Moonshot Adventures
Amazing Adventures Across the U.S.
Moonshot is poised to be a transformative force in the lives of students from Sevier and Cocke Counties. Our sights are set on opening doors to new horizons and empowering young individuals with experiences that will help them bring positive change to the communities they call home.
These unforgettable experiences are made possible by Adventure Treks and Outward Bound.
Adventure #1
Alaska Expedition
Step into the Last Frontier, a wild region surrounded by turquoise fjords and blanketed in lush forests and massive glaciers. Explore the Chugach Mountains’ mossy alpine meadows and spruce and birch forests. Ice climb on the impressive Matanuska Glacier and backpack through the Talkeetna Mountains, where the mountains start green and lush before transforming into jagged peaks. Navigate the bluest-green water you’ve ever laid eyes on while sea kayaking the Prince William Sound, and finish your trip with a backpack in Denali State Park, where you may get to see North America’s highest peak.
Adventure #2
California Adventure
Explore the grandeur of northern California for 18 days! Backpack in one of the most majestic places in the world—Redwood National and State Park, where immense, ancient trees await your exploration. Gaze in wonder at 300-foot-tall trees who have seen hundreds of years pass by. Then spend several days splashing down the Rogue and American rivers in whitewater rafts and inflatable kayaks. Mountain bike and rock climb in the shadows of Mt. Shasta, and hike around the lava tubes of Lassen Peak before doing a sunrise hike to its 10,457-foot summit.
Adventure #3
Ultimate Northwest
Wander through an untamed and diverse landscape that simply embodies adventure. Hike with waves crashing on one side and soaring cliffs on the other in Olympic National Park. Rock climb and mountain bike near Bend, Oregon—one of the world’s premier destinations for both sports! Take a hike through the Goat Rocks Wilderness, an untouched land formed by extinct volcanoes. Learn how to whitewater kayak on the Klickitat River before heading to Mt. St. Helens to attempt a summit on a famous volcano. Finish your adventure on the White Salmon River, one of the world’s best raft rides.
Adventure #4
Colorado Rockies Alpine Backpacking
As you hike across alpine meadows and rocky summits, you’ll learn to slow down and appreciate the little things. Starry skies and alpine lakes will be your classroom as your Instructors teach you to load a backpack, cook on a camp stove, and navigate the backcountry. You’ll learn to Leave No Trace when camping and to confidently hike long distances in the mountains. By the end of your expedition, you and your crewmates will be the leaders and you’ll work together to attempt to summit a high mountain peak. Long days of hiking and awe-inspiring mountain views will bring you closer to your crewmates and in tune with yourself. At the end of it all, you’ll emerge a confident and resilient leader with the tools to be your best self on the trail and at home.
Adventure #5
Maine Coast Sailing
This is your opportunity to overcome new challenges in a unique marine environment and an intense team setting. Our 30-foot open sailboat serves as both home and classroom. As the course progresses, you’ll become self-sufficient in skills such as intermediate and advanced chart and compass navigation, small boat seamanship, weather observation, and anchoring. You’ll engage in regular group discussions, reflect on each day’s progress, and share leadership and onboard responsibilities so that every crew member is part of planning each day. As you live and work closely together, you’ll learn far more than seamanship. The habits learned and strengthened on this sailing expedition will serve you for life and for whatever challenge is next.
Adventure #6
High Sierra Alpine Backpacking
High Sierra Alpine Backpacking expeditions travel on and off trail to explore lesser-known backcountry. The course will challenge new and experienced backpackers as your crew travels above 9,000 feet and completes high mileage days. The length of this course, together with its single focus on backpacking, allows for longer travel distances and additional opportunities to implement feedback from Instructors and crew.
