IHC West

A unique opportunity offered at Camp IHC is our IHC West Program, for campers entering the 10th grade. 

The IHC West experience is the culminating trip for our outdoor adventure program. After two years on Hill Camp experiencing a wide array of trips and outdoor adventures in the Adirondack Mountains, our IHC West campers take their skills out west for a four-week journey.

IHC Wester’s spend the first two weeks of camp sharpening their hiking, mountain biking, and climbing skills with their IHC West staff members. They then depart for an incredible outdoor adventure that will take them through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California.

The program was designed to create a balance of wilderness & urban adventure. IHC West campers will spend time rafting down the Colorado River, Mountain Biking in Utah, Horseback Riding in Bryce Canyon, surfing in San Diego, and hiking in National Parks like, Zion, Arches, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. The urban adventures start in Denver/Boulder and the journey takes us to the the bright lights of Vegas, the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, and the Bay Area of San Francisco, with so much more in between.

IHC West campers return to Camp IHC for the final ten days of camp, just in time for Olympics and closing ceremonies. 

The IHC West program is really the best of both worlds.  Campers are able to start and finish the summer season on camp partaking in all their favorite camp activities. And then in the middle the campers are afforded the opportunity to set off on a unforgettable journey to the West coast.

San Francisco

Boat ride and tour of Alcatraz, The Exploratorium, Ghirardelli Square, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, and Alamo Square.

San Diego

San Diego Zoo, surf lessons at the beach, San Diego Padres at Petco park, and a Mexican Fiesta.

 

Lake Powell

Campers spend a whole day on the lake tubing, swimming, and riding around on ski boats. Then they have a BBQ feast on the water on the side of a pontoon boat!

 

Yosemite National Park

Best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, campers will find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more

 

Grand Canyon

Campers will experience the unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms that decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep!

 

Rafting the Colorado River

A day and a half rafting down the river amongst majestic 300 foot cliffs. Campers paddle through class three rapids and go camping over night along the river underneath the stars.

 

Las Vegas

Campers take a limo tour down the strip out to the big Las Vegas welcome sign. Then they walk the strip and check out all the Vegas sights and sounds, and end their trip at a huge buffet dinner at the famed Bellagio hotel.

 

Zion National Park

Utah's oldest national park, campers will explore Zion's incredible canyons and spectacular views.

IHC West had many of my favorite parts of camp incorporated in it, and the feeling of camp didn’t go away, no matter if we were hiking in Colorado or swimming in Arizona. It opened my eyes to the opportunities that were available to me, not just on the trip, but after the trip. I enjoyed every minute of every day. I don’t think I will ever forget it, and I don’t want to.

Alex J.

IHC West is like you nothing you can ever imagine! It will honestly be the best 4 weeks of your life.

Sara K.

I love camp because I'm so comfortable there that it's like my home away from home. My favorite part of camp is College Days! I would tell a friend that sleep away camp is an unforgettable experience!

Ryan L.

I would tell a new friend that it will be the best seven weeks of your life, and every year I don't think it can get better but every summer it gets better by 100 times!

Jared E.

STEPPING UP AND GIVING BACK

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