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TOP Summer Leadership Program

Home > Academics  > Thetford Outdoor Program > TOP Summer Leadership Program

Each summer, the Thetford Outdoor Program offers several opportunities for Thetford Academy students to have immersive outdoor leadership experiences and adventures. TOP Summer Leadership programs are announced each winter and open to all TA students in grades 7-12, and to students from our sending schools in the Upper Valley.

TOP Summer Leadership opportunities for summer 2025 include Advanced Canoe trip to Quebec, Vermont Adventure, Garden Camp, GLOW Outdoor Adventures (for students who identify as girls, young ladies, or women always or sometimes), and right here on campus, a student Trail Crew that works each year to help develop and maintain Thetford Academy’s extensive trail systems.

Each summer, TOP also hires student interns to help support our summer programs. This is a great opportunity for students who have participated in past TOP summer programs to advance their leadership skills and build valuable work experience.

Registration for TOP Summer Leadership programs for the 2025 season will officially open on Jan 10th. If you have questions please email [email protected].

Advanced Canoe Trip to La Verendrye Park, Quebec, CA

July 23 – August 4, 2025

This is an advanced trip for students who have participated in past TOP summer Leadership programs. The group will travel to La Verendrye park in Quebec Canada and paddle over 150 km through remote wilderness areas. Students must apply to join this trip. 

Full tuition for this trip is $1,250.

The trip is currently full and has a waitlist.

GLOW CT River Canoe Trip

June 16 – 20, 2025

GLOW (Girls, Ladies, or Whomever) is for all students who identify as girls, young ladies, or women always or sometimes. Students will spend a week paddling a local section of the Connecticut River. Along the way, they will camp at primitive campsites, develop paddling and leadership skills, explore the role of gender in the outdoors and learn about the natural world.

There is a $450 fee for this program to cover food, permits, staffing, and equipment costs.

Vermont Adventure

June 23-27, 2025

This trip is designed specifically for students who are new to TOP summer leadership programs as an introductory outdoor leadership program. The group will base their experience at the TA yurt. Over five days, students will hike on the Appalachian Trail, rock climb in South Royalton, work on a service project and then travel to the Connecticut River for a canoe camping overnight. On this trip, students will develop leadership skills, and learn about the natural world while exploring the forest, cliff and river ecosystems.

There is a $450 fee for this program to cover food, permits, staffing, and equipment costs.

Garden Camp

July 14 – 18, 2025

Enjoy the great outdoors by way of TA’s school garden and the agricultural resources of the greater Upper Valley. Students will spend time working and learning in the garden at TA, with afternoon garden-inspired crafts, activities, and local field trips.

There is a $250 fee for this program to cover materials and staffing costs. 

Trail Crew

June 16 – 20, 2025

This week-long work experience engages students in all aspects of trail maintenance and development. Students will work building and improving trail networks in the Thetford Hill State Forest, and on TA’s vast, 295-acre forested campus. The crew meets Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with four days of work and one-day team activity and hike. Students must be entering 9th grade and complete an application and interview to be accepted into the trail crew.

Students are compensated $100 for the week.

TOP Summer Internships

Each summer, TOP hires student interns to help support our summer programs. This is a great opportunity for students who have participated in past TOP summer programs to advance their leadership skills and build valuable work experience. In 2025, we will be hiring interns for trail crew, the GLOW Connecticut River canoe trip, the Vermont Adventure trip, and garden camp. Students who are currently in 9th-12th grade are eligible to apply.

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