Five days on Idaho’s Salmon River.
Eight months of growing as a leader.

A leadership development program for heads of school that launches with an unforgettable journey down Idaho’s Salmon River — and continues with a trusted circle of peers during the school year.

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Since 2022, 147 heads of school have rafted the Salmon River with us.
Many had never camped before.
Here’s what they experienced.

Renew, connect, reflect

Trade email and daily worries for open sky and moving water. Come back to your school restored for the year ahead.

Adventure with purpose

Run Class III rapids, fly fish, and hike the longest free-flowing river in the continental U.S. — stretching your limits alongside your peers.

Circle of support

Explore the challenges of leading a school amid a trusted circle of peers in six virtual “circles of trust.”

Grow as a leader

Create a purpose map to guide your path as a leader through 1:1 check-ins with your Salmon facilitator.

Program Dates

June 27 – July 2, 2027
or
July 13 – 18, 2027

A large group of heads of school cheering on a sandy beach by the Salmon River

“Profound. Unplugged. Joyful. Transformational. The trip on the Salmon River was truly life-changing.”

Julie Amberg, Head, Cascades Academy (Bend, OR)

“I have yet to experience any model that offers such high-level experiential learning and leadership growth. Our time on the river provided the rare combination of vulnerability, self-reflection, trust, thought leadership, dialogue, peer coaching, encouragement, and grace.”

Ken Aldridge, Head, Wilmington Friends School (Wilmington, DE)

“This was the best personal/professional experience of my decade in headship. I felt connected to the group and disconnected from school and my daily worries at the same time… it came at just the right time for my growth and development as a leader.”

Melissa Soderberg, Head, Columbus Academy (Columbus, OH)

“This program is life-changing no matter what stage of headship you are in, providing entry for all, challenge for all, and creature comforts. It’s definitely ‘glamping,’ and I promise you’ll return refreshed. After our time on the river, the year-long ‘circle of trust’ virtual sessions pushed me forward and brought me back to the beauty of the river.”

Nancy Nagramada, Head of School, Island School (Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi — Hawaiʻi)

147 Alums Heads of School

20 Heads Per Program

5 Days On the Salmon River

8 Months Of Leadership Support

Step Back Into Your Purpose

The program launches with five days rafting down Idaho’s Salmon River — the “River of No Return,” and the longest free-flowing river in the continental U.S. Now in its sixth year, the trip creates a rare space for heads to build community and gather energy for the year ahead. Whether or not you’ve camped or paddled before, you’ll be expertly guided every mile of the way.

Class III rapids by raft or inflatable kayak
Fly fishing and hiking in a protected wilderness
Riverside learning sessions each morning
Delicious meals and campfire conversation under the stars

A raft of heads of school floating through the Salmon River canyon

Support Through the School Year

The river builds the community; the year deepens it. After the trip, the group meets six times virtually for peer-coaching sessions — trusted spaces where leaders bring their true selves, share inspiration, and work through the real challenges and dilemmas of running a school.

Heads of school in a morning reflection circle on the beach

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Experience the Salmon River

Click any photo to view it full size.

Two participants in camp chairs talking under the pines

Rafts on a calm stretch of the Salmon River below a canyon wall

The group seated in a circle on a sandy beach by the river

A group of heads of school beneath a sunset sky in the Salmon River canyon

Three paddlers in an inflatable kayak running whitewater

A group of heads of school on the riverbank

Two participants in camp chairs during a one-on-one conversation

A participant holding up a fish caught fly fishing

Participants swimming in the river at golden hour

Participants talking and laughing on the beach

A small group reflecting among the rocks by the river

Participants carrying gear up from the boats to camp

The Salmon River winding through its canyon

Participants smiling on the bus ride to the river

Run in partnership with independent school associations and river programs

Why heads keep coming back

“What I most appreciated about the Salmon River trip was the opportunity to be my most human self with others who shared and understood my experience as a head of school.”

Donna Lindner, Head, Lowell School (Washington, DC)

A participant running whitewater in an inflatable kayak

“The Salmon River Trip is a mix of high-octane adventure, quiet personal reflection, and joyful community time.”

Prentice Stabler, Head, Ensworth School (Nashville, TN)

Two participants fly fishing in the Salmon River

“The best professional development experience I have experienced in years.”

Percy Abram, Head, Sonoma Academy (Santa Rosa, CA)

A raft running big water on the Salmon River

“This program is life-changing no matter what stage of headship you are in… I promise you’ll return refreshed.”

Nancy Nagramada, Head of School, Island School (Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi — Hawaiʻi)

Participants in conversation on the beach

“This was summer camp for heads of school.”

Duncan Lyon, Head, The Allen-Stevenson School (New York, NY)

Ready to learn more or sign up?

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