Adventure Awaits: Build Confidence, Connect with Nature, and Explore New Paths
Explore the wild and picturesque New England while facing challenges and finding opportunities to grow. Our mission is deeply rooted in connecting people with each other and the great outdoors through hands-on exploration
Launch your adventure from our Base Camp headquarters and teen center in downtown Willimantic, CT. Base Camp is situated on the confluence of the East Coast Greenway and Airline Trail. Most expeditions will begin at Base Camp.
Programs are designed to push boundaries and expand possibilities. Led by skilled trip leaders, participants are guided to enhance their self-confidence, emotional resilience, and interpersonal skills, all to help you grow as an individual.
We invite you to participate in these exciting opportunities to challenge yourself through a variety of recreational and educational experiences and genuine adventure.
Project Imo is both an Award Operator and a Registered Activity Provider for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Some of our expeditions provide participants the chance to qualify for their Adventurous Journey requirements, both Practice and Qualifying Journeys. On “AJs” Imo’s staff will act as AJ Supervisor and Assessor and will support participants in setting their group Goals and oversee their AJ Presentation. Our team will work with participants to ensure that their Online Record Book (ORB) is completed so you can apply your hard work of the AJ to your Award Program.
For more information about Project Imo’s expeditionary learning programs, to schedule a custom program, or to inquire about the Award, fill out the Expeditions Contact Form at the bottom of the page.
What are expeditionary learning programs?
These are amazing experiences such as hiking, camping, backpacking, paddling, and more. Participants work together on a journey in nature as they travel, eat, sleep, share camp chores, form relationships, build self-confidence, and more.
How do I participate?
Search through our list of planned trips below. If you find one you like, register and pay the conditional deposit. One of our Project Imo staff members will reach out to you.
4 Days & 3 Nights
Youth 14-18, Award AJ
$1,299.00
Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Conservation
Award AJ Goals: ecosystems, leadership, conservation, science communication
Participants may be eligible for financial assistance through the Award or Project Imo’s Youth Program Scholarship Fund.
Upon registering for an expeditionary learning program with Project Imo, one of our staff will reach out to discuss the trip, ensure you have the information you need to fully participate, and conduct a brief pre-trip interview including:
Project Imo is committed to participant success. We recommend having a pre-trip physical exam with a medical professional prior to registering for a Project Imo expeditionary program. Project Imo reserves the right to determine program participation for the safety of individuals and other participants.
Project Imo requires a deposit of $500.00 when registering for your program.
If registrants cancel in accordance with the Payment Balance and Cancellation policy below, we will issue a refund of the $450.00 of the deposit. The $50 nonrefundable fee covers the cost of pre-trip meetings.
Payment balance in full is required 90 days in advance of the program start date. If payment is made late, Project Imo cannot guarantee a spot on the trip. Your Project Imo trip leaders will work with you to pay the balance required.
Our staff work diligently to plan for these immersive programs, prepare gear, advance scout, work with local officials and more to provide these programs. This work cannot be recovered in the event of short-notice cancellations.
We offer a refund, minus the conditional deposit and sales tax, up to 70 days before the program start date.
We provide a 50% refund, minus the conditional deposit and any sales tax, up to 60 days prior to the program launch date.
For cancellations less than 45 days prior to the program start date, we cannot offer refunds.
Project Imo recommends that you research travel insurance specific to adventure programming.
If one of the listed programs is full, you can reach out to Project Imo at teamimo@projectimo.org to get a spot on our waiting list. Waiting lists are filled on a first-come, first serve basis. In order to secure a spot on the waiting list, participants are required to register for the list and pay a conditional deposit. The same pre-trip protocols will happen for people on the waiting list to ensure a seamless transition from waiting list to full participation in the event of a cancellation. If a spot is not secured you will be issued a full refund.
Participants in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award may be eligible for financial assistance. Project Imo will work to connect participants to Award USA applications. International Award participants should reach out to their Award provider for more information.
Project Imo maintains a limited Youth Program Scholarship fund for local youth facing financial barriers to programs. This small, grassroots fund may be used to offset program costs. Project Imo staff will help youth in Tolland, Windham, and New London Counties with possible financial support in accordance with our Policy on Youth Program Scholarship Funds. Email teamimo@projectimo.org for more information.
Departing from a quintessential New England town and exploring the scenic rail trails and forests of northeastern Connecticut.
This youth expedition qualifies as Bronze or Silver Level Adventurous Journey for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Participants are encouraged to use their own personal gear such as backpacks and sleeping bags. These are offered by Project Imo as part of registration costs if participants cannot provide their own. Project Imo will discuss your personal gear with you as part of the pre-trip process.
Participants meet at Base Camp in Willimantic, CT by 9am. We’ll gear up and hike along the East Coast Greenway/Airline Trail through Connecticut’s deciduous forests. Well make camp at one of the regions local or state parks or forests and begin planning our leadership activities for the weekend while getting to know one another and building connections that could last a lifetime.
