Jackson Hole Leadership Program

The Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) is a summer program for emerging middle and high school youth in Jackson, Wyoming. Through experiential outdoor activities, we create fun and meaningful summer experiences that foster social skills, self-confidence, and a strong sense of community. JHLP is divided into three programs: Phase One, Phase Two, and TAP (Therapeutic Adventure Program)

Jackson Hole Leadership Program

The Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) is a summer program for emerging middle and high school youth in Jackson, Wyoming. Through experiential outdoor activities, we create fun and meaningful summer experiences that foster social skills, self-confidence, and a strong sense of community. JHLP is divided into three programs: Phase One, Phase Two, and TAP (Therapeutic Adventure Program)

Jackson Hole Leadership Program

The Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) is a summer program for emerging middle and high school youth in Jackson, Wyoming. Through experiential outdoor activities, we create fun and meaningful summer experiences that foster social skills, self-confidence, and a strong sense of community. JHLP is divided into three programs: Phase One, Phase Two, and TAP (Therapeutic Adventure Program)

SUMMER CAMP

2025 dates are posted below

Registration Is Open!

In 2019, we offered ten 5-day sessions. We subsidize the cost of our camps by 50%.

11.6

The average age of participants in our camps

131

Number of youth we served in 2019 (50 males, 81 females)

32

Financial aid received by participants (15 full scholarships and 18 partial scholarships)

11.6

The average age of participants in our camps

131

Number of youth we served in 2019 (50 males, 81 females)

32

Financial aid received by participants (15 full scholarships and 18 partial scholarships)

Backpacking trips for kids in Jackson hole

Founded in the summer of 1992, the Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) began as a small initiative with just two summer sessions. Due to its popularity, the program quickly grew and now serves over 150 local youth each summer, offering 10 sessions across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 programming.

At its core, the program provides a fun and meaningful summer experience designed to build leadership, self-confidence, and positive decision-making skills. Through experiential outdoor activities, JHLP supports participants in their transition to adolescence. In Phase 1, youth engage in games, team initiatives, a day at the TSS ropes course, and a five-day program culminating in an overnight camping trip. Phase 2 offers a more intensive experience, a three night, four day backpacking adventure, followed by a white water rafting adventure!

We are excited to announce our new Therapeutic Adventure Program (TAP) which uses teamwork, education, and the beauty of the environment to help youth discover self-confidence and healthy ways to face challenges and obstacles. The program is run by a mix of counselors and backpacking staff well adversed in the outdoors and working with youth.

Our aim is to continue to keep JHLP an all-inclusive, all demographic camp by keeping our camp costs affordable and awarding blind scholarships to those in need.

Thanks to our community's generosity TYFS is proud to offer subsidized programming, additional scholarships are available for application during registration. Please note, program applications should be submitted prior to completing the scholarship application.

Founded in the summer of 1992, the Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) began as a small initiative with just two summer sessions. Due to its popularity, the program quickly grew and now serves over 150 local youth each summer, offering 10 sessions across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 programming.

At its core, the program provides a fun and meaningful summer experience designed to build leadership, self-confidence, and positive decision-making skills. Through experiential outdoor activities, JHLP supports participants in their transition to adolescence. In Phase 1, youth engage in games, team initiatives, a day at the TSS ropes course, and a five-day program culminating in an overnight camping trip. Phase 2 offers a more intensive experience, a three night, four day backpacking adventure, followed by a white water rafting adventure!

We are excited to announce our new Therapeutic Adventure Program (TAP) which uses teamwork, education, and the beauty of the environment to help youth discover self-confidence and healthy ways to face challenges and obstacles. The program is run by a mix of counselors and backpacking staff well adversed in the outdoors and working with youth.

Our aim is to continue to keep JHLP an all-inclusive, all demographic camp by keeping our camp costs affordable and awarding blind scholarships to those in need.

Thanks to our community's generosity TYFS is proud to offer subsidized programming, additional scholarships are available for application during registration. Please note, program applications should be submitted prior to completing the scholarship application.

