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 were made possible by Adventure Treks, Outward Bound, and Rustic Pathways. Please keep in mind, travel itineraries and locations change every year and may not reflect past adventures.Â
2025
World Exploration
In 2025, Moonshot students expanded their horizons through immersive excursions to destinations including Hawaii, Germany and Austria, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Greece, Norway, Costa Rica, and Japan. Each journey is crafted in collaboration with our Executive Director, ensuring every student chooses a location that sparks curiosity, deepens cultural understanding, and supports future career goals.
Whether exploring global business hubs, historic landmarks, or vibrant local communities, students gain real-world experiences that broaden their perspectives and inspire lifelong learning. These adventures empower Moonshot students to discover their passions, build confidence, and take bold steps toward the future they envision.
2023
Alaska Expedition
Students stepped into the Last Frontier, a wild region surrounded by turquoise fjords and blanketed in lush forests and massive glaciers. They explored the Chugach Mountains’ mossy alpine meadows and spruce and birch forests. They ice-climbed on the impressive Matanuska Glacier and backpacked through the Talkeetna Mountains, where the landscape began green and lush before rising into jagged peaks. They navigated some of the bluest-green water imaginable while sea kayaking the Prince William Sound, and ended their trip with a backpack in Denali State Park, where they even had the chance to see North America’s highest peak.
2023
California Adventure
“Students explored the grandeur of northern California for 18 days. They backpacked in one of the most majestic places in the world—Redwood National and State Park, where immense, ancient trees awaited their discovery. They then spent several days splashing down the Rogue and American rivers in whitewater rafts and inflatable kayaks. Students mountain biked and rock climbed in the shadows of Mt. Shasta, and hiked around the lava tubes of Lassen Peak before taking on a sunrise hike to its 10,457-foot summit.”
2023
Ultimate Northwest
Students wandered through an untamed, diverse landscape that embodied adventure—hiking in Olympic National Park with waves crashing on one side and soaring cliffs on the other. In Bend, Oregon, they rock climbed and mountain biked in one of the world’s premier outdoor destinations before heading into the Goat Rocks Wilderness, an untouched region shaped by extinct volcanoes. The journey continued with whitewater kayak instruction on the Klickitat River, followed by an attempt to summit Mt. St. Helens. The trip wrapped up on the White Salmon River, renowned for offering one of the best raft rides in the world.
2023
Colorado Rockies Alpine Backpacking
Students hiked across alpine meadows and rocky summits, learning to slow down and appreciate the little things. Starry skies and alpine lakes became their classroom as instructors taught them to pack a backpack, cook on a camp stove, and navigate the backcountry. They learned to Leave No Trace when camping and gained confidence hiking long distances in the mountains. By the end of the expedition, students had become leaders, working together to attempt the summit of a high mountain peak. Long days of hiking and awe-inspiring mountain views brought them closer to their crew mates and more in tune with themselves. At the end of it all, they emerged as confident, resilient leaders equipped with the tools to be their best selves on the trail and at home.
2023
Maine Coast Sailing
Students had the opportunity to overcome new challenges in a unique marine environment and an intense team setting. Their 30-foot open sailboat served as both home and classroom. As the course progressed, they became self-sufficient in skills such as intermediate and advanced chart and compass navigation, small boat seamanship, weather observation, and anchoring. They engaged in regular group discussions, reflected on each day’s progress, and shared leadership and onboard responsibilities, with every crew member involved in planning each day. Living and working closely together, students learned far more than seamanship—the habits developed on this sailing expedition would serve them for life and for whatever challenge came next.
2023
High Sierra Alpine Backpacking
Students traveled on and off trail to explore lesser-known backcountry during the High Sierra Alpine Backpacking expedition. The course challenged both new and experienced backpackers as their crew moved above 9,000 feet and completed long, high-mileage days. Its length, combined with a single focus on backpacking, allowed for extended travel distances and provided additional opportunities to apply feedback from instructors and fellow crew members.
