“Adventure Treks’ unique emphasis on the ‘culture of kindness’ and the way they form adolescent students into a true community is what separates Adventure Treks from other programs”
– Patricia Soong
Hillsborough, CA
How many people get to climb to the top an active volcano? You will remember the view from the summit of Mount St. Helens forever. Raft, hike, sea kayak, and rock climb while laughing more than you ever thought possible. Develop an appreciation for the natural world around you. This trip has an additional backpacking trip (versus the 16-day Experience) where communities become even closer, and you have more time to spend with new friends.
See sunsets you'll remember for a lifetime as you backpack along a secluded wilderness beach for four days. This rocky, rugged coastline is home to sea lions, seals, otters, eagles and tide pools. Hear the waves crashing in the distance as you sleep on the sandy beach.
See harbor seals, eagles and other wildlife as you and your partner paddle a tandem sea kayak. Explore Bird Island and hunt for crabs and clams along the shoreline and play Sardines in an historic fort. Keep an eye out for the legendary 800-pound octopus beneath the water in Port Townsend Bay.
Feel the grit of the rock beneath your fingertips as you climb in this dramatic granite canyon. We set up a variety of routes so you can choose your level of challenge. Learn the fundamentals of climbing and see how quickly your skills improve. End the day with a refreshing swim in a nearby river.
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.
You’ll camp at Climber's Bivouac as you prepare to climb the active volcano. It’s an early start the next morning when your summit team begins the ascent in the dark. At the 8,365-foot summit you'll be above the clouds and see the crater beneath you, still smoking from the 1980 eruption. Glissade (slide down) on the snow for high-speed fun.
Discover mountains capped with snow, beautiful lakes, and maybe even a marmot or a herd of Mule Deer. You'll walk beside many cascading rivers and among gigantic Fraser Firs. See stunning views - there are more glaciers in the North Cascades than any other park in the US!
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.
Flights:
Pacific Northwest Adventure:
ARRIVAL: Seattle, WA airport (SEA)
Schedule arrival between 8 AM and 1 PM on June 25
DEPARTURE: from Portland, OR airport (PDX)
Schedule departure between 6 AM and 1 PM on July 12
Driving:
Pacific Northwest Adventure:
ARRIVAL: Baggage Claim #5 at the Seattle, WA airport
Schedule arrival between 9 AM and 10 AM on June 25
DEPARTURE: Food Court the Portland, OR airport
Schedule pick up between 9 AM and 11 AM on July 12
July 24: Students arrive at Seattle, WA (SEA) airport by 1 pm.
July 25: Day hike to Pyramid Lake in the North Cascades National Park.
July 26-28: Backpack for 3 days in North Cascades National Park. 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. A highlight will be summiting 4th of July Pass and camping on the top!
July 29: Drive to Leavenworth, WA. Have a picnic lunch near Lake Chelan at one of the many orchards along the way. You may even get to pick your own fruit off the tree!
July 30: 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 an exciting day of rock climbing.
July 31: 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!
August 1: Logistics day (shop for food, do laundry, and clean vans). Drive to Forks, WA on the Olympic Peninsula.
August 2-5: 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 with huge stone monoliths just offshore is an experience you will not forget.
August 6-8: Paddle a sea kayak for 3-days 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. Cook dinner on a private island and explore an abandoned fort!
August 9-10: 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.
August 1: 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!
August 12: Students fly out of Portland, OR (PDX) by 1pm.
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 who are currently in 8-9th 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 if I've never flown across country before?
Many of the students on this trip are first-time travelers. Learn more about Traveling to and From Adventure Treks and how we help to make it easy for parents and students.
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!
Dave “Dmac” McGlashan –Dmac is our Educational Program Director, and a fifth-year Trip Leader. He has a Master’s in Recreation from The University of Tennessee and is a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School. He is a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and American Canoe Association Kayak Instructor. He has climbed and kayaked all over the world, most recently in Southeast Asia.
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Deena Aly - Deena hails from New York where she earned a degree in Biology from Vassar College and worked for Atlantis Marine World, an Aquarium on Long Island. Deena is currently a Marine Science Instructor on Catalina Island, CA, introducing students to the kelp forests of the Pacific. She has been a Trip Leader in Victoria, Australia, a sea kayak guide in Western Australia, and she has also worked as an outdoor educator on Grand Manan Island, Canada and Orcas Island, Washington. Deena is a Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Lifeguard and a certified NAUI diver. This is Deena’s second year with Adventure Treks.
