OUTDOOR EDUCATION

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Build courage and competence on an unforgettable learning adventure in the mountains of Spain and Portugal.

In order to navigate the complex challenges of our time, young people need a solid foundation of personal skills, strengths, and awareness. These inner virtues cannot be bought or found on a screen: They must be built through experience in the world. 

We create immersive, transformative outdoor adventure experiences that challenge, inspire, and empower youth through intensive, multi-day wilderness expeditions. Our unique learning journeys blend outdoor and nature education with carefully-crafted personal development, team-building, adversity training, leadership training, and mindfulness education.

The mountains of Southern Iberia are our classroom and playground. In these mountains, our tight-knit community of learners and instructors can spend time immersed in remote, wild places that offer lessons, laughter, and story-worthy adventures around every turn of the trail. Out here, each hands-on challenge is a powerful life lesson, each real-world obstacle an opportunity to grow, each group-decision a chance to rise together.

With expert instruction and personalized coaching, young participants not only gain the practical wilderness skills to foster a life of outdoor exploration and nature connection; they also develop the inner character, personal strengths, and lifelong leadership skills needed to flourish inside and outside the mountains.Join us for a joyful, impactful, once-in-a-lifetime learning adventure! Feel the transformation that one special week can make in the life of a young person. Be ready for stories of fun and adventure, and witness the newfound skills and confidence that can only be found in nature.

We are Maarten de Vos (Netherlands) and T.J. Eisenstein (USA). Together, we bring together over 25 years of professional expertise in outdoor education, wilderness instruction, international youth travel, and youth education, across three continents and many educational formats. 

We have each taken our own distinct journeys to arrive where we are, giving us overlapping yet complementary areas of expertise. We share a core vision and approach to youth education, empowerment, and experiential learning, and the essential and professional skills to craft impactful learning journeys.

T.J. my co-partner

I have spent much of my adult life seeking adventure, movement, connection & clarity in the Great Outdoors. For me, the natural world is where I feel most complete, most aligned with the things I find valuable and meaningful. Sharing this passion has become my life’s work.

I have been a licensed outdoor guide and instructor in Portugal for over 11 years, where I have safely guided over 7,000 guests, both young and old, on full-day to multi-day hikes across the Western Algarve. I have professional instructor certifications from the National Outdoor Leadership School (USA) and International Wilderness Leadership School (USA) in the fields of Hiking and Backpacking; Mountaineering; Rock Climbing; and Wilderness First Response. I have trained and led mountain trips in five countries across 3 continents.

For the previous three years, I have led a weekly outdoor education program with students from several Algarve education projects. I guided over 40 students ages 8-15 on how to safely, effectively, and joyfully explore the outdoors, including multi-day backpacking trips in Portugal and Spain.


Possible dates:

1 Week Andalucia Mountain Expedition

Dates:

Spring: April 20-26 / April 27 – May 3
Early Summer: June 1-7 / June 8-15
End Summer: August 31 – Sept 6 / Sept 7 – 15

7 Day Portugal Mountain “Expedition”

This is our full adventure program, a learning journey deep into the Algarve’s nearest Alpine environment, the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Southern Spain. 

Days 1-2: We begin with two essential days and nights at our basecamp retreat in the foothills of the mountains, where we will learn and practice essential mountain skills, build our community with group activities and team-building exercises, and begin to grow our awareness, self-management, and leadership skills with guided reflections, group discussions, games, and rituals. 

Days 3-6: After preparing our hearts, minds, and bodies, we will take off into the mountains for four days and three nights navigating a wilderness environment. During this fun, challenging, invigorating adventure, we will apply and progress our new skills and learnings, overcome unique and unpredictable obstacles, grow our bond as a team, and learn to safely, effectively, and joyfully live with self-sufficiency in the mountains.

Day 7: After completing our journey into the mountains, we return for a final day at basecamp for celebrations, reflections, debriefs, and a good night sleep, before returning home. 

Trip Details: 

  • Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
  • Ages: 12-16 (some age exceptions are possible)
  • Includes: Full transportation from the Algarve; all food and accommodation; group camping equipment (tents, cookware, etc.).
  • Not included: Personal camping equipment (clothing, boots, sleeping bags/pads, backpacks, etc.); travel insurance. 
  • Gear hire: Sleeping bags and pads and other mountain equipment are available for hire.
  • Group Size: 8-12 students with 2 instructors; up to 14 students with a 3rd adult guardian
  • Price: €600; scholarships available based on need and application.

