La Vida Expedition
La Vida's Expedition provides wilderness-based experiences that encourage exploration of one’s personal relationship and commitment to Jesus Christ in the context of Christian community. This 12-day expedition takes place in the Adirondack Mountains of New York which boasts six million acres filled with sparkling mountain streams, quiet lakes and challenging peaks. It’s the perfect environment for growth, adventure, self-discovery and growing deeper with God.
Why Expedition?
Thousands of Gordon students have gone deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ as they encountered him in his Creation and Christian community while on a College Expedition. Participants report entering college with a strong network of supportive relationships developed on their expedition.
Research on similar programs has demonstrated that participants grow in confidence, leadership, communication skills, self-concept, and awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. Over two hundred American colleges, including every Ivy League school, run similar programs for incoming students.
Our Values
La Vida helps students prepare for a successful transition into college by building a sense of connectedness and community before they even begin. A strong emphasis is placed on valuing each member of the group for their gifts and abilities which allows the group to encourage each other through challenges on the trail or the water. In the context of the outdoors, students learn how to lead and contribute by challenging themselves to break out of their comfort zone and by spending time alone in God’s Word. Faith is deepened and friendships are formed, setting a firm foundation of support for the college years.
Community
Challenge
Solitude
Creation Care
What it looks like
Preparation
Once you arrive to the La Vida Base Camp in Lake Clear, NY, you'll spend a couple days getting to know your group. Team-building activities like games and problem-solving initiatives, as well as the low and high ropes course, prepare the group to work together and face future challenges on the trail or the water. You'll also learn minimum-impact camping skills and go rock climbing and rappelling. During this phase of the trip, participants are trained with the skills that will allow them to become more self-sufficient later in the trip.
Group Travel
Groups backpack or canoe through the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondack Park and will camp at a different campsite most nights, giving them the chance to hone their outdoor skills acquired during the first few days. You will canoe or backpack with all your gear as you travel to different campsites. Each day, two people are paired together to be the “Leaders of the Day” to practice their leadership in a safe space. At the end of the day, they’ll receive feedback from their group to continue the learning process. Each evening, everyone will enjoy meaningful conversation and have the opportunity to share their life story.
Solo
The solo is a 2-day period towards the end of the trip where you will have the opportunity to practice the classic disciplines of solitude, simplicity and silence as well as fasting and prayer. It is a unique chance to step back from the normal distractions of life and evaluate what is important to you, set goals for the future and realize what you are thankful for in your life. Participants are given the space to read, journal and spend time in nature while under the close supervision of the La Vida trip leaders.
One element of solo that adds into the experience is fasting. Most people, but not all, do fast on their solo. The solo experience is managed very closely by the leaders who will prepare, support and encourage you to challenge yourself in this experience and check in.
Celebration
All of the expedition groups come back to the La Vida Base Camp property to celebrate what they’ve accomplished. Groups and individuals will be able to share what they’ve learned at our Celebration service and how they plan to incorporate it into their lives at home. The following day, you will complete one last challenge with your group before heading back home.
Juliana Larson
"I went on an expedition before my freshman year, and it was a wonderful step in my period of transition to college. I was able to get to know people and socialize with my peers in a non-academic setting before arriving at school. I am still friends today with some of the people on my trip and it is a joy to see them around campus. My expedition helped me see that we are made to grow in our faith and experience life as a community. Having the opportunity to do both mundane and the adventurous in fellowship with other believers was an incredible gift."
Rona Ganthier
"My La Vida Expedition helped me realize that I am valued and I do matter as an individual. It also helped me realize how I can be an effective leader if I just believe in myself."
Julius Swaim
"My La Vida Expedition challenged me in many areas, but most importantly, I felt challenged to live in the moment. I have always struggled to leave my past behind and not worry about it. This trip helped me calm down and truly see the potential of living in the moment."