Founded in the summer of 1992, the Jackson Hole Leadership Program (JHLP) began as a small initiative with just two summer sessions. Due to its popularity, the program quickly grew and now serves over 150 local youth each summer, offering 10 sessions across both Phase 1 and Phase 2 programming.

At its core, the program provides a fun and meaningful summer experience designed to build leadership, self-confidence, and positive decision-making skills. Through experiential outdoor activities, JHLP supports participants in their transition to adolescence. In Phase 1, youth engage in games, team initiatives, a day at the TSS ropes course, and a five-day program culminating in an overnight camping trip. Phase 2 offers a more intensive experience, a three night, four day backpacking adventure, followed by a white water rafting adventure!

We are excited to announce our new Therapeutic Adventure Program (TAP) which uses teamwork, education, and the beauty of the environment to help youth discover self-confidence and healthy ways to face challenges and obstacles. The program is run by a mix of counselors and backpacking staff well adversed in the outdoors and working with youth.

Our aim is to continue to keep JHLP an all-inclusive, all demographic camp by keeping our camp costs affordable and awarding blind scholarships to those in need.

Thanks to our community's generosity TYFS is proud to offer subsidized programming, additional scholarships are available for application during registration. Please note, program applications should be submitted prior to completing the scholarship application.

The Jackson Hole Leadership Program is divided into three programs. Expand the information by clicking below.

Phase One | 5th - 7th Grade | Co-ed


*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 Jackson Hole Land Trust's 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)

Phase Two | 6th - 9th Grade | Co-ed

*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
Five-day, four-night overnight backpacking experiences

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.


Trip leaders are trained in backcountry skills and etiquette and are selected for their ability to encourage and support participants through this challenging experience. To ensure a safe and well-prepared trip, they undergo backcountry emergency policy training. Among the three field staff, there will be certifications in Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness First Aid (WFA), and CPR/First Aid.
 
TAP (Therapeutic Adventure Program) | 7th - 12th Grade | Boys Only

 

Summer Wilderness Adventure 1

 High School Boys entering 9th-12th grade in Fall 2025

June 21 - 28, 2025

 

Summer Wilderness Adventure 2

Middle School Boys entering 7th-8th grade in Fall 2025

August 17-23, 2025

 

Our therapeutic adventure program can be an ideal setting for adolescent males who are facing various challenges in their emotional, social, and behavioral development. These clients may be struggling with issues such as lack of motivation, peer relationships, social skills, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, or self-esteem, and may benefit from the structured and immersive wilderness environment. 

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

These expeditions will be led by a licensed 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. 

Each expedition will consist of a day of team building activities and backpacking skills training, followed by a 6 night, 7 day expedition. The experience will culminate with families joining the students to participate in activities aimed at integrating the skills learned during the backpacking experience and strengthening family bonds. We will close the week with a ceremony to celebrate the students' accomplishments.

If you would like to apply for admission to either of the Therapeutic Adventure Program trips, please use the link below to access and complete the required application.  Once the application is received, it will be reviewed and the trip therapist will follow up with you.

 

Registration/Application Process:

Please complete the following application. Once it is received and reviewed, the Trip Therapist will contact you. 

This is a rolling admission process, starting on March 19, 2025. The program therapist will contact you 7-10 days after receiving the application. 

 

Click here to read the complete program description

Registration

Complete payment after submitting an application

PHASE ONE APPLICATION
PHASE TWO APPLICATION
TAP APPLICATION

Thanks to our community's generosity TYFS is proud to offer subsidized programming, additional scholarships are available for application during registration. Please note, program applications should be submitted prior to completing the scholarship application.

