Live what you learnReflectHave the time of your life Grand Rapids area: West Michigan is home. We start by looking at each other – what do we bring to the table? What kind of knowledge can we create together? How well do we know our own backyard? Teton Science School: Middle school students apply systems thinking to Grand Teton National Park and surrounding areas. How can we connect to place through nature, science, and stewardship? Exum Mountain Guides: High school students apply systems thinking to backcountry travel, expedition planning, and risk management. We partner with Exum for a technical ascent of the range’s highest peak. Sylvania Wilderness: Both middle school and high school courses practice their skills and enjoy solitude and reflection on solo camp-outs here. Leaders camped nearby monitor well-being without compromising the solo experience. Principles: Action: Learn and then do. Know and then share. Active lifestyle: Get outside and move around Citizenship: Understand rights and responsibilities Conservation: Act as stewards of our resources. Discipline: Engage serious study and practice to acquire knowledge and skill Enjoyment: Have dance parties. Eat ice cream. Justice: Equity in human/non-human communities Leadership: Appropriate actions to reach goals Relationship: Be aware of ecological principles Spiritual development: Craft a code of enduring principles from essential truths. Partners: Blandford Nature Center, Michigan Nature Association, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Kent Conservation District, EGR Parks and Recreation, Goodwillie Environmental School, Bill and Paul’s Sporthaus, Trout Unlimited, Conservation Research Center, Jackson Hole Historical Society, National Park Service, Yellowstone Association Institute, Conserve School, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, National Museum of Wildlife Art, and more…. Places : Grand Rapids, Manistee River Trail, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Park, Black Elk Wilderness, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Conserve School, Sylvania Wilderness, Mackinac Is., more… Financial assistance We offer need-based scholarships and competitive scholarships (in writing, service, conservation, art, geography, video production, and more!) While staff members work hard to match student needs with scholarship funds, we encourage students to be resourceful and proactive. Summer Journeys began in 2008 with a vision to help students understand, interact with, value and serve human and non-human communities. Through place-based education, we provide students with purposeful experiences within communities of their peers to help them acquire knowledge, skills, and confidence to act ethically and live deeply connected lives. Visit for more detailswww.summerjourneys.org

Our studentsOur Mission Inspiring knowledge and action Summer Journeys inspires people to know and appreciate place through relevant study, authentic experience, and true adventure in the Great Lakes, Great Plains, and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Summer Journeys is looking for students with: Aptitude for reflection and self-expression Commitment to ethical behavior Eagerness to learn new things Interest in enjoying life Interest in understanding systems thinking Physical fitness to engage outdoor activities Prior success with academic studies Self-reliance and responsibility Thirst for challenge, tolerance for adversity Everyone Should Learn This Way Middle School 2013: Out West dates: June 25 – July 11 Application, deposit, and references due November 2 nd, students max., 4 leaders High School 2013: Out West dates: July 15 – August 3 Application, deposit, and references due November 2 nd, students max., 4 leaders. Summer Journeys 675 Lovett #2 Grand Rapids, MI APPLY NOW! SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE