Challenge Trips (Ages 13-16)

ENJOY A UNIQUE ADVENTURE WITH EACH OF THESE TRIPS!

Challenge trips are designed to teach skills and foster self-achievement for each individual as well as promote a sense of accomplishment through team building. It is our goal to teach new skills and provide an experience in which each Challenge participant may develop mentally and physically.

All Challenge trips begin with an orientation at Camp Friendship designed to build group unity and confidence. The Ropes and Initiative Course is used by trained instructors to guide group members through a series of events among the carefully constructed ropes, walls, cables and beams. Included in each orientation is instruction in emergency procedures, safety techniques, minimum impact camping and the skills applicable to each trip.

After completing basic orientation in camp, challenge campers travel on to out-of-camp based sites located near the featured challenge activity. While on most of the trips, group members practice self-reliance by using trail tents and preparing their own food. Campers return to camp Friendship on Friday for discussion and shared experiences.

CAVING An excellent introductory challenge for adventurous campers or those interested in learning outdoor living skills, the Caving Challenge utilizes about ten of the caves located near Franklin, West Virginia. Orientation in safety procedures and caving techniques is provided by skilled instructors, who then select the caves, appropriate to the campers abilities, to explore.		HORSEBACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL RIDING Horseback riders learn the rudiments of western trail riding through theory lessons, ring lessons, demonstrations and several hours of trail riding each day in the West Virginia Mountains overlooking the New River.
ROCK CLIMBING After learning basic climbing techniques on Camp friendship's Ropes Course and Climbing Tower campers take day trips or overnights to locations throughout the state. Top roping is practiced at favorite rock formations which include Raven's Roost, Moorman's Rock, Great Falls and Bremo Bluff.		RIVER RAFTING Noted for some of the finest rafting in the eastern United States, West Virginia's New River takes campers through scenic valleys and rushing  whitewater. Under close supervision of licensed river guides, three days of rafting culminates in an exciting trip through the “Gorge“. Camp is organized each night with time for exploring, swimming or fishing.