Great Outdoor Adventure team

Elevate your Upper School experience with Annie Wright Schools’ Great Outdoor Adventure Team (GOAT).

The GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Team) program at Annie Wright Schools offers Upper School boarding students an exceptional opportunity to participate in a dynamic, student-centered elective.

Designed specially for our boarding community, this (s)Elective invites students to embrace adventure, build leadership skills, and create lasting bonds through outdoor exploration and team-building experiences beyond the classroom.

Begin an application to get started on your GOAT journey. Students with a deep desire to balance an exciting outdoors opportunity in one of the top U.S. destinations for nature lovers while pursuing strong, challenging academics are encouraged to apply.

Sound to Summit:The Four-Year Journey of an Annie Wright GOAT

GRADE 9: GOATs Around the Sound

Our Grade 9 program covers land navigation, campcraft, and Pacific Northwest geography. Students also learn to be responsible members of a group, fostering teamwork and environmental stewardship.

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Grade 9 Signature Experiences
- Hiking, snowshoeing, and camping in state and national parks
- Rock climbing in local gyms
- Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in Commencement Bay
- Skiing or snowboarding at local resorts
- Week-long camping trip including swimming, hiking, and rock climbing

GRADE 10: GOAT the Distance

Our Grade 10 outdoor program builds hiking strength, survival skills, and backcountry safety. Students also learn meal prep, emergency readiness, and plant and animal identification while learning to work through challenges as a team.

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Grade 10 Signature Experience
- Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing in state and national parks
- Backpacking in state and national parks
- Winter overnight in a student-built snow cave
- Skiing or snowboarding at local resorts
- Week-long backpacking trip in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

GRADE 11: GOATs Afloat

Our Grade 11 outdoor program enhances swimming strength, water safety, and paddling skills while teaching marine navigation and ecology. Students also learn to support each other in aquatic environments.

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Grade 11 Signature Experiences
- Day and overnight kayaking and canoeing trips in Commencement Bay, Lake Washington, and the San Juan Islands
- Seaplane trip
- Multi-night trip on the Schooner Adventuress (tall sailing ship) with a focus on marine ecology
- Week-long river rafting trip on one of the Pacific Northwest’s legendary rivers

GRADE 12: GOAT the Summit

Our Grade 12 outdoor program teaches glacier travel with essential equipment, crevasse rescue techniques, and high-elevation camping.
Students also explore volcanology and develop teamwork and leadership skills in new and challenging environments.

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Grade 12 Signature Experiences
- Day and overnight training climbs in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains
- Backcountry skiing or snowboarding
- Summit Mt. St. Helens, Cascade volcano
- Week-long glacier trip to summit Mt. Adams or Mt. Baker, Cascade volcanoes
- Optional: Post-graduation Mount Rainier summit climb with professional guides