Frequently Asked Questions
What is Challenge Adventures?
What ages do you serve?
Why do you have llamas?
How long is a Challenge Adventures llama trek?
When should I make a reservation?
What is the benefit of participating in a trek?
Do you need to have prior backpacking experience?
What credentials do staff have?
Do campers need to bring everything on the gear list?
Can you bring I-Pods or cell phones?
Where do campers sleep?
What about bad weather?
What if a camper becomes ill or injured?
Where do you go to the bathroom?
How do you deal with personal hygiene in the woods?
What food do you serve?
What is the philosophy of behavior management?
I'm interested in setting up a Challenge Adventures trip for my school, community organization or group. What is the next step?
Our nonprofit doesn?t have access to funds for this. How can you help?
What is Challenge Adventures?
Challenge Adventures is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization that provides outdoor adventures for youth organizations and groups, persons with developmental disabilities, Girl Scouts and women's groups. While it is not a traditional therapeutic wilderness program, a trip can be tailored to meet the needs and goals of a particular group. Our organization is supported by donations, grants and fees. We work with community groups to find ways to pay for the adventures they want to provide for their members or clients.
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What ages do you serve?
Challenge Adventures serves people eight and older. We concentrate on youth eight to thirteen. Most other wilderness programs begin services at age thirteen, but we believe the younger youth should have the opportunity for adventures as well.
Return to Top
Why do you have llamas?
Llamas are gentle and user-friendly pack animals with whom campers quickly establish a bond. The Challenge Adventures llamas are used to being around children and are very patient and tolerant. Llamas give unconditional acceptance to their human friends, which may be a healing force to the campers. Campers have the opportunity to lead and care for "their llama" for the duration of the trip. Campers learn to groom their llama and may get the chance to make braided bracelets out of llama wool. In addition, younger children and some persons with disabilities would not be able to carry the supplies and equipment they would need without the llamas and older children would not be able to stay in the wilderness for as long a time without the llamas' help. Sometimes, campers send "fan letters" to their llamas.
Return to Top
How long is a Challenge Adventures llama trek?
We can do day hikes, but usually do overnight trips, which include hiking and camping in tents in the national forest. Trips can vary from one overnight (two days, one night) to as long as two weeks. The typical trip is two or three nights, depending on the needs of the sponsoring organization. In addition to summer treks during school vacation, we also do weekend trips in spring and fall.
Return to Top
When should I make a reservation?
We accept reservations as far as 10 months in advance. Summer dates tend to fill up fast.
Return to Top
What is the benefit of participating in a trek?
Youth participants have an opportunity to achieve the developmental tasks of accomplishment, belonging, responsibility and leadership. Campers of all ages get to see some of the most beautiful mountain areas in the Southeast. They learn real skills, like how to be comfortable in the woods. They learn how to respect and appreciate the natural environment. They gain self-confidence by doing some things that are difficult (like hiking to the top of a mountain), but are within their abilities. They learn how to work as part of a team. They learn how to have fun without electronics, TV, or other distractions. Participants benefit by learning camping skills and improving self-confidence.
Return to Top
Do you need to have prior backpacking experience?
No. The staff plans the hiking part of the trip according to the abilities of the group. However, campers must be able to hike several miles on uneven trails. For beginners, we may hike 3-5 miles. For those who want a greater challenge, we may hike 5-8 miles per day. We hike at the pace of the slowest person in the group.
Return to Top
What credentials do staff have?
The founders of Challenge Adventures have Masters' degrees in social work and more than 30 years experience each working with children and youth as scout leaders, therapists and wilderness guides. They continue to lead some of the trips. Most other staff also have master's degrees. They work for school systems during the school year and for Challenge Adventures during the summer. All staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Return to Top
Do campers need to bring everything on the gear list?
Yes, all campers must bring the recommended clothing, medications and personal items on the list. For non-Scout groups we furnish sleeping bags, tents, mess kits, backpacks, etc. and provide all food and cooking gear. Girl Scout groups are expected to adhere to the Girl Scout clothing list and must provide their own sleeping bags, mess kits, water bottles and backpacks. We provide tents for Scout groups and can provide food for an additional charge of $10 per day per person (our cost).
Return to Top
Can you bring I-Pods or cell phones?
No. Forest Service regulations prohibit bringing any personal electronic devices other than emergency communications devices into the Wilderness Areas. Besides, we want campers to fully see and hear what is around them in the natural world. Any contraband electronic devices will be confiscated from campers and returned after the end of a trip. Adult chaperones may carry cell phones to be used for emergencies only. We strongly discourage routine cell phone calls home to parents during a trip. Our staff carry cell phones for emergencies. Cell phone reception is poor in remote mountain areas.
