Student Testimonials
Every summer, students fill out evaluations of our trips. We ask questions like, “What did you learn from your time at Adventure Treks? What did you think about your instructors?” Our students weigh in below!
Summer 2024 testimonials
Leadership Summit has helped me grow so much, both in hard outdoor skills like tying knots, and in softer skills like leading. AT has helped my confidence increase and shown me what I want to do with my life. The community is amazing; it made AT better than any other camps I’ve done because it was very welcoming and open. The experience could only have been better if it was longer (I didn’t want to leave). – Ella from CA
Don’t think about whether or not you are going to have 10/10 fun for reach activity—it will be so much better than you can imagine, and your friends will make even the down days the highlight of the trip. I’ve learned that keeping long-distance friendships isn’t hard! It’s easier than I thought to get closer to people in such a short amount of time, and I’ve made some great friends I expect to keep for a long time. – Anonymous student
AT is not just a program to be outdoors—it is a community full of loving, funny, sweet people. Friendships that last will be made. Your love for yourself and the world around you will increase, and your appreciation for it will grow! – Claire from OH
This program brings out the best side of you and increases your self-confidence so much. – Sadie from MD
This friends I made throughout my experience helped me discover myself even more and overcome many challenges. I learned I can do more than I think. It’s a challenging adventure in which you make good friends and learn more about yourself. – Maddox from NC
Friendships are the reason I come back to AT. The people make every backpack and moment valuable and joyful. My experiences have taught me to be more independent when it comes to planning trips, and they have fueled my passion to spend more time outdoors. – Jorge from the Dominican Republic
Adventure Treks is the perfect way to make strong connections, have an unforgettable experience, and learn to love everything, everywhere, all the time. I learned that I can do anything and that life is too short to sit at home and do nothing. – Lucy from FL
I have an amazing group of friends that I’ve known for three to four years from AT, and that is the biggest reason that I have so much fun and come back every year. It’s been the best four years of my life! – Jack from CA
I loved the relationships I made on the trip; it was awesome to meet new people and feel like we had known each other for a long time. AT is an awesome way to explore the outdoors, make new friendships, and overall just learn to enjoy life. – Anonymous
AT was an awesome experience that gave me new friends, confidence, and a love for the outdoors. It is a great way to escape a hectic life and experience nature with a great group of people. – Anonymous
Adventure Treks is an opportunity to persevere and become resilient and comfortable within yourself. – Grace from NJ
My experiences at Adventure Treks have taught me that pushing past my comfort zone will help me grow, that I am stronger than I think I am, and that I can learn something new, even when I’ve done an activity before, especially from other people. AT is one of my favorite places to be—this is my fourth trip, and I’m so glad I have kept coming back, because I feel like it gets better every time. – Greta from CA
The friends I’ve made will allow me to explore new places with new people, and these are relationships I will have for a lifetime. This year I strengthened friendships as well as formed new ones that resulted in an incredible trip. I’ve learned to be able to adapt to difficult situations and still stay positive even through the toughest of the tough, and that people from all around the country can connect on a variety of topics and all come together. Adventure Treks is an experience you can’t do any other time in your life, and you will gain and establish so many skills you’ll always have. – Jack from MA
Adventure Treks is a place that teaches you that you are fully in charge and have the capability to change your experience and shift it to better yourself and inevitably others. The last two years, I have made some of the greatest relationships ever. These are people I am positive I will see again in the future. – Aleska from British Columbia
My friends on this trip were by far the best AT friends I’ve ever made, and probably some of the best anywhere. We all felt like a community instantly, and it made me so much more excited for everything we did. AT is an incredible experience that will change your whole attitude on life. You meet so many cool people from all over the world and learn you can connect with anyone. I’ve learned how to be more resilient and make it through, even when things are the most tough. – Avery from NC
AT is an amazing experience where you learn to love the outdoors even more and make some of the best friends you could possibly have. All the girls in my group became friends really fast. It made the trip even more fun because I had people to have fun with me. I learned to enjoy the little things in life and fun have even when the situation isn’t ideal. – Sonia from CA
AT taught me that I can push myself and do more than I think. My friends were amazing and helped me so much on my trip. They encouraged me and helped me be a strong person. They made my experience one of the best. The community you become part of sticks with you forever. You’ll never feel alone or scared when you’re with your group. – Zoe from WV
Adventure Treks made these past two summers the best of my life. I love AT so much. – Alex from WA
AT’s a really cool place to try new things and learn about yourself. It also lets you appreciate teh world around you in a new way. – Anonymous
Adventure Treks has taught me that making new friends is so much more enjoyable without phones. It also taught me leadership skills and how to be more independent. – Virginia from SC
Adventure Treks will be the best experience of your life—hands-down. – Preston from MD
I think the people you meet at AT are the major reason the trips are so good. I cam ehere not knowing anybody, and I felt like I had already developed great friendships halfway through my trip. The best thing AT taught me was how to live in the moment. – Anonymous
My AT trip taught me to not be shy to take risks, make friends, or leave my comfort zone. My friends made me feel so much more comfortable and free and absolutely benefitted my trip.
