Entries by Amanda Fox

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Denali

A select number of lucky Adventure Treks students have caught a glimpse of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain, on clear days during our Alaska Expedition. The mountain is located in the third largest national park in the United States, and the backpacking route used by AT students is within Denali State Park, just southeast of […]

Friendships Forged in the Outdoors

Let’s set the scene: It’s the opening day at Adventure Treks! Students have arrived, the group is on their way from the airport to their first campsite, and the van is filled with nervous laughter and typical “get to know you” questions: “where are you from?” “how was your flight?” “have you ever done this […]

Student Essay: My Leadership Adventure Semester Experience

By Katie Stevens, Adventure Treks Leadership Adventure Semester 2021 alum Our Leadership Adventure Semester students seeking college credit submit an essay as part of their academic requirements. Katie Stevens, who attended our summer 2021 Leadership Adventure Semester in the Pacific Northwest, wanted to share her essay and experience with the Adventure Treks community.  Before this […]

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Olympic National Park

Adventure Treks has been visiting the Pacific Northwest for 28 years; in fact, our very first trip took place in Washington and Oregon! A favorite spot of students and instructors alike, Olympic National Park offers every kind of terrain, from rugged seashores to high alpine peaks, with biodiverse flora and fauna in between. Here are […]

Recognizing Different Learning Styles in the Outdoors

What are learning styles? We all process new information differently! There are many “styles” of learning that define the way that someone best receives and retains new knowledge. One or multiple styles might apply to any individual. Below are the four most common learning styles defined. 1. Visual These are folks who learn best by […]

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

As you may know, November is Native American Heritage Month, dedicated to honoring indigenous peoples and their culture, and learning about and understanding the true history of Natives in America. The heritage of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and First Nations of British Columbia (National Indigenous History Month is celebrated in June in Canada) is a […]

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Mt. Shasta

Fun facts about Mt. Shasta As any Adventure Treks student who has climbed Mt. Shasta can tell you, this mountain has a lot going on. From spectacular beauty and long-range views to spectacularly strange claims of extraterrestrial activity, the history and folklore of one of our favorite mountaineering destinations is worth looking into. Here are […]

Pura Vida! Start Your Spring Gap in Costa Rica

Our inaugural spring Leadership Adventure Semester (LAS) gap program is filling up! We are so excited to embark on this adventure with our students. The first two weeks of spring LAS will take place in beautiful, warm, sunny Costa Rica. Straddling two oceans and continents, Costa Rica is home to some of the greatest biodiversity […]

Why Take an Outdoor Adventure Gap Semester?

Since its inception in 1993, Adventure Treks has provided education, growth, and unforgettable memories for more than 20,000 middle and high schoolers seeking fun and challenging outdoor programs. The philosophy behind Adventure Treks summer programs remains steadfast: to foster inclusive communities through the beautiful outdoors and create meaningful growth opportunities for teens. Now, with the […]

Gear Series: Tips for Buying Fleece

Interpreting the language of outdoor retail When it comes to buying outdoor gear for Adventure Treks (or even for a personal trip), there’s nothing more daunting than trying to decipher every obscure label, material, fabric, and technology that comes with buying even the simplest outdoor item these days. But Adventure Treks is here to help! […]