Individual Expeditions

Being in the wilderness means taking a break from the hustle of everyday life. You will travel downstream on inflatable rafts, spending your days sharing meals, playing games, hiking to incredible vistas or cultural sites, learning about the place you’re in, and having a lot of fun! Everyone works together: setting up camp, doing science projects, cooking dinner, and washing dishes. You are a full participant in all aspects of river life! Each day you will move downstream, and each night you will camp in a new place.

What happens off the river can be as spectacular as the rapids! Come ready to explore side canyons – you may hike to historical sites or hidden waterfalls. Every multi-day GCY expedition includes a Community Science element, where you will assist in collecting data for ongoing research projects, and most Individual Expeditions will include scientist representatives from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) or National Park Service. GCY guides will also lead art projects, games, and leadership activities. Come ready to work & learn!

Your group will include youth from across the country – sometimes from across the world! Each expedition has a Trip Coordinator, an adult leader in charge of helping you prepare and making your expedition successful! Your Trip Coordinator will communicate with you prior to the expedition and be your main group leader throughout the expedition. At the river you will meet your guide crew. Our guides have a passion for working with youth. Many GCY guides are alumni of our expeditions! You may also have one or more scientists from the USGS or National Park Service facilitating Community Science research projects.

For San Juan River Expeditions (ages 11-14)

It is helpful to be in decent physical condition for your adventure. You will be outside, active, and in the hot sun every day. This is part of the fun, but can be challenging. Having broken-in footwear and knowing how to stay hydrated are great places to start. Besides rafting and hiking, plan on being involved in loading and unloading boats, packing and unpacking gear, and setting up and taking down camp. Even if you’re not ‘outdoorsy’, do not know how to swim, or have never camped before, everyone can participate and succeed!

For Grand Canyon Expeditions (ages 15-19)

It is important to be in good physical condition for this adventure. Building up endurance before your expedition is a good idea. You will be outside, active, and in the hot sun every day. This is part of the fun but can be challenging. Besides rafting and hiking, plan on being active to help load and unload boats, pack and unpack gear, and set up and take down camp each day.

Hiking in the desert Southwest is different from hiking anywhere else. Many hikes contain uphill sections over uneven terrain, near vertical drop-offs. It can be very hot and dry, or wet and cold. Some hikes include rock scrambling and require guide assistance. Hiking is an important aspect of the expedition; expect to hike for a couple of hours most days.

Youth on the Upper or Lower Canyon (not Full Canyon) expeditions MUST be prepared to hike into or out of Grand Canyon for 7-miles via the well-maintained Bright Angel Trail, carrying a heavy pack with all your personal belongings. This hike contains several sections of stairs requiring stepping up or down over and over (and over) again. The weight of your backpack, high summertime temperatures (often 90 – 100+ degrees), and elevations up to 7,000 ft all contribute to the difficulty of the hike. GCY field staff will support you on the hike and there are several places to stop, rest, and refill water bottles along the way. We highly recommend you practice hiking in the summer heat, carrying a pack, before your expedition.

Youth on Full Canyon expeditions can expect to go on hikes often throughout the expedition, without needing to hike in or out of their trip. 

Knowing how to swim is not a prerequisite for participating in a GCY expedition. We have served youth with a variety of abilities – from first-time swimmers to youth in wheelchairs. Whenever you are in the water, you will be wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).

GCY has served youth with a variety of medical needs and physical abilities. This includes youth with diabetes, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, visual impairments and blindness, deaf youth, amputees, youth who use wheelchairs, and more. Our expeditions are for every youth, and we will work to support you the best we can. However, if your condition is new or you are still learning to manage it, it might not be the right time now. If you have questions as to whether a GCY expedition is the right choice for you, first review our Essential Eligibility Requirements and reach out to GCY.

Yes. GCY has a lot of experience serving youth with a variety of food allergies and dietary restrictions. We are able to accommodate most dietary needs. In certain cases, we may ask you to bring along some supplemental snacks or your favorite allergy-friendly foods (e.g. your favorite gluten-free bread). Please fill out the GCY application in a thorough and detailed manner to help us understand and support your dietary needs in the best way possible.

The weather in the Southwest is as unpredictable as the place itself. Prepare for all kinds of weather, and being outside all day every day. Your expedition could be sunny and hot, cold and drizzly, or a combination of both! Pack layers to help you adjust to the range of temperatures and conditions. We recommend checking the weather conditions prior to your expedition by searching the forecast for where you will be traveling.

Overnight expeditions will typically sleep at a different camp each night. GCY will provide you with a ‘sleep kit’, which includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tarp, and sometimes a sheet. While all participants are encouraged to sleep out under the starry night sky, we also provide tents in case of weather or other group considerations. 