Return to Top
Where do campers sleep?
We will do primitive camping in tents in remote mountain meadows. Tents (with floors) can sleep 2-4 persons, depending on the ages and characteristics of the group.
Return to Top
What about bad weather?
Generally trips go on as scheduled, rain or shine. Campers just put on their rain coats and we put waterproof covers on the llama's packs to keep everything dry. Hiking in the rain (or even in the clouds!) can be fun. However, we may alter a planned route to choose a trail more suitable to wet weather or higher wind conditions. During lightening storms, we follow established safety procedures to shelter in low areas, rather than on exposed ridgelines. In cases of severe or dangerous weather (high wind, heavy snow or sleet), guides have the authority to cancel the trip and return the group to the base camp at Hyder Mountain Farm near Waynesville, NC. In that case, campers can tent camp on the farm and do day hikes with the llamas on nearby trails. This rarely happens.
Return to Top
What if a camper becomes ill or injured?
We carry a basic First Aid kit and all staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid. For minor illness or injury (such as a headache, blisters, scrapes or minor sprains), our staff will administer first aid treatment. For more severe problems, staff and adult chaperones will determine whether to evacuate a particular camper to seek help at the nearest emergency room. One adult will hike out with the injured camper. Luckily, this is a rare occurrence. In more than 18 years of operation, we have only had to evacuate a camper for medical treatment four times and only two of these were for injuries. The health form for each youth camper includes authorization of the parent or guardian to seek medical treatment for minors and health insurance information. For adult campers, we will need health insurance information for the same purpose.
Return to Top
Where do you go to the bathroom?
Since this is "primitive" camping, there are no established campgrounds or toilets. Campers will defecate and urinate in a "cat hole," then bury their waste, along with toilet paper. We carry several hand trowels and will show campers how to do this in a way that protects the environment and keeps the streams clean.
Return to Top
How do you deal with personal hygiene in the woods?
There are no showers. Campers can use a wet washcloth to clean their face and hands each night. They brush their teeth with purified water and use flavored floss to freshen breath (no toothpaste because of harmful residue it leaves on the ground). We encourage the use of baby wipes or moist towelettes to do a partial sponge bath if desired. We carry wipes to clean everyone's hands before eating. Staff remind younger campers to change their underwear and socks each day. If we camp near a creek, campers can get their feet wet and splash their faces ? no swimming.
Return to Top
What food do you serve?
Breakfast is pancakes, grits or oatmeal, along with lots of hot chocolate or herb tea. We serve kid-tested dinners, like chicken and bean burritos, turkey and dressing and beans and rice. Lunches may include peanut butter and jelly, summer sausage and cheese, hummus or tuna sandwiches. We carry trail mix, granola bars, nuts and crackers for snacks.
Return to Top
What is the philosophy of behavior management?
We insist on several basic rules for everyone's safety and cooperation, like staying with the group, following instructions from staff, no violence toward humans or animals and using respectful language. Most situations are handled by allowing campers who violate the rules to suffer the natural consequences (If you don't put on your raincoat when instructed, you will get wet; If you lose your spoon, you will have to figure out how to eat your oatmeal). If there is a conflict between two campers, we stop everything and insist that they talk things out to a satisfactory resolution. We use the example of the llama herd (a highly cooperative group) to make the behavior lessons clear to campers.
Return to Top
I'm interested in setting up a Challenge Adventures trip for my school, community organization or group. What is the next step?
E-mail us at info@challengeadventures.com or call our business office in Columbia, SC at 803-254-7959 or toll-free at 1-866-660-8090. Let us know some details about your organization or group, your address, the size of your group and what dates you would like to go on an adventure. We will work with you to set up a mutually agreeable time. Once we reserve your dates, you will need to send a deposit of $100 per day to hold those dates. The balance of the fee is due 10 days before the trip.
Return to Top
Our nonprofit community organization serves at-risk youth. We think an adventure trip would benefit our clients but we don?t have the funds on hand. What can we do?
For organizations that serve at-risk youth or youth who are wards of the State, our staff will work with your organization to seek ways to finance the trip. This may include cooperative grant-seeking, advice on community funding sources or local fund-raising ideas. Our interest is in providing adventure experiences to these kinds of kids. We will work with you to make it happen.