From our camp, we’ll set about striking camp and begin our regional explorations. These hikes include a variety of loops and out-and-backs into the gorgeous forests of eastern Connecticut. Participants will be engaging in every aspect of the backcountry process for the entire weekend including cooking, cleaning, camp safety, and other activities.
If on an Adventurous Journey we will work on SMART Goals, leadership training, and more.
Participants will hike back to Base Camp, debrief our experience, and prepare for a 5pm program departure.
This trip qualifies as an “AJ” for the Award. The first day and night will count as a Practice Journey. Also included in this program’s cost are hybrid training sessions before the trip. Award participants will co-create their AJ SMART goal in advance with the support of AJ Supervisors from Project Imo.
The remainder of the trip will count as the Qualifying Journey. For more information about Project Imo’s delivery of Adventurous Journeys or to sign up for an Award program beginning with your AJ, email teamimo@projectimo.org or call 860-786-5799 for more information.
Examples of AJ Goals possible on this trip:
Developing a measurable group leadership process and youth leadership guide
Creating a journal of wildlife observations
Creating conservation science media
Check out our page on The Award for more information
In order to confirm your registration, we will need a deposit and a completed Trip Registration Form. Please complete, electronically sign and submit the form below. You may pay your deposit directly on the website through our payment vendor. If you would like to pay via bank wire transfer, please email us at: teamimo@projectimo.org.
Thank you for joining Project Imo on your adventure!!
All participants must provide proof of current medical insurance to participate in expeditionary learning programs with Project Imo.
Participants don’t need to be in peak condition to enjoy expeditionary learning. We do recommend that you prepare in advance. Depending upon the course you may be walking for 10 miles with a 20-50 pound backpack, sleeping on the ground in a tent, or even sitting in a canoe and paddling for extended periods. You will also be challenged mentally and socially to work with a group of other participants to maintain a shared group pace, communicate clearly, help with camp chores such as cooking and cleaning, and more.
It is important to be compassionate, work as a team, work in adverse weather conditions, engage in open group discussions, lead and follow, and be open to new ideas and experiences.
We commend that you build your aerobic fitness and consult with your physician.
Your Project Imo trip staff will work with you in advance to get an understanding of the preparations specific to the program you are joining.
Participants are required to bring items from the “Personal Packing List” associated with your program.
In most cases, all participants must meet at Project Imo’s Base Camp headquarters and teen center at 924 Riverside Drive, Willimantic, CT 06226. Other cases will be specifically listed in the program offering.
Most expeditionary learning programs are in remote areas where modern toileting and bathing facilities are not available. Project Imo staff will help participants learn how to handle these situations in advance with our initial conversations and training on the first day of the expedition. Participants may bring biodegradable cleansing wipes on the trip. These will be packed out in accordance with our Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics practices.
Added stress of expeditionary programs can change a menstrual cycle. Bring menstrual hygiene products with you even if you do not anticipate your cycle. Bring more than you would expect to normally use.
You should also bring several heavy duty, double closure zip-close bags, hand sanitizer, and cleansing wipes. To help with essential odor control in the backcountry, you should double bag all clean and used products separately and include dry tea bags or baking soda to the bag containing used products.
Leave No Trace has more information at https://lnt.org/research-resources/a-period-guide-for-the-outdoors/
Weather severe enough to cancel an expeditionary learning program typically arises within a week to day immediately prior to the start of a trip. With such a small window, we cannot issue any refunds for trips cancelled due to severe weather. We strongly recommend researching and obtaining trip insurance.
We will work to accommodate dietary needs within the logistical possibilities of the backcountry environment for the trip. In some expeditionary programs such as backpacking, every bit of food must be carried in packs by participants and refrigeration is not possible. Paddlesports can sometimes accommodate a wider variety of dietary needs, as coolers can be packed on canoes.
In all cases, high calorie diets are necessary to meet the demands of activity in all programs. Our team plans healthy, calorie-appropriate meals for trips. If you have special needs, we will work to accommodate them if possible.
Our expeditions are not guided excursions or “glamping”. Each participant is part of the larger crew that travels together, camps together, prepares meals together, and more. There are specific camp tasks that must occur on each expedition and participants will work to create a schedule of camp tasks to occur along the trip, and share duties.
Once at Base Camp, participants will be asked to turn off all electronic devices. Tablets, laptops, portable game devices, and large electronic devices will be locked in Base Camp for the duration of the expedition. Cell phones will remain off during the trip unless Project Imo staff are specifically including these devices as part of a learning program or they are part of an Adventurous Journey goal such as media creation.
Participants are prohibited from bringing their own emergency devices such as transponders. Project Imo staff will bring these if they are required for the given trip. Most expeditions leaving from Base Camp do not require such technology.
The following are strictly prohibited:
Anyone found to be in possession of these will not be permitted to attend further expeditions and may be escorted from the expedition to be picked up by a responsible adult. No refunds of any kind will be issued in these instances, nor will Project Imo be responsible for additional costs incurred as a result of removal from an expedition party.