Scholarship Application

2025 Program Dates

Phase One

Cost: $846 actual cost; $400 subsidized fee.

all trips are co-ed

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

Cost: $2,000 actual cost; $1,000 subsidized fee

all trips are co-ed

Week 1
7/28-8/1

Week 2
8/4-8/8 

Week 3
8/11-8/15

TAP

Therapeutic Adventure Program

Cost: $3,000 actual cost; $2,000 subsidized fee

Boys only

High School Boys
(entering 9th and 12th grade Fall 2025)
Dates: 6/21-6/28 

Middle School Boys
(entering 7th and 8th grade Fall 2025)
Dates: 8/17-8/23

2025 Program Dates

Phase One

Cost: $846 actual cost; $400 subsidized fee.

all trips are co-ed

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

Cost: $2,000 actual cost; $1,000 subsidized fee

all trips are co-ed

Week 1
7/28-8/1

Week 2
8/4-8/8 

Week 3
8/11-8/15

TAP

(Therapeutic Adventure Program)

Cost: $3,000 actual cost; $2,000 subsidized fee

Boys only

High School Boys
(entering 9th and 12th grade Fall 2025)
Dates: 6/21-6/28 

Middle School Boys
(entering 7th and 8th grade Fall 2025)
Dates: 8/17-8/23

kids playing on the lawn

Registration Information

Registration for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and TAP will open on March 19th, 2025 at 12:00 PM.

Each session of Phase I runs for five days, with the overnight camping trip on Thursday evening of each week. In hopes of building a strong group culture over the course of the session, we ask that you select a week in which your child is able to participate for all five days. If there is a foreseeable scheduling conflict with a certain session, we ask that you select a different week in which your child will be able to participate fully.
Please be aware that although these trips can be a ton of fun, they can be rigorous, asking participants to test their physical capabilities and mental fortitude throughout the week. They may not be right for everyone. Campers will be away from their homes and families, sleeping outdoors for five days and four nights. During the expedition, they are responsible for carrying their own packs full of individual and group supplies for the duration of the journey, and are also expected to assist in group tasks such as setting up camp, cooking meals, and filtering water. Although backpacking experience is not required, participants should have a reasonable level of physical fitness to be able to meet the needs of this adventure. Before enrolling your camper, we encourage you to have a discussion with them about what is entailed in being a part of JHLP’s Phase II program. With greater challenge, though, there is certainly greater reward, and little can match the sense of accomplishment that young people achieve when they complete this expedition.
When determining whether to register your 6th or 7th grader for Phase 1 or 2, we ask you to consider their maturity level, their readiness to spend 4 nights away from home, and their openness to the physical challenge of backpacking. A child does not have to complete Phase 1 before registering for Phase 2, but we do recommend it as it is a great opportunity to test the waters. Please reach out to Ted Nichols, the Therapeutic Adventure Program Manager, if you have any questions about which option would be the right fit for your child.
In recent years, JHLP has grown significantly in popularity resulting in a competitive application process. There are a limited number of spaces available in each session, and these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration materials will be processed in the order that they are received via our online application form.

Given the limited number of spaces and in hopes of making our program available to as many participants as possible, we can offer each child a space in no more than one session of programming per summer.
On the program application forms, we ask that you select your top three choices for sessions and rank them numerically (1, 2, and 3). If your first choice session reaches capacity prior to the time that your registration is processed, we will do our best to place your child in their second or third choice sessions.
There is a minimum number of participants that must register in each session in order for it to run. Once this number has been reached we will send out a message to all registered participants confirming your registration in the specified session.
With high volumes of registrants and a limited number of available spaces in each session, there may be instances in which we are unable to secure a space for your child in a specified session. If this is the case, we will maintain your application and contact information and add your child to the Waitlist for your session of choice. If there is a cancellation in the specified session, registrants on the Waitlist will be offered the space in the order that their application materials were received.
In registering for a particular session, we ask that you be certain your child will be able to participate in it. Once you have registered and received confirmation of your child’s space in the session, you can cancel at no cost up until 30 days prior to the start date of that session. If you cancel after those 30 days your money will NOT be refunded. Concessions may be made in the case of medical issues or family emergencies. Please reach out to the Therapeutic Adventure Program Manager, Ted Nichols, in these situations.