Return to Top
What ages do you serve?
Why do you have llamas?
How long is a Challenge Adventures llama trek?
When should I make a reservation?
What is the benefit of participating in a trek?
Do you need to have prior backpacking experience?
What credentials do staff have?
Do campers need to bring everything on the gear list?
Can you bring I-Pods or cell phones?
Where do campers sleep?
What about bad weather?
What if a camper becomes ill or injured?
Where do you go to the bathroom?
How do you deal with personal hygiene in the woods?
What food do you serve?
What is the philosophy of behavior management?
I'm interested in setting up a Challenge Adventures trip for my school, community organization or group. What is the next step?
Our nonprofit doesn?t have access to funds for this. How can you help?
What is Challenge Adventures?
Challenge Adventures is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization that provides outdoor adventures for youth organizations and groups, persons with developmental disabilities, Girl Scouts and women's groups. While it is not a traditional therapeutic wilderness program, a trip can be tailored to meet the needs and goals of a particular group. Our organization is supported by donations, grants and fees. We work with community groups to find ways to pay for the adventures they want to provide for their members or clients.
Return to Top
What ages do you serve?
Challenge Adventures serves people eight and older. We concentrate on youth eight to thirteen. Most other wilderness programs begin services at age thirteen, but we believe the younger youth should have the opportunity for adventures as well.
Return to Top
Why do you have llamas?
Llamas are gentle and user-friendly pack animals with whom campers quickly establish a bond. The Challenge Adventures llamas are used to being around children and are very patient and tolerant. Llamas give unconditional acceptance to their human friends, which may be a healing force to the campers. Campers have the opportunity to lead and care for "their llama" for the duration of the trip. Campers learn to groom their llama and may get the chance to make braided bracelets out of llama wool. In addition, younger children and some persons with disabilities would not be able to carry the supplies and equipment they would need without the llamas and older children would not be able to stay in the wilderness for as long a time without the llamas' help. Sometimes, campers send "fan letters" to their llamas.
Return to Top
How long is a Challenge Adventures llama trek?
We can do day hikes, but usually do overnight trips, which include hiking and camping in tents in the national forest. Trips can vary from one overnight (two days, one night) to as long as two weeks. The typical trip is two or three nights, depending on the needs of the sponsoring organization. In addition to summer treks during school vacation, we also do weekend trips in spring and fall.
Return to Top
When should I make a reservation?
We accept reservations as far as 10 months in advance. Summer dates tend to fill up fast.
Return to Top
What is the benefit of participating in a trek?
Youth participants have an opportunity to achieve the developmental tasks of accomplishment, belonging, responsibility and leadership. Campers of all ages get to see some of the most beautiful mountain areas in the Southeast. They learn real skills, like how to be comfortable in the woods. They learn how to respect and appreciate the natural environment. They gain self-confidence by doing some things that are difficult (like hiking to the top of a mountain), but are within their abilities. They learn how to work as part of a team. They learn how to have fun without electronics, TV, or other distractions. Participants benefit by learning camping skills and improving self-confidence.
Return to Top
Do you need to have prior backpacking experience?
No. The staff plans the hiking part of the trip according to the abilities of the group. However, campers must be able to hike several miles on uneven trails. For beginners, we may hike 3-5 miles. For those who want a greater challenge, we may hike 5-8 miles per day. We hike at the pace of the slowest person in the group.
Return to Top
What credentials do staff have?
The founders of Challenge Adventures have Masters' degrees in social work and more than 30 years experience each working with children and youth as scout leaders, therapists and wilderness guides. They continue to lead some of the trips. Most other staff also have master's degrees. They work for school systems during the school year and for Challenge Adventures during the summer. All staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
Return to Top
Do campers need to bring everything on the gear list?
Yes, all campers must bring the recommended clothing, medications and personal items on the list. For non-Scout groups we furnish sleeping bags, tents, mess kits, backpacks, etc. and provide all food and cooking gear. Girl Scout groups are expected to adhere to the Girl Scout clothing list and must provide their own sleeping bags, mess kits, water bottles and backpacks. We provide tents for Scout groups and can provide food for an additional charge of $10 per day per person (our cost).
Return to Top
Can you bring I-Pods or cell phones?
No. Forest Service regulations prohibit bringing any personal electronic devices other than emergency communications devices into the Wilderness Areas. Besides, we want campers to fully see and hear what is around them in the natural world. Any contraband electronic devices will be confiscated from campers and returned after the end of a trip. Adult chaperones may carry cell phones to be used for emergencies only. We strongly discourage routine cell phone calls home to parents during a trip. Our staff carry cell phones for emergencies. Cell phone reception is poor in remote mountain areas.
