Our trips can take you anywhere: dogsledding in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, spelunking in North Carolina, backpacking the Grand Canyon, paddling the Huron River, and more. Whether you want to take off for a couple of hours, a day or a week, let us handle the details—like food, transportation, logistics, trip leaders, and outdoor equipment—while you take in the great outdoors.
Adventure Leadership trips are open to U‑M students, faculty, staff, and the general public.
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Do you have an employee group, department or organization that’s looking to get outside and learn a new skill? Whether you’re looking to relax around a campfire with s’mores or work up a sweat cross country skiing, we’re certain our unique activities will help you reconnect and engage together.
Outdoor skills activities are free to Student Life units at the University of Michigan.
Email advleadtrips@umich.edu with the outdoor skill(s) you’re interested in, a preferred date, and your group size.
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First-year students are invited to register for these weekend, day trip adventures! Make friends with other first-year students and become more familiar with campus by participating in experiential, adventure-based activities. All programs are led by upper-level undergraduate or graduate students involved with the Adventure Leadership program. All gear is provided. Activities will include biking, kayaking, day hikes and more. No experience necessary!
First Ascent Trip Dates TBD
For questions, email advleadtrips@umich.edu or call (734) 764-3967.
Let us take your child’s summer to the next level! Adventure Leadership Camp is packed with opportunities for campers to cultivate wonder, build confidence and independence, and develop new relationships. Your camper will spend the week engaging in a variety of experiences—from climbing to kayaking—that will empower them and encourage exploration of the natural world around them. Our survival challenges, excursions, and high adventure activities (led by University of Michigan students participating in the Adventure Leadership Internship program) will inspire collaboration and creative problem solving, while allowing campers to practice resilience and enjoy all the outdoor excitement Ann Arbor has to offer.
Both day camp sessions take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Adventure Education Center at 1120 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Drop-off will occur at 8:30 a.m. and pick-up will end at 4:30 p.m.
Ignite your passion for adventure! The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour will exhilarate you with amazing big-screen stories when it comes to the Michigan Theater, hosted by Adventure Leadership. Journey to exotic locations, paddle the wildest waters and climb the highest peaks.
The film festival has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, check out these FREE film selections from past Banff Centre Mountain Film Festivals. You can feel like you’re whitewater kayaking through the Rio Apurimac from your couch!
Adventure Leadership is an outdoor, activity-based, experiential learning and leadership development program. You will facilitate team building programs and can choose to guide trips, providing participants opportunities to explore leadership, organizational behavior, group development, and the environment using adventure education practices and outdoor recreation principles. As an intern, you will learn to design and deliver custom experiential programs for students, educators, corporate groups, nonprofit organizations, and beyond using experiential tools which can include ground initiatives, low ropes course elements, high ropes course elements, and a climbing tower. Interested interns can also learn how to create community by leading day, weekend, or week-long trips. Past trips have included dog sledding in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, backpacking along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and paddling the Huron River. Upon acceptance of the internship, training will be provided. In addition to hands-on experiences, you will design and complete a project of your own that takes into account your unique strengths, passions, and ambitions. No matter what your career aspirations may be, the skills and experience gained during this internship will be powerful and highly valued in all areas of your life, personal or professional.
Winter 2021 internship hiring, training and employment timeline will be posted at the end of Fall 2020.
Refunds for Adventure Leadership trips are given only for the following circumstances:
Each trip follows a different set of policies and guidelines. We typically cover this information in our mandatory pre-trip meetings. These meetings are held a few days before your trip; if you have questions at any time, contact us.