Equipment:  The outdoors is a great teaching and healing environment, but also requires the right equipment and training for a safe experience.  Aspiro provides all clothing, gear and equipment that your child will need for the program. Aspiro will outfit your child with a new backpack, hiking boots, camp stove and a complete range of clothing. The students are instructed on proper use, care, and maintenance of the equipment. Your child does not need to bring anything other than the following items and the clothes they are wearing.

Items to send with student include: 

Eyeglasses if your child requires corrective lenses (if your child wears contact lenses, they must still bring eyeglasses due to wind, sand, and risk of loss), a 2-month supply of their Prescription Medications, and Retainer, if applicable.

While in base camp, students eat a mix of trail food and home-cooked meals.  Students receive fresh fruits and vegetables at least twice a week.  Students are also offered daily vitamin supplements.

While on the trail, students eat backpacking food, which consists of tortillas, powdered milk, pastas of all sorts, crackers, peanut butter, tuna, couscous, rice, oatmeal, salami rolls, fruit cups, trail mix, peanuts, dried fruit, m&m's, granola, power bars, etc.  Students receive at least 3,000 calories a day to support the high level of activities that they are participating in. 

Aspiro uses natural water sources and students are taught how to treat and purify water.  Students are also issued Gatorade, Tang, hot chocolate and hot ciders to help their experience be more enjoyable and to keep electrolytes in balance.