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 youth 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 (“WELS Leaders”), mentors and volunteers.  We encourage the transfer of leadership skills into participants’ everyday lives. 

Applicants who successfully complete an application / interview and are accepted into the program (either spring or fall session) commit to 6 weeks of leadership development. WELS Leaders 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.

WELS Leaders 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). 

fall Session

The 2026 Fall Session begins September 20th and runs for six consecutive weeks on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. Graduation Program is November 1st at 6pm.

spring Session

The 2027 Spring Session begins April _____ (to be announced soon!) and runs for six consecutive weeks on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. Graduation Program is October _____ at 6pm.

our mission

To develop leadership skills in local Fayette County 7th/8th grade youth through outdoor adventure, community service & job skills-building.

Our vision is that every 7th/8th grader in Fayette County has access to outdoor adventure opportunities to build their leadership potential. JOIN US >>>