Curriculum

Our curriculum gives students a hands-on, full-spectrum experience in mountain leadership. From rock climbing and glacier travel to crevasse rescue, navigation, and alpine decision-making, participants develop the technical skills, judgment, and confidence needed to tackle challenging peaks and lead safely in the backcountry.

Students Will Learn: 

  • Gear selection and use
  • Rock climbing fundamentals
  • Belaying and rappelling
  • Basic climbing knots, hitches, commands, and prusiks
  • Single-pitch sport climbing principles
  • Leave No Trace principles
  • Trip prep and campsite management
  • Crampon techniques and ice axe self-arrest
  • Rope team skills and management
  • Crevasse rescue systems
  • Snow anchors
  • Route finding, navigation, and hazard assessment
  • Glaciology and mountain weather
  • Summit strategies

Certifications Granted

  • Certification in Leadership Training with three endorsements: Wilderness Travel, Environmental Stewardship, & Alpine Mountaineering
  • You will also have the opportunity to build references and receive letters of recommendation from the program’s instructors and the program directors

Details

Prerequisites

  • All students must be between the ages of 15 and 17 at the time of the program and must possess a high level of maturity.
  • Basic hiking experience.
  • An overnight backpacking experience is preferred but not required.
  • Good physical fitness and the ability to carry a heavy pack

If you have previously only taken Rock Camp, then you can join Summit Camp.

​Inclusions

This is an “all-inclusive” program. The following items are included in the price:

  • Climbing and Camping Permits
  • Camping for every Program Day
  • Food (Backcountry, Frontcountry, and Restaurant Food)
  • Travel During the Program (AAI will provide a van for the duration of the course.)
  • All Program Rentals.
  • Transportation from the Bellingham Airport or the Bus Station in Bellingham to AAI’s Headquarters.
  • All Group Equipment.

Exlcusions

Excluded from the price are travel to Bellingham, personal equipment/clothing, and guide gratuities.

 

Course Options

Complete the Journey

The Leaders of Tomorrow program is made up of two connected courses: Rock Climbing Camp and Summit Camp. Rock Camp serves as the first half of the program and can be taken on its own, giving students foundational skills in rock climbing and front-country camping. Summit Camp builds on that foundation as the second half, taking participants further into mountaineering, glacier travel, and leadership challenges in the alpine wilderness of Mt. Baker. Students must complete Rock Camp before advancing to Summit Camp, but taking both creates the full Leaders of Tomorrow experience.