I learned to be able to appreciate the outdoors and my life in the “real world.” And I was most surprised by my ability to problem-solve in new scenarios! – Neuan from South Korea
My friends supported me through challenges and made me laugh and smile so much; they truly made the experience the best it could be. AT does such a great job of giving you the opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone and have so much fun with amazing people while doing it. – Ana Paula from MD
The friends on Leadership Summit made my Adventure Treks experience absolutely amazing. I loved how close we all are, and how it allows every moment to be so much fun. It’s a unique space where all sorts of people with a common outdoor passion come together and have way too much fun. I learned that I am capable of much more than I let myself believe and that I am capable of making very meaningful relationships. – Olivia from PA
The friends I made on this trip elevated the overall experience. Every sight and activity was made better by the convos, quoets, and actions of my friends. – Anonymous
This trip is not about the activities or the hikes. It’s about the people who do it with you. The friends, the instructors—they are the people who bring this trip to its full potential. – Joey from CA
I loved the small community that allowed for close bonding. My friendships grew strong and will be cherished for a lifetime. I’ve learned to pursue my passions despite nervousness, to be my most genuine self, and grow in my self-awareness and confidence. It is a life-changing experience where you’ll form indescribable connections and experience incredible things. Thank you to AT for the incredible instructors for providing such a positive, life-altering trip that has made such a profound difference in my life. – Sam from KS
My friends on this trip are ones for life. They entertained me through long days and even illness. Laughter was consistent, jokes neverending. I’ve learned how to care for others and how to be cared for myself (like when I saw others fighting over who got to carry heavy items when some people weren’t feeling well, and donating layers to each other when it was cold). When I show AT photos to friends at home, they are in awe by the scenery and mountains. But what awes me is the people and community. Adventure Treks forms bonds through challenge, shared experiences, helping hands, and laughter. The experience isn’t comparable to anything else. – Izzie from London
It’s a challenging but very valuable and exciting experience! The community was so welcoming, and I definitely found like I found my place, even though it was my first summer. The friends I made here made it so, so fun. And I learned I can do hard things even if I thought I couldn’t at first. – Anonymous
I love the kind of people who do these trips. No one was judgmental and I laughed so hard. It was fun to be with people who were excited, too. I learned that I’m stronger than I think. It was an epic outdoor adventure, camp-style! You’ll get close with a whole group of amazing people, and be rewarded for stepping outside of your comfort zone! – Anonymous
AT has created such an amazing community for me with the best instructors. I did the coolest things during my two weeks! – Ashley from MD
2023 testimonials
I loved how kind and funny my instructors were. They looked out for us and helped us have such a great time. I was surprised how quickly I came to love the outdoors and not care about being dirty. AT helped me realize my love for the outdoors and explore a world completely out of my comfort zone. – Skylar from NJ
Adventure Treks taught me to not think “I can’t do this” the first time I see something and to have a more positive mindset. This was a really good experience to have: to live a whole different lifestyle, and try new things, and to improve at the things you can already do. And my instructors were extremely funny and helpful and cared for us a lot. – Nivedita from CA
Adventure Treks has taught me how to become a better leader within my community, how to volunteer, how to think about others before I take action, and how to trust myself in every action I take, whether it’s rock climbing, mountain biking, or kayaking. AT also taught me how to love my surroundings and cherish those around me in the outdoors. Alaska was the best trip I’ve ever had; it was amazing in every way possible. AT is a place where you can challenge and push yourself to reach your goals and build your leadership skills. Thank you so much for three amazing years. I learned and saw so many things. – James from NC
Adventure Treks is my home away from home. – Elliot from OR
