EXTREME Journey Day Camps

The Extreme Journey Camp is an innovative, award-winning summer camp where middle school students canoe, bike and walk in the footsteps of great leaders from this region… During their exploration, students create short videos that they write, direct, film and star in answering the question, “what does leadership mean to you?”

Your Mission: This summer, become a spy in the “Journey Intelligence Agency” to reveal the mysteries of history! You will assume the identities of those who lived here before us, face the same problems they faced, and then decide: What does leadership mean to me?

All under the guidance of incomparable interpreters who will lead hands-on cultural, recreational, and creative activities.

Now in its 17th year, this program is offered by the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, a non-profit organization dedicated to civically engaging students of every age in our shared heritage, in partnership with Loudoun County Parks and Recreation. This activity is not sponsored or endorsed by Loudoun County Public Schools.

Download the 2024 Extreme Journey Flyer

RETURNING Campers Registration: March 5th-7th

NEW Registration opens: March 12th

NON-COUNTY Resident Registration opens: March 19th

Adventure Open To: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Students

SESSION 1: BATTLEFIELD ADVENTURE

July 8 through July 19 (Monday-Friday, Day Camp Only)

Smart’s Mill Middle School
850 North King Street, Leesburg, VA 20176

PRCS Activity & Section #: 573212 (01)

You will visit the following battlefields:

●  Antietam National Battlefield
●  Gettysburg National Battlefield
●  Manassas National Battlefield
●  Brandy Station Battlefield
●  Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park

Activities you will engage in include:
●  Tube Antietam Creek
●  Bike Gettysburg National Military Park
●  Loudoun Escape Room (RETURNING)
●  Scavenger Hunt at Mount Olivet Cemetery

Museums/Historic Locations you will visit include:
●  Loudoun Museum & Civil War Medicine Museum
●  Loudoun Freedom Center
●  Aldie Mill & Mount Zion Church
●  Graffiti House & Seminary Ridge Museum (NEW)

 

SESSION 2: GREAT AMERICANS ADVENTURE

July 22 through August 2 (Monday-Friday, Day Camp Only)
Brambleton Middle School
23070 Learning Circle, Ashburn, VA 20148

PRCS Activity & Section #: 573212 (02) 

You will visit the following Presidential Homes:

●  Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Estate
●  James Madison’s Montpelier Estate
●  Dwight D. Eisenhower Farm (NEW)
●  James Monroe’s Highland Estate (NEW)

Activities you will engage in include:
●  Canoe the Potomac River
●  Bike the C&O Canal Towpath
●  Hike Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
●  Udvar Hazy Air & Space Museum IMAX(NEW)

Museums/Historic Locations you will visit include:
●  The David Wills House (NEW)
●  Adams County Historical Society Museum
●  Historic Oatlands Estate & Gardens
●  African American Historical Association (NEW)
●  The George C. Marshall House

Cost: $895 (Limited Scholarships Available)
*Special Rate Available for Returning Campers = $795*

For the second summer in a row, we will offer two REVAMPED programs that are completely different and students are welcome to register for both sessions!

REDUCED RATE: $100 discount per session if you sign up for both!

This price partially covers charges for bus transportation, park admission, guided tours, bike and canoe rentals, snacks, and use of cutting-edge filmmaking equipment. The remaining costs are underwritten by the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Register here. Please type in the PRCS Activity/Session Number for the session you want to register for! (573212 (01) for Session 1 or 573212 (02) for Session 2).

For additional information regarding camp registration contact Erik Sassak, Camp Director, at erik@jthg.org, or call (703) 999-5928. 

Camp Offerings

This two-week day camp offers a unique chance to take a guided bike tour of Gettysburg National Military Park, canoe the Potomac and learn about John Brown at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, tube Antietam Creek, explore Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Estate, and make a short film about the meaning of Leadership, among many other exciting activities.

students seated, learning from a park ranger