Registration FAQ

Registration for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and TAP will open on March 19th, 2025 at 12:00 PM.

Full participation
Each session of Phase I runs for five days, with the overnight camping trip on Thursday evening of each week. In hopes of building a strong group culture over the course of the session, we ask that you select a week in which your child is able to participate for all five days. If there is a foreseeable scheduling conflict with a certain session, we ask that you select a different week in which your child will be able to participate fully.
Note to parents regarding Phase Two
Please be aware that although these trips can be a ton of fun, they can be rigorous, asking participants to test their physical capabilities and mental fortitude throughout the week. They may not be right for everyone. Campers will be away from their homes and families, sleeping outdoors for five days and four nights. During the expedition, they are responsible for carrying their own packs full of individual and group supplies for the duration of the journey, and are also expected to assist in group tasks such as setting up camp, cooking meals, and filtering water. Although backpacking experience is not required, participants should have a reasonable level of physical fitness to be able to meet the needs of this adventure. Before enrolling your camper, we encourage you to have a discussion with them about what is entailed in being a part of JHLP’s Phase II program. With greater challenge, though, there is certainly greater reward, and little can match the sense of accomplishment that young people achieve when they complete this expedition.
Which phase is right for my 6th or 7th grader?
When determining whether to register your 6th or 7th grader for Phase 1 or 2, we ask you to consider their maturity level, their readiness to spend 4 nights away from home, and their openness to the physical challenge of backpacking. A child does not have to complete Phase 1 before registering for Phase 2, but we do recommend it as it is a great opportunity to test the waters. Please reach out to Ted Nichols, the Therapeutic Adventure Program Manager, if you have any questions about which option would be the right fit for your child.
First come first served registration
In recent years, JHLP has grown significantly in popularity resulting in a competitive application process. There are a limited number of spaces available in each session, and these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration materials will be processed in the order that they are received via our online application form.

Given the limited number of spaces and in hopes of making our program available to as many participants as possible, we can offer each child a space in no more than one session of programming per summer.
Choosing a session
On the program application forms, we ask that you select your top three choices for sessions and rank them numerically (1, 2, and 3). If your first choice session reaches capacity prior to the time that your registration is processed, we will do our best to place your child in their second or third choice sessions.
Session confirmations
There is a minimum number of participants that must register in each session in order for it to run. Once this number has been reached we will send out a message to all registered participants confirming your registration in the specified session.
Waitlist protocol
With high volumes of registrants and a limited number of available spaces in each session, there may be instances in which we are unable to secure a space for your child in a specified session. If this is the case, we will maintain your application and contact information and add your child to the Waitlist for your session of choice. If there is a cancellation in the specified session, registrants on the Waitlist will be offered the space in the order that their application materials were received.
Cancellations
In registering for a particular session, we ask that you be certain your child will be able to participate in it. Once you have registered and received confirmation of your child’s space in the session, you can cancel at no cost up until 30 days prior to the start date of that session. If you cancel after those 30 days your money will NOT be refunded. Concessions may be made in the case of medical issues or family emergencies. Please reach out to the Therapeutic Adventure Program Manager, Ted Nichols, in these situations.

Register

Complete payment after submitting an application

Program applications should be submitted prior to completing the scholarship application.

PHASE ONE APPLICATION
PHASE TWO APPLICATION
TAP APPLICATION
Scholarship Application

Other Services TYFS offers

VAN VLECK HOUSE
Group Home

HIRSCHFIELD CENTER
Youth Skills Group

Boys giving high fives after working all day

RED TOP MEADOWS
Residential Treatment Program for Boys

Other Services TYFS offers

VAN VLECK HOUSE
Group Home

HIRSCHFIELD CENTER
Youth Skills Group

Boys giving high fives after working all day

RED TOP MEADOWS
Residential Treatment Program for Boys