The Outfit Expedition, for 10-12 year old kids, is a great introduction to living in the wilderness with a small group of young outdoor enthusiasts.  The Outfit spends most of their time living in open-air cabins at our 540-acre Base Camp in the Zuni Mountains of western New Mexico, where they work closely with our resident artist, archaeologist, farmer, and ecologist.  The group will also take to the road for four nights to explore nearby gems like Mount Taylor (plan to get up early for a sunrise hike!), the lava flows of El Malpais, and the mysterious "mushroom rocks" of Ah-shi-sle-pah. This is a fantastic introduction to the wilderness, art, archaeology, and science of New Mexico in a beautiful outdoor classroom.

To read more about our programs, visit our website: www.cottonwoodgulch.org

What is an Expedition at the Gulch?

“Camp” is a four-letter word in our book.  This is not a summer camp, this is a summer expedition, an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the majestic land and cultural heritage of the American Southwest.  At the Gulch, we take you on world-class backpacking excursions, but our expeditions are much more than that—we also use our hands to explore Southwestern art, archaeology, reptiles, and dinosaur bones, and we take time to learn from the Native American traditions of the Navajo, Zuni, and Acoma people.

A Cultural Exchange on the Navajo Nation

Our unique location in the heart of the Four Corners region offers an unparalleled cultural experience.  But we don’t just watch from a distance.  We take time to stay with our friends in the Navajo Nation, sometimes for days at a time, tending animals on their farm, cooking traditional meals, and sleeping in Navajo hogans.  Nor are these relationships superficial.  For decades the Henio family and their Navajo friends have been an integral part of Cottonwood Gulch, and to this day they serve on our Board of Directors, work as staff, and join us as summer Trekkers.

Our longer expeditions—the Mountain Desert Trek, Turquoise Trail, and Prairie Trek—all take time to live on the nearby reservations, usually with members of the extended Henio family.  While there you will help tend sheep, repair a hogan, and cook meals side-by-side with our hosts.  Most importantly, this is a unique opportunity to learn about a different culture firsthand.

If your favorite program is full this year, you can transfer your gift certificate to next year.

Some sessions are full--if you're curious about a particular group, call or email us.