HMI Summer Term
On two 10-day backpacking expeditions, students learn how to travel and thrive in the rugged Rocky Mountains of Colorado. When they’re not in the field, they live on our campus in Leadville, Colorado, and participate in writing workshops or ecology research, producing a final personal essay or research project. Other activities include learning to rock climb at world-class crags and rafting the famous Arkansas River.
HMI Summer Term students leave with the tools to thrive in classes, on sports teams, and as leaders in extracurricular activities in high school and beyond.
Who Should Apply?
- High school freshman, sophomores and juniors interested in spending a month at HMI.
- No previous outdoor experience is required. Students must be interested in spending extended periods (10 days) outdoors in wilderness settings.
- About 40% of students receive need-based financial aid; top packages can include free outdoor gear rentals and cover flights to and from Colorado.
We believe qualified students should have access to the unique educational opportunities at HMI. Learn about HMI’s financial aid here.
Summer Term 2026
Dates: June 28 – July 25, 2026
Duration: 4 weeks
Age: Rising 10th, 11th, 12th grade
- Backpacking & wilderness travel (2 trips, 10 days each)
- Cabin living & residential life
- Rock climbing
- Whitewater rafting
- Writing workshops & seminars
- Ecology data collection & research
Tuition: $9,900
Student Account Deposit: $500 (returned if unused)
Tuition and fees do not include flights to or from Denver.
If you are applying for financial aid, you must submit your financial aid application on Clarity when you submit your HMI application.
For more information about financial aid, see this page.
We are no longer accepting applications for Summer 2026. If you are interested in Summer 2027, you can email admissions@hminet.org, and stay tuned for the application to re-open in the Fall.
