Professor Valley Field Camp – Student Program

AdM teaching colorado river daily

Outdoor Education in a spectacular Field Camp setting

This is a School Program that takes place at CFI’s Professor Valley Field Camp.

During our Professor Valley Field Camp program, students immerse themselves in the high desert environment of the Colorado Plateau, a landscape of stark beauty, vast spaces, and unique geological, biotic, and cultural history. Join us for a guided, curriculum-rich experience, and let our educators lead your students in a variety of science, art, social emotional, and hands-on curriculum.

Professor Valley Field Camp is located about 40 minutes from Moab, UT. The facility features tipis and cots for sleeping, flush toilets, and a full camp kitchen with meals provided for your group. Days begin and end at the base camp and are spent exploring the surrounding areas.

There is plenty to explore at Professor Valley Field Camp. The program comes with educators to lead your students through hands-on activities at archeology sites, riparian ecology zones, and even a day of whitewater rafting.

Whitewater Rafting River Trip included

Professor Valley Field Camp includes a day trip down the whitewater rapids of the Colorado River! Students spend the day on the water, stopping at beaches for lessons and a packed lunch. Learn about river dynamics, invasive species, water rights, or develop skills in navigating rapids.

Archeology, Geology, Ecology, and more!

Professor Valley Field Camp shares land with generations of humans who have come before us. On our documented archaeology site students can hunt for lithic scatter while learning about historic uses of the native species found throughout the area. Our uplands hike climbs through canyons up to a large petroglyph panel believed to be at the intersection of ancient trade routes. As they explore these sites, your students will develop connections with and learn from humans who once lived in this area.

All inclusive outdoor education field camp experience

We know how hard teachers work. At Professor Valley Field Camp, once your group arrives, our guides will take care of camp orientation, cooking 3 hearty meals each day, and providing meaningful, connective educational experiences for the entire trip. From campfires, to snacks, to night hiking; we’ve got it covered! We love what we do, and we are excited to invite your students into a unique, inspiring environment.

Read more about the Professor Valley Field Camp facility where this program takes place.

Location:
Professor Valley Field Camp, 40 minutes away from Moab, UT
Date:
Call 435 259-7750 today for available dates!
Drop Off/Pick Up:
3:30 on Monday to 10:00am on Friday
Duration:
5 days and 4 nights
Group Size:
20 – 60 participants  
Age Range:
6th Grade through 12th Grade
Cost:
$595 per student
Accommodations:
Tipis with cots, commercial camp kitchen, flushing toilets
Challenge:
Level-
?

This is how we rate the challenges you might face on a CFI trip.


Level 1 - Easy

  • Low level of physical activity, minimal movement required
  • 0 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking or walking 0-2 miles per day

Level 2 - Moderate

  • Medium level of physical activity, some movement required
  • 1-4 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking up to 4 miles per day
  • Flatwater or mild whitewater rapids

Level 3 - Active

  • Medium or high level of physical activity
  • 1-5 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking up to 5 miles per day
  • Class I - III whitewater rapids

Level 4 - Challenging

  • High level of physical activity
  • 1-6 nights spent camping or in the field
  • Hiking 5 or more miles per day
  • Class IV whitewater rapids
CFI's Essential Eligibility Criteria outlines specific challenges that you may face on CFI trips. Please consult the EEC for information on responsibilities of participants.
Notes:
  • Program fee includes a $2 per person Utah Forestry Fire and State Lands fee for the rafting trip on the Moab Daily
  • Program fee does not include guide gratuity. Our educators work extremely hard and appreciate getting tipped.

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Trip Narrative

Professor Valley Field Camp is a Monday through Friday immersive educational experience! Teachers can take a step back for the week while CFI educators engage your students in scientific investigations, artistic projects, Social Emotional Learning, teambuilding, and more.

On Monday afternoon, your students will be greeted by the CFI educators, and oriented to the 30 acre field camp. Students will be given a chance to unpack into their tipis for the week, unroll their sleeping bags on our comfortable cots, and explore their new surroundings! After dinner, we will take a short hike out into the desert to watch the day turn to night, and to develop our sense of place.

