"The instructors were so much fun to be with. They made everything as safe and as fun as possible. I was as close to the instructors as I was to the students."
- Andrew Herman
Dix Hills, NY
How many teenagers get to summit an active volcano? Climb Mount Saint Helens and stand on the top, looking into the crater that is still smoking from the eruption in 1980! Backpack on the beach in Olympic National Park and see sunsets you'll remember forever. The second backpack, in the Cascade Mountains, provides plenty of inspiring vistas and plenty of time to build a tight-knit community. Sea Kayak for three days among seals and starfish, and look for the legendary 800-pound octopus beneath the water in Port Townsend Bay. Rock climbing in Icicle Canyon is a great challenge, and your two whitewater rafting days are fast-paced roller coasters.
See sunsets you'll remember forever. Backpack along the wilderness beaches of the Olympic Peninsula for four exciting days. This rocky, rugged coastline provides opportunities to see sea lions, seals, otters, eagles and explore tide pools. Camping on a wilderness beach with huge stone monoliths just offshore is an experience not to be forgotten.
You could see harbor seals, eagles and other wildlife as you and your partner navigate Port Townsend Bay in a tandem sea kayak. Explore Bird Island and hunt for crabs and clams along the shoreline by day and camp in an old fort at night. Keep an eye out for the legendary 800-pound octopus beneath the water in Port Townsend Bay.
Welcome to Leavenworth, WA and the east side of the Cascade Mountains! Camp in a dramatic canyon lined with famous granite cracks. You will learn everything you need to know to enjoy a rigorous and exciting day of rock climbing.
Cool off after your day of climbing with a rip-roaring whitewater rafting trip down the Wenatchee River. Fast-paced roller-coaster rapids, splash wars, and swimming are part of the fun
We'll camp at Climber's Bivouac, possibly in the snow, as we prepare to climb this volcano. It is an early start the next morning, where we begin in the dark. This hike is challenging but you will make the top! At the summit you'll be above the clouds and the incomparable view is more than worth the effort! The crater beneath you is still smoking from the 1980 eruption. Glissade (slide) down the snowy mountain for high-speed fun.
By now you'll possess most of the camping, cooking and backpacking skills you'll need for a backpack in the stunning Cascade Mountains. You will see mountains capped with snow, beautiful lakes, deer and perhaps mountain goats. You will cross many crystal-clear mountain streams and walk among huge old trees!
You'll love this river and the great rapids as you raft down between its narrow canyon walls! Most of our students agree that this is the best river we raft in the Pacific Northwest.
Space is Limited. Call 888-954-5555 for more information about this trip and to check availability. Apply early to ensure the trip of your choice.
Arrive in Portland, OR airport (PDX) by 1 pm opening day.
Depart Portland, OR airport (PDX) by 2 pm closing day.
Already enrolled? Log in to the Registered Students Page for your equipment lists, paperwork, and more!
Monday, July19: Students arrive at Portland, OR (PDX) airport by 1 pm.
Tuesday, July 20: Day hike in Lake Silvia State Park
Wednesday, July 21 - Saturday, July 24: Backpack for 4 days on the northern beaches of Olympic National Park. This rocky, rugged coastline provides opportunities to see sea lions, seals, otters, eagles and explore tide pools. Camping on a wilderness beach is an experience not to be forgotten
Sunday, July 25 - Tuesday, July 27: 3-day Sea kayak in Port Townsend Bay with PT Outdoors. You could see harbor seals, eagles and other wildlife as you and your partner navigate Port Townsend Bay in a tandem sea kayak.
Wednesday, July 28: Logistics day (shop for food, do laundry, and clean vans). Drive to Leavenworth.
Thursday, July 29: Rock climb for a full day in Icicle canyon in Wenatchee National Forest. Camp in a dramatic canyon lined with famous granite cliffs. You will learn everything you need to know to enjoy a rigorous and exciting day of rock climbing.
