In many ways, the Kern trip represents a combination of the goals of the 9th and 10th grade year trips. It is the most physically challenging, at least in terms of the distance traveled. The increased level of physical challenge is meant to continue the development of the outdoor skills learned previously and to continue to provide students with a level of challenge beyond initially perceived limits.

Students finish the trip in their small hiking groups, in order to continue to emphasize the skills and responsibility necessary to complete a wilderness backpacking trip. Thus, given the needs of juniors in this residential school, this particular trip represents both a culmination of the application of the backpacking skills used on an extended, challenging backpacking trip as well as an opportunity to unite the class with a common, shared experience. This shared experience serves to enhance their cohesiveness as a class in the community that will rely on their collective leadership during their senior year.