Do you love adventure? Youth ages 11-18 are invited to join Ensign Peak Academy’s Youth Wilderness Adventure!
We will raft the Provo River, enjoy the thrill of the longest zipline system in Utah, play at an amazing wilderness water park and explore beautiful Timpanogos Cave.
Evening devotionals, Sunday worship and resiliency workshops strengthen testimonies and empower youth to overcome challenges.
Dates: June 20-23, 2026
Tuition: $585
High School Credit: This adventure earns 0.25 high school elective credit.
Youth Wilderness Adventure Director: Jennifer Shaw
The Adventure Begins
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Check-in Location: The adventure begins at Nunn’s Park in Provo Canyon, Utah. (Map and Directions) The youth will camp in tents on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights at the Nunn’s Park Campground.
Check-in Time: 10:00 a.m. MDT
Simulations Week Shuttle: If your youth are also attending Simulations Week (June 16-19, 2026), and optional shuttle service is provided. Shuttle vans will depart at 8:30 a.m. from Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, UT to transport youth to Nunn’s Park. A sack breakfast is included. ($20 fee for shuttle and breakfast.)
Rafting the Provo River
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Youth will enjoy a thrilling rafting trip down the Provo River, provided by High Country Adventures.
This six-mile stretch down Provo Canyon features amazing scenery with small rapids and plenty of current to make this fun for everyone. Friendly guides will row you past the canyon’s soaring walls and nearby snow-capped peaks.
Sunday Worship and Resiliency Workshops
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Breakfast at Nunn’s Park
Church Worship
9:00 am Church Services at a chapel near Provo Canyon.
Lunch at Nunn’s Park
Resiliency Workshops
Location: Nunn’s Park
Youth will learn and practice resiliency skills founded in positive psychology. These are research-based, effective skills focused on practical application for empowering youth to overcome challenges, specifically challenges associated with anxiety and depression. These workshops will be led by John Pettijohn who was educated through BYU-Idaho’s Therapeutic Recreation program. Each workshop will support youth in learning and implementing life-changing skills that will help them navigate a healthy and happy life.
Dinner at Nunn’s Park
Zip Line Utah
Monday, June 22, 2026
Breakfast at Nunn’s Park
On Monday morning, you will experience Utah’s most unique adventure activity! This zip line course include suspension bridges and rope course elements that will challenge you, while our mountains and lakeside views will inspire you.
Zipline Utah boasts several record setting experiences. For starters, the 3,900 foot lake spanning Screaming Falcon line is the longest zipline over water, in the world! They also offer the longest continual zipline course (again, in the world) with a full 2 mile loop without ever touching the ground. They have the second longest zipline in the lower 48 states. And, if that doesn’t sound thrilling enough, the tour starts off from an 80 foot tower!
Aqua Park
Monday, June 22, 2026
After lunch at Nunn’s Park, we will enjoy an exciting floating aqua park, at Deer Creek Reservoir.
This will defininitely be an adventure to remember!
Dinner at Nunn’s Park
Timpanogos Cave
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Breakfast at Nunn’s Park
After breakfast, we will pack up our gear and head to American Fork Canyon. It’s a 35 minute drive from Nunn’s Park to the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center.
Hike your way past stunning vistas to explore a hidden underground world. Taste the thrill of caving as you twist and bend to enter beautifully decorated rooms. Learn the science behind formations and hear stories of cave exploration and preservation. Experience and discover as you go – geologic mysteries await!
Tuesday lunch will be provided.
The Adventure Ends
Pick-up time is Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. MDT at the Parking Lot at the bottom of American Fork Canyon.
Tuesday dinner is not provided.
Yummy Meals
Delicious meals will be provided.
Registration Form
Parents are welcome to register as well, for the same cost as youth. Siblings as young as 7 years old may also attend with a parent. The cost is the same for younger siblings. (Be advised that the resiliancy workshops are for ages 11-18 and are not well suited for young children so parents should plan alternate activities on Sunday, for children ages 7-10.)
90% is refundable when requested in writing before April 30, 2026.
If you need a ride on Saturday morning, June 20, 2026, from Sim Week to Nunn’s Park Campground where the Youth Wilderness Adventure begins, plus breakfast, you may purchase that as an optional service.
Youth Wilderness Adventure FAQs
Q. WHAT WILL ENSIGN PEAK ACADEMY BE PROVIDING
A. Tents, food, food service supplies and equipment, clothesline for drying clothing, first aid, transportation between adventure locations and Nunn’s Park, admission for all adventures
Q. WHAT DO WE DO IF ONE OF OUR GROUP NEEDS FIRST AID?
A. River guides are trained in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and CPR and will have a first aid kit with them. If someone needs more urgent medical attention, we can arrange to have them to Timpanogos Regional Hospital 750 W 800 N Orem, a 12 minute drive from Nunn’s Park. All trip leaders will have easy access to basic first aid supplies in camp including Band-Aids, pain relief tablets, and after sun care for sun burns and a supply of feminine hygiene products.
Q. WHAT IS THE BEST SUNSCREEN TO BRING?
A. The best sun protection is a long sleeve shirt and long pants. From our experience the best sunscreen is the lotion type that is SPF 30-50. Anything more than 50 tends to have too many chemicals. We highly discourage the use of spray sunscreens as they tend to not be applied correctly and give a false sense of security in sun protection. The fumes are also obnoxious when sprayed in the close quarters on the rafts. In the past, some groups have complained about getting a rash thinking that it might be something in the water, but when dermatologists are consulted it is the use of sunscreen that is contaminated, outdated, or too high SPF that is generally the cause. Please avoid bringing spray sunscreen and sunscreen over 50 SPF.
