Congratulations to our graduating class of 2018, soon to be the class of 2022! We know you all have worked extremely hard and are excited (and probably a bit nervous!) about the opportunities ahead.

The college application process is a challenging one. Some even construe it as broken, where teenagers with impeccable credentials, who have done everything “right” in high school, are routinely rejected or waitlisted by elite colleges. It’s not because they aren’t qualified to attend; it’s because there’s limited space available, and students have to fill a very specific mold and demonstrate the “appropriate level of interest” in order to be admitted.

Instead of celebrating these amazing teenagers, colleges are telling them they’re not good or doing enough. We would expect that despite our students’ success, they have almost certainly faced some rejection through this process. We hope no one takes it personally and that everyone has used their resilience gained at Adventure Treks to keep everything in perspective. If you weren’t accepted into your first-choice school for this fall, please know that you will thrive at any one of hundreds of wonderful universities. As Frank Brunei says in his great book, “Where you go is not who you will be.”

Regardless of this process, we are always impressed (but never surprised) at the remarkable schools that our Adventure Treks students will soon be attending. We feel privileged and grateful to have been a topic of many of your college essays. We believe that admissions officers appreciate the Adventure Treks experience because of how well it reflects on the character and community-mindedness that our students bring to campus.

Here’s an excerpt from former student Eli Burk’s acceptance letter from the University of Rochester: “For a major research university to thrive with just 5,300 undergraduates, each student has to make a personal and immediate contribution to campus life. The counselors recommended you for admission because of the lessons you learned from your experience climbing Alaska’s Matanuska Glacier. The committee and I are confident you will both stand out and grow stronger as part of the Rochester family.”

Or this nice quip from Lewis and Clark: “P.S. Your experience with Adventure Treks has prepared you nicely for our college outdoor program!”

More than reputation, we noticed that you all have chosen schools that are a good fit for your personalities, abilities, and interests. We’d like to emphasize again that what you will take away from your higher educational experience has little to do with the prestige or rank of a given college, and everything to do with the mindset and attitude with which you approach your collegiate career. Success in college is about the effort poured into the experience, your desire to fuel your passions, the relationships formed with new friends and faculty, and your ability to thrive in new and sometimes ambiguous situations. Having succeeded through outdoor challenges “in the middle of nowhere,” we all know that it’s what you bring to your future community that will define your college experience.

At a time when only 58 percent of students at four-year universities graduate within six years, we’re proud that the graduation rate of Adventure Treks students remains consistent at 98 percent! We believe the resilience, social confidence, and community mindset skills you’ve strengthened through your Adventure Treks experiences will allow you to navigate challenges in college seamlessly.

Below are where our high school graduates are headed for fall of 2018!

• Kevin Juneau, Colorado School of Mines
• Lola Motley, Bowdoin College
• Carly Brown, Dartmouth College
• Lila Watts, Dartmouth College
• Hannah Dubinski, University of Chicago
• Keegan Sweeney, American University
• Peter Benedict, Elon University
• Harry Sultan, Dartmouth College
• Jo de la Bruyere, Princeton University
• Cole Estrada, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Edward Estrada, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Blake Todor, Duke University
• Lily Kafka, Cornell University
• Eli Kline, Duke University
• Mitch Gustafson, Florida Atlantic University
• James Hill, Ohio University
• Eoin Schnell, gap year then Oberlin College
• Megan Klee, Thrive School
• Ezra Seegull, University of Michigan
• Alex Gaines, North Carolina State University
• Samantha Pancoe, University of Pennsylvania
• CJ Lavoie, gap year
• Elizabeth Paul, Rhodes College
• Jeremy Bers, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Tom Weimer, Indiana University
• Max Albers, University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Audrey Dockendorf, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Emma Cleveland, Washington and Lee University
• Ben Bragg, Washington and Lee University
• Josh Webb, Skidmore College
• Bill Zach, George Mason University
• Griffin Rocco, University of Colorado Boulder
• Alex Nichols, University of Colorado Boulder
• Ally Krause, St. Lawrence University
• Jack Evans, University of Vermont
• Lauren Salzman, Yale University
• Ben Whorf, Wake Forest University
• Addison Bent, Middlebury College
• Lena Hoplamazian, Princeton University
• River Friedman, The Cooper Union
• Charlotte Butcher, Dickinson College
• Alex Lopez, Bard College or Wesleyan College
• Julian Lopez, gap year then Trinity College
• Caroline Kimble, St. Olaf College
• Sophie Shack, University of Pittsburgh
• Jason Provanzano, Binghamton University
• Grace Beneke, Skidmore College
• Robert Evans, Indiana University
• Thayne Covert, University of Portland
• Huston Hamlin, North Carolina State University
• Madison Bain, Western Carolina University
• Jackson Megar, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Jeri Stoller, Colgate University
• Megan King, California State University Maritime Academy
• Sebastian Capeans, Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo

If we missed you, please tell us where you are heading so we can add you to this list and put you in touch with Adventure Treks students already at your new school!