We want to make sure everyone feels welcomed and supported on our expeditions. Depending on everyone’s needs, our camp boundaries and sleeping arrangements are not always based on binary gender decisions. Additionally, environmental or logistical factors out of our control may impact the camping arrangements we can provide. We know each group and camp will be different, so our guides and Trip Coordinators will work with you and your group to respect and accommodate everyone’s needs.

You are more invested in an experience when you work to earn it yourself! To achieve this, you are asked to complete three Pre-Trip Requirements:

• Educational Component: Learning about your destination before participating helps you connect with the place you will visit.
• Service Component: Doing service projects in your community helps prepare you to form a cohesive community in the wilderness.
• Youth Earnings Component: Earning a portion of the trip price helps you feel financially invested.

Each GCY Individual Expedition has a slightly different variation of these components; you will receive specific information when you apply. To learn more about these requirements, visit the Pre-Trip Requirement Tab.

Yes. GCY has Financial Aid funds available for Individual Enrollment Expeditions. Extended wilderness river trips are expensive endeavors, and some families and youth may need support. GCY is proud to offer financial aid to families who need it and believes that all youth should have access to quality experiential education experiences, despite financial hardships. We recognize that every family’s financial situation is unique and thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you request funds. Funds are limited, and GCY strives to distribute financial aid equitably to those who need it most.  Please ask only for what you need.

The Financial Aid Request form is available at the end of your online Youth Application.

If you, or someone you know, would like to contribute to our Financial Aid Fund to support expeditions for all youth, you can do so here.

You will be asked to make a deposit payment after you complete your online application. For final payments, double check the amount you owe with the GCY Office and go to our Expeditions Payment page to make an online payment.

If you would prefer to pay via cash or check, you can stop by the GCY office or mail checks to Grand Canyon Youth (2131 N First Street, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004). Please include your name and expedition name in your letter.

GCY reserves the right to cancel any expedition and/or alter expedition dates due to weather, safety concerns, insufficient registration, and/or any other unforeseeable circumstances that render the expedition impractical to run. If GCY cancels an expedition, all payments will be refunded. 

Individual cancellations should be emailed to [email protected]. Canceling incurs fees because GCY has absorbed costs on your behalf and may have turned away others who would have accepted the space held for you. 

All Individual Expeditions begin and end at the Grand Canyon Youth Office in Flagstaff, Arizona. You are responsible for your travel to and from Flagstaff. If you are traveling from outside of Flagstaff, please use the Travel & Packing page to help you plan.

There are a variety of travel options into Flagstaff. If flying or taking ground transportation, GCY can have a staff member pick you up or drop you off at the Flagstaff airport or shuttle, bus, or train stop. Please check with the GCY office before booking your travel to double-check that dates and times are correct and to coordinate any support you need from GCY.

Most emergencies can be prevented and we will give safety orientations once youth reach the destination. Everyone is encouraged to take extra care in looking out for themselves and adhering to safety guidelines. GCY Field Staff are certified Wilderness First Responders, and travel with a satellite phone and first-aid materials. Field Staff and Trip Coordinators will reinforce safety guidelines throughout the trip. If there is an incident, GCY office staff will work with Field Staff to organize any needed support. If you are nervous about any aspect of the expedition, please contact us for more information.

How and what you pack depends on your expedition. Check out your Packing List to see what items you need and how you should pack.

If you don’t have any items on the packing list, GCY has many items available to borrow, at no cost, in our Gear Room. From river shoes to rain jackets, we have nearly everything on your packing list! Please check with us before purchasing any items. We will do a “Gear Check” with you when you arrive at the GCY office or you may drop by our office in the week or two before your trip. The Gear Room is open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4.30 pm.

Yes. If you do not see an item on your Packing List, it is because we have intentionally left it off. Avoid bringing heavy clothing, towels, jeans, nice shoes, or leather boots. GCY expeditions are intentionally technology free, so please do not bring any electronics (cell phones, mp3 players, gaming devices).

Remember anything you bring may get lost or ruined! Leave behind all money, wallets, and other valuables (watches, jewelry, favorite clothes, etc.). If you need these items for traveling, GCY will collect and store them at our offices while you are on expedition. GCY will provide plenty of snacks, so leave all food and drinks at home as well.

Yes. GCY has Financial Aid funds available for Individual Enrollment Expeditions. Extended wilderness river trips are expensive endeavors, and some families and youth may need support. GCY, along with our donors, is proud to offer Financial Aid to families who need it and believes that all youth should have access to quality experiential education opportunities, despite financial hardships.

We recognize that every family’s financial situation is unique and thank you for your thoughtful consideration as you request funds. Please remember that the price of every GCY trip is already significantly discounted (by at least 60%) thanks to our many generous donors. Funds are limited, and GCY strives to distribute financial aid equitably to those who need it most. Please ask only for what you need.

The Financial Aid Request form is available at the end of your online Youth Application.

