Frequently Asked Questions
To read all frequently asked questions, please scroll down. To jump ahead to a specific category of questions, please click on the links below.
Questions about the different sessions
Questions about Leading Edge instructors
Is previous outdoor experience required?
No, you don't need any previous outdoor experience to participate in the Leading Edge. We'll teach you the skills you need to camp and travel comfortably in the backcountry. All you need is a willingness to try new things and meet new people and a little love for adventure. Some Leading Edge students, however, are experienced backpackers; early in the trip, they practice leadership by supporting students who are new to camping.
How many miles a day will I hike?
The number of miles you hike each day will vary from day to day as we traverse different terrain. On days when you're hiking on a smooth trail, you might hike as much as ten miles. On days when you're navigating off trail and over rocky terrain, you might hike as few as three miles.
What will I learn about wilderness backpacking and camping?
A lot! Whether or not you have spent time in the outdoors before, we will teach and review the skills you need to camp and travel in the backcountry. We will teach you how to travel through the mountains of our backyard while leaving only your footprints. You will learn how to cook using a backcountry stove, set up shelters, stay warm when it's cold or raining, and navigate on-and off-trail using a topographical map. Weather permitting, you will also have the opportunity to climb at least one peak.
I'm a pretty quiet person. Is the Leading Edge right for me?
Absolutely. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to learn about leadership. We believe leadership can mean many different things. Some students come to the program with experience in formal leadership roles, like student government or as a sports captain. Others come simply with a curiosity about the topic and about themselves. All of our students have leadership potential-whether they lead with a strong voice at the front of the group or they influence the group in subtler, quieter ways.
Isn't leadership something you are either good at or not?
We strongly believe that you can learn how to become a better leader. Our leadership curriculum is designed to help illuminate your existing leadership talents and assets-your "home base"-while encouraging you to develop the capacity to operate successfully outside your comfort zone. We also strive to give you a repertoire of tools to increase your ability to influence others and to begin to answer the question: "What am I leading for?" Through this curriculum and the opportunity to practice leadership in an accepting environment, we believe that you can learn how to become a more effective leader.
What do leadership classes look like?
During the first two days of the program, you will participate in a two-day leadership workshop led by faculty members experienced in teching leadership skills. During the expedition, you will continue to talk about, practice, and have classes about leadership. These classes can look a lot different than traditional classes (see photo) and usually take place in the afternoon after you've arrived in camp, set up your tent, and had a snack. All curriculum elements are taught in an environment that emphasizes experiential learning and fun.
What makes the Leading Edge different from other summer trips?
Prospective families often ask how the Leading Edge is different from other more purely wilderness summer programs. The most important difference is that we take an intentional, and often a more academic, approach to leadership development. We believe strongly that, although leadership skills may develop naturally out of a wilderness experience, we can spark even deeper personal growth and development by combining a wilderness experience with an extensive, formal leadership curriculum. The wilderness also offers many opportunities for hands-on experience followed by formal coaching and support.
What equipment do I need to participate in a Leading Edge course? 
You can see a full list of the equipment that you will need for your course by clicking on the tab "For accepted students" and then scrolling down to "Packing & Equipment List 2010." You can rent almost all of what you will need for your trip (for example, a sleeping bag, warm jacket, and backpack). The one exception is that you will need to bring your own hiking boots.
If my trip includes rock-climbing do I need to bring extra equipment?
No, we will provide everything that you need, including rock-climbing shoes, harnesses, and helmets.
Do I need to physically prepare for the Leading Edge?
While you do not need to be an athlete to participate in the Leading Edge, we strongly recommend that you be in good physical condition. In advance of your program, we recommend that you work on your cardiopulmonary fitness and hiking/walking strength, particularly if you are not already exercising regularly. The ideal is to go for fast paced hikes on trails carrying a daypack (with lots of water!) 2-3 times per week for 30-45 minutes. If trails are unavailable near your home, use a combination of roads and athletic fields. This is also an excellent way to break in your hiking boots! In addition, we recommend you complement your hiking/walking work-outs with jogging, biking, or other cross-training two times per week in order to prepare yourself adequately for the program. We recommend starting to prepare yourself physically for your trip at least six-weeks before the program starts.
Do we learn to cook while we're in the backcountry?