Congratulations again from all of us at Adventure Treks!

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 much food for thought as we prepare for summer and look for ways to improve the learning benefits inherent in the AT experience. Here’s a quick summary.

As we all know, communication between teens these days is multimodal: Conversation rarely happens without some combination of talking, texting, looking at photos, and bringing in non-physically-present friends through chat. This multitasking communication changes the dynamic of communication from what we as parents experienced growing up. While we can’t stop this change, we can reflect on what, if anything, is being lost.

Unlike multimodal conversation, where we divide our attention, face-to-face conversation unfolds slowly and requires patience, tone, and nuance. True conversation is how we learn empathy, and the give and take and self-reflection of dialog determine what we actually think and believe. It’s more raw because conversation is instantaneous, and we are often asked to challenge our beliefs without having the time to research a point or polish our position. It allows us to be fully present and vulnerable, and experience the joy of being heard. It’s an opportunity to connect with others in a way you can’t when technology is present. Believe it or not, research shows that just the presence of a phone in the room, even if turned off, changes the dynamics of conversations, keeping them more superficial while avoiding topics of controversy or consequence.

Is it time to dismiss the belief driven by media and industry that the better connected we are, the better off we are? Technology’s perceived benefits are attractive, after all:

• We will always be heard (regardless of the importance of what we have to say).
• We can direct our attention to wherever we want it to be.
• We will never be alone—or bored.
• We will get a slight neurochemical high from connecting via technology as a result of receiving “likes,” “shares,” and new texts and emails.

But are these “benefits” actually good for our kids in the long run? Research shows that there has been a 40 percent reduction in markers for empathy in college students over the last 20 years, and most of this loss has developed over the past 10 years. This loss in empathy can be directly linked to habits resulting from the rise in digital communication. Beyond that, highly connected users of social media feel less accepted by peers, are not as good at identifying their own feelings (or the feelings of peers), and do not receive the same level of positive feelings after interacting with friends as do those who use social media less frequently. They also perform worse academically. Kids today report feeling more lonely than at any time in history, and incidence of teen mental health issues and suicides continue to rise. Technology can be a crutch that keeps kids from fully engaging in the real world, allowing them to engage only superficially, presenting a rehearsed rather than authentic self to the world.

We fear that our kids who have grown up surrounded by internet-connected technology don’t have the perspective to decide for themselves how to selectively let technology into their life. We fear that they won’t be able to realize the benefits of fully engaging with others through real, unfiltered conversation. And let’s admit it: Many of us adults have not been the best role models as we have tried to adapt to rapidly advancing technology (how often do we text, talk, or use Google when we are also engaging with our kids?). Two years ago we were talking through machines. Now we are talking directly to Alexa and Siri. It’s time to set an example.

We believe a summer trip with Adventure Treks can be an antidote. Research shows that it only takes four disconnected days outside for kids’ creativity to surge 40 percent. When we talk with kids at Adventure Treks, we see that they crave the opportunity for intensive face-to-face interactions and actually enjoy the break from technology. Returning home after an extended tech-free experience gives them new perspective on how digital communication can fit into their world at home as a tool, rather than something they “need” in order to socialize.

We’ve often felt evening tent conversations are some of the best times at Adventure Treks. There are no distractions (except impending sleep), and they have a chance to fully engage with friends in a way they don’t at a sleepover. When surrounded by the beauty and power of nature and the shared pride of outdoor accomplishments, conversations come easy, barriers come down, and friends engage at a level they rarely do elsewhere. Our nightly evening meeting format is also a vehicle that enables group conversations that help us form close communities. There is nothing superficial about friendships formed at Adventure Treks or the conversations we share. And without digital devices to divert our attention, there is time at Adventure Treks to reflect, gather one’s thoughts, and enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.

