Moab

About 3.5 hours from Midway.  Good paved roads to most destinations.

12 - 18, depending on activities

Mountain biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, hiking, exploring, off-roading

$50 - $250 per person for 3 - 5 day camps, depending on the itinerary

Year round, but the preferred season for a Summer camp would be May - September. The rapids on the Colorado River will be bigger and more dramatic in May and June during Spring run-off.

Mountain bikes, 4wd vehicles, climbing gear and expertise, whitewater rafting gear and expertise

Most campgrounds in Moab are first-come, first-serve. In the high season, it can be very difficult to get a site unless you arrive early in the week, preferably on Tuesday or Wednesday. A few great options include Dewey Bridge, Fisher Towers, Hittle Bottom, and Onion Creek. Detailed information on these campgrounds, and many others, can be found on www.recreation.gov

Pack up, travel, and set up camp

Mountain bike in the famous Magnificent 7 system. The area features a network of trails that link the upper and lower ends of Gemini Bridges Road. You can pay a shuttle company to provide drop off and/or pick up, or provide your own transport if you have 4wd vehicles.

"Mag 7" is named for the 7 trails it links together into one spectacular traverse: Getaway, Bull Run, Arth's Corner, Little Canyon, Gold Bar Rim, Golden Spike, Poison Spider, and Portal. Trails range from intermediate to expert.

There are several online resources that give detailed information on the Mag 7 system, as well as many other trails in the Moab area. Two good resources are https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/652241/mag-7 and https://www.discovermoab.com/mountainbiking/#gemini

Make sure you plan your rides so they are appropriate for the skill level of your participants, or you could quickly find you're in over your head.

Cost:  Free with own bikes/transport

Morning: Drive, hike, and sight see in Arches National Park.

Cost: $2 per vehicle for a reservation (REQUIRED!), then $30 per vehicle for entry. The entrance is only 3 miles from downtown Moab. For online reservations, go to: 

https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088426/ticket/10088427

Afternoon: Do the Power Dam hike, a 3 mile round-trip journey that follows a pretty stream leading to several beautiful, refreshing swimming holes. Google "Power Dam Moab" for driving directions.

Cost: Free

Raft the Fisher Towers section of the Colorado. This is a 13 mile section of the river directly upstream from Moab. It contains numerous class I-III rapids and is the perfect introduction to whitewater rafting.

Outfitter:   World Wide River Expeditions (435-259-7515)

www.worldwideriver.com

Cost:  $80-$90 (lunch on river included). Always ask for a church group or youth group discount!

Break camp and return home.

Considered one of the finest one-day whitewater runs in the western United States, this 18 mile trip on the Colorado River takes participants through a dramatic gorge with thousand foot walls on both sides, while 12 class III-IV rapids will challenge even experienced paddlers.

Outfitter:   World Wide River Expeditions (435-259-7515) www.worldwideriver.com

Cost:  $175 (lunch on river included). Ask for group discounts.

Located directly off of Highway 191 on the right as you're heading into Moab (almost directly across the highway from the entrance to Arches National Park), this is a great little sand dune that's fun to climb, run down, or even sled down. Bring a frisbee or a football for some additional excitement. Note the sand can get too hot for bare feet in the Summer. Best to visit early or late in the day when temps are reasonable.

Cost:  Free