Liz Doby - Born in Virginia, Liz earned a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland where she raced with their cycling team, twice competing in Collegiate Nationals. Upon graduation she moved to the mountains of Colorado to pursue her passion for the outdoors. She has worked as a raft guide on rivers in both CO and WV and has done numerous multi-day trips, including one on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. She has taught and coached a swimming, downhill skiing, and Nordic skiing in Breckenridge and Steamboat ski resorts. She is a Swift Water Rescue Technician as well as an Emergency Medical Technician.
Mike Paruszkiewicz - Mike grew up playing drums and traveling with rock bands in Chicago, Illinois where he earned a B.A. in Film from Columbia College. He spent five years as an editor and graphic artist in the television industry before fleeing to the Pacific Northwest in 2007 to be a full-time outdoor adventurer. He has been working for the US Forest Service in the Mt. Hood backcountry, teaching at NWRESD Outdoor School on the Oregon coast, and earning a second degree in Economics at Portland State University since then. Mike has climbed, surfed, and backpacked in several countries and is a Wilderness First Responder.
Greg Coit grew up in New Hampshire where he discovered his passion for the outdoors. As a recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Outdoor Education, he spends his time rock climbing and skiing all over the country. Greg spent last summer as a rock climbing instructor at Camp High Rocks in Cedar Mountain, NC and has since been instructing climbing at the White Mountain School and skiing at Cannon Mountain in NH. Greg is also a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School where he completed a semester long course in the Rocky Mountains. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor.
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Shauna Foster- A New York native, Shauna spent time rock and ice climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, horseback riding, caving, kayaking, and backpacking regularly. Shauna hasn’t deviated from her roots; she has been an outdoor leader working for Outward Bound, the YMCA, Adventures in Reality, Columbia Greene Community College, and SUNY Potsdam. She is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education in Leadership and Adventure Education. She has also volunteered with the Student Conservation Association maintaining portions the Appalachian Trail, Yellowstone’s Thorofare Region, and the Grand Canyon’s diverse trail network. She is a certified Leave No Trace Trainer, Leave No Trace Master Educator, Lifeguard, Rescue Level Ropes Course and Wilderness First Responder. Shauna is returning for her second summer as a trip leader.
*Instructors may change prior to your trip. We'll let you know if this happens.
Reviewed by: Jeanmarie LaPointe
Date: January 2012
Rating: 5 out of 5
I'm writing this almost 4 months after my trip, and i can safely say there isn't a day that goes by thst i don't think about A.T! This was my first time doing a lot of things, including traveling alone across the country. I really cannot think of anything that could possibly be wrong with this trip. It was 3 weeks that went by too fast. I cant wait to expeiriance my second year at A.T in 2012!!! :D Thank you for the best expieriance of my life. (Dock, Deena, D-mac, Shauna, Liz, Mike, and Greg)
Reviewed by: Eryn Lorberbaum
Date: June 2011
Rating: 5 out of 5
This was by far the best summer of my life. The friends that I made during these 19 days will stay close with me for the rest of my life. The food was great and there was ALWAYS enough for everyone. The scenery was magnificent! Everyone was so accepting to every personality, it was overall just an amazing experience that i will forever cherish! Thanks AT :) <3
Reviewed by: Esther Lowndes
Date: November 2010
Rating: 5 out of 5
Adventure Treks is the most amazing group of instructors and staff you will find anywhere. Their safety record is impeccable and their instructors are the most knowledgeable anywhere. Within hours they have a group of young people from all over the country who don't know each other laughing and playing games to get to know each other and form a community that last a lifetime. Their choice of activities for the 19 days is incredible and keeps the teenagers engaged and teaches them not only new skills but responsibility and self esteem. Our daughter went 3 years with AT and now our neice has been two and is signed up for next summer already. Go AT!!
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!
Our administrative staff welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions and help you choose the best summer experience for your child.
1. Fill out our online application or apply by phone by calling 888-954-5555 Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST. Submit an $800 deposit to hold your place on the adventure of your choice.
2. We intentionally limit the size of our program, so enrollment is limited. Please send in your application early to ensure a place on the trip of your choice.
3. Our acceptance process ensures a great peer group for your child. We require an essay and 2 references from each new student, and we may also arrange a brief phone interview to get to know your child better.
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: | 20 days |
| Dates: | July 24 - August 12 |
| Grades: | 8-9 |
| Activities: | Whitewater Rafting Rock Climbing Sea Kayaking Backpacking Mountaineering |
| States: |
Washington |
| Price: | $3595 |
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