How much camping or outdoor experience do I need?
Alpengirl sessions are open to girls with little to no experience in tent camping, outdoor living or adventure sports. Alpengirl specializes in introducing the "never-ever" Adventuress to her outdoor nature. We teach or enhance skills in outdoor cooking, tent camping, backcountry hygiene and Leave No Trace travel skills. You may be more comforatble in a two-week session if this type of camp is really new to you. Alpengirl is the logical next step after Girl Scouts or a Residential Camp. A progression through our program may lead girls to a more intense wilderness program like Outward Bound.
How fit do I need to be to attend?
Choose a session that is in the location you prefer with the activities you desire. All sessions can be rated Moderate= no experience outdoors, tent camping or in adventure sports, average fitness requirement (jogging a mile is no big deal, and a day of hiking uphill sounds like a good challenge). If you consider yourself to be "above average fitness" (perhaps you participate in team sports or want to be more challenged by being in the backcountry for a longer time at camp), consider a three week session in Montana or Alaska or 2 weeks in Washington North Cascades.
How should I prepare for camp?
You should plan to rigorously exercise 3-5 times a week for minimum of 30 minutes for at least a month prior to camp for most comfort in alpine terrain at high elevations. Your hiking boots should be well worn in before you arrive. You should have read and understand the web site and all information sent to you in the mail. You should know the details of your trip itinerary. You should be looking forward to bringing out the Adventuress in you!
What is an "Adventuress"
An "Adventuress" is a traveler, a voyager, a person who seeks challenges and is willing to try new things. Sometimes an Adventuress will dress up like a pirate for sailing or eat a lentil polenta cream cheese sandwich just because they can and to say that they did it. An Adventuress will want to keep hiking just to see what's around the next corner or to see over the next hill. Being an Adventuress is FUN! To be an Adventuress is to be an Alpengirl!
What is a typical day at Alpengirl like?
6:30 LOD wakes up for hot beverages with the Alpenguides to review the upcoming days events.
7:00 Girls wake, use bathroom, brush teeth, fill water bottle
7:10 Yoga with relaxation for about 20 minutes
7:30 – 8:00 The group goes over the days' events with LOD, the group gets ready for the day, water/dish/clean-up/cook group duties are done.
8:00 Breakfast is served, water/dish/clean-up/cook group duties are done.
9:00 Group ready to depart for adventure activity. Water/dish/clean-up/cook group duties are done.
10:00-4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Adventure!
6:00 Dinner is made by cook group and guides, starting with appetizers to feed the group quickly while cooking is underway. Water/dish/clean-up/cook group duties are done.
9:15 p.m. is a time for reflection or group games. By 9:15 the group should be ready for bed with all gear stowed and tents ready for sleeping.
10:00 Reading, writing and talking in tents.
10:30 Lights out and no more laughing and whispering and general silliness, the guides are worn-out.
Who attends Alpengirl?
Girls that typically attend Alpengirl are active in sports and/or organized extracurricular activities or clubs, are average or above average students, are in average or above average physical condition, are interested in trying a variety of adventure activities, are interested in camping and being outdoors.
How many girls attend? Why do you limit enrollment?
Alpengirl limits enrollment to less than 120 girls per summer, usually 9-12 girls per trip.
Our goals at Alpengirl and in life are to keep it simple and to act from the heart. By limiting enrollment, we are creating a family-style atmosphere normally only found in residential camp settings. Alpenguides return year after year, they are close friends with the Camp Director, and look forward to seeing familiar faces each summer. A limited enrollment means we can be very selective in hiring, we don't need a lot of Alpenguides, we only need the best.
A limited enrollment allows the Camp Director to participate in guiding portions of nearly every trip in MT and WA, keeping consistency and safety at the top of our priorities. The Camp Director, Alissa, is also the Camp Owner and the only full-time employee of Alpengirl. Alissa answers the phone, sends you email, writes FAQ's like this and has the motivation to provide you with the best camp experience.
A limited enrollment means we can get to know each and every Alpengirl. We want to email with you during the school year and adventure with you next summer. Your annual return to Alpengirl adds value to our work and lives and we hope you'll find added value in your returns as well.
Is Alpengirl real?
Yes, Alpengirl is a real Super Being. She likes the quote "It is the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top." She is a go-getter characterized by her constant onslaught of great ideas and for asking the same questions again and again. She loves ice cream, John Denver, dogs, mountains, aspen trees, adventure and friendship. Recently, she has been sighted soaking in a hot spring on the Salmon River in Idaho with Super Being pal, Thumbs. She has been known to appear with Super Being pal, Macro, at Camp Fairs in the winter. Many times she'll be found skiing the slopes in Montana with her personal Super Hero, the Log Guru.
Who's behind Alpengirl?
