This program will take place outdoors in all weather! Preparedness with personal gear is essential for the health and happiness of each student. We will provide a student packing list – which will include items such as rain gear, boots, thermal layers, etc. by Monday of each week based on the upcoming conditions. Any specialized gear (snowshoes, paddles, helmets, etc.) will be provided by Kroka.
Group Size
Our base camp can accommodate groups of up to 50 students. Wilderness expeditions require smaller group sizes in order to maintain the integrity of the experience. The size of the group may affect which itinerary we recommend. For most expedition programs, our maximum group size is 16 students; however we can accommodate larger classes by splitting into smaller groups for expedition travel.
Length Of Your Trip
Program lengths vary based on trip themes, locations, and student ages. The depth of student experience is proportional to program length. As students settle into the rhythm of an expedition, they move beyond the initial discomfort of a new experience and become comfortable with a simple way of life. Programs for elementary students range from 3-6 days. Middle and high school students can be successful on longer expeditions. We recommend 3-5 days for basecamp programs, and 7-10 days for expedition programs.
Best Time To Travel
Fall trips start off the school year with a critical community-building experience. September and October are the BEST time of year to travel in New England. The second half of October and November find us in the Southern and Southwestern United States. Winter trips in February and March bring relief from cabin fever, and spice up the middle of the year. Spring trips celebrate the end of a year together as a class community. Often a program location restricts the time of year available for scheduling.
Location
We offer programs throughout the United States, Eastern Canada, and Ecuador. Programs in New England begin and end at Kroka Village in Marlow, NH. Programs in California are based out of our West Coast basecamp in Redwood Valley. Ecuador programs begin and end at our sister school, Nahual Expediciones, just outside of Quito, Ecuador. Trips in the greater United States and Eastern Canada meet at the program location.
Weather
Kroka’s expeditions happen in all weather conditions. Students learn to anticipate the weather through daily observation. We welcome rain, snow, sun, and wind, and recognize that these are the realities of wilderness travel. Sometimes we change our plans due to the early onset of black fly season or high water. However, we find that it is often the trips that happen during the rainiest and coldest weeks of the year that end up being the most meaningful experiences.
Schedule
Our calendar is often full a year in advance! We may fit your group in on shorter notice as the schedule permits. If you are considering a class trip, contact us as soon as possible to discuss availability.
Pricing and payment
Prices are based on a minimum of 10 students participating plus one adult included for every 10 students. Prices vary based on the program location, size of the group, and length of the expedition. Please contact us for specific program prices. If needed, we are happy to work with your school to develop a payment plan that makes our programs affordable for your school. Scholarships may be available for schools that are not able to raise the funds for a Kroka program.
A deposit is required to reserve a program. If you are scheduling more than 6 months in advance we request a deposit of 10%. A 50% deposit is due 6 months from your program start date and the remaining balance is due one month prior to the trip.
Start the conversation
The first step in planning your program is to make sure that there is a good fit between the needs of your class and what Kroka can offer. To ensure that our values align, please be sure to read our Risk Taking and Safety page as well as the Handbook for Teachers & Chaperones. Once you have familiarized yourself with what we do, please submit an online inquiry form and we will follow up with an intake phone call. We look forward to working together on creating a custom program for your class!
