School leaders need spaces to connect, grow, and grapple with challenges.
Over the last four summers, over 200 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
For current or entering Heads of School, limit of 24 per program, including facilitators
2026–27 Programs
Rafting portion:
June 27 - July 2, 2026 sponsored by AISNE, Association of Independent Schools in New England – SOLD OUT
or
July 13 - 18, 2026 sponsored by ADVIS, Advancing Independent Schools – ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications open each year for the following summer on Aug 15. Heads from schools that belong to the sponsoring associations are admitted first. Heads from schools outside the sponsoring associations are taken off the waitlist on October 1. If you email us, we will put you on the waitlist and also send you an application link Aug. 15.
Program Overview
Now in its fifth 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 school year following the rafting program 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!
Past, Present and Future Sponsors
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