4 Day Portugal Mountain “Expedition Light”

In the beautiful Serra Estrela mountains, we will learn all the same mountain skills and self- and team- leadership skills outlined above, but without the challenges of a remote wilderness immersion and heavy backpacks, and with less time away from home. We will spend 3 nights camping in “semi-wild” campgrounds, with our days full of learning lessons, group activities, day-hikes, and games. Participants will return with their love for adventure and outdoors sparked, plenty of fun and growth, and better prepared to take on the full-week adventure program next time.

Trip Details: 

  • Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
  • Ages: 9+ (some age exceptions are possible)
  • Includes: Transportation from the Algarve; all food and accommodation; group camping equipment (tents, cookware, etc.).
  • Not included: Personal camping equipment (clothing, boots, sleeping bags/pads, backpacks, etc.); travel insurance. 
  • Gear rental: Sleeping bags, pads and backpacks are available for rental, as needed.
  • Availability: Spring (April – June); Autumn (September – November)
  • Group Size: Up to 12 students with 2 instructors
  • Price: €400; scholarships available based on need and application.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  1. Wilderness Skills: The backbone of the program is an immersive education in mountain skills and Campcraft. Participants will return home with a foundation of skills and understanding that will prepare them for a lifetime of hiking, camping, and exploring the Great Outdoors safely, effectively, and joyfully.
  2. Leadership & Teamwork: Learn to lead and collaborate effectively by supporting and contributing to a diverse group with shared goals. Learn the values of fairness and respect, as every participant’s contribution is vital to the group’s success. 
  3. Character Development: By confronting unpredictable challenges, students develop resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic; feel the connection between hard work and reward; and gain a deep sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.
  4. Resilience & Determination: By overcoming many physical, mental, social, and emotional challenges, students develop grit, inner strength and a sense of commitment and perseverance, and expand their comfort zones. 
  5. Self-Reliance & Self-Management: Cultivate self-discipline and personal responsibility by being punctual, accountable, and responsible for personal needs and efforts. 
  6. Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Through real-world challenges in the wilderness, participants will enhance their problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills, learning to make sound decisions under pressure.
  7. Nature Connection: Participants will not only develop a deeper appreciation for nature, but also gain a clearer understanding of how their actions affect the environment, empowering them to make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives. 
  8. Physical Fitness & Well-Being: The program promotes physical fitness through hiking, carrying, cold water immersion, and more. It also focuses on mental well-being, helping youth to develop a sense of calm, confidence, and clarity.
  9. Lifelong Skills: Students develop tools to succeed in academics and personal life, including effective communication, leadership, adaptability, and resourcefulness. By navigating dynamic challenges, they learn to think creatively and solve problems.
  10. Academic Performance: Outdoor education boosts focus, creativity, and problem solving. Hands-on learning in nature enhances knowledge retention and fosters practical, creative solutions to real-world challenges outside the mountains.

WHAT TO EXPECT: CHALLANGES & REQUIREMENTS

Our program is designed to be inclusive and accessible to youths of wide-varying physical abilities, developmental levels and skill sets. No special knowledge, abilities, or prior experiences are necessary. 

As educators, we meet students at their own skill and comfort level. This means that both first-time campers and experienced outdoor people find opportunities to grow, gain skills, and build community.

The learning experience is also, however, active and physically-challenging, and so requires some basic level of strength, endurance, and fitness to succeed. The primary physical challenge will be carrying a backpack of approximately ¼ – ⅓ your body weight (10-15kg) while hiking 3-6 hours per day for 4 successive days. 

For many, the bigger challenge will be the social and emotional one of leaving home and family and being away from screens, comforts, and routines for 6 full nights. We encourage participants to gain experience beforehand sleeping away from home and family, even if only a night here and there at the house of friends or family.   

FAQ:

Are phones allowed? No. We believe this type of deep, immersive learning experience can only be achieved with distracting screens and devices far away. 

Do I need special Insurance? Yes. It’s a must to have insurance for hiking in the mountains, with mountain rescue included. You can arrange this yourself for the week that your child is with us. We will send links to recommended insurances. You can expect to pay about €50 for this.

Can I get in contact with my child / you while you are away? Yes, but only in emergencies or necessary situations. We guides will have our phones on at all times. We also have a satellite messenger that can be used without cell phone coverage, which we use to contact families each night from camp with a GPS location and quick check-in. 

For more information:

To learn more, please contact Maarten at +31-649289139

hiddenvalleyportugal@gmail.com