Sursum Corda
Elevate Your Soul. Strengthen Your Resolve.
Forge physical, mental, and spiritual strength with Sursum Corda — an eleven day backcountry backpacking trip crafted for boys aged 15-17. Young men will “lift up their hearts” to God for strength, test their mettle, work in teams, and forge bonds with peers who are also in pursuit of knowing God. This wilderness excursion into the Wind River Mountain Range of Wyoming challenges young men with intense physical challenge and spurs them toward profound spiritual growth. Trekking 6-8 miles per day with supplies on their backs, boys develop outdoor skills — setting up camp, cooking, and joyful endurance. Daily Mass and guided spiritual discussions with seminarians and COR Expeditions' experts aid the restoration of their hearts and catalyze spiritual formation. This forges their identities as sons of God, equips them to conquer adversity with faith, and deepens their relationship with God amidst His majestic creation.
Ready to Lift up your Heart?
Sursum Corda: June 30 - July 12, 2025
Located at WY
Cost: $1750.00
Application Deadline: May 1st
Sursum Corda Backcountry Backpacking Expedition
Sursum Corda Backcountry Backpacking Trip combines physical adventure with spiritual formation. This challenging expedition for boys aged 15-17 is set in the formidable Wind River Mountain Range in Wyoming. On this 11-day journey, participants hike 6-8 miles a day carrying 40-50 lbs of gear and food on their backs. They develop essential backcountry skills like cooking, camp setup, backcountry hygiene, river-crossing, and orienteering. Each day centers around Mass and spiritual discussions to shape faith and develop resilience. Guided by professional COR Expeditions leaders, OLGS seminarians, and an FSSP Chaplain, backpackers revel in the beauty of God's creation. Young men will be challenged to elevate both their hearts and their skills in the stark beauty of Wyoming's landscapes.
At Sursum Corda, Boys Will:
- Worship
- God daily through Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form), as well as finding Him in the beauty of creation
- Overcome
- intense physical challenges and develop leadership skills while backpacking through the Wind River Mountain Range
- Master
- outdoor skills like camp setup and backcountry cooking under the expert guidance of COR Expeditions
- Strengthen
- understanding of Catholic Teaching through prayer, Scripture, and spiritual formation from the FSSP clergy
- Explore
- majestic landscapes, be formed through the beauty of creation, and develop physical endurance
- Grow
- in faith and character under the mentorship of seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary.
About Your Camp Guides
We believe there’s no greater calling than to guide the next generation to love God above all, love others as themselves, and develop lasting faith. Like all of Bosco Ministries’ camps, Sursum Corda is staffed by seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. Our staff upholds the highest standard of exemplary virtue, spiritual leadership, authentic faith, and love for the outdoors. Leaders are trained in St. John Bosco’s Preventive Method, Safe Environment Training, CPR, and First Aid. Together with the world-class outdoor experts at COR Expeditions, our staff direct young hearts towards Christ and a life of deep Catholic joy and faith.
Why Choose The Sursum Corda Backcountry Backpacking Expedition?
Like you, we want young men to be grounded in their Catholic faith, surrounded by a supportive community, and engaged in meaningful, character-building adventure
Opportunities to encounter God.
Sursum Corda is a program designed to challenge boys physically and spiritually while immersing them in the glory of God’s creation. We’ve crafted this backcountry backpacking experience for boys aged 15-17 to have a tangible opportunity to trust God, draw from His strength, and engage in the beauty of Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains.
- Faith-Integrated Adventure
Sursum Corda combines the excitement of outdoor exploration with deep spiritual growth. Bringing a boy out of his familiar and comfortable surroundings into the challenging atmosphere of nature is one of the best strategies to prepare him for manhood. Along with hiking 6-8 miles a day, boys frequent the sacraments, experience daily Mass and spiritual discussions, and grow in a community of men seeking a deeper relationship with God. Campers work together in small teams to brave outdoor challenges, reflect, deepen their understanding of Catholic teachings, and develop backcountry skills.