Yes, each tent group of 3-4 students cooks for themselves. In this way, you'll have lots of opportunities to practice different meals. Cooking in small groups also allows you to make things like pizza and cinnamon rolls that you couldn't do while cooking for a dozen people. Learning to cook delicious meals is one of the highlights of the Leading Edge. Don't worry if you've never cooked before; your instructors will help you get started and you'll have a great backcountry cookbook to help you.
What kind of food will we eat while in the backcountry?
One of the things we like to do at the High Mountain Institute is to eat good food (and lots of it!), especially while we're in the backcountry. You'll have lots of ingredients with you-pasta, rice, cheese, flour, bagels, sugar, spices-for you to use in making delicious meals. Typical breakfasts include pancakes, cinnamon rolls, and oatmeal; you'll often eat rice and bean burritos, pasta with cheese and veggies, or pizza for dinner. Lunches tend to be lighter fare that you'll eat over the course of the hiking day.
Where will we sleep while on campus?
While on campus, you'll sleep in one of our wood-heated cabins. For each course, there is a cabin for girls, a separate cabin for boys, and another cabin for the instructors.
Where will we sleep while in the backcountry?
While in the backcountry you'll sleep in a mega-mid tent with 2-4 of your peers. Mega-mids are great, lightweight, and circular tents. Your instructors will show you how to set them up properly and how to pick out a good campsite. All tent groups are single-sex.
Can I come on the Leading Edge if I have food allergies?
Probably. In the past we've been able to accommodate students with a wide-range of food allergies. Please call us to discuss.
How is the Leading Edge course that takes place in the canyons of Utah different than the ones that take place in the Rocky Mountains?
The biggest difference is the terrain. Instead of climbing up and over mountain passes, you'll be hiking in a landscape sculpted by dramatic, colorful sandstone canyons where you can see evidence of ancient civilizations. You'll also get to experience more technical backpacking. Occasionally your instructors will set up short rappels so that you can travel to the bottom of canyons to explore, find water, or hang out in the shade. The rhythm of your day when camping and traveling in the canyons is also pretty different. You'll usually get up when it's still dark out, hike while it's cool, take a long mid-day break where you might take a nap in the shade or have a discussion about leadership, and then hike again once it cools down in the evening. Some groups might even get the opportunity to hike at night.
What is the weather like in Colorado during the summer?
Days during the summer in Colorado tend to be warm and sunny while nights are cool and dry. Colorado summers tend to make for perfect hiking weather! Most summer days in Colorado start off sunny and there can be thunderstorms in the afternoon. It doesn't usually rain much, but it's not unusual for it to rain a little bit every day.
How big will my group be?
Leading Edge groups are small; there are never more than 12 students per group
Who are the other students and where do they come from?
Leading Edge students come from all over the country to learn about leadership and experience a fun and challenging outdoor adventure. All grou
ps are co-ed and grouped by age. Some Leading Edge students have experience in formal leadership roles while others are simply curious about the topic and about themselves. Some students lead with a strong voice at the front of the group while others influence the group in subtler, quieter ways. All Leading Edge students are enthusiastic, eager to live and learn in a small group, and experience the great outdoors together.
Can friends come on the Leading Edge together?
Yes, although we strongly encourage all students to come on their own. In our experience, attending the Leading Edge on your own allows you to immerse yourself more fully in the program and ultimately leads to a more powerful experience. If you are nonetheless interested in attending the Leading Edge with a friend please call us to discuss. The majority of participants on the Leading Edge do not know anybody else prior to the start of the program.
Who will my instructors be?
Leading Edge instructors are experienced, trained, and talented educators who are well-versed in both outdoor education and leadership theory. They provide one-on-one coaching and facilitate group-learning exercises. All expedition leaders have wilderness medical training and experience leading adolescents in the backcountry. They serve as mentors and role models during the trip. The average age of our Leading Edge instructors in 2009 was 28 years old and 73% had previous experience leading expeditions for the High Mountain Institute.
How many instructors do you have per group? 
Typically there are three instructors with a group of twelve students. Our average student to staff ratio in 2009 was 4:1.
How do you train your instructors / what sort of certifications do they have?
Leading Edge instructors come to the High Mountain Institute with previous experience working in the outdoors with teenagers. Many of them have worked with our semester students through the Rocky Mountain Semester and several are current Rocky Mountain Semester faculty members. Regardless of experience, Leading Edge instructors participate in a two-and-a-half day training prior to the start of their program. Additionally, new staff participate in a training trip before leading their first Leading Edge program. All Leading Edge instructors have wilderness medical training.
How do I apply for a Leading Edge program?
