Outdoor Programs

The mission of McCallie's Outdoor Education Program is to offer adventure-based outdoor opportunities that emphasize fun and safety. These activities help students and faculty develop camaraderie, self sufficiency and resiliency, a stewardship ethic, leadership, confidence and respect for the natural world and our place in it.

In the outdoors, boys learn independence and get outside their comfort zones.

McCallie's outdoor program offers opportunities for students to learn about different outdoor activities. The program focuses on creating a fun learning environment that encourages skill development, student leadership, communication, personal responsibility and positive interactions between students and adults. 

There are three facets to the program: weekend trips, afternoon activities and extended expeditions.

• Weekend trips are frequently offered to the whole student body. They allow the students to choose from a wide range of different activities.

• The Outdoor Program offers afternoon activities in Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Hiking and Ultimate Frisbee.

• McCallie offers Extended Expeditions within the United States and internationally. These trips often combine the challenges of various outdoor activities with language and cultural barriers.  

Weekend Offerings

Trips are offered weekly to biweekly throughout the fall and monthly through the winter and spring seasons. These trips, usually on a Saturday or Sunday, are open to all Upper School students regardless of skill level. You can reserve a spot by emailing Jake Altemus. 

Middle School trips are offered on a bi-monthly basis. They include but are not limited to kayaking the Hiwassee, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in February, and doing one of the three C's in Spring: climbing, caving or camping.