Friday, July 30: Whitewater raft the Wenatchee River. Enjoy a rip-roaring whitewater rafting trip down the Wenatchee River. Splash wars and swimming in the calm spots are part of the fun!
Saturday, July 31 – Monday, August 2: Backpack in the Cascades in Wenatchee National Forest . You will see mountains capped with snow, beautiful lakes, deer and perhaps mountain goats. You will cross many crystal-clear mountain streams and walk among huge old trees!
Tuesday, August 3 – Wednesday, August 4: Overnight summit attempt of Mt. St. Helens. We will camp at Climber's Bivouac, as we prepare to climb this volcano. We begin in the dark. The crater beneath you is still smoking from the 1980 eruption. Glissade (slide) down the snowy mountain for high-speed fun.
Thursday, August 5: Raft the White Salmon River. You will love this Wild and Scenic River and the twisty-turn rapids as you raft between narrow canyon walls! Celebration dinner near Portland this evening.
Friday, August 6: Students fly out of Portland, OR (PDX) by 2pm.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary prior to and throughout the trip as we constantly improve the Adventure Treks experience. Itineraries may change due to: Severe weather, student ability, motivation and conditioning, high or low rivers, high or low snow pack, unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, volcanic activity, forest fires, illness, ever changing permit regulations, any potential threat to safety, even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant changes.
Is this the best trip for me?
The Pacific Northwest Adventure is a perfect trip for students age 13-15 who are currently in 7th-9th grade. No previous experience is necessary to join any of our trips! With 24 students in the group, you will be challenged appropriately because we break up into small groups for each activity based on your interest and ability.
What other trips might be right for me?
What if I've never flown across country before?
Most of the students on the Pacific Northwest Adventure are first-time travelers. Learn more about our low-stress airport days on our What to Expect Page. You can also fly as an "Unaccompanied Minor" and the airline will help you navigate the airports.
Will I need cold-weather clothing on this trip?
Temperatures in the mountains are usually moderate, but we also want you to be prepared for cooler evenings and mornings around camp. A fleece, hat and gloves are recommended as part of your equipment list so you’ll be comfortable in any weather. For more information about packing, please check your equipment list at your Log In Page.
For more answers, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or call us at 888-954-5555. We’re always happy to help you out!
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Dave “Dmac” McGlashan –Originally from Western North Carolina, Dmac has whitewater kayaked and climbed all over the country and world and we’re thrilled to have him join us for a his fourth year as a Trip Leader and as our Educational programs director. He received a Master’s in Recreation from the University of Tennessee and graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School. He ran the kayaking and climbing program at Camp Arrowhead for several years before working as their Program Director. Dave has lived in Southern France and Fiji, is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor.
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Allison Qubain - Alli graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Biology and minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies. She spent a semester in Ecuador where she studied ecology and conservation, swam with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, conducted a biological study in a small fishing village, and embraced the challenges of the Spanish language. Last summer she hiked across the Pyrenees from Spain to France with her sister. Alli is passionate about horse packing and backcountry skiing, and is a certified Wilderness-EMT.
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Kai Schwartz – A four-year A.T. student, Kai joins us for her second year. She graduated from Colorado College where she was a student trip leader. Kai lives in Santa Fe where she works as a political consultant. She has worked as a canoe instructor in both Alaska and Wisconsin. She also spent time in Ecuador working with a human rights group, and in the United States working for environmental and political advocacy groups. Kai is a certified Wilderness First Responder who enjoys hiking and snorkeling.
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Carter Timbel – Carter joins us for his second summer as an instructor, and he was a three-year Adventure Treks student, where he attended Leadership Summit. He is a certified US Sailing Small Boat Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, and PADI Open Water Diver. Carter has volunteered as an English and Math teacher at an understaffed school in Accra, Ghana. He is an avid skier, road cyclist and fly-fisherman, and just returned from a trip to Bhutan. Carter attends Whitman College, and spent this semester in Scotland, Spain, and Morocco studying Geology.
