“I don’t know of any company who provides such a high level of comfort for the parents and the children. It’s like sending your child to visit a close family friend.”
- Nancy Crawford
Louisville, KY
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. The 16-day “Experience” is ideal for your first Adventure Treks experience.
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.
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 Experience 1:
ARRIVAL: Portland, OR airport (PDX)
Schedule arrival between 8 AM nad 1 PM on June 27
DEPARTURE: from Portland, OR airport (PDX)
Schedule departure between 6 AM and 1 PM on July 12
Pacific Northwest Experience 2:
ARRIVAL: Portland, OR airport (PDX)
Schedule arrival between 8 AM and 1 PM on July 25
DEPARTURE: from Portland, OR airport (PDX)
Schedule departure between 6 AM and 1 PM on August 9
Driving:
Pacific Northwest Experience 1:
ARRIVAL: Delta Baggage Claim #8 at the Portland, OR airport
Schedule arrival between 9 AM dn 10 AM on June 27
DEPARTURE: Food Court at the Portland, OR airport
Schedule pick up between 9 AM and 11 AM on July 12
Pacific Northwest Experience 2:
ARRIVAL: Delta Baggage Claim #8 at the Portland, OR airport
Schedule arrival between 9 AM and 10 AM on July 25
DEPARTURE: Food Court at the Portland, OR airport
Schedule pick up between 9 AM and 11 AM on August 9
June 27: Students arrive at Portland, OR (PDX) airport by 1 pm.
June 28: Day hike in Lake Silvia State Park.
June 29 - July 2: 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.
July 3-5: 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!
July 6: Logistics day (shop for food, do laundry, and clean vans). Drive to Leavenworth, WA.
July 7: 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 8: 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!
July 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.
July 11: 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!
July 12: Students fly out of Portland, OR (PDX) by 1pm.
July 25: Students arrive at Portland, OR (PDX) airport by 1 pm.
July 26: Day hike in Lake Silvia State Park.
July 27-30: 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.
July 31 - August 2: 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 3: Logistics day (shop for food, do laundry, and clean vans). Drive to Leavenworth, WA.
August 4: 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.
August 5: 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 6-7: 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 8: 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 9: 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 Experience is a perfect trip for students who are currently in 6th-7th 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. This is a great trip for students who want the next step beyond summer camp, with only 2 weeks away from home.
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 m ake 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!
Tessa Dawson - Tessa’s first trip with Adventure Treks was as a 12-year-old student. Since then, she has been on three other Adventure Treks trips as a student, and this is her fifth year as a Trip Leader. She has led trips for Camp Green Cove, led educational trips with High Rock’s LEAP program and taught skiing at Mammoth Mountain, CA. Tessa is a graduate of Colorado College where she had the opportunity to study in Kenya and lead a trip to Mission Wolf, a wolf sanctuary in Colorado. Tessa has also taught outdoor education programs for Outward Bound in Australia. Most recently she has been working as a Ski Patroller at Park City, Utah where she was able to throw bombs and create avalanches! She is a Wilderness EMT, Outdoor Emergency Care Technician, Avalanche level 1 and 2, and a Swift Water Rescue Technician.
Chris Lodge - Chris grew up in Colorado and settled in Oregon, where he teaches environmental for Northwest Regional Outdoor School. He earned his degree in Environmental Studies from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and has graduated from a NOLS semester in Patagonia. Chris has led wilderness trips with Educo Leadership Adventures based in Colorado, and has worked for the US Forest Service and various non-profits doing trail and sensitive ecosystem restoration. Chris is certified as a Leave No Trace Trainer, PADI Open Water Diver, and Wilderness EMT. He loves backpacking, bicycling, and cooking in the backcountry.
Carolyn Jackson – After four years as an Adventure Treks student, Carolyn joins us for her second year as an instructor. She recently graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Geography. She has previously worked for NBC News during political conventions as well as the Vancouver Olympics. Carolyn enjoys running, hiking, snowshoeing, climbing, skiing, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
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Josh Goldbach – Josh holds a degree in Psychology from Eckerd College and also graduated from the NOLS Rocky Mountain Outdoor Educator semester. He is currently working as a field instructor for the Boojum Institute in Southern California. In his free time, he is an avid telemark skier, rock climber, and backpacker. Josh is a Leave No Trace Master Educator, a lifeguard, and a certified Wilderness EMT.
Maddee Rubenson - Maddee is a native Oregonian, and she has also lived in Italy and Mexico. She is a graduate from Oregon State University with a degree in Earth Sciences. Maddee has worked as a guide on Mount St. Helens and has been a rock climbing instructor with OSU. She enjoys climbing, backpacking, and frolicking in the sunshine. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
Cedric Gamble - Born in the Adirondacks of New York, Cedric grew up climbing, sailing, and mountain biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. He graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in Environmental Studies. For the last six summers Cedric has led trips and taught outdoor skills classes for kids at YMCA camps in New York and Washington. His favorite adventures have been mountaineering in Chilean Patagonia, backcountry skiing in New York and Vermont, and rock climbing in the Adirondacks. Cedric is a Wilderness First Responder.
*Instructors may change prior to your trip – we’ll let you know if this happens.
Reviewed by: Andrew Furtado
Date:December 19, 2011
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review:My favorite part was the "white water wafting" as we called it, and it was soo fun. I loved the view from Mt.St. Helens
Reviewed by: Sophie Zaller
Date:July 21, 2010
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review:Pac 16 was so much fun! I loved whitewater rafting and the 25-foot bridge jump on the White Salmon River. The instructors were great and I made a lot of new friends. Everybody felt like they fit in and were included in jokes, laughter and fun. Everyone on our trip made it to the top of Mount St. Helens and the view from the summit was amazing.I will definitely be returning to AT next year.
Reviewed by: Abby Daniel
Date:June 7, 2010
Rating: 5 out of 5
Reviewed by: Ry Storey-Fisher
Date: February 10, 2010
Rating: 5 out of 5
Pac-16 is an incredible trip filled with thrilling activities, awesome kids, and amazing instructors. Nothing is better than the moment when you finally reach the peak of Mt. St. Helens and look down on what you have just climbed. This trip was so fun!
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: | 16 days |
| Dates: |
I June 27 - July 12 II July 25 - August 9 |
| Grades: | 6-7 |
| Activities: | |
| States: |
Washington |
| Price: | $2995 |
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