Climb, raft, and summit Pikes Peak in one week
A week of Colorado’s biggest days for Scouts 14 and older: the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata, whitewater, and a hike to the top of Pikes Peak.
Ages 14 and older
Scouts, plus adult leaders, all in strong physical shape
June 6 to July 17
Six one-week sessions, Sunday to Saturday
14,115 feet
The Pikes Peak summit, on foot. What it takes
Tents and cots included
For youth and adult leaders
A full Colorado experience in one week
Outback is built for older Scouts who are ready to push themselves. Every day centers on one big, physically demanding activity, and the reward is personal satisfaction, huge views, and memories that last a lifetime.
Evenings are slower on purpose, so the crew can recharge for the next day.
- Many units send their older Scouts to Outback while the rest of the troop attends summer camp.
- Outback participants travel to and from Camp Alexander with their unit, but camp with the Outback crew, not their troop.
- Tents and cots are provided for every Outback participant, youth and adults. Outback lodging is set up differently from summer camp, so you don’t need to bring a tent.
- Your troop doesn’t have to be at Camp Alexander that week for your Scouts to join Outback.
Your 2027 week
Every day centers on one big activity. Here’s the plan for 2027, from check-in on Sunday to heading home on Saturday.
Sunday
Check in and meet your crew
Arrive between 1 and 4 p.m. Unload your gear, go through a gear check with staff so nobody is missing anything, and finish the waiver and paperwork check.
Monday
Acclimatization day
Hike up Blue Mountain to get used to the altitude, then pack for two days at the Royal Gorge.
Tuesday
Royal Gorge
A Jeep tour and time to explore Royal Gorge Park. New for 2027: the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata, a climbing route along the gorge wall with fixed steel cables and rungs. Scouts who want to ride the Royal Gorge zip line can add it for $55. The crew camps overnight near the gorge.
Wednesday
Whitewater rafting
A half-day whitewater trip through the Royal Gorge, then back to camp to get ready for summit day.
Thursday
Pikes Peak
An early start from the Crags Trailhead near 10,000 feet, up through Devil’s Playground to the summit at 14,115 feet. About 14 miles round trip. No train, no highway. Bring money for the famous summit doughnuts. A celebration dinner waits back at camp.
Friday
Bike, Float, Fish
Your pick: float the river, fish it, or bike the canyon. Or stay in camp to rest, play games, visit Main Camp, and get to know the staff.
Saturday
Head home
Pack up and be out by 8 a.m.
What to bring for the evenings
After each big day, there’s plenty of time to rest. Pack something to fill it:
- A good book or a favorite campsite game
- A mountain bike and helmet, for the trails near camp and Friday’s canyon ride
- Fishing gear, plus a Colorado fishing license for anyone 16 or older
- Spending money for the Pikes Peak doughnuts and anything optional
Train before you come
Every day is strenuous, and summit day alone is about 14 miles round trip with 4,300 feet of elevation gain. See what it takes. Starting a month before camp, work up to about 4 liters of water a day, so the 4 liters by 4 p.m. and 6 by 8 p.m. we ask for at camp feels normal. Get ready for the altitude.
Built for Scouts who train for it
Summit day follows the Crags route, a Class 2 trail from the Crags Trailhead at 10,000 feet through Devil’s Playground to the top of Pikes Peak. It’s a long, steep day at altitude, and it’s one of five days of program. See the route on 14ers.com, or follow it on Gaia GPS or onX (you’ll need an onX account to open it).
14 miles
round trip on summit day
4,300 feet
of elevation gain
14,115 feet
at the top
5 days
in a row, and summit day is just one
Route facts from 14ers.com: Class 2 · Crags Trailhead at 10,000 feet · 4,300 feet of elevation gain · 14 miles round trip · rockfall and commitment rated moderate · Our route on Gaia GPS or onX (onX account required)
“Getting to the top is optional. Getting down is mandatory.”
The summit is never guaranteed
Reaching the top of Pikes Peak takes three things: Scouts who’ve trained for it, weather that cooperates, and bodies that handle the altitude. Weather on the peak can change fast, and storms often build quickly. Devil’s Playground gets its name from the way lightning jumps from rock to rock. The stretch from the summit back along the ridge to tree line is long and leaves hikers exposed the whole way.
Altitude sickness is always a possibility, even for fit, well-prepared hikers. Training and the acclimatization day help, but they can’t guarantee anyone feels well up high. Headache, nausea, dizziness, or unusual tiredness can be reason enough to turn a Scout, or the whole group, around.
Our staff watch the sky and the group all day. If the weather, the group’s pace, or signs of altitude sickness make the summit unsafe, they’ll turn the group around. That call is about everyone’s safety, and the group follows it. Every Outback trip also runs with an emergency action plan in case conditions change suddenly.
Is your Scout ready?
- Comfortable hiking a full day of steep climbing, carrying a daypack with water, layers, and lunch
- Able to do it again the next day, and the day after
- Has trained on hills for months before camp, not just the week before
- Has boots that are already broken in
Train the way Philmont crews do
Outback days vary, from an acclimatization hike to climbing to a 14er, so train for all of it. This plan follows Scouting America’s advice for Philmont and other high adventure bases.
- Start early. Philmont asks crews to start at least eight months out. For Outback, start by the new year, and check with your doctor first.
- Build a cardio base: walk, run, bike, or swim several times a week.
- Climb stairs or bleachers for about an hour, twice a week. Once that gets easier, wear a loaded daypack.
- Hike with a pack on weekends. Add weight, then hills, then distance, building up to one long day with real climbing, and then back-to-back days.
- Add strength for climbing days: squats, rows, and core work.
- Keep a log and share progress at troop meetings, so the whole crew trains together.
Sources: Philmont Physical Preparedness and Scouting magazine, Shape Up for High Adventure.
2027 Outback weeks
$775 for each participant, youth or adult. The Royal Gorge zip line is an optional extra, $55. Registration is open. Register for Outback on MyCouncil (Outback has its own registration, separate from summer camp).
Week 1
June 6 to 12
Week 2
June 13 to 19
Week 3
June 20 to 26
Week 4
June 27 to July 3
Week 5
July 4 to 10
Week 6
July 11 to 17
Payment schedule
- January 29, 2027: 50% of your total is due.
- April 22, 2027: your full balance is due.
If a unit falls behind, its account is placed on hold until it is current. While on hold, the unit cannot register for merit badges or other program sign-ups.
Refund policy
- Payments are non-refundable except as the policy allows. Refunds go to the unit, not to individual families.
- Before April 22, 2027, if a participant withdraws, their payments stay with the unit and count toward its balance. Any overpayment becomes a credit for other camp costs.
- You can swap in another participant from your unit at no charge any time before the session starts.
- After April 22, refunds are considered only for a new medical condition, military deployment, or a death in the family, with documentation. Each approved refund is reduced by a $100 per-camper cancellation fee.
- Refund requests are due by August 23, 2027.
Health forms and waivers
Outback uses the same health forms as summer camp, uploaded to CampDoc at least 14 days before your week. The outfitters may also need their own waivers. We’ll share those at leader meetings.
Questions about Outback?
Email camp.alexander@scouting.org or call 719-219-2916.