Further reading:

Can You Connect With Me Now? How the Presence of Mobile Communication Technology Influences Face-to-Face Conversation Quality, by Andrew K. Przybylski and Netta Weinstein (2012)

Changes in Dispositional Empathy in American College Students Over Time: A Meta-Analysis, by Sara Konrath, Edward O’Brien, and Courtney Hsing (2011)

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 have as much fresh food (including fruits and vegetables) as possible. Below, our logistics coordinator and food guru Kate Brown addresses a few common concerns.

Will my kid go hungry?

Definitely not. We always extra food available at Adventure Treks. A meal with the right number of portions is always one that has a little extra at the end. We emphasize having protein at every meal so that students are eating foods that fuel them for whatever outdoor activity they are doing that day.

You might ask, “What if my child does not eat as fast as other students. Will she miss out?” We do something called “seconds” at Adventure Treks to make sure everyone gets enough food. Students take just enough the first time through the meal line to make sure there is food leftover. After a little while, we’ll ask, “Does anyone want seconds?” Any student who is still hungry can go back through the meal line, again leaving enough for everyone to have another helping.

For our “bottomless pit” students, we always provide peanut butter and jelly at every meal, though it is never the main option. During the day, between meals, we always have snacks available for munching like peanut butter pretzels, fresh apples or oranges, different varieties of trail mix, pita chips and hummus, Goldfish, fig bars, or veggie chips!

I’m worried about the quality of food my kid will eat in an outdoor environment.

We eat real food at Adventure Treks, much like the meals you and your family eat at home. Almost anything you can cook in the kitchen that doesn’t require an oven or microwave can be cooked in the backcountry! However, when we say “backcountry,” that can bring to mind images of vacuum-sealed, dehydrated bags like MRE food. Not only is prepackaged outdoor food expensive, but it also does not taste as good!

At Adventure Treks, we use real ingredients for all of our meals. In the frontcountry, which includes places where we have access to our coolers, we prepare fresh food at almost every meal. We buy non-perishable items (pasta, rice, etc.) before our trip starts, and we restock every two to three days when we are in the frontcountry on fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat. The meals during backpacking and other backcountry activities are a little more limited than frontcountry meals, but they are still super tasty! We add vegetables to every meal in the backcountry that we can. On days four or five of a backpack, instead of fresh fruit, we may have dried fruit like cherries or raisins as snacks and for breakfast. We spice up food in creative ways during backpacks in a variety of ways, like with sun-dried tomatoes, fancy Parmesan cheese, and lots of spices!

What if my child has dietary restrictions, allergies, or is just a picky eater?

Many of our students have some sort of food allergy, and we are able to accommodate most of them. (If your student does have a food allergy or dietary restriction, we will likely have a phone conversation upon signing up.) Because we have vegetarians on almost every trip, we also make sure there is always a non-meat protein. All of our meals are made buffet-style so that students can create a personalized meal to their liking. Stir fry, for example, would have separate servings of rice, vegetables, chicken, tofu, extra sauces, and spices.

For picky eaters, we ask that they at least try foods at least once. We do provide dessert every evening; after a hot day of climbing it may be fresh watermelon, or we may make hot chocolate at the end of a mountain summit! After being active all day, it’s nice to have a small, sweet reward.

Food is a huge part of the Adventure Treks culture. We find that communities are built around food, and people are generally happier when they are full and have just eaten a delicious meal. Each year, we add new and exciting recipes. Many students and instructors say they eat better at Adventure Treks than they do at home! We are always happy to answer questions about food at Adventure Treks; give us a call anytime at 828-698-0399. If you’d like to see more of the meals that we create on trips, read this blog on meals and this blog on backcountry recipes.

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 trouble determining which fiber is best suited for your student’s outdoor experience. The answer is simple, kind of: They’re all beneficial in their own way on an Adventure Treks trip.

Cotton is OK when hanging out at camp!

Cotton

Many people who work and play in the outdoors are firmly anti-cotton, staying as far away from it as possible. Cotton clothing certainly has its limitations, but it also can provide comfort and functionality in certain outdoor conditions.

Pros

Light, breezy cotton feels great in hot environments where it’s safe and comfortable for your shirt to retain moisture. For example, wearing a cotton shirt for climbing in Colorado or mountain biking in California is totally OK! I love to wear cotton in environments that are dry and hot. The bottom line: Cotton is acceptable as long as you don’t have to depend on it to keep you warm if the weather turns cold or wet. If I wear cotton in the backcountry, I always have an additional layer to keep me warm and dry. The best place for cotton T-shirts at Adventure Treks are on non-water-based day trips in warm environments.

