll gain confidence as you put these new skills into practice alongside your peers. We have the best model of leadership in Jesus, and each day there will be opportunities to learn more about Him and how you can model servant-leadership.

What people are saying about ALP

Join the thousands of people whose lives have been transformed through a La Vida Expedition

“Because of being the Leader of the Day, I have more confidence in my leadership abilities. I have also decided to try to live more simply and be more thankful.

Rowan

“Throughout this trip, I’ve been challenged physically and mentally, but it has helped me grow so much through learning leadership skills to growing through opening up with other people and learning more about my relationship with God.

Natalie

“Through the solo and all nine days, I am more close to God than ever.

Nolan

“I learned that God is always with me, I can do things that I didn’t think I could, and positivity goes a long way.

Charlie

“La Vida introduced me to leadership skills I didn’t know I had and helped me to grow in perseverance.

Natalie

“The solo really challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone in my faith. My leadership skills were challenged in a new setting and in something I’m not experienced with.

Ezra

“By leading I learned intentionality with others. I will grow by going home and being intentional with those who are in my life.

Jon

Adirondack Leadership Program

Activities

All our activities incorporate current safety standards and are appropriate for any skill level. Most campers come with no prior camping experience. We are a certified NY State Department of Health children’s camp, and we meet the Association for Challenge Course Technology ropes course guidelines.

Handshake

Team Building

Team-building activities like games and problem-solving initiatives prepare the group to work together and face future challenges on the trail or the water.

carabiner

Outdoor Adventures

You will enjoy the beautiful Adirondack mountain landscape while rock climbing outside, navigating the high ropes course, canoeing, backpacking and camping.

Canoe

Leader of the Day

You will each get the chance to practice your leadership with the group. Under the guidance of your trip leaders, you and a co-leader will initiate the group activities for the day, making decisions about the route, order of activities and delegation of tasks. 

carabiner

Outdoor Skills

Leave No Trace ethics are an important part of camping that you will learn, along with how to set up a tent, use a map and compass and cook meals in the outdoors. Groups will travel to a new campsite most nights and will spend the evenings debriefing the day with their group.

carabiner

Solitude

At the end of the trip, you will experience an unplugged 24-hour solo period for Bible study, fasting, reflection and goal-setting. Your leaders check on you regularly throughout this experience. Although intimidating for many, this part of the trip is what campers have said impacted them the most.

Canoe

Daily Devotions

Each morning you’ll spend time reading your Bible, journaling and discussing as a group how each person is seeing and experiencing God in the world around them. Each day is a chance for God’s Word to be heard, experienced, and integrated into daily life on the trail or on the water. Read an excerpt from our journal here.

Adirondack Leadership Program

Activities

All of our activities are safe and appropriate for any skill level. Most campers come with no prior camping experience. We are a certified NY State Department of Health children’s camp, and we meet the Association for Challenge Course Technology ropes course guidelines.

Handshake

Team Building

Team-building activities like games and problem-solving initiatives prepare the group to work together and face future challenges on the trail or the water.

carabiner

Outdoor Adventures

You will enjoy the beautiful Adirondack mountain landscape while rock climbing outside, navigating the high ropes course, canoeing, backpacking and camping.

Canoe

Leader of the Day

You will each get the chance to practice your leadership with the group. Under the guidance of your trip leaders, you and a co-leader will initiate the group activities for the day, making decisions about the route, order of activities and delegation of tasks. 

Handshake

Outdoor Skills

Leave No Trace ethics are an important part of camping that you will learn, along with how to set up a tent, use a map and compass and cook meals in the outdoors. Groups will travel to a new campsite most nights and will spend the evenings debriefing the day with their group.

carabiner

Solitude

At the end of the trip, you will experience an unplugged 24-hour solo period for Bible study, fasting, reflection and goal-setting. Your leaders check on you regularly throughout this experience. Although intimidating for many, this part of the trip is what campers have said impacted them the most.

Canoe

Daily Devotions

Each morning you’ll spend time reading your Bible, journaling and discussing as a group how each person is seeing and experiencing God in the world around them. Each day is a chance for God’s Word to be heard, experienced, and integrated into daily life on the trail or on the water. Read an excerpt from our journal here.

Join us on your greatest adventure yet!

1.
Register and Pay Your Deposit
1.
Complete Paperwork and Forms
1.
Communicate Your Arrival Plan
1. Register and Pay Your Deposit
2. Complete Paperwork and Forms
3. Communicate Your Arrival Plan
1. Register and Pay Your Deposit
2. Complete Paperwork and Forms
3. Communicate Your Arrival Plan
Our Legacy

Transforming Lives Since 1970

La Vida has been facilitating outdoor expeditions for high schoolers, college students and adults since 1970. Our community approach allows campers to develop long-standing friendships, have deep and real conversations and support one another when going through difficult or challenging experiences on the trail. For 50 years, God has used the power of the wilderness and the La Vida experience to help young people unplug from technology long enough to be transformed by the love and grace of Christ as they learn to “hold fast” to Him.

Get in touch!

La Vida Adirondack Expeditions Base Camp
460 County Route 50
Lake Clear, NY 12945

Gordon: 978.867.4887
New York: 518.891.4188
[email protected]

The Adirondack Leadership Program is a program of the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership at Gordon College located on the North Shore of Boston. La Vida houses six different programs for the community including an adventure day camp for middle and high schoolers, a rock gym and challenge course activities for all ages. La Vida provides spiritual development and leadership experiences for Gordon students as well as community organizations utilizing Gordon's campus and our Base Camp in the Adirondack mountains of New York where ALP takes place.

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