Another trip checked off with Adventure Treks. After completing the Yellowstone Teton adventure in 2022, I knew I was ready and up for a more challenging trip. California Challenge seemed inviting to me because of the very rewarding backpacks listed in the trip guide. I had a few friends from the past year and the reunion at the airport was wonderful. Truly one of the most amazing things about AT is how everyone quickly bonds together. I truly feel coming out of this year that I have made lifelong friendships with people whom I could never have met at home. This trip consisted of three backpacks. Backpacking is where the most bonding happens. After hiking for 10 hours, the best thing to do is to sit and relax in each other’s presence. AT is far from complete comfort. There’s moments when cooking dinner seems impossible considering standing up is already kind of far-fetched. But it’s times like this where you learn to persevere and appreciate the small things. California challenge was exceptionally special as we got to attempt the summit of Mt. Shasta. Everyone made it as far as they could and looking down from your highest point was so rewarding, like you really are on top of the world. Mt. Shasta was a trip I will never forget as we hustled, worked together, and pushed past our limits. In the end, it was so worth it. On the Lost Coast, we hiked along black sandy beaches with the vast ocean on one side and the foggy bluffs on the other. Tucking into bed under the starry clear skies on the most comfortable beaches was such a reward and an unforgettable feeling. We also spent a few days rafting and kayaking along the rivers. This is something I absolutely fell in love with on the Yellowstone trip and only expanded this love in California. Raft days are typically more calm and are spent floating around in the water and splashing each other to cool down. Overall, California Challenge was an amazing trip—every little bit is immaculately planned out and shifted to adhere to our group. For me, this trip is not the end—next summer I am excited to go on another trip with Adventure Treks, hopefully heading out to Alaska and maybe even meeting back with friends from this year. AT will never disappoint; it truly teaches me so much about myself and about how to live in the outdoors. I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met and excited for the many connections I’ll continue to make! – Aleksa from British Columbia
AT is an experience that will not only bring out a love for the outdoors you never knew you had, but also teach you valuable lessons that you’ll carry for the rest of your life. – Hannah from Arlington, VA
My instructors were all so funny and helpful and kind. They always knew how to help us and make us feel better. I learned to have confidence in everything I do, how kind people can be, to appreciate everything in life—and to do it all at my own pace. – Niharika from CA
AT has helped with my college transition immensely. The self-confidence and leadership skills I gained on my two AT trips has helped me step into adulthood and college life with a vigor that I would have otherwise lacked. It’s easier being so far away from home after the ‘away’ experience AT provided; it’s a comfortable familiarity to make new friends after practicing making such connections at AT, and the memories and experiences of AT encourage me daily to step outside my comfort zone, be adventurous, and look for true meaning in everyday life. I am beyond grateful for everything AT has done for me. I would not be the same person if not for the amazing program everyone on the Adventure Treks team works to create. Thank you for all that you do, and all that you teach. – Samantha from KS
AT is a place that feels like a second home, with everyone going through the same challenges and gaining the same great adventure. It will teach you how to collaborate with others in a short time period, and how to be more open-minded and understanding of others. – Aurelia from NC
Adventure Treks is a place where you can truly be yourself and everyone will love you for it. – Asa from TX
AT has taught me how to be a better team player and that I can do more than I think I can—if I can summit a mountain, I can survive school! And that I always have people in my corner. It’s the most insane thing I’ve ever done, but also by far the best experience I won’t forget. – Jackie from MD
AT gave me a love for the outdoors and people skills. I have made such amazing friends that I plan to keep for the rest of my life and who feel like family. It’s a truly thrilling and life-changing experience that I’m so grateful to have had… For the second time, I have met some of the best people here. And my instructors love their jobs, care about the students, and are truly interesting people. – Maddy from CA