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Amber Rudeen - Amber joins us from Keystone, Colorado where she taught environmental education the past four years as the Logistics Director of the Keystone Science School. She has a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. She led trail crews and worked in Rocky Mountain National Park for five summers, explored Europe and canoed the Boundary Waters. In the fall she will be joining the Yosemite Institute as a Program Instructor.
Adventure Treks is constantly improving our staff teams to provide your child the very best experience. Hobbes Barber has joined the British Columbia trip, and we have brought in 4-year A.T. veteran Elizabeth Rosen to work with the Pacific NW Adventure. She's done this trip before, with an 80% return rate for students, and she brings great experience to the trip:
Elizabeth Rosen –
*Instructors may change prior to your trip – we’ll let you know if this happens.
Reviewed by: Hannah McKinley
Date: February 11, 2010
Rating: 4 out of 5
This trip was amazing! Last summer was my first time with Adventure Treks. The instuctors were awesome,the food was great and the scenery was amazing! By the end of the trip everyone was very close and most of us...including guys cried the day before we left. This was one of those trips along with the memories made that I will remember forever! Thanks A.T.! Love ALL of YOU!
Reviewed by: Malena Pennycook
Date: February 12, 2010
Rating: 4 out of 5
There isin't one day that goes by where i don't think about this trip, it was such a positive and exciting environment and was one of the best experiences of my life. Strangers turned into my best friends within days. It was action packed, fast paced and absolutely amazing. Its awesome knowing your doing something new and special everyday when you wake up in the morning. I cant wait to see all my trip members again this summer! thanks AT, it was truly an amazing experience.
Reviewed by: Justin K
Date: February 12, 2010
Rating: 5 out of 5
This Trip was absolutely AMAZING!! Last summer was my very first time with Adventure Treks and doing camp outside of the state. At first i was nervous, but after 2 minutes of being with everyone, i felt like i have known everyone there for years! I immediately became comfortable with everything. All of the activities that we did were fantastic, and hard to believe that i was actually there! The food was delicious, and the instructors were awesome! I will never forget these best 19 days of my life! THANK YOU ADVENTURE TREKS!! :)
Adventure Treks is a program for teenagers, so we don’t allow any inappropriate language or content in our reviews. We do screen reviews for spam and legitimacy, and we will post all appropriate comments in full.
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Thanks for interest in Adventure Treks!
Fill out our online application or apply by phone by calling 888-954-5555 Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST.
Our core office staff, consisting of Dock, Kyndra, Dmac, Holly and Alice, welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions and help you choose the best summer experience for your child.
1. Apply online and submit an $800 deposit by check or Visa/MC to hold your place on the Adventure of your choice. As a smaller, more personal company, enrollment is limited, so please send in your application early.
2. You will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to complete your student essay, medical form, and 2 references (phone calls or e-mails to our office) from a teacher and another non-related adult who knows your child well. We may also arrange a brief phone interview to get to know your child better. Our acceptance process ensures a great peer group for your child.
3. Your remaining paperwork and information about your trip is available on our Registered Students Page and will be mailed to you upon acceptance. Adventure Treks is selective. Applications will be carefully reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
All deposits are refundable prior to March 1st, less a $200 processing fee, for cancellation for any reason. For cancellations after March 1st, tuition is non-refundable. We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance for your protection. If a participant withdraws voluntarily or is sent home as a consequence of unacceptable behavior, no refund of any kind will be granted. It is the parents’ responsibility to cover any additional travel expenses.
Click map to enlarge
| Duration: | 19 days |
| Dates: | July 19 - August 6 |
| Ages: | 13-15 |
| Activities: | Whitewater Rafting Rock Climbing Sea Kayaking Backpacking Mountaineering |
| States: |
Washington |
| Price: | US $3,195.00 |
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