Program

Glen Brook's Falcon Outdoor Leadership program is an intensive leadership training program for high school students (graduates of eighth grade), ages 14 to 16. The program's trip leaders strive to instill in all participants a sense of personal responsibility through wilderness experiences in Northern New England and stewardship of Glen Brook's forested and farm landscape. Participants learn "hard skills" in several wilderness settings, coupled with instruction on the elements of effective leadership techniques. Each three-week session offers two wilderness trips:

• A multi-day canoe trip on New Hampshire's northern lakes or whitewater rivers. The session starts with each participant building his or her own wooden canoe paddle, which is then used on the subsequent trip;
• A multi-day backpacking in the White or Green mountains. Preparation focuses on understanding the importance of adequate gear, the imperative of clear communication, first aid basics, and basic leadership skills.

    Between trips, participants spend time at Glen Brook on their own base camp, learning to care for the camp's trail system -- blazing, clearing, and bridge-building -- and maintaining the camp's many stone walls, while at the same time resting for and planning their next adventure. Days are filled with a balance of challenging adventure and quiet solitude. The Falcon Outdoor Leadership program runs independently from the rest of the summer camp schedule, save the use of the health facility, the lake, and other natural areas. There is occasional overlap in meals and special events.

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Life at Base Camp Glen Brook

The Falcon Outdoor Leadership program runs independently from the rest of camp. The permanent camp site at Glen Brook is used as a base camp from which multi-day expeditions are planned and prepared for. Participants live in rustic, screened living quarters with a space for storing gear and relaxing. There is a composting toilet and a field shower but no electricity in the Falcon Camp. The main cabin has a field kitchen with running water and cook stoves. Participants play an active role in planning meals and rotate cooking and cleaning responsibilities. While in camp, Falcons participate in Glen Brook's essential stewardship program, but there is still ample time to relax -- swim in the lake, sing Glen Brook songs, and tell stories around the fire circle.

Backpacking: Hikes span regions from the Green Mountains in Vermont to the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Mahoosuc Range in Maine. Past hikes have included Mt. Bond, a 4,000-foot peak, Zealand Falls, and Franconia Notch. As a group, you also plan the menus for the expedition. Hikes are rigorous yet no previous experience is required, and the leaders are careful to ensure that each participant is well prepared, safe, and a contributing member to the group's progress.

Canoeing: The keystone adventure of the three-week experience is the canoeing program. This module begins with each Falcon building his or her own canoe paddle in the Camp's wood shop and painting it with a signature style. The group then participates in a five-day expedition to a remote section of lakes and rivers, typically in the northern reaches of New Hampshire, such as the headwaters of the Connecticut River (the Connecticut Lakes) or stretches of the Androscoggin or Umbagog rivers and lakes. Days consist of paddling from small island to small island, learning the fundamentals of paddling and camping, reflective practices such as music, art, and writing, and observing wildlife, such as moose, deer, eagles, and other immense birds of prey.

Stewardship (both sessions)

Glen Brook has a long tradition of balancing simple living, play, learning, and work. There are opportunities throughout the experience to give back to the program through hands on work experiences. These projects are designed to generate problem-solving skills, sense of community, and skill building. The Camp's mission statement reads, in part: "In all that we do we aim to leave the world a better than the way we found it." This is a consistent theme of the Falcon Outdoor Leadership Program.

Solo (both sessions)

As a pivotal experience, you spend a guided day in the woods at Glen Brook alone to reflect on the experiences of your explorations. Adventures often bring forth many new life lessons. The solo time is a time to think about how you can apply what you have experienced to your every day life.

On The Trail

While out on trips, participants work as a group, with the instructors, to plan menus and create a chore list of cooking and cleaning duties. Once in camp after a day of hiking in the mountains, paddling, or climbing, everyone pitches in to set up camp and begin preparations for the night’s stay. After supper and clean up, there is time for relaxing, playing games, stargazing and exploring.

Canoeing

Paddle from island to island in northern New Hampshire lakes, camping along the way.

Backpacking

Hike a section of the Appalachian Trail, the Long Trail, or the high trails in the White Mountains for an extended expedition.

High Ropes Course

Falcons learn climbing knots, belaying skills, and rappelling techniques while playing on Glen Brook's signature high ropes course.

Leadership

Fundamentals of leadership are the foundation of the Falcon program. Leaders train participants in the effective tools of competent and inspiring leadership, using a unique program that is referred to throughout the three week sessions.

Stewardship

Being a good environmentalist starts at home. Each Falcon practices basic stewardship daily, from cooking and cleaning skills to low-impact camping.

2009 Dates and Costs

Session I
June 27 to July 17
$2,940
Limit: 12

Session II
July 19 to August 8
$2,940
Limit 12

Full summer: $5,145

Other Activities May Include:

Forest and Freshwater Ecology

Low Impact Camping

Plant and Animal Identification

Planning and Preparing Daily Meals

Astronomy

Survival Basics

Geology

First Aid

Nature Writing and Journaling

Self-Sufficiency

Drawing and Painting

Singing by the Campfire

Trail and Camp Maintenance

Map and Compass

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