Q. ARE THERE TOILET FACILITIES AVAILABLE?
A. There are vault toilets at the launch site and in the public campgrounds we use. The longest time without access to a restroom facility is about 2 hours. Our guides (both male and female) are sensitive to the unique challenges that may be encountered by women while traveling in a wilderness area. Please don’t hesitate to ask them if there are questions concerning these issues. It is helpful for women to wear a swim top and short/swim trunks and/or have a skirt or wrap around sarong to wear while on the trip for more privacy. Our staff will have a limited supply for emergencies. Hand washing is available after using the restrooms in camp. Hand sanitizer is available at the pavilion.
Q. WHAT KIND OF WEATHER CAN WE EXPECT?
A. In late June, Provo Canyon, Utah High temperatures that range from 77°F to 88°F, rarely falling below 64°F or exceeding 96°F. Low temperatures in June range from 50°F to 58°F, rarely falling below 41°F or exceeding 66°F. The Deer Creek Reservoir average high is 75°F and the average low is 49°F. The expected temperature for the hike to Timpanogos Cave is. The temperature inside the cave is 45°F so a sweater or light jacket is recommended.
Q. PACKING LIST: WHAT KIND OF PERSONAL GEAR SHOULD WE BRING?
Sleeping equipment: sleeping bag, pillow, optional sleeping mat and blanket
Clothing: Clothing for 4 days of outdoor activities, hat, church clothing, and jacket or hoodie. Quick drying shorts are the best to have as jeans don’t dry very quickly. Cotton t-shirts are fine. Don’t bring anything that can’t get dirty.
Water gear: Swim suit, towel, shorts or swim trunks and water shoes. We require that shorts or swim trunks be worn over swimsuits to avoid chafing and other discomfort from the rough surface of the boats and water park or to keep from sliding off smooth surfaces.
Shoes: Hiking shoes for Timpanogos cave hike and for zipline and water shoes for rafting and water park. Closed toe shoes or sandals with an ankle strap work better while on the boats as they stay on your feet and offer more protection for your toes.
Toiletry items including disposable wipes, insect repellant and sunscreen for skin and lips.
Refillable water bottle with name on it. We do not recommend bringing heavy water bottles such as a Hydroflask, as they will be difficult to carry on the various wilderness adventures.
Small backpack or bag to carry water bottle, snacks, change of clothes/shoes, sunscreen, etc. when leave Nunn’s Park camp for adventure activities.
Q. CAN WE TAKE ANYTHING WITH US ON THE RAFTS?
A. It is not advisable to take anything on the raft with you except a hat and water bottle. Your personal and camping gear is not taken on the river with you. Anything taken with you will get wet. Towels, extra clothes, and food are
not necessary to bring. There will be a bag on each boat to keep the water bottles secured. Please do not give the guides personal items to hold for you in their dry bags.
Q. DO WE HAVE TO WEAR LIFE JACKETS ALL THE TIME, AND CAN WE BRING OUR OWN?
A. Lifejackets are an absolute necessity any time you are near the water, including time in camp when you want to play in the river. We are required to use Coast Guard approved, Type V jackets that lists the intended use is “commercial white water”, so please don’t bring your own unless it says that. The lifejackets we provide fit up to a 55 inch chest size. Type II, Type III or Type V rescue jackets are not acceptable by state law.
Q. SHOULD WE BRING OUR OWN SNACKS?
A. You are encouraged to bring snack that you enjoy. Put snacks in a good quality watertight bag and include a bag for wrappers. Make sure to not bring anything that can melt.
Q. WHAT IF WE HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES?
A. If we know about food allergies in advance, we can make minor accommodations in food preparation for the safety of those with allergies. If your food allergy is severe, we suggest you bring a few of your favorite food items.
You are welcome to bring your own food cooler with items in it.
Q. ARE THERE CREEPY CRAWLYS AND CRITTERS?
A. Mosquitos, bees and gnats can be kind of pesky but are generally not a problem. Bringing a bottle of bug spray is a good idea. There are ravens, ants, mice, squirrels, and other rodents that will get into tents or bags if left open with food in them. Be sure that all trash and food items are put away before leaving camp and there is no food in your tent day or night. It is uncommon, but not out of the question to encounter lizards and snakes in camp.
Q. CAN WE TAKE A SHOWER?
A. The only clean water we bring is for drinking and cooking. Baby wipes work well for getting the major dust and river water off.
Q. CAN WE BRING HAMMOCKS TO SLEEP IN?
A. Hammocks are not allowed. Some of the campsites lack adequate trees to support hammocks and the pavilions are reserved for activities and meals. It would be disappointing to count on using a hammock and not be able to. Please leave them at home.
Q. IS THERE CELL PHONE SERVICE?
A. Cell phone service is spotty at best. There are some places that texts can be sent out using Verizon, but service for phone calls is not reliable. Phones might be great for pictures, but this is a great opportunity to unplug from the technology that often distracts from enjoying each other and the beautiful scenery around. We ask that youth either not bring phones or turn them over to leaders after they check-in, to be returned when it’s time to connect with parents for pick-up. Bring a camera that isn’t a phone.
Q. WILL WE NEED MONEY?
A. You won’t need money during the Youth Wilderness Adventure.
Q. ARE THE GUIDES CERTIFIED?
A. All guides have the experience and other qualifications as required by the state of Utah for Commercial Boating. River guides participate in an extensive pre-season training that includes Advanced first aid and CPR,
whitewater rescue techniques, general boat maneuvering, and Youth Protection training. The highest level of standards is expected of all guides in language, attitude, dress and appearance.
Waivers
Waivers will be posted here in the spring of 2026.
Report to Jennifer Shaw after you have submitted all waiver forms. (jennifershawepa@gmail.com)