We’ve all gazed out the window at work and dreamed of trading fluorescent bulbs for sunlight. “That’s where all the great ideas start,” you think. According to research, there’s truth in the idea that to think outside the box you may need to actually be outside. And if you’re gonna go, why not go big? These 7 small outdoor adventure businesses certainly have.

1. Moondance Adventures

(Image: via Moondance Adventures)

Love of the outdoors should start early, and day camps and summer camps are often where those kinds of adventures start. Moondance Adventures, a teen summer adventure program based in Asheville, N.C., offers trips ranging from 14  to 24 days. The trips cover a range of outdoor activities like backpacking, rock climbing, white water rafting, scuba diving, surfing, community service projects and more.

 2. Outdoor Academy

(Image: via Outdoor Academy)

Remember back in school when you wanted to have class outside on pretty days? How about a high school that’s totally outside? Critical thinking, work ethic, curiosity, simple living and stewardship are buzzwords often associated with experiential education. They’re also the core values of the Outdoor Academy, whose philosophy is to give students a well-rounded education that transcends academics in order to prepare them for college—and more important, for life.

 3. Backroads

(Image: via Backroads)

Think outdoors means roughing it? Then you haven’t heard of Backroads. Its trip designers are expert vacation planners who focus on giving individuals, families, couples and groups unique, un-touristy trips. Whether by boat, bike or on foot, Backroads’ guides offer both experience and expertise on trip. And at night, many of their trips include stays at famous spas and dining in excellent restaurants.

 4. Outlaw Partners

(Image: via Outlaw Partners)

Located at the base of a mountain in Big Sky, Montana, Outlaw Partners is a small innovative marketing design agency and consultancy that specializes in promoting professional snowboarders, lifestyle clothing brands and resorts. Staff members often receive all-expense-paid weekend vacations while checking out resorts for the company’s publication.

5. Global Works

(Image via: Global Works)

The Global Works core philosophy is “community service gives us purpose in traveling to a destination.” Global Works says it focuses more on community service and bilingual communication than any other teen adventure travel company, immersing guests in local culture and language.

6. GeoEx

(Image: via GeoEx)

Named best travel company by Outside Magazine in 2012, GeoEx sponsors trips to all seven continents. The recognition was based on GeoEx’s ability to field trips in the most remote locations on the planet, from the north side of Mount Everest to the dunes of the Sahara, and for the company’s outstanding safety measures and track record.

(Featured image: on Flickr via jonathanw100)