Adventure Treks consistently has the highest repeat rate of any similar program for both students (60%) and instructors (70%).
“In just a few days’ time, strangers turn to friends, friends to family, and on the last day you WON’T want to leave.”
– Sierra Cocoziello
Cedar Grove, NJ
Summit snow-capped peaks you’ve only seen on postcards. Get soaked shooting towering rapids with your new friends. Live out of your backpack on wildflower-laced trails. Sleep under stars that you never knew existed, cook-up crazy concoctions, and laugh more than you ever have before.
Adventure Treks is all about making memories, making friendships, and making more confident young men and women through amazing outdoor adventures. Our students witness scenery that takes their breath away. They become a contributor and a central figure in a close community. They make friendships that last long beyond the trip. Here they truly discover themselves and are impressed with who they see.
Click here to read a letter for you from one of our students.
An Adventure Treks instructor will meet you as you step off the plane. The close community feeling you experience at Adventure Treks begins immediately.
You won’t have to sit at the airport for long; we take shuttles to a nearby park where you play games, eat pizza, and meet your six instructors and Dock, our director.
Most students arrive by themselves and don’t know anybody. On older trips, returning students instantly welcome new students and help you feel like part of a second family. Our students join us each year from 44 states and 10 different countries.
After orientation, you will drive to your first campsite, where our famous “Yahoo” dinner is ready for you. The outdoor gear you’ve reserved (no extra charge) is already
in your tent, and you’ll spend the first of many nights in a tent with two other people of your age and gender. By the time you fall asleep, you will be amazed at how close your group is and how much fun you are having.
You start your adventure with a small-group backpacking trip. Because we divide into three small groups, we can match each student with the appropriate level of challenge. Most people think backpacking means carrying a heavy pack uphill, but you’ll soon see that backpacking is a ton of fun! The scenery will be amazing.
Backpacking is the best way to get to know your trip mates on a personal level and
to connect with your instructors. During backpacks, you bring only what you need for a few days and leave the rest of your things in your duffel at the van.
When you finish the backpack, your group will travel to the next destination in two 15-passenger vans. We limit travel time as much as possible (about 5% of the trip) while maintaining an action-packed itinerary. Van rides are perfect for listening to music and sharing great conversations.
The question we hear the most often is “how is the food?” Our students are universally impressed with the food on our trips. You will eat plenty of delicious food on your Adventure. There are lots of fruits and vegetables (and also dessert) and there are often snacks available. Many students love being in charge of cooking meals for their
whole group.
Every trip has different highlights. You might love the rock climbing, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, mountain biking, or sailing. At least once you’ll climb to the top of a mountain with amazing views. You will be challenged, but we won’t push you beyond your abilities. You will generally get a shower every few days or each week, and
there’s often time to swim so you don’t get too dirty!
Though you are frequently in a small group, you will feel like you have known everyone in your larger community forever. The balance between small groups and the larger
community is one of the many keys to the success of our program. Every night the group comes together for an evening meeting, led by students, which quickly becomes
one of the highlights of the trip.
Even though you’re traveling, you can still send postcards home and your parents can write to you. You’ll be able to call home from the airport and also a few times during your Adventure. If your parents need anything at all, there is always someone from Adventure Treks available by phone, but parents won’t be able to call you directly. Parents will receive electronic updates during your trip so they can be involved in your Adventure.
Adventure Treks is much more than just a few weeks in the summer. Students often visit each other during the winter or host a weekend reunion with their group.
Our alumni plan trips together in college and then return to Adventure Treks as instructors. The friends you make here often remain your closest friends for life. As you sign up for your Adventure, keep in mind that everyone is nervous about the plane ride, meeting people, or trying a new activity.
You can always make excuses to stay at home, but this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Excited about the summer? Click here to join the Adventure Treks Online Community now!