Tuesday and Wednesday are filled with field studies. We will explore the riparian creekbed that flows through camp, and may investigate macroinvertebrates, practice scientific journaling, and discuss ancient cultures. We will also take a longer hike, and may stop at a few archeological sites, including a renowned petroglyph site. Overall, our curriculum is designed to engage broad student populations through art, science, and connection.

Thursday is River Day! We will pile into CFI rafts and take a trip down the Moab Daily section of the Colorado river. This trip, valued at $80 per person, is included with the experience at no additional cost. We will stop along the way for lunch, hydrology lessons, and games! On the boats, guides may engage your students in discussion around invasive species, land use, water rights, and more.

Before you know it, the time for goodbyes will come! On Friday morning, students pack their tipis, eat breakfast, and venture out into the desert one last time for a closing ceremony. We’ll say our goodbyes, and send you off with a packed lunch for the road.

Meals from dinner on Monday through lunch on Friday are all included. The camp is outfitted with tipis and cots for sleeping, an indoor classroom yurt for inclement weather, a full camp kitchen, bathrooms with flush toilets, and 30 acres of natural desert ecosystem to explore!

FAQ

Some people say food is the most important part of the adventure. On all our overnight trips, CFI will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a morning and afternoon snack, and an appetizer before dinner. If you have a dietary restriction or food allergy, note it on your medical form so we can best prepare.

Depends on the trip. As a general rule, CFI provides all group gear related to fully outfitting your trip. Specialized gear like PFDs, wetsuits, dry bags, educational materials are all provided by CFI. Additionally, we take care of all kitchen and dishware needs. 

Find out more about trip specific packing.

Most importantly, a willingness to slow down, connect to your surroundings, and experience the moment. Additionally, participants are required to bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, personal clothing, medication, and other essential personal items. Many gear items are available for rent. Reach out to us if you are interested in seeing a trip specific packing list, or learn more about trip specific packing here.

CFI provides options to rent gear:

  • Two person tent: $30 / trip
  • Sleeping bag: $20 / trip
  • Kid sleeping pad: $7 / trip
  • Adult sleeping pad (paco pad): $15 / trip
  • Package deal: Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and one tent per two people: $40 / trip

For any CFI summer camp, gear rentals are free!

Every CFI guide has either a Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification. Your trip leader will have a Wilderness First Responder certification. Anyone working with youth has passed a background check, and shuttle drivers are insured with clean driving records. Backcountry trips carry In-Reach satellite communication devices for emergencies. All guides have been evaluated by Canyonlands Field Institute as possessing the judgement, skills, and disposition required for mitigating risk in the field. 

As technology grows more and more invasive by the day, CFI promotes connection to what matters. To achieve this, all school and youth programs are unplugged and students are not permitted to bring electronic devices. Not only is there rarely cell service, devices are a distraction to our ability to connect to the present moment. On Private Group Trips or Adult Seminars, the use of devices is permitted but discouraged.

CFI works hard to ensure a positive experience for all guides and participants. Because of the unpredictable nature of outfitting, we have created a series of policies so maintain our ability to manage risk in the outdoors.

For critical information regarding cancellations, deposits, and other participant responsibilities, please view our trip policies page or contact us with any questions.

Thanks for asking...We know this can be an awkward subject. The fact is, our guides work extremely hard and appreciate getting tipped! 

On school trips tips are greatly appreciated. 

On an adult or private trip, an industry standard is for each customer to tip $25 per day.

If you wish to include a gratuity, cash is preferred, but sending a check or a payment to CFI's Venmo: @canyonlandsfieldinstitute is also a great way to thank your guides for their hard work.  Tips are always pooled and distributed.

Need to Know

  • CFI staff are trained educators and guides with first aid and CPR certifications. Back-country trips carry satellite communications devices.  
  • All cook and dishware, meals, snacks, and river gear are provided by CFI.

See related School Programs

Cisco to Professor Valley – School Program

The Lower San Juan River – School Program

Labyrinth Canyon Canoeing – School Program

Upper San Juan River – School Program

Ruby-Horsethief Canyon – School Program
Explore all Trips and Programs

CFI is a non-profit organization and fees are not taxed. By choosing CFI, you are supporting our efforts to provide lifechanging outdoor experiences for hundreds of children per year.  Scholarships are available on an as needed basis.