Entries by Amanda Fox

Staff Spotlight: Kelly Dohn

Kelly earned a degree from the University of Montana in Missoula, majoring in fine arts. She is returning for her third season at Adventure Treks this summer. Last year, Kelly led students on the Yellowstone Adventure trips! What is your favorite AT activity? That is so hard to choose, but I think my favorite thing […]

Q&A with an Adventure Treks Alumni

Former student Spencer Butts, who did five Adventure Treks trips and is now a freshman at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, shares how his AT experiences have helped shape his life so far. (Spencer will be joining Camp Pinnacle for his first year as a counselor this summer!) What was your “aha” moment when you […]

It’s Time for Teenagers to Reclaim Conversation

Twenty-five years ago, Adventure Treks was founded, we didn’t realize that one of the biggest benefits of AT would be the opportunity to escape electronic devices and engage in face-to-face conversation over an extended period of time. The book Reclaiming Conversation by MIT’s Sherry Turkle, the leading sociologist studying humans’ relationship to technology, has given us […]

How to Make Friends the Adventure Treks Way

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 […]

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Staff Spotlight: Austin Coolidge

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 […]

Adventure Treks Instructor Nabs Record on the Baja Divide

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 […]

What is the Food Like at Adventure Treks?

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 […]

Q&A with an Adventure Treks Alumna

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 […]

Kiko Sweeney: Why This Student-Turned-Instructor Keeps Coming Back

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 […]

Cotton vs. Synthetic: Why Synthetic is Actually the Natural Choice

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 […]