SUMMER CAMP
2025 Dates Announced February 1
Registration Opens March 15th, 2025 at 12:00 PM.
In 2019, we offered ten 5-day sessions. We subsidize the cost of our camps by 50%.
*Please note that for the 2025 summer sessions, the ages for Phase 1 and Phase 2 have changed to better meet the needs of emerging Middle and High School Youth
5th - 7th Grade
5 week-long day sessions throughout June & July with one overnight
Phase I of our program is designed for youth entering 5th-7th grade. This is a week-long day program (with one overnight camping trip) in which children participate in a variety of games, team-building initiatives and fun outdoor activities. Our aim is to facilitate engaging outdoor activities that create opportunities for youth to build leadership, self-confidence and positive decision-making skills. JHLP follows the “Challenge by Choice” philosophy, allowing campers to take on challenges they are comfortable with and encouraging them to support peers to do the same.
All JHLP leaders are CPR and First Aid certified, and have been trained to facilitate the Doug Walker Challenge Course, as well as various outdoor activities and team-building initiatives.
Monday
Games, icebreakers, and team-building initiatives at Phil Baux Park. (approx. 8:45 am – 4 pm)
Tuesday
Low and high elements at the Doug Walker Challenge Course at Teton Science School. (approx. 8:45 am – 4 pm)
Wednesday
Games and initiatives, water activities at R Park (approx. 8:45 am – 4 pm)
Thursday
Overnight camping trip at the Granite Creek Campground in the Gros Ventre. (approx. 8:45 am through overnight)
Friday
A morning at camp followed by a hike to “Lunch Rocks” from the Turquoise Lake Trailhead, then back to town to meet up with families for a closing ceremony at Mike Yokel Park. (The ceremony begins at 4:00 pm and usually lasts until 4:30/5pm)
These expeditions will be led by a certified therapist along with two TYFS Wilderness Field Staff leading each group of seven boys throughout the expedition. Staff are trained and experienced in managing risk and providing a therapeutic and educational experience in a wilderness setting.
Trip 1 - High School Boys going into 9th or 10th grade. Dates: TBD
Trip 2 - Middle School Boys going into 7th or 8th grade. Dates: 8/17-8/23
Each expedition will consist of a day of team building activities and backpacking skills training, followed by a 6 night, 7 day expedition. Day 8 will culminate with families joining the students to participate in activities aimed at integrating the skills learned during the backpacking experience and strengthen family bonds. We will close the week with a ceremony to celebrate the students' accomplishments.
Parents are asked to meet with their son and staff before each trip to set goals. We will meet again at the end of the trip to review progress and create a plan for continued growth and success in the student’s home community.
The overall goals for the expedition are to help participants:
- Realize they can do more physically and emotionally than they previously believed.
- Believe it is possible for them to make meaningful connections with people
- Feel safer in relation to other people and the world.
- Realize they are connected to things greater than themselves and that they are part of the world.
- Return home with new skills that will help them engage more effectively with people
- Have a safe and fun experience.
The trip will help each participant reach these goals by providing individual and group challenges and by encouraging cooperation, forethought and responsibility.
We have repeatedly found these experiences beneficial for boys to help improve skills in the following areas:
- Increased motivation
- Healthy peer and family relationships
- Age appropriate behaviors
- Coping and regulation skills
- Healthy attachments
- Social skills
- Self-esteem
- Mindfulness
Registration for this program will work a bit differently than for Phase 1 or Phase 2 programming. Should you be interested in learning more about this program and if it’s right for your child, please contact Peter Moffatt.
*Please note that for the 2025 summer sessions, the ages for Phase 1 and Phase 2 have changed to better meet the needs of emerging Middle and High School Youth. Also, this year, Phase 2 of our program will look a little different then the description below, we are working diligently to finalize the details.
6th - 9th Grade The challenge is increased for participants of our Phase II backpacking sessions. Designed for youth entering 6th–9th grade, these sessions offer a transformative outdoor experience before returning to school. Over five days and four nights, participants explore the valley’s stunning backcountry while developing leadership skills and outdoor knowledge. The week includes a three-day, two-night backpacking expedition, with daily hikes ranging from 4 to 7 miles. Along the way, participants learn essential outdoor skills such as setting up and breaking down camp, navigation, water filtration, packing a backpack, and supporting themselves and their team in the backcountry. The journey is bookended by car camping near the trailhead and culminates on Friday with an exciting adventure, such as a whitewater rafting trip, rock climbing challenge, or the Doug Walker Challenge Course.
Five-day, four-night overnight backpacking experiences
2025 Program Dates
Phase One
Week 1
6/16–6/20
Week 3
7/7–7/11
Week 2
6/23–6/27
Week 4
7/14–7/18
Week 5
7/21-7/25
Phase Two
all trips are co-ed
Week 1
7/28-8/1
Week 2
8/4-8/8
Week 3
8/11-8/15
Therapeutic Adventure Expedition
Boys only
Middle School Boys
(going into 7th and 8th grade)
Dates: 8/17-8/23
High School Boys
(going into 9th and 10th grade)
Dates: TBD


We understand that some camps in the valley have already opened their registration. Please know we are actively securing permits and planning the details to ensure a meaningful and impactful summer experience for your child.
To help us best prepare, we kindly ask that you wait until we’ve posted the program details on our website before reaching out with questions. Your patience and understanding mean so much as we work to create an incredible summer for your family.
Thank you for your continued support, and we can’t wait to share this journey with you and your child.
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