About

The W.E.L.S. Adventure program - Wilderness Experience, Leadership and Service - is a 501(c)(3) program that develops leadership skills in local Fayette County youth through outdoor adventure, community service and job skills-building.  WELS engages 7th & 8th grade young men and women through outdoor activities including rafting, biking, climbing, and hiking, and provides adult mentorship and community service opportunities.  WELS uses outdoor adventure as a tool to teach and cultivate core leadership skills in youth participants, mentors and volunteers.  We encourage the transfer of leadership skills into participants’ everyday lives. 

Youth participants who successfully complete an application / interview and are accepted into the program (either spring or fall session) commit to 6 weeks of leadership development. Participants experience an outdoor adventure activity on Sunday afternoons with professionally trained guides.  Each adventure activity is paired with a core leadership skill, such as RESPONSIBILITY, RESPECT, TRUST, EMPATHY, RESILIENCY, or GRATITUDE.

Youth participants are required to meet each Monday evening following their outdoor adventure experience.  In these sessions, our facilitators expand on the core leadership skill through team-building activities, discussion on application of the leadership skill in daily life, and specialty topics (art exploration, outdoor skills practice, yoga/meditation for leaders, and professional speakers). 

spring Session

The 2026 Spring Session begins _____ (to be announced soon!) and runs for six consecutive weeks on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. Graduation Program is _________ at 6pm.

Fall Session

The 2026 Fall Session begins September _____ (to be announced soon!) and runs for six consecutive weeks on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. Graduation Program is October _____ at 6pm.

Kayak Pool Sessions

Pool Sessions are canceled until we can find a new location to host.