Cons

Cotton clothing retains moisture (i.e., sweat or precipitation) far more than synthetic or wool; i.e., cotton does not dry quickly. Wearing cotton in cold, wet, and windy conditions will not keep you warm or dry, leaving you at risk for emergencies like hypothermia. (And wet conditions can range from very humid environments to a subtle mist to pouring down rain.) A cotton shirt might be perfectly fine on three-mile day hike in California, where you’ll return to camp at night to change into warmer clothing. A cotton shirt is an absolute no-no as your main layer on a multi-day backpack in Washington.

Non-cotton-only clothing in the mountains!

Synthetic and Wool

Pros

First, what exactly does synthetic mean? Synthetic fabrics are usually a blend of polyester, nylon, spandex, or any combination thereof. Wool typically refers to merino wool, a fine and soft fiber. Both synthetic and wool are the materials of choice in the backcountry, especially when the weather may turn cold, wet, and windy. Synthetic and wool wick moisture away from your skin, dry quickly, and preserve body temperature, thereby helping you stay warm and dry when conditions go south. 

You’ll notice that many trips’ packing lists require several synthetic or wool baselayers along with fleece jackets. These fibers’ benefits increase with layering; a non-cotton T-shirt will wick sweat away as you hike, while a non-cotton mid- or outer layer helps keep you warm when it gets chilly.

When shopping for synthetic clothing, check the label. If the item is blended with cotton, it will not be as effective as 100 percent wool or synthetic.

Cons

Fortunately, there aren’t many! Wool is the most expensive option: it’s sustainably sourced, durable, and doesn’t retain body odor. Even though it’s a soft fabric, some may find it itchy. Synthetic options will be less expensive and just as durable; however, polyester tends to stink more, and more quickly. (We recommend washing all new items before wearing, especially synthetics, as they’ll retain the first scent they encounter. Laundry detergent usually smells a little nicer than BO…)

Don’t Forget the Socks! 

We talk a lot about non-cotton T-shirts, pants, and outer layers (fleece) on our packing lists, and sometimes parents forget about an equally important item: hiking socks! Because synthetic and wool socks wick away sweat from your feet, they help prevent blisters and keep feet dry. While cotton socks are fine when we’re hanging out at camp, moisture-wicking socks are absolutely crucial for every activity at Adventure Treks that requires tennis shoes or boots. Just remember: Cotton socks = soggy and blistered feet.

If you’re keen to go ahead and check out your student’s packing list, click here and navigate to the specific trip. Click on Trip Resources (on the right, under the main top photo), and scroll down to download the packing list PDF. We also have a store that you can browse; all of the items can be used on an Adventure Treks trip! 

The 6th and 7th grade from Battleground Academy from Franklin, TN is joining us this week.

Between hurricanes, wildfires, and unsettling international and domestic events, our world seems to be turning upside down. Our hearts go out to our Adventure Treks families in the Houston area. Fortunately, all seem to be doing OK and focused on helping others. We are grateful that Irma has spared our families in the Dominican Republic but it’s with nervous anticipation that we fear for our Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee families. Meanwhile, we have AT families in Oregon packing up in case they need to evacuate from rapidly approaching wildfires.

We hope everyone comes through these challenges safely and without disrupted lives. We know you are resilient and that if and when you can, you will be reaching out and helping others less fortunate than yourselves. When we face challenges together, it unites us and helps us focus on friendships, community, and being part of something bigger than ourselves. It reminds us how unimportant material possessions can be, the same thing we stress at Adventure Treks.

We expect to take a bit of a hit from Irma on Tuesday here in the mountains of North Carolina, and we feel almost guilty sharing an update on Adventure Treks, when others will be dealing with much bigger challenges. Hopefully knowing Adventure Treks will be there, waiting for you next summer, can provide a bit of solace in the middle of a storm.

With Labor Day behind us, summer vacation officially over, and school back in session, we wanted to thank Adventure Treks parents for allowing our students to join us this summer. From our end, the summer ended way too soon, and we hope this video reminds you of some of the instructors and adventures that made this summer special.

Though the Adventure season is over, life at Adventure Treks remains very active. We have transitioned from summer programs to educational programs. Each week between mid-August and mid-October, schools visit us for week-long community-building, outdoor education, and/or science programs in Pisgah National Forest or at our very own Camp Pinnacle in North Carolina. Some schools have been coming for as long as 25 years, and we work with schools from as far away as Florida, Ohio, Georgia, and Tennessee. Many of our instructors are still working with us here in NC—you can see who is working here!

Please stay safe in the challenging weather events ahead; our thoughts are with all of you, our Adventure Treks family!