Summer Wilderness Program
Augustine Classical Academy seeks to educate the whole person — cultivating wisdom, character, faith, and a commitment to serving others. Our Wilderness program extends this work beyond the classroom through overnight backpacking trips into the Adirondack High Peaks.
Students carry their own gear, cook their own meals, summit mountains, and sleep under the stars. The natural world offers them the chance to encounter the beauty of God's creation, take on demanding physical challenges, and learn to depend on one another. Through these experiences, students develop perseverance, sound judgment, humility, and responsibility, growing closer to God, and closer to each other.
"This past high school girls backpacking trip was quite the adventure. It was challenging but rewarding. Even though the trip did not go to plan and the miles kept adding up, we never stopped laughing. At mile 15 when the sun began to set and not having water for a few hours was catching up to us, we still trudged along the path enjoying conversations with each other. I am proud of all of us for persevering through the hard miles and I am happy we all made it to the lean-to... eventually."
Hannah, 10th grade
"I recently went on the 7th- and 8th-grade backpacking trip. It was so fun to be out in God’s creation. I was with all my close friends and some new faces while I was hiking, swimming, and climbing. My favorite part of this hike was probably swimming in Shoebox Falls and swimming through the waterfall."
Jacob, 8th grade
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1
7 North Main Street | Mechanicville, NY 12118 | 518.541.2089
Augustine Classical Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational or administrative policies, financial aid and scholarship programs, athletics or other school-administered programs. Students are enrolled based on evidence of their ability to thrive in Augustine Classical Academy's Christian, classical course of studies and culture. In addition, subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Augustine Classical Academy does not discriminate in its employment practices.
