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Utah Hiking, Rafting, Camping, National Parks Tours About Canyonlands Field Institute, Moab Utah Utah Travel & Tourist Information Contribute to CFI
Magnificent canyon walls,
sandstone towers and the clear desert sky
will encircle your classroom.

Since 1984, CFI has hosted hundreds of school groups from all over the country. Our multi-day programs are aimed at middle school, high school and college groups, while day trips work for all ages (6 years and older.)

"Challenging presentations, well-prepared instructors.
They presented a difficult topic in a sensitive, encompassing,
personal and well-anchored manner. All aspects of the program were
well-directed, had specific objectives, clear goals and were enjoyable.
(The curriculum) captured the imagination and interest of our students."

Steve Hall, Teacher,
Collegiate Academy of Colorado
Denver, CO

THE CFI EXPERIENCE School Group Field Camp Details

  • Meaningful, transformative experiences that last a lifetime - build confidence, enhance science and history learning, be physical and safe outdoors, see natural resource career opportunities.
  • CFI staff are experienced teachers, river guides & naturalists. They are healthy, caring, competent and fun to be with- great role models for kids!
  • Unequaled beauty and an increasing rare opportunity to experience deep silence, brilliant night skies and have time just to "be a kid" in nature away from civilization.
  • Interdisciplinary hands-on science, history, and literary, art activities in outdoor settings.
  • Free CFI Souvenir.

SEASONS School Group Field Camp Details

  • Spring: a great end-of-the-year reward for hard-working students! Programs run April through June. Spring brings wildflowers and many visitors; the days are warm, nights cool, and all the rivers are inviting. Spring is quite popular, so get reservations in early. Programs are based at our Professor Valley Field Camp outside Moab outside Moab through second week of June then we head to the cool of our sub-alpine La Sal Mountains Field Camp. The cool, lush sub-alpine forest and rafting on the Colorado River are a welcome relief from warmer temperatures below.
  • Fall: a super way to kick off the new school year. Mid- August through late October. Guaranteed to generate inspiration, unity, and an excitement about learning the entire year for students and teachers alike. Reliably pleasant weather. Programs are based either La Sal base camp or at Professor Valley Field Camp.

FINE PRINT School Group Field Camp Details

  • Group Size: Minimums: For RIVER PROGRAMS and ONE DAY LAND PROGRAMS, 12 minimum. Maximum 40 from school.
    • For FIELD CAMP programs, 20 students minimum(smaller groups welcome for additional fees), and 36 students maximum (total 40 persons from schools.
    • For MULTIDAY RIVER TRIPS, group size limits vary by location and government regulation ( from 12-40 depending on program location). Please inquire.
  • Adult Fees: One complimentary adult per group. All others pay the full fee. No more than six adults with each school group, please. (see additional incentives/discounts below). On land programs, we require 1 chaperone per 12 students; on river programs, at least two chaperones per group.
  • Transportation Fees: Our school programs vary so please check each type of trip as to what type of transportation is included. Additional bus services can be hired with notice.
  • CFI fees listed for multiday river trips cover shuttle of two school vehicles or a hired bus to transport your entire group back to the launch point. Additional school vehicles can be shuttled for $100/vehicle. For DAY river trips near Moab, CFI works with your drivers to shuttle all vehicles, included in fee.
  • You arrange transportation to our camp or river launch site or trail head unless you opt for one of our NEW PACKAGE OPTIONS which will accommodate your group from airport back to airport (or train station) and include all key logistics, transportation and added visit to Arches National Park. Let us know what you want and allow us some time to inquire as to current prices from bus and other services included in the package.
  • For your own travel planning, see our web page sections, Moab Travel and Group Travel pages recommended ways of getting to our locations (bus charter companies, van rentals, train etc.)
  • Reservations: Call CFI to discuss your group's goals, age/grade, transportation plans, time frame, and budget. Begin planning early to reserve your preferred date, our calendar fills quickly. We have a small, highly qualified staff. Spring reservations (April-June) are requested by March 1. Fall reservations (August 15-October 30) are requested by July 1. We can accept later reservations, subject to our staff availability. See below on early bird discounts! Please note that a paid deposit is required to hold your reservation; the deposit is equal to 5 student fees and is non-refundable.
  • Deposits/Payments: For booking of programs more than 12 months in advance, we ask for an initial reservation deposit equal to 1student fee. Additional deposit for 4 students will be due approximately 6 months in advance. Any reservation made less than 12 months in advance requires 5 student fees as deposit. We request deposit be made by Visa or Mastercard for security purposes.
  • For reservations made less than 60 days, we request final numbers at the time of reservation. Payment may be made by credit card or check and are due within 10 days of invoicing to secure the reservation.
  • Registration materials: Upon receipt of your deposit, CFI will send program brochures with registration/assumption of risk forms, what to bring list, maps and chaperone information. For multiday trips, we request final numbers 60 days prior and for day trips, 30 days prior to assist our staffing and supply requisitions.
  • You can review our SCHOOL student/chaperone registration and assumption of risk forms with your parents or school administration: Download Registration-Risk Form.
  • Discounts: EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS are available! We offer ONE STUDENT FREE for early paid reservations as follows: by November 15 for spring programs and By May 15 for fall programs.
  • Additional discount offered for
    • payments paid on time - 1 additional chaperone half spot off.
    • 10% discount off program fees for public school groups.
    • edge season - 5% off for all schools who book in April or August.