The rule “be a good human” matters everywhere, and especially on expeditions. The challenges of backcountry expeditions are faced when participants”
Due to the remote backcountry setting of our expeditions, communication is limited. Parents will be provided a number to call if they need to get a message to their child while they are on course. This number is to be used for emergency situations only. The number gives access to an on-call staff member of Project Imo. They will attempt to contact trip leaders. Given the remote nature of the programs, contact may not be fast or possible.
Eager to discover more about Project Imo’s Expedition opportunities?
Fill out your name and email below and we will get in touch!
As a condition to my participation in the Project Imo Program, I agree that Project Imo, Inc., their agents, trustees, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf shall not be liable for any injury, mental distress, damage, loss, expense, delay, or inconvenience suffered by me and arising out of my participation in the Project Imo program, except to the extent such injury, mental distress, damage, loss, expense, delay or inconvenience is caused solely by the willful misconduct of Project Imo. Furthermore, I hereby agree to release and discharge PI, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative, and estate as follows:
The risks of the programs include, but are not limited to: slips and falls while walking in rugged, hazardous terrain; severe weather and environmental conditions; hypothermia; accidental drowning; sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and broken bones; falling from high places; the negligence of other participants; and exposure to potentially harmful wildlife, insects, and plant life.
All activities are supervised throughout the program. Instruction will be provided regarding the safe use of all equipment and activities. Participants are advised to point out hazardous situations to the facilitators.
“I hereby take full responsibility for these risks and understand that other risks may also exist. I take full responsibility for those risks.”
I AM ALSO AWARE THAT MANY RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES CAN BE HAZARDOUS. I AM VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN SUCH ACTIVITIES, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED. I AGREE TO ACCEPT ALL RISKS OF INJURY OR LOSS OF ANY KIND ASSOCIATED WITH OR RESULTING FROM SUCH ACTIVITY.
I, for myself, legal representatives, heirs and assigns, hereby release, waive and discharge Project Imo, its officers, employees, directors, shareholders and its parent and affiliated companies (“Releasees”), from all liability to me, legal representatives, heirs and assigns, for any and all loss or damage, and any claims or damages resulting therefrom, on account of injury to my person or property, even injury resulting in my death, while I am participating in said activity and/or being transported to or from said event, unless such loss is caused solely by the willful misconduct of a Releasee.
Medical Disclosure: I neither know of nor have any reason to believe that I have any medical condition and certify that I am not taking any prescription or non-prescription drugs that could either result in injury to me or others if I participate in any activity during the Project Imo program, become excited, agitated or anxious, assist in rescue situations, provide emergency care, receive emergency care or other first aid (i.e., due to an infectious disease, diabetes or other condition) or otherwise adversely affect my ability to participate in this event.
I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against Project Imo on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein.
I hereby grant to Project Imo all rights necessary to enable Project Imo to use, reproduce, assign, and/or distribute, in all forms and in any media, my image and/or photograph or video, and any such other items related to my use of the Project Imo programs and events for promotion and/or education purposes. I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its terms.
In consideration of (Print minor’s name) (“Minor”) being permitted by Project Imo to participate in its activities and to use its equipment and facilities, I further agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Project Imo from any and all claims which are brought by, or on behalf of Minor, and which are in any way connected with such use or participation by Minor.
Thank you for choosing Project Imo programs! We’re excited to take a journey with you. There are a few things that you need to prepare for in advance of your day with us.
CLOTHING
SUPPLIES
TO BE TURNED IN TO YOUR PROJECT IMO TEAM CONTACT PERSON THE WEEK PRIOR TO YOUR PROGRAM:
REQUIRED ON THE DAY OF THE PROGRAM:
PARTICIPATION
TRAIL READINESS & ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
TRAIL FIRST AID
Trail Specific Information
TRAIL ETTIQUITTE
INSECT-BORNE ILLNESS
Mosquitos and ticks are vector species for infectious bloodborne diseases. Both can transmit potentially serious viruses through bites. There are two main ways to reduce the risk of infectious bites. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. . Many species of mosquitos live in forests, marshes, and tall grasses. All species of mosquitos like water.
I acknowledge that I have read these guidelines, and agree to abide by them while participating at in Project Imo programming:
Media Release: Project Imo, Inc. periodically uses electronic and traditional media for publicity, educational, or advertising purposes. By indicating my stance and providing my signature on this form, I acknowledge receipt of this document and deny or give permission to Project Imo, Inc. and its agents to use such reproductions of my person in any and all forms of media for educational, publicity, or advertising purposes in perpetuity without further consideration from me.
I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs or printed or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photograph.
I understand that I will need to notify Project Imo, Inc. if any changes to my situation occur that will impact this media release permission.
As part of the registration process for participation in our expedition program, participants are required to complete a health and medical screening form. This form collects basic demographic information and asks about any health problems, limiting physical disabilities or handicaps, allergies, reactions to medication, medical limitations, current medications and reasons, and medical insurance information. Participants acknowledge that this form is a mandatory part of the registration process and must be completed and submitted prior to the commencement of the expedition. The form will be made available for download upon completion of the registration process and will also be included in the confirmation email sent to participants.
