Being an Adventure Treks instructor for the last seven years has taught me many things. I’ve learned to be more confident, believe in myself, and how to make any situation fun. I’ve also learned that it’s OK to show some vulnerability, that conflict is a healthy thing, and that giving a genuine compliment feels better […]
We are excited that Austin Coolidge will be joining us this summer for his third season as an Adventure Treks instructor. Seasons with Adventure Treks: I’ve been with Adventure Treks for two seasons (one summer and one fall), and I am returning for a third season this summer! University attended: University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. I […]
Leaving at sunrise on the morning of December 24, three-year Adventure Treks instructor Pete Basinger began his journey on the Baja Divide, an approximately 1,570-mile bikepacking route down the length of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico. Pete, currently a resident of Durango, CO, is a fifth-grade teacher who lives for multi-day adventures on his mountain […]
One of the first questions we hear from families and students is, “What will I be eating at Adventure Treks? Is it only going to be freeze-dried meals or granola bars?” Fortunately, the answer is, “No way!” A big component of a successful Adventure Treks trip is food. We eat well at every meal, and we […]
Former student Amara Cohen, now a student at the University of Chicago, shares how her Adventure Treks experiences have helped her thrive in her first year of college. So, Amara, what was your “aha” moment when you realized the impact Adventure Treks has had on your life? During the orientation week, I was at a barbecue with […]
At Adventure Treks, we pride ourselves on creating long-term relationships with our families and students. Our executive director, John “Dock” Dockendorf, can recall every student we’ve ever taken on a summer adventure. Kiko Sweeney is a phenomenal example of how the Adventure Treks experience stays with our community long after their trips ends: Kiko was a […]
As we round the corner into holiday season, an age-old question for Adventure Treks parents often comes up as outdoor adventure clothing makes its way onto our students’ wish lists: Which material is best: cotton, wool, or synthetic? Given the number of choices you face at the store and online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and have […]
I grew up with six siblings, and when you said you were bored, you stood a good chance of having to get a job. We didn’t have cell phones, laptops, or more than three channels on our TV, which made unstructured playtime a completely different ballgame than what kids are used to this electronics-filled era. These days, we rarely hear “I’m […]
Before heading out on an outdoor adventure with friends or family, it’s important to obtain a good first aid kit (FAK)—and know how to use it! When it comes to finding the perfect FAK, there are two ways to go about it: purchase a pre-designed kit available at most outdoor stores, or create one from […]
We originally wrote this blog as a polite response to a parent who has decided that as much as her son loves Adventure Treks, next summer, he will instead devote his time to SAT prep courses and college essay writing clinics instead of returning to the mountains he loves. While we have seen many students […]