This article supplements an upcoming feature in the print edition of The Outdoor Journal.

Subscribe here for the full feature story. Each program travels the world in search of stimulating academic environments and quality athletic training grounds.  The climbers travel the world in search of quality rock and good climbing temperatures, the kite boarders seek out the wind, and the kayakers move around according to river levels.  The three programs are scheduled to visit a total of twelve different countries in the 2018-2019 academic year. From haggling with import/export hustlers in Uganda, to being escorted through back roads by military personnel, their stories are sure to fulfil even the most adventurous of minds. Traveling the world with a group of 12-20 high schoolers can be a daunting task.  Add in the work of being a fully accredited high school, and you’ve got yourself a more than full-time job.  On top of all that, staff and students are all participating in highly dangerous adventure sports each day, often in developing nations.  The success of each World Class Academy program is highly dependent on their Program Director.