"CFI was a very full and rich experience;
and (provided) an opportunity for the class to see itself as a whole
and to see each other in a way rarely provided."

Steve Schlesinger,
Washington Waldorf School/
Bethesda, MD

HOW TO PLAN A SCHOOL PROGRAM School Group Field Camp Details

(We suggest you start 9 to 12 months in advance and no less than 2 months in advance to secure the optimal trip dates, locations and for smooth logistical planning).

  1. Decide on a range of preferred dates.
  2. Determine your overall budget for our program and your travel costs, including your chaperone costs.
  3. Determine your group size and note below on program descriptions about group size limits. OR contact us regarding which stretch of river or camp program may be best for your group. Please note that many stretches of river and public lands have limits and limited assigned launch dates.
  4. Select river or land programs from CFI that fit your teaching goals, group size and budget. Please read carefully the deposit and payment time lines and policies.
  5. Preview your program choices with your parents and school administration (we can provide information on our permits, risk management program, sample registration/risk forms, insurance and we can provide references).
    Please note that CFI chooses to operate on nature's terms "unplugged" in the backcountry without cell phones or other electronic devices; we offer traditional wilderness experience and rely on preparedness, training, backcountry skill and wise leadership.
    Be sure to have your administration approval prior to confirming your reservation with CFI.
  6. Make your transportation plans to our area (be sure to know exact dates for travel to match with your CFI program).
  7. Confirm your CFI program; we will fax you an invoice and contract. Please respond with a paid deposit - you may choose to use credit card by telephone or email or have a check to be received here within 10 days of invoice.
  8. CFI sends to you an attractive program brochure for student, parents and chaperones with gear list, behavioral guidelines, registration and risk forms.
    Your packet will contain curriculum objectives, program schedule and MAP to our area.
  9. Note on your contract next due dates for final numbers of participants and payments.
  10. Start preparing your students for their visit and otherwise, relax, and know that CFI will have terrific instructors, great food and smooth logistics waiting for you when you arrive!
  11. Schedule a pre-trip meeting with parents and students, review clothing and gear lists and practice setting up your tents if you are bringing your own!
  12. A CFI naturalist-guide that will be with your group in the field will contact you several weeks prior to your trip by email or phone to firm up last minute details, discuss any student health, diet or behavioral or diet concerns and work with you to insure your students to have a safe, fun and "transformative" field trip experience!

Contact us, we'll make it
as easy as possible!
School Group Field Camp Details

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Canyonlands Field Institute is a not-for-profit educational organization that inspires
enlightened perspectives, passion, and care for the Colorado Plateau. © 2007