Summer 2024 - BOLD & GOLD
July 8 – August 16, 2024
About BOLD & GOLD
BOLD & GOLD is an outdoor leadership development program that provides young people with wilderness experiences, partnered with an intentional curriculum on leadership development, cultural competency, and community building.
Using the wilderness as our classroom, our overnight expeditions allow teens from different economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to build leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
Registration is Closed
Please reach out to us if you have not received a confirmation email from us.
NOTE: Trips are first come, first served and will reach out to you if a waitlist spot opens up.
Summer 2024 BOLD & GOLD Trips
Through Detroit’s BOLD & GOLD program, young people will explore some of the most beautiful natural spaces in the Midwest: from the shores of Lake Superior to the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. BOAT is excited to be partnering with the YMCA of Metro Detroit and Detroit Outdoors to support this summer’s BOLD & GOLD expeditions!
Our trips will range in location and difficulty, take a look at the options below to find the ones that would work best for you!
Basecamp South Manitou Island, MI
July 8 – 11, 2024
Spend the week on an island in Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore! Swim, explore the island, cook, and learn some new skills. This is an excellent trip for folks new to camping.
Trip Length: Four Days, Three Nights
Difficulty: Easiest
The plan for each day, the length of the hikes, etc., will be decided based on the group’s needs.
Backpack Allegheny Natl. Forest, PA
July 22 – 26, 2024
We’re heading to Pennsylvania to backpack along the North Country Trail (the longest scenic trail in the country). Expect beautiful river-side campsites, rolling hills, and hemlock forests!
Trip Length: Five Days, Four Nights
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
The plan for each day, distance we’ll be backpacking, elevation, etc. will be decided based on the group needs and comfortability but you can expect some steep climbs.
Backpack Pictured Rocks, MI
August 12 – 16, 2024
Join us for a backpacking expedition through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore! This trip will traverse from the heart of the park along the shore of Lake Superior to an epic dune!
Trip Length: Five Days, Four Nights
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
Because we’ll be backpacking through the national park, we have a set itinerary and permits for specific campgrounds each night. On average, you can expect about 4-1/2 miles and 400 ft elevation per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
about the program
Every day on trail can look a little different depending on conditions, route, and more. That said, you can expect us to follow this structure – though the timing may vary.
- Wake up
- Breakfast
- Solo time activity
- Pack up camp
- Hiking
- Lunch
- Hiking
- Set up camp
- Down time
- Activity/dinner prep
- Dinner
- Activity & campfire (if campsite permits)
- Bedtime
Our experienced wilderness guides enjoy teaching kids about the outdoors. Our staff are experienced outdoor educators with an extensive background of working with youth. They have advanced wilderness medical training (minimum 70 hours); specific child abuse prevention training; and go through a rigorous 5- to 7-day training on BOLD & GOLD curriculum on how to develop leadership in all and group dynamics management.
Participants will be dropped off at the Detroit Outdoors office, which is located at the Detroit Exploration and Nature Center at 1313 W 7 Mile Rd., Detroit, MI 48203.
Our trips range in size from 4-12 participants, with the majority of trips having between 8-10 participants.
We provide lightweight tents, which typically house 3-4 participants per tent. You’ll also be provided with a sleeping pad and a warm sleeping bag.
If you signed up for the same trip (including dates and location) as friends, then you will be in the same group. All other arrangements will be made on the trail with your trip’s leaders to best serve the group dynamic.
For other questions, please visit the “My Trip” page.
packing & gear questions
You can find the packing lists on our “My Trip” page.
Pack weights will vary depending on length of trips, group size, and the weight of the camper, but will typically be between 25 to 35 pounds.
For our backpacking trips, every participant will carry personal items such as sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and clothes. Food, and group gear such as tents, cooking stoves/utensils, water filters, etc. will also be divided amongst the group and trip leaders to carry in their packs. Please see the packing list for additional information on what to bring.
Yes! Food will be provided for each day of the trip. We take great pride in carefully selecting our meals and snacks and teaching our youth how to cook in the backcountry and kitchen safety, so they can take charge of preparing group meals! We can accommodate most dietary needs, such as vegan, vegetarian, Halal, gluten-free, etc. If you have any dietary needs, you can let us know when you fill out the Medical History Form.
We ask that every participant bring 2, 1 Liter water bottles (such as a Nalgene) which they will carry for the duration of the trip. No worries if you don’t have two water bottles, we have ones you can borrow. We utilize water filters to refill water from nearby lakes and rivers on a daily basis. Youth will learn about water filtration while camping and will get to drink from the fresh waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior!
For other questions, please visit the “My Trip” page.