Alissa Farley founded Alpengirl and started the first adventure session for girls in 1998. She continues to operate the camp from her home and office in the little apple; Manhattan, Montana. Alissa remains the only year-round employee for Alpengirl.
Where did the name 'Alpengirl' come from?
Alpenglow (the redish-pinkish hue on the mountains seen at sunset) + Supergirl ( a girl with super human powers) = Alpengirl. Alpengirls are Alpenglowing Supergirls!
Do I keep my stuff with me all the time?
Most of the time you'll be able to get to everything you brought on your packing list. We travel in our own 15-passenger van with a trailer with group gear. The only time we won't have the van/trailer and access to all of our things is during backpacking trips or canoe trips.
How much driving do we do?
Typically, on our first day we drive between 1-3 hours to our 1st campsite away from the airport and city. We like to plan several nights in the same campsite to spend less time setting up and breaking down tents and more time adventuring! We are a multi-sport adventure camp with a busy and diverse agenda, so we do travel throughout the area we are visiting to take in all that we can. It is typical to drive a 1/2 hour to 2 hours during camp in order to get from rock climbing areas to showers to hiking trails. The driving is something that is looked forward to by the girls, they love listening to music, having dance parties, talking, sleeping, snacking, and having time to just hang out in the comforts of the van. Our staff has pervious professional experience driving 15 passenger vans and certain Alpenguides are selected to drive during camp based on their behind the wheel driving test during staff training in June.
I'm new to adventure camps away from home, how can you make me feel comfortable attending?
The key to comfort here starts with you. Learn all that you can about camp and your Alpenguides before you arrive, read the web site, read the letters and emails. Since you are reading this, we know you are on the right track. Be prepared mentally and physically for fun and challenge away from home. Get excited! The Alpenguides are selected because they are professionally certified and have displayed their ability to take care of you and your personal needs. They are people that want to help you become comfortable away from home, their job is to assist you. They can help you by talking with you 1:1, involving you in group games, teaching you outdoor skills, making you laugh and by comforting you in times of stress. The other girls at camp are typically new also, you will be the best support for each other. If you are lucky, there may be Returning Alpengirls on your trip. They'll show you the ropes and share their advice with you. You'll become good friends with several girls on your trip. Alpengirl is the perfect camp for the first-time away from home adventurer.
Can I join with my friend?
Most girls have interest in joining Alpengirl with friends, but it rarely happens that it works out for both of their schedules. Most girls join Alpengirl not knowing the other girls in the group. We encourage you to join alone, this camp will allow you to explore the person you want to be and to make friends with others from all over the country.
What is the philosophy of Alpengirl?
The philosophy of Alpengirl is "fitness through adventure." The Alpengirl experience aspires to provide a "mind-body" connection for teen girls. Alpengirl mottos are, "Girls with Altitude," "Alpengirl brings out the Adventuress in YOU," & "Be True To Your Nature." We believe that role modeling is the best way to relay personal interaction information and lifestyle information to girls.
What kind of food do we eat?
Alpengirl has a "camp gourmet" menu. We cook with as much fresh produce as we can keep. We have a specific menu, which introduces the girls to a variety of different foods and flavors. There is always a vegetarian option. A typical day would be a breakfast of blueberry sourdough pancakes with turkey bacon followed by fresh deli sandwiches and vegetable or fruit snacks for lunch, and Pan-glazed Basil Balsamic Chicken served with cous cous and vegetable medley for dinner finished with lemon yogurt raspberry parfaits. We do not have any junk food at camp, including gum. The food is wholesome, filling, and the girls have always commented on how good it is and ask for recipes of dishes we serve. Girls participate in selecting the menu for the second half of camping and rotate in cooking dinner for the group throughout camp. There is no dieting at Alpengirl. We drink lots and lots of water.
Where do we sleep?
Alpengirl sessions rely solely on tent camping in the wilderness. Girls are assigned 2-3 tent mates for the first half of camp, the second half of camp – the girls as a group will decide the tent assignment rotation. Sleeping under the stars on a tarp as a group is always encouraged.
When and where do we shower and do laundry?
Depending on your trip itinerary, we typically shower and do laundry on the same day in small towns we are adventuring near, usually every 5 days. Showers are typically coin operated private shower stalls, or sometimes at a local pool or hot spring with showers.
How do we keep clean in the woods?
Personal hygiene in the backcountry is fun and adventurous, just like everything else at Alpengirl! We go over all of the necessities of comfort in the wild; it is simply a matter of adjustment and taking the time to do it right. We wash our hair in buckets of cold water, use soap and hand sanitizers, wet wipes and bandanas, wear deodorant and shave if we want and most of us will experience having our period during camp. Sometimes we'll have flushing toilets and outhouses, other times we'll have to dig cat holes in the woods. By the time the trip is over, you'll wonder why you were so worried about this.