AT is an amazing leadership-building program full of lifelong memories, self-challenge, and community-building opportunities. – Tate from CA
AT taught me that I can do anything as long as I believe in myself, and that challenges aren’t as big as they seem. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do. – Paige from NC
Every step I’ve taken at Adventure Treks has taken me to the coolest places I’ve ever been. I’ve made friends here that I’ll have forever. – Tobi from OR
AT taught me how to be my best self, and that you can have fun no matter what. There is no growth inside your comfort zone. – Mandy from NC
Our instructors were so funny and easy to be around all the time. They helped me learn that things always get better, and that you can have fun without technology. – Callie from NC
Adventure Treks has given me friendships that will last a long time, and it’s taught me how to lead my peers and create inclusive environments. It’s a great way to see new things, too. – Zayda from NC
AT has taught me to always be myself and trust my gut, and that I am more capable than I thought. It was so fun and eye-opening. I was nervous because I’m not super outdoorsy, but I felt welcomed and had no problem adjusting to this amazing experience. – Ella from MD
My instructors treated us like young adults instead of like kids, and allowed us to help make decisions alongside them. I’ve learned at Adventure Treks that I want to live a carefree lifestyle where I give myself the ability to explore all there is in the world. It’s taught me that I am capable of more than I think, and not to judge so quickly. And, most important, that I am enough. I always develop a stronger appreciation for nature and make unforgettable memories and great friends. – Ella from PA
Adventure Treks offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find your inner strength, see some of the most gorgeous places you ever will, and form lifelong friendships. I’ve learned that mental strength is often more important than physical strength. – Emmy from MD
Going to Adventure Treks is the best decision I’ve ever made. – Tyler from GA
Adventure Treks brought me to the coolest places I have ever been with the greatest group dynamic I’ve ever been a part of. – Jack from VA
AT has taught me that I can do so much more than I think I can, that I can do things with a fun and positive mindset, and that I can create community with anyone. – Corinne from TX
Adventure Treks pushes you outside your comfort zone in the best way: You learn new skills, build self-confidence, and become really close with the people you’re with. It’s difficult, but the most fun I’ve ever had. And you learn that even when you think you can’t do something, usually it’s just that thought holding you back. – Greta from CA
AT gives you better appreciation for life. Hiking helps you discover the beauty of the world, and camp life helps you appreciate the people around you. Adventure Treks has been a big part of my life for a while. I have learned so much and grown so much. Thank you. – Dunn from NC
AT was literally one of the best experiences of my life. I learned how to really value everything and to seek experiences out of my comfort zone. It’s really an unforgettable experience with amazing people in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. – Preston from MD
My three trips (especially Leadership Summit) helped me to grow as a leader in such surprising ways. I learned more about myself and how I can engage with others to help make the trip successful. It also reignited my passion and love for the outdoors while connecting me with wonderful people. – Maya from NC
AT is an unforgettable experience with amazing people in some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Literally one of the best experiences of my life. – Preston from MD
Adventure Treks is truly unique in that you bond so quickly and deeply with people from across the country and globe, while experiencing new and sometimes once-in-a-lifetime things together. My instructors felt like friends and could goof off with us, but I still felt like they could take charge and lead us. They built a bond with each person that made me feel extremely safe and comfortable. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am thankful to every person here and everything that went into planning and pulling this off for us. – Claire from PA
Adventure Treks is a life-changing experience that will not only grow your physical, mental, and emotional strength, but also change your outlook on people and the world for the better. I enjoyed my third trip beyond comparison. – Mac from NY
