Valley To Summit, Philadelphia

When they're ready to trade in cubicle walls for mossy forests, prospective adventurers call on Valley to Summit. Then, escorted by experienced and certified guides, they dive boot- or snowshoe-first into the wilderness. Multi- and single-day treks might send participants scrambling up the side of a mountain, hiking the Appalachian Trail, backpacking through Shenandoah National Park, or rafting down the Hudson River. Still other trips provide one-of-a-kind experiences—one day-long outing, for instance, combines fireside craft brew tasting with horseback rides atop Clydesdales. Aerial yoga retreats invite attendees to spin and flap their wings amid mountainous landscapes, and wolf-watching excursions provide a glimpse of rarely-seen wildlife. Clients can even commission private, customized adventures.

But whether outdoor enthusiasts are rappelling down a mountain or floating atop a paddleboard, they are steered by Valley to Summit's core values and priorities. All participants are encouraged to leave their cell phones and other electronics at home, to enhance their interaction with nature with their eyes, ears, and noses instead of their "Sense This!" app. And anything groups do bring along must be packed out: Valley to Summit is partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an organization dedicated to the respectful enjoyment of the great not-indoors.