How do I keep in touch with my parents and friends while at camp?
You may bring with you or buy postcards and stamps from Alpenguides during camp to send home at many times during camp. Phone calls home or to friends from camp occur at specific times only: when you arrive at the airport if you fly in and when you depart from the airport if you fly out, and when you have private time at the payphone during shopping near the end of the trip.
How do I keep in touch with my Alpengirl while she is at camp?
You are encouraged to send packages to your daughter to share with the group well in advance of your camp session to the Camp Director. Please, do not send gum, candy or food. Mail cannot be picked up along the way during our adventures, so prepare in advance for mail to be delivered to her during camp. We check voice mail messages every day we are able to have cell service or are near pay phones. Alpenguides or Camp Director have scheduled in a call to you mid-camp to update you with her adventures. We can relay any information to her that you wish during camp at any time, you just need to leave specific instructions on the voice mail. Understand that if you call during backpacking or canoe trips we will not be able to return your call immediately because we cannot always get cell service or get to a payphone right away. We have a cell phone with the group for emergency use only.
I am nervous about backpacking, help?
Many girls are nervous about backpacking, and girls feel more accomplished and proud of themselves because of backpacking than any other activity we do at camp. Backpacking is challenging by its very nature. You leave behind all unnecessary items in the van (you do NOT bring all the stuff with you that you have at camp), hike into unknown wilderness on a dirt and rock trail, and walk uphill at a constant and slow pace knowing that you have carried all things you needed by your self to survive overnight in the wilderness. It is challenging physically and mentally. The rewards for your efforts span all time and place. You'll look back fondly to your achievements while backpacking and the scenes you found there for years to come. We are hiking short distances, usually 4-8 miles each day depending on terrain and camp session. We travel at a slow pace that the group can maintain and stay together. We take many snack breaks and talk a lot while hiking. Girls will carry about 30% of their body weight (about 30-45 lbs for most girls ) in their backpacks, with lots of adjustments along the way and help if needed.
What if I'm sick or injured at camp?
We expect girls to arrive at camp healthy, we are sleeping and eating in close proximity to each other at all times and must maintain a healthy environment to the group as a whole. If you develop an illness or injury at camp, we need to be aware of it right away in order to take actions to help you. Alpenguides are certified to provide Wilderness First Aid (medical care given to people outside a 1 hour transport to the nearest hospital or ambulance crew) to girls attending camp or take them to hospitals if the illness or injury cannot be determined or is above our medical training. We carry your medications, medical forms, and fully stocked backcountry first aid kits with us at all times. We have a minimum Assistant Guide Requirement of Wilderness First Aid, and our Lead Guides are Wilderness First Responders or WEMT's. We expect girls to be pro-active in their needs at camp, this includes telling us when you are feeling sick, tired, angry, sad, hungry, constipated or having menstrual cramps. We can't read your mind, we can find clues, but we need your help in determining the solution for your comfort and the overall health and safety of the group. If you have a headache, you will most likely be asked to drink more water and possibly be given ibuprofen. If you still have a headache when we check back in with you, we will ask more questions and become more concerned. If your illness, chief complaint, pain and discomfort increases over time we will have a plan in place with your parents to take you to a hospital or return you home for more care than we are able to offer during camp. If your injury or illness prevents you from participating 100% in activities as planned, it is a big concern to us, we don't want your illness to become a liability to the group. We may allow you to opt out of the activity going on at the time and provide comfort for you in the form of rest, ibuprofen, shade, and water. Or, if that doesn't prove to be enough we may discuss options with your parents – maybe going home early or finding another way to accommodate you within our means while operating the trip. If your injury or illness is extended or re-occurring and exhausts the staff responsibility to care for the rest of the group, we will have no choice but to return you home for the care you need.
What does being pro-active mean?
To be pro-active at Alpengirl is to be an optimistic activist in your life here. We want you to be pro-active: Identify your needs, express them without whining and let us help you to make it happen.
What is Yoga?
Yoga at Alpengirl - is a 20 minute to one hour slow peaceful start to our day. Girls will learn the basics of yoga breath and posture while working on flexibility, balance and strength. The word yoga means yoke or unite. This signifies the unification of body, mind, and spirit. Yoga is not done with any religious overtone or suggestion at Alpengirl. The asanas, or poses we are doing here are meant for physical training, mental endurance, and a relaxing and fun way to start the day. We have a special asana here at Alpengirl – it is the Alpenasana and it looks like the Alpengirl logo!
What stuff do I need to bring with me?
There is a specific packing list for your trip available on our web site. If buying the required gear for the trip is problematic for you, please do not allow this to hinder your decision to join us, we have some gear to loan and some to rent. Many girls borrow needed gear from siblings or family friends. If you choose to buy gear, make sure it is something you will have use for again in the future.