Where Questions Lead the Way
The most impactful part of any new experience is what you can't predict to happen. The people you meet, challenges you face, and fun you have are what make a trip worthwhile"
Lucas Stuart, Director and Founder
Our Story
Growing up with ADHD, dyscalculia, and executive functioning challenges, Lucas Stuart spent his entire K–12 education at a specialized school for students with learning differences in New York City. He knows firsthand what it feels like to navigate a world that wasn’t built with you in mind — and how powerful the right environment can be when it honors the way you move, think, and learn.
After leading backpacking trips through the Sierra Nevada, Yellowstone, and beyond, and working with kids in classrooms and afterschool programs, Lucas saw the same need again and again: kids who think differently don’t need to be changed — they need spaces that recognize their strengths, trust their leadership, and give them room to grow. The outdoors, with its open challenges and endless opportunities for discovery, was the perfect place to build that space.
Trailbreak SLC was created for kids who see the world differently — and who deserve a place where that difference is a strength. Here, curiosity is the compass, movement is celebrated, and leadership looks a hundred different ways. It’s not about keeping up or fitting in; it’s about breaking new trails — and finding pride, confidence, and community every step of the way.
2 Trips
Per-Month
Group adventures every Saturday and Sunday.
6-12 Year Olds
We create for the age when curiosity is loud, hands are messy, and imagination runs wild.
4 Pillars of Learning
Challenge. Creativity. Curiosity. Community.
Our Mission
At Trailbreak SLC, our mission is to help kids with learning differences discover strength, confidence, and leadership through outdoor adventure.
We believe that every child deserves a place where movement is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and differences are seen as strengths.
By creating space for exploration, teamwork, and real challenge, we help kids trust themselves, connect with others, and build trails that are truly their own.
Our Approch
Our weekend programs run once a month, with separate groups on Saturdays and Sundays. Each day follows a structured, predictable rhythm that provides clear expectations while leaving room for curiosity, leadership, and choice.
Campers start each session with a morning circle, setting individual and group goals for the day. From there, they move through a full day of outdoor challenges: hiking, team-building games, skill-based activities like navigation and shelter-building, and open-ended nature exploration. Every camper takes on leadership roles — leading hikes, organizing games, helping the group navigate — in ways that match their strengths and stretch their confidence.
We design our environment for success:
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Small group sizes (low camper-to-staff ratio) allow for individual attention and support.
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Clear structure and transitions help campers with executive functioning challenges know what to expect next.
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Movement, hands-on learning, and sensory engagement are built into every activity to support focus and regulation.
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Reflection circles at the end of each day help campers connect their experiences back to real-world leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
Snapshots of Connection
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