If you, or someone you know, would like to contribute to our Financial Aid Fund to support expeditions for all youth, you can do so here.

You will be asked to make a deposit payment as you complete the online application. For final payments, double-check the amount you owe with the GCY Office (we will email you, too) and go to our Expeditions Payment page to make an online payment.

If you would prefer to pay via cash or check, you can stop by the GCY office or mail checks to Grand Canyon Youth (2131 N First Street, Flagstaff, AZ, 86004). Please include your name, your youth’s name, and the expedition name in your letter.

GCY reserves the right to cancel any expedition and/or alter expedition dates due to weather, safety concerns, insufficient registration, and/or any other unforeseeable circumstances that render the expedition impractical to run. If GCY cancels an expedition, all payments will be refunded. 

Individual cancellations should be emailed to [email protected]. Canceling incurs fees because GCY has absorbed costs on your behalf and may have turned away others who would have accepted the space held for you. 

Your youth’s group is made up of their peers and Trip Coordinators (GCY-vetted adult leaders). They will meet their guide crew once they reach their expedition destination. Many GCY guides are alumni of our programs! They may also have scientists or community experts along for the expedition.

The Trip Coordinator will communicate with you and your youth prior to the expedition to help them prepare.

Overnight expeditions will typically sleep at a different camp each night. GCY will provide your youth with a ‘sleep kit’, which includes a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tarp, and sometimes a sheet. While all participants are encouraged to sleep out under the starry night sky, we also provide tents in case of weather or to accommodate other group considerations. 

Because we are committed to providing a supportive environment for all our participants, our camp boundaries and sleeping arrangements are not always based on binary gender decisions. Additionally, environmental or logistical factors out of our control may impact the camping arrangements we can provide. We know each group and camp will be different, so our Field Staff will work with your youth and the Trip Coordinator to create arrangements that respect and accommodate the needs of every individual.

Knowing how to swim is not a prerequisite for participating in a GCY expedition. We have served youth with a variety of abilities – from first-time swimmers to youth in wheelchairs. Whenever in water, participants will wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

GCY has served participants with a variety of medical needs and physical abilities. This includes youth with diabetes, cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, visual impairments and blindness, deaf youth, amputees, youth who use wheelchairs, and more. Our expeditions are for every youth, and we will work to support your child the best we can. However, if their condition is new or they are still learning to manage it, it might not be the right time now. If you have questions as to whether a GCY expedition is the right choice for your youth, first review our Essential Eligibility Requirements and reach out to the GCY office.

Most likely. GCY has a lot of experience serving youth with a variety of food allergies and dietary restrictions. We are able to accommodate most dietary needs. In certain cases, we may ask you to send along some supplemental snacks or your youth’s favorite, self-stable foods (e.g. favorite gluten-free bread). Please fill out the GCY application in a thorough and detailed manner to help us understand and support your youth’s dietary needs.

GCY recommends that youth and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 and that youth/staff do not attend expeditions while ill. 

How and what your youth needs to pack depends on their expedition. Check out their Packing List to see what items they need and how they should pack.

If you don’t have some of the items on the packing list, check with GCY before purchasing them: we have many items available to borrow in our Gear Room, including river shoes and rain gear. We know that kids grow quickly, and purchasing outdoor gear can be expensive.  If you’re in Flagstaff, drop by and collect the items you need a week or so before the expedition. The Gear Room is open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Youth will also all have access to the Gear Room when they arrive for the expedition start.

Yes. If you do not see an item on your youth’s Packing List, it is because we have intentionally left it off. Avoid packing heavy clothing, towels, jeans, nice shoes, or leather boots. GCY expeditions are intentionally technology-free, so please do not send any electronics (cell phones, mp3 players, gaming devices, etc.).

Remember, anything they bring may get lost or ruined! Have your child leave behind all money, wallets, and other valuables (watches, jewelry, favorite clothes, etc.). If they need these items for traveling, GCY will collect and store them at our office while your child is on expedition. GCY will provide plenty of snacks, so leave all food and drinks at home as well.

GCY operates using the “no news is good news” model. Your child will have many great stories to share with you upon their return. Many of our travel destinations have very limited or no cell phone service. Our guides carry emergency communication devices (satellite phones, InReach devices), but will only call out of the expedition if there is an emergency or medical situation.

Most emergencies can be prevented and we will give safety orientations once youth reach the destination. Everyone is encouraged to take extra care in looking out for themselves and adhering to safety guidelines. GCY Field Staff are certified Wilderness First Responders, and travel with a satellite phone and first-aid materials. Field Staff and Trip Coordinators will reinforce safety guidelines throughout the trip. If there is an incident, GCY office staff will work with Field Staff to organize any needed support. If your youth is involved in an incident you will be contacted by the GCY office staff. If you are nervous about any aspect of the expedition, please contact us for more information.