To apply for the Leading Edge fill out the High Mountain Institute Summer Programs application and answer the short questions listed on the application. Please also give a Teacher Recommendation Form to one of your teachers to complete. Once we have received your application and recommendation form, we will contact you for a phone interview. If you are applying for financial aid, please submit your application by March 1st.
Do you have references for students who have done a Leading Edge program previously?
Absolutely. Please contact us and we will be happy to give you the names of a couple of recent alumni (or alumni parents) who you can contact as a reference.
How quickly do sessions fill up?
Each Leading Edge session fills on a rolling basis. The majority of applicants apply in January and February. Most sessions will fill in March while others will have availability into the spring.
What if my first choice session is full?
If your first choice session is full, we'll call you to make sure that your second choice is acceptable before processing your application.
Does the High Mountain Institute offer financial aid?
We recognize that the cost of an excellent program such as The Leading Edge is significant. The High Mountain Institute attempts to make the Leading Edge affordable for all accepted students, regardless of the financial circumstances of one's family. In offering aid, we hope to attract students from a wide range of economic, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. The High Mountain Institute offers need-based financial aid for students whose families cannot afford the full cost of the Leading Edge. The amount of aid available each year is finite. To apply for financial aid please complete the High Mountain Institute Summer Programs Financial Aid application and submit it along with the supporting materials by March 1st.
Why don't you require a deposit?
We are committed to making sure that each student is a good fit for the Leading Edge and that the Leading Edge is a good fit for each student before requiring students to pay a deposit. We carefully review each student's application and recommendation form. We then interview each student to ask a few questions and answer any questions that applicants might have before enrollment. Once a student has received all enrollment materials and has a full understanding of the nature of the Leading Edge, we ask students to put down a deposit for their program. In our experience, this helps to ensure that all students are enthusiastic participants, eager to live and learn together in the outdoors. 
When are payments due?
An $800 deposit is due two weeks after receipt of your enrollment packet. The balance is due by April 15th. If you are accepted after April 15th, your full tuition payment is due two weeks after receipt of your enrollment packet.
What is High Mountain Institute's refund policy?
In the event that the High Mountain Institute cannot accommodate a student because of medical concerns, we will issue a refund of the deposit. If for any reason (whether voluntary or involuntary) a student leaves the program in progress, there will be no tuition refunded. The High Mountain Institute will not refund or reduce tuition for late or non-arrival, early withdrawal, or participant cancellation for any cause. We encourage all families to purchase trip insurance to protect their investment. We will send you more information about trip insurance in your enrollment packet.
Parent concerns and questions:
How do you manage the inherent risks of being in the wilderness?
We are proud of the quality of our programs, our safety record, and our risk management practices. The High Mountain Institute is fully accredited by the Association for Experiential Education and our faculty and staff have first aid training. We strive to develop creative and challenging programming and endeavor to responsibly manage risks, knowing we cannot eliminate those risks. High Mountain Institute program activities, including wilderness travel and campus life, involve inherent and other risks. For more information about High Mountain Institute's approach to risk management please visit: http://www.hminet.org/about-hmi/risk-management.
How do I know if the Leading Edge program is right for my child?
Ultimately your child knows best whether or not the Leading Edge is right for him or her. We seek curious, motivated students who chose to attend the Leading Edge because they want to enjoy a fun-outdoor experience and learn about leadership. The Leading Edge is not a therapeutic wilderness program. If you are looking for a therapeutic wilderness program, please give us a call and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Can I stay in touch with home and friends while on the Leading Edge?
You will call home when you first arrive in Denver for the start of the Leading Edge to let your parents know you arrived safely. While you're on campus, although there are computers and phones available, we encourage you to write postcards or letters to your friends and family. While you're in the backcountry, you will be able to receive and send out mail when we resupply your group (typically half way through the backpacking trip). Approximately once a week, we'll also send an email home to your parents to give them a quick update on how your trip is going.
Can I bring an iPod, MP3 player, cell phone, or other electronic device?
You are welcome to bring an iPod, MP3 player, or cell phone for use while you are traveling to/from the Leading Edge. However, once the program has started your instructors will collect your cell phones for safe keeping for the duration of the program. You are welcome to continue to use your iPod or MP3 player at night in the cabins but we ask that you do not use it during the day on campus or take it with you into the backcountry. We place great emphasis on building a strong cohesive community and have found that the use of electronics detracts from our ability to "be present."