Summer Ranger Academy, Winter Ranger and Spring Expedition form a year-round progression through real environments and real skills.
Nine weeks. One deliberate Ranger progression — from induction and foundational readiness through backcountry skills, horsemanship, climbing, ocean skills, land and wildlife awareness, scuba training, open-water capability, and a four-night Channel Islands expedition.
June 14–August 13, 2027 • approximately 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. No camp Monday, July 5; Week 4 operates Tuesday–Friday. Individual activities remain subject to final vendor availability, permits, transportation and safety planning.
FIRST AID • CPR • INDUCTION
Rangers establish the team culture and operating standards through orientation, First Aid and CPR training, fitness and yoga, communication challenges, introductory navigation, field readiness, controlled decision-making activities and hands-on building.
Opening qualification and insignia opportunities begin here.
SEARCH • RESCUE • BACKCOUNTRY CAMP
Search-and-rescue fundamentals, map and compass work, field first aid, search patterns, communications, evacuation exercises and a coordinated rescue mission lead into the two- to three-night Backbone Initiation.
Includes backcountry camp, field cooking, campsite discipline and expedition equipment management.
HORSEMANSHIP • ARCHERY • RANCHCRAFT
Rangers work with horses over multiple days, learning handling, care, stable responsibilities and mounted trail skills alongside archery, range safety, trailcraft and practical field challenges.
ROCK • ROPE • ON BELAY
Indoor and professionally guided outdoor climbing introduce knots, belaying, climbing communication, technical rope exposure, height management, trust exercises and team-based rescue or equipment-haul challenges.
No camp Monday, July 5. Vehicle emergency skills, including changing a tire, are also part of the working week plan.
SAIL • SURF • PADDLE
Ocean safety, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, coastal kayaking, water confidence, aquatic conditioning and team water-rescue skills build adaptability and presence in coastal environments. Sailing is included if final partner arrangements are confirmed.
TRACK • SCOUT • RIDE
Rangers study California landscapes through Chumash-led cultural learning, native plants, wildlife observation, animal tracking, telemetry, mountain biking, navigation, field documentation and hands-on stewardship or service.
BREATHE • BUDDY • BUOYANCY
The scuba progression begins with equipment familiarization, pool-based instruction, mask and regulator skills, buoyancy, buddy procedures, underwater communication, equipment care, calm-response drills and certification coursework.
ORIENT • NAVIGATE • EXPLORE
Rangers move from confined-water training toward open-water capability through dive planning, buddy checks, underwater navigation, problem-management exercises, marine observation and open-water certification activities where age and prerequisites permit.
The week closes with expedition equipment inspection and packing for the Channel Islands.
LIMUW • SANTA CRUZ ISLAND • 2027
CAMP • PADDLE • SKIN DIVE
The nine-week progression culminates in a four-night island expedition with ferry logistics, field living, coastal hiking, island navigation, authorized sea kayaking, marine ecology, wildlife observation, maritime Chumash history and team camp responsibilities.
The final Ranger Challenge is integrated into the expedition. Graduation, qualification recognition and the final Ranger ceremony follow the Week 9 return. There is no separate Week 10.
Winter Ranger moves between alpine and desert environments. The first planned progression pairs Mount San Jacinto high country with Joshua Tree: snowshoeing or cross-country skiing when conditions allow, winter navigation, cold-weather fieldcraft, alpine travel, desert expedition skills and professionally guided rock climbing.
Destinations, activities, dates and detailed itineraries are subject to change based on weather, access, permits, operator availability and final program design.
San Jacinto • Joshua Tree • Mojave • Death Valley • Anza-Borrego • Cuyamaca • Valley of Fire • Black Canyon
Spring Expedition changes with the year, taking Rangers into major parks, rivers, canyons and road-based expedition environments. Potential routes can include Yosemite and the South Fork American River, Zion country, Sedona and the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Pinnacles, Catalina and other western landscapes.
Destinations, activities, dates and detailed itineraries are subject to change based on weather, access, permits, operator availability and final program design.
Yosemite • American River • Zion • Grand Canyon • Bryce Canyon • Canyonlands • Pinnacles • Catalina
