Mountain High Adventure

A little history… I originally wrote the program that has become Mountain High Adventure as a special adventure program for 12 to 15 year old boys and girls at the YMCA. There were camp opportunities for kids up to 12 years of age and CIT programs for 15 and 16 year olds, but there was nothing for the middle age group. I wanted a program that would appeal to the older kids and offer some challenges that were not available at the average day camp. I was an Adirondack Voyager Guide and incorporated some high adventure into the program to make it more interesting and challenging. This included backpacking and mountain climbing, canoe trips and cave exploring. We ran the program under the name “Teen Trackers” for many years, introducing many kids to the wonders and challenges of the outdoors. Eventually cutbacks forced the adventure program to become more like day camp.

            I wanted to continue the traditions of adventure and learning, so in 2000, I decided to offer the high adventure program on my own. It was renamed Mountain High Adventure and we ran a two week canoeing session that year with a small group. We learned about canoeing the first week and spent the second week in the Adirondack Mountains. It was a terrific two weeks and the following summer I expanded the program to 3 weeks with a backpacking and mountain climbing trip and a two-week canoeing session. We again had small numbers but had a great time. In 2002, I offered the Introduction to Adventure week for 7 to 12 year olds in the hopes that if I could give the younger kids a taste of adventure mixed with a lot of fun activities, maybe they would be excited about getting some real adventure when they got older so I could fill the more adventurous programs.

            Mountain High Adventure is now in it’s 24th year and has become the great program that I had envisioned when I first started it.

Safety… I limit the size of each session to no more than 9 kids and 2 counselors. This allows me to personally ensure that all safety precautions are in place while the programs are running. It also allows for teaching smaller groups, which enhances the overall camp experience.

A little about me…

            My name is Harry M. Sauerhafer. I have been working with children for many years. I have been a BSA Scoutmaster in Rochester, NY for over 30 years. I ran School Age Child Care programs for the Maplewood YMCA for almost 20 years. I have been an Adirondack Voyageur guide since the mid 1980s and have led many trips into the Adirondack wilderness. I have climbed 42 of the Adirondack “High Peaks”, many of them multiple times and at different times of the year including the middle of winter. I have hiked and climbed in the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier National Park in the state of Washington, in Newfoundland and various parts of the Appalachian Trail. In 1999, I spent a month with some friends hiking to base camp at 17000 feet on Mount Everest in Nepal.

            I am certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR , and AED for the American Red Cross. I have earned my NYS Child Care Credential. I have taught Canoeing, Rock Climbing and Cave Exploring to many scout groups and campers.

            I love the outdoors and enjoy sharing that love with other people. My goal is to spend as much time as possible hiking, climbing and exploring the great outdoors.

            Maybe you also like to experience the joy and excitement of the great outdoors. If so, come join us for a week or two this summer.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Harry M. Sauerhafer - Director

                                                     Phone: 585-621-8896                               e-mail:  hmsauer79@gmail.com

References…  If you would like to speak to some parents of kids who have been a part of our program, contact me for more information.

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