Return to Top
Where do campers sleep?
We will do primitive camping in tents in remote mountain meadows. Tents (with floors) can sleep 2-4 persons, depending on the ages and characteristics of the group.
Return to Top
What about bad weather?
Generally trips go on as scheduled, rain or shine. Campers just put on their rain coats and we put waterproof covers on the llama's packs to keep everything dry. Hiking in the rain (or even in the clouds!) can be fun. However, we may alter a planned route to choose a trail more suitable to wet weather or higher wind conditions. During lightening storms, we follow established safety procedures to shelter in low areas, rather than on exposed ridgelines. In cases of severe or dangerous weather (high wind, heavy snow or sleet), guides have the authority to cancel the trip and return the group to the base camp at Hyder Mountain Farm near Waynesville, NC. In that case, campers can tent camp on the farm and do day hikes with the llamas on nearby trails. This rarely happens.
Return to Top
What if a camper becomes ill or injured?
We carry a basic First Aid kit and all staff are certified in Wilderness First Aid. For minor illness or injury (such as a headache, blisters, scrapes or minor sprains), our staff will administer first aid treatment. For more severe problems, staff and adult chaperones will determine whether to evacuate a particular camper to seek help at the nearest emergency room. One adult will hike out with the injured camper. Luckily, this is a rare occurrence. In more than 18 years of operation, we have only had to evacuate a camper for medical treatment four times and only two of these were for injuries. The health form for each youth camper includes authorization of the parent or guardian to seek medical treatment for minors and health insurance information. For adult campers, we will need health insurance information for the same purpose.
Return to Top
Where do you go to the bathroom?
Since this is "primitive" camping, there are no established campgrounds or toilets. Campers will defecate and urinate in a "cat hole," then bury their waste, along with toilet paper. We carry several hand trowels and will show campers how to do this in a way that protects the environment and keeps the streams clean.
Return to Top
How do you deal with personal hygiene in the woods?
There are no showers. Campers can use a wet washcloth to clean their face and hands each night. They brush their teeth with purified water and use flavored floss to freshen breath (no toothpaste because of harmful residue it leaves on the ground). We encourage the use of baby wipes or moist towelettes to do a partial sponge bath if desired. We carry wipes to clean everyone's hands before eating. Staff remind younger campers to change their underwear and socks each day. If we camp near a creek, campers can get their feet wet and splash their faces ? no swimming.
Return to Top
What food do you serve?
Breakfast is pancakes, grits or oatmeal, along with lots of hot chocolate or herb tea. We serve kid-tested dinners, like chicken and bean burritos, turkey and dressing and beans and rice. Lunches may include peanut butter and jelly, summer sausage and cheese, hummus or tuna sandwiches. We carry trail mix, granola bars, nuts and crackers for snacks.
Return to Top
What is the philosophy of behavior management?
We insist on several basic rules for everyone's safety and cooperation, like staying with the group, following instructions from staff, no violence toward humans or animals and using respectful language. Most situations are handled by allowing campers who violate the rules to suffer the natural consequences (If you don't put on your raincoat when instructed, you will get wet; If you lose your spoon, you will have to figure out how to eat your oatmeal). If there is a conflict between two campers, we stop everything and insist that they talk things out to a satisfactory resolution. We use the example of the llama herd (a highly cooperative group) to make the behavior lessons clear to campers.
Return to Top
I'm interested in setting up a Challenge Adventures trip for my school, community organization or group. What is the next step?
E-mail us at info@challengeadventures.com or call our business office in Columbia, SC at 803-254-7959 or toll-free at 1-866-660-8090. Let us know some details about your organization or group, your address, the size of your group and what dates you would like to go on an adventure. We will work with you to set up a mutually agreeable time. Once we reserve your dates, you will need to send a deposit of $100 per day to hold those dates. The balance of the fee is due 10 days before the trip.
Return to Top
Our nonprofit community organization serves at-risk youth. We think an adventure trip would benefit our clients but we don?t have the funds on hand. What can we do?
For organizations that serve at-risk youth or youth who are wards of the State, our staff will work with your organization to seek ways to finance the trip. This may include cooperative grant-seeking, advice on community funding sources or local fund-raising ideas. Our interest is in providing adventure experiences to these kinds of kids. We will work with you to make it happen.
Return to Top