Teenage years are exciting, daunting, weird, challenging and full of change. We all change a lot in a relatively short amount of time. We recognize this and want to honor the development process we all go through by giving our teens a direction to focus their energy and a sense of purpose for where they are headed in life.
With this in mind we separate our courses between younger teens (13-15) and older teens (16-18). These divisions aren’t perfect but they help us meet most teens where they are at in life. Early teen years are about getting along with the group, peers, understanding the roles everyone else is engaging in. Older teen years are about developing your role and your sense of self . Older teens are making big decisions about what happens next.
We strive to build teams with members from a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. But everyone on the team should have a drive to:
Have some fun!
Our courses are for people that want to be there. That want to be a part of an inspiring team that faces the challenges and enjoys the adventures.
Become a Leader
Leadership can be expressed in many different ways, from community driven commitments to individual accomplishments, in business, personal, or educational platforms. You will explore your Emotional Intelligence (EQ), your strengths, and your weaknesses.
Build Resilience
For us, resilience is having and developing the emotional strength, mental fortitude and physical presence to face hardships and come back stronger. Sometimes referred to as ‘grit’ and often characterized as an individual’s passionate willingness to persevere and overcome.
We understand that resilience and grit can be practiced, honed, and developed. It is an aspect of character that thrives through life’s hardships.
Learn New Skills
Our program is centered around the student-led learning model, where each person has control over their journey.
You will have the opportunity to learn technical outdoor skills such as navigation, backcountry travel, and swift water awareness as well as soft skills like group management, trip planning, and dynamic problem solving. No matter what your journey, our staff is there to support you and help you learn.
Connect with Nature
We believe that nature is the ultimate teacher. It provides the perfect classroom filled with natural challenges and natural rewards. At MOI you will learn from the mountains, rivers, and glaciers that surround our campus to build a deeper connection with the outdoors.
Physical Fitness?
All of our courses are active and challenging. You have to be ready both physically and mentally to take on the challenge and be active for 8 to 10 hours everyday.
You will need to be able to rely on your body, but be willing to understand that you can accomplish more if you come to the course with a willingness to get out of your comfort zone, and the desire to do better.
Some courses may have specific expectations and requirements. See the Course descriptions for details.
We do our best to make reasonable accommodations for disabilities or chronic injuries without fundamentally altering the nature of the experience for everyone. We’re happy to discuss on a case-by-case basis. Reach out if you have specific questions.