- Community and Support
Our Patron, St. John Bosco, taught that deep, positive relationships are essential for cultivating true love, trust, and a lasting commitment to the Church. Under the guidance of an FSSP Chaplain, a seminarian from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, and experienced COR Expeditions leaders, campers are immersed in a supportive community that prioritizes teamwork, resilience, and community. Sursum Corda provides an environment where young men can push their limits, learn from others, and forge lasting connections with peers who share their values.
- Teaching Timeless Truth
Sursum Corda instills a deep love for God and the Church with teaching that aligns with core teachings of the Catholic faith. Like you, we long to see young men courageously follow God’s timeless truth. Deep, transformative faith must be experienced at every level. This backpacking trip strengthens body, soul and mind through adventure and sound teaching. At Sursum Corda, young men develop a solid faith foundation and experience God in nature, His clergy, and their community of peers.
What do they think?
““I am probably one of the biggest advocates of these camps – having sent all of my boys that have thus far been of age (4 of them), for multiple camps each, and plan to continue to send them and the younger ones for as long as you will have them. It is hugely helpful for the boys to receive proper example and instruction from others whom they look up to other than their parents.”
“My son has a better sense of how to be a man in this world today. He seems grounded, grounded in Christ. He has shared many stories and experiences from camp and they are all described with immense joy. He looks forward to attending again next year.”
“I don't know how to thank you for the gift of Sursum Corda this past week! My son had the experience I could only dream of! He was challenged beyond his expectations physically, spiritually, and emotionally. ”
Here is what to expect.
At Sursum Corda, we’ll hike 6-8 miles per day through the wilds of Wyoming, carrying our gear on our backs. Young men gain outdoor skills, work as a team, and develop leadership and joyful resilience. Each day will vary, but here’s a peek into an average day back during this 11-day journey:
Here is what a typical day at camp looks like.
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form)
- 7:15 AM: Pack up sleeping gear, cook and eat breakfast
- 8:00 AM: Clean and pack all kitchen gear
- 8:30 AM: Review route for the day. Training session on footcare.
- 9:00 AM: Hike the first 3-5 miles of the trail while praying the Rosary
- 11:30 AM: Break for lunch and silent personal prayer
- 12:30 PM: Scripture reading and group discussion
- 1:15 PM: Continue hike to campsite 5-3 miles.
- 3-5 PM: Arrive at campsite, set up tents, sleeping gear, camp kitchen, food storage.
- 5:00 PM: Spiritual Programming led by FSSP seminarians and clergy
- 6:00 PM: Cook and eat dinner, clean up
- 7:00 PM: Training session on fire building/safety
- 7:30 PM: Seminarian Testimony/Vocation story followed by day in review sharing and campfire games.
- 9:30 PM: Bedtime
Each moment at Sursum Corda challenges young men to lift up their hearts to God to accept God’s call to Catholic manhood. We’ll develop backcountry cooking, hygiene, and orienteering skills. Throughout the expedition, young men have opportunities for rock climbing, games, spiritual discussion, orienteering, and times of personal prayer and reflection surrounded by nature.
Registration Information
Overcome challenges, forge faith through adventure, and build bonds with Catholic peers at the Sursum Corda Backcountry Backpacking Trip. Here’s how to start your camper (boys aged 15-17) on this journey of faith and formation:
- Complete the Application
Begin the journey by filling out our online application form. This gives us information about your camper and starts the process. Once we receive your application, we will review it and send our response, usually within two weeks. Space is limited to 32 participants.
Mark Your Calendar for June 30th-July 12th
Sursum Corda Backcountry Backpacking Trip, Wind River Mountain Range, Wyoming
*All applications must be received by May 1st.
- Secure your spot with a deposit.
If we accept your son’s application you will receive an email with two payment options. You may either pay in full or pay a deposit, but you must at least secure your backpacker’s place on the trip with a 20% deposit, which must be completed within 72 hours of acceptance.
The total fee amount covers all meals and gear (except for participants’ basic clothing and footwear).
The initial 20% deposit is not refundable. You will only receive complete onboarding information after paying.- Confirmation and Preparation
Once we receive your application and registration fee, you’ll get a confirmation email with a link to register your son with COR Expeditions, packing information and a free gear rental form as well as a travel form for you to fill out and other important details to prepare for the backpacking trip. Participants can be dropped off by car or picked up from the airport by camp staff (see FAQs).
