School leaders need spaces to connect, grow, and grapple with challenges.
Over the last three summers, nearly 75 heads of school spent five days rafting down Idaho’s Salmon River. Many had never camped before, and some felt trepidation about rafting a wilderness river.
Why would they do this? Here’s what they said:
- “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... It came at just the right time for my growth and development as a leader."
- “I formed deep relationships with other heads, stretched my limits, and connected to my purpose.”
- “It was transformative.”
The Salmon River Program is a year-long leadership development program that launches with a rafting experience. We build a tight community on the river. During the school year, we support each other in a series of peer coaching sessions as we grapple with the challenges and dilemmas of leading a school. These conversations are trusted spaces where leaders can bring their true selves, share inspiration, and engage in critical conversations.
“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.”
“Profound. Unplugged. Joyful. Transformational. The trip on the Salmon River was truly life-changing.”
Salmon River Program for School Heads
June 27 - July 2, 2025 or July 13 - 18, 2025
For current or entering Heads of School, limit of 24 per program, including facilitators
Program Overview
Now in its fourth year, this unique program for heads on Idaho’s iconic Salmon River creates a deep space for heads to build community, gather energy for the year ahead, and explore game-changing ideas. We explore critical questions in small groups each morning on the river after a delicious breakfast. Then, we board rafts or inflatable kayaks while exploring Class III rapids on the “River of No Return.” Afternoons are for fly fishing and hiking, and evenings are for delicious dinners and campfire discussion. Along the way, we connect, renew, and reflect as we travel down the longest free-flowing river in the continental USA.
We meet six times virtually during the 2025-26 school year to create a “peer coaching” space that deepens our relationships and learning. This challenging year-long learning program is designed for personal and professional renewal and growth, and all leaders enter with stated learning goals. Watch the video below!
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Student travel locations
