SOAR - WY First Ascent
Wilderness adventure programs for youth with ADHD and learning differences.
▌ Editor's read The SOAR Wyoming First Ascent program website loads successfully and details an overnight wilderness expedition experience specifically designed for youth and young adults with ADHD and learning differences. SOAR is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry safety and quality standards. The organization has been operating since 1977, demonstrating 48 years of experience in specialized programming. The website explicitly states a 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio and mentions that staff undergo background checks. Google reviews for 'SOAR NC' (the parent organization) show a rating of 4.8 stars from 100 reviews, with many parents praising the positive impact on their children's confidence and social skills. SOAR is a non-profit organization, and its social media presence includes an Instagram handle @soarnc and a Facebook page 'soarnc'.
Who thrives here Ages 18–21
SOAR - WY First Ascent serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1978 (48 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 18–21
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 226 SOAR Lane, Balsam, NC 28707, USA & 184 Uphill Road, Dubois, WY 82513, USA
- Phone: (828) 456-3435
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Financial aid is available.
Runs 24-hour residential, 2 sessions (2 one-week), from Jun 14 to Jul 5.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 1 Jun 14 – 14, 2026 · 1 week · $6,000
- Session 2 Jul 5 – 5, 2026 · 1 week · $6,000
↗ What parents like
- Focus on self-confidence
- Develops social and life skills
↘ Watch for
- Not a traditional summer camp
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about SOAR - WY First Ascent
- What ages does SOAR - WY First Ascent accept?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent is open to children ages 18–21. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does SOAR - WY First Ascent cost?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent publishes $2,470/week for the standard session. That sits close to the $2,471 median for specialty camps in Dubois. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are SOAR - WY First Ascent's hours?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is SOAR - WY First Ascent accredited?
- Yes — SOAR - WY First Ascent is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 48 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs SOAR - WY First Ascent?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 48 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does SOAR - WY First Ascent provide lunch?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does SOAR - WY First Ascent compare to other specialty camps in Dubois?
- SOAR - WY First Ascent is one of 16 specialty camps in Dubois that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare SOAR - WY First Ascent with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside SOAR - WY First Ascent.
- SOAR - Belize · SOAR - Belize · Ages 14–18 · $3,564/week
- SOAR - FL SCUBA Certification · SOAR - FL SCUBA Certification · Ages 14–18 · $3,640/week
- SOAR - NC First Ascent · SOAR - NC First Ascent · Ages 18–21 · $2,470/week
- SOAR Adventure Camps (ADHD & Learning Differences) · SOAR · Ages 8–21 · $3,800/week
- SOAR - CA Coastal Redwoods Adventure · SOAR - CA Coastal Redwoods Adventure · Ages 13–17 · $3,430/week
- SOAR - CO Alpine Quest · SOAR - CO Alpine Quest · Ages 13–17 · $3,465/week
- SOAR - FL Keys Adventure · SOAR - FL Keys Adventure · Ages 13–16 · $3,220/week
- SOAR - NC Canoe Adventure · SOAR - NC Canoe Adventure · Ages 11–17 · $2,418/week