The ALF Wilderness Experience

"Wilderness" in Name Only!

The ALF Wilderness Experience is an opportunity for class members to remove themselves from everyday life and devote significant time for bonding with classmates and for personal introspection. 

It is the week in the mountains that defines each class and creates the trust and understanding needed to work collaboratively back home.

The term “wilderness,”  however, conjures up images of primitive conditions -- far from the reality of the ALF Wilderness Experience:

• Three nights at Gold Lake Beach Resort, including catered meals, beds, showers, and time for activiti  es
  such as swimming, paddleboating, ping pong, fishing and lounging.  Fun group exercises, including a day of rock climbing, happen here. 
• Two nights of tent camping with tents, sleeping bags, sleep mats and incredible food provided.  The hike to basecamp and to the peak is challenging, yet achievable.  Hikers of all ages and abilities have reached the peak.
  
  
• Activities are adjustable for every level of abilities -- hike with your pack or have it delivered directly to the camp site.  Even the rock climbing activity has levels from beginner to advanced.
  
  
• A staff of four outdoor guides, each with years of experience, assist in all aspects of hiking and camping.

Here are what some known ‘non-camper’ Sr. Fellows have to say about the Wilderness Experience:

Loretta Walker, AT&T:

 “Now I’m the last person you would expect to sign-up for a wilderness exercise.  But I tell you the ALF wilderness experience is different.  The food is wonderful, the bonding time with other class participants is truly quality time and like none other, there are no meetings/conference calls to interrupt you, and lastly you can have very candid discussions without having to be concerned about whether you are going to say things correctly -- novel idea!”

Jane Hagedorn, Breathe California:

  “From one who believes camping is to be avoided at all costs and who believes ‘roughing it’ means no room service at the Ahwanee Hotel, the Wilderness Experience was great, especially hiking along the beautiful Pacific Crest trail and climbing Sierra Buttes which should be a once in a lifetime experience for everyone.  Even sleeping out in a tent (shudder!) was actually ok, especially with my ‘special’ mattress, linens, pillow and quilts which (secret to be shared) was transported to the base camp by truck.  So do not let the camping keep you from a wonderful ALF program, especially since most of the ‘Challenge’ is based at truly beautiful Gold Lake Beach Resort.”

Bev Scott, Sacramento Regional Transit:

 "I truly was a bit of a skeptic.  This was one of the most profound and powerful adult experiences I've had.  Knowing what I do now, I would do it again in a heartbeat."