Camping Programs in Mexico

A GAP SEMESTER LIKE NO OTHER I write as a parent whose kid - an 18 year old taking a gap year before college - recently completed High Desert Center's Fall 2022 gap year program (13 weeks). In short, it is PHENOMENAL. I am 100% serious. Let’s face it, many gap year programs have (sadly) become glorified summer camp, meaning they have structured, cookie-cutter activities and are for-profit money makers. That’s the opposite of what a good gap year program should provide, which is an environment that challenges young people to grow in independent, authentic ways. High Desert Center (HDC) actually does that. It’s run exceptionally well by Dev and Marian, a husband and wife team who have been doing this for 20 years. They are hands-on. They are on-site. It is their passion and they run – not outsource – everything! Dev has a PhD in ecology and was a university professor, but he's more Renaissance Man (i.e., river guide, writer, counselor). Marian is a wilderness first responder, midwife, and environmental enthusiast). They are both the real deal! They live their environmental values. Every day. They created a beautiful setting in rural Colorado as their base camp (Paonia, Colorado), where the first half of the program is based, and then they hit the road for the second half, traveling south through the prettiest parts of America and camping out in unique, exotic places, including Indian reservations and state and national parks. They end the semester by hiking into Mexico and spending a couple weeks there living in a village with Mexican families. Again, this is the real deal. If you want structured, cookie-cutter, summer camp fun, then don’t choose this. But if you want an experience that can actually change your life and give you real direction, tools, values, and confidence for a lifetime, then look into HDC. You won’t be disappointed. My kid loved it – every part of it – and will head off to college better prepared with confidence. Embrace this place. Bill Choslovsky Chicago

I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone who likes the outdoors and wants to connect with a bunch of cool people. There are limitless opportunities to explore anything you want here. Even in the first week or so, all the participants work together with staff to brainstorm and decide priorities and activities that the group is excited about. These get reevaluated whenever people want to go in a new direction, and makes it so anything can be done. I really wanted to backpack, so I was able to go on four different trips of varying lengths, but those who didn’t want to always had the option of staying back or doing something else. I didn’t know the first thing about backpacking before coming here, though. HDC does a great job of easing participants into the outdoor life, starting with day hikes that progressively get harder, and and before the first backpacking trip, we were given an entire day to ask questions and learn the basics so we were prepared going out. Each trip had less support, so we got to learn how to plan and prepare little by little. I now would feel confident leading trips with my friends for up to a week. We meet so many fascinating people in Paonia and on the road, and there are countless opportunities to spend time with whoever you want. Many people from my group made friends with other young adults in town and went on day trips with them on off days to nearby towns. I made friends with a neighbor and he taught me how to make a lampshade from scratch! I was exposed to so many ways of living that inspire me to step outside the box. There are neighbors who live in converted busses, earthships (look those up!) and teepees. We sleep in cabins when in Paonia, but there is always an option to sleep elsewhere. I slept outside most nights and became very familiar with the stars. Outdoor living becomes more of a norm on the road, where there are no cabins to sleep in. Tents are always available, but I got a lot out of sleeping on the ground with my sleeping bag, pad, and tarp. The people I met here, both staff and participant, are some of the kindest, most amazing people ever. They come from all over the world, each bearing a different perspective to contribute to the common goal of connection. Living in a community like this is one of the mast freeing and comforting environments to be in. I love my HDC family and wouldn't trade this experience for the world.