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Home | FAQ | Pictures | Testimonials | Contact Us | Sample Curricula
Welcome to the home of the Great Books in the Great Outdoors!
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We have two simple passions:
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We want you to have this experience!
Mission Statement
To renew Western Culture by bringing the wisdom of the past to bear upon the issues of today.
The ideas and ideals of Western Culture are undeniably shaped by its Christian, specifically Catholic foundation. We do not shy away from reflecting this fact in our curricula and instruction.
Our professional staff is led by
Trent Dougherty (BA Philosophy, BA Greek and Latin, MA, Philosophy, Ph.D. cand. Philosophy)
Rodge Moore (BA Biology, MS Psychology)
We've all taught Great Books classes at schools in the classical schools movement and each have decades of outdoors experience including:
Backpacking
Rock Climbing
Ice Climbing
Mountaineering
Kayaking (flatwater and swiftwater)
Canoeing
Snowshoeing
Nordic Skiing (incl. backcountry)
(Trent Dougherty)
(Rodge Moore)
What:
We lead trips from one week to one month (longer or shorter trips can be accommodated by special arrangement) in all the areas listed above. We have found that backpacking/snowshoeing trips and canoe/kayak trips serve as the best basis for the study of the Great Books in the Great Outdoors.
How:
The formula for learning is "Read and Discuss"! The reading list for trips includes the Western and Eastern Classics as well as "Modern Classics" which show marks of standing the test of time. Precise reading and discussion programs are fitted to the needs of each group. We have many proven curricula, but we will be pleased to work with each group to meet their specific needs.
When:
Since our target audience consists primarily of High School and College students, we target our trips for Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. However, we also wish to serve the professional and pastoral communities with teambuilding and spiritual formation retreats. Rog is especially gifted in this area.
Where:
In short: The Great Outdoors! We have our favorite spots in Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, North Carolina, etc., but we can customize trips for any occasion. We have standard trips we feel provide great opportunities to enjoy the Great Books, but we will be happy to consult with you and put a custom plan together.
How Much:
The base price is $999/9days. We are very confident you will consider it money well spent. If you compare our prices with those of The National Outdoor Leadership School (http://www.nols.edu/) or Outward Bound (http://outward-bound.org/) I think you will find that we are very reasonably priced. Furthermore, we think we have more to offer than these admittedly great programs. While offering leadership training on a par with the programs in the same or similar settings and adding a whole new level: spiritual and intellectual formation that we firmly believe is THE BEST IN THE NATION!
Why:
If you've read this far, you probably don't need to be told, but the reasons are compelling. The beauty and majesty of Nature points beyond itself to something Higher. Our intellectual powers themselves demonstrate that humankind are rational, spiritual animals not mere naturalistic mechanisms. To perfect these spiritual and intellectual powers takes training and discipline. To pursue this outside of a natural setting cuts us off from one of our greatest sources of inspiration, yet to repose in the purely physical is to be like the dog that sniffs its master's finger when he points to the food.
