Making the decision to embark on an Adventure Treks trip for the first time can be a little unnerving and scary; after all, many of our new students have never done an outdoor trip before! We applaud our students’ choices to step outside of their comfort zone to do something completely new, including meeting new people from all over the country and world; trying outdoor activities like mountain biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and backpacking; and living in a close community for two to four weeks at a time.

We recently asked our returning students and parents and alumni for their best advice for new students coming to Adventure Treks for the first time. As usual, they delivered with heartfelt, thoughtful comments! Below is part 3 of our advice series.

Any advice for packing and organizing the duffel bag?

“Use Ziploc bags or stuff sacks to organize different types of clothing and activities; this is really helpful when doing laundry and packing for different activities.” – Alex F., student from Winnetka, IL (2 trips)

“Keep your pants, shirts, underwear, socks, and jackets all in separate stuff sacks, and pack extra Ziploc bags for wet items. On the trip, put all your clothes in a trash bag in case it rains and the tarp doesn’t get put up in time. If you can get most of your clothes washed on laundry day, it’ll keep them from getting gross and gives you more options. Pack leggings for hanging around camp and make sure to pack a pair of sweatpants or pajama pants that you can keep in the bottom of your sleeping bag with a long-sleeved T-shirt. It makes sleeping more comfortable and clean because you aren’t sleeping in the clothes you wore that day. And make sure your flashlight works, or bring two. Mine died the first night of our first backpack, but luckily I had a tent light to use.” – Serena G., student from Erie, CO (1 trip)

“Just pack what is on the list. AT makes it easy! My kids did not use everything each year, but they never complained that they were missing something. My kids lost things in the bottom of their duffel bags, but found them again before the end of the trip. We had shoes that didn’t make it back home, but… oh well, that is part of it! Just don’t send anything you are super attached to. Kids have a way of misplacing things…” – Laura Cattabriga, parent from Miami Beach, FL (4 trips)

“Stick to the packing list. Our first year, I made our daughter take extra stuff, which she never used, and I still had to wash it all on her return. The stuff sacks are a really good idea; they help keep thing semi-organized in the duffel. Some things will get lost, but don’t worry about it; they sort themselves out and nothing is intentionally lost. These days, she packs her own bag.” – Anne and Roland Hooley, parent from Pinecrest, FL (3 trips)

“The first trip I went on, I made the mistake of not organizing my duffel, and by the end, my clothes looked like a giant salad in my bag. I couldn’t find clean clothes, and the lack of organization made it hard to get ready each day. If you organize all of your clothes into labeled Ziploc bags and bring a laundry bag, you can avoid chaos in your duffel. This will help you get ready quickly and efficiently, and even help the group out as a whole when we are trying to leave a campsite in a rush!” – Megan S., student from Franklin Lakes, NJ (4 trips)

“Try not to overpack, and pack everything very tightly into your duffel. Bring a laundry bag and synthetic clothing. And if you can, bring a waterproof duffel. Also, make sure your duffel isn’t too big, because you will be passing them around in a fireline fashion every night.” – McCallum K., student from Durham, NC (2 trips)

“Packing for an AT trip can be overwhelming, but they provide great packing lists. Don’t take anything they don’t list. And, as we have found in the past, our kids returned without even wearing some of the clothes they packed! (Remember, they don’t shower that often.) The gear doesn’t need to be the high price variety; look for deals. Plan ahead, and don’t wait until the last minute to order/find the items on the list. Most important, get good hiking boots early and BREAK THEM IN! A good quality duffel bag works great, and then we used a couple small, hard-sided containers (made for camping) inside the duffel to keep the small items that might be prone to damage in good order and to keep them organized!” – Michelle and Wade Eichhorn, parents from Ely, IA (6 trips)

“If you aren’t sure you need something (and it’s not on the packing list), it’s probably not worth the space. You’ll regret every extra item whenever you have to search through your duffel. Flair is the exception—bring as much you want!” – Erin H., student from Hendersonville, NC (3 trips)

“Organize things into Ziploc bags and label them. Once you have all your bags done, put the ones you are least likely to use on the bottom, along with any non-clothing bulky items, and the things you are going to use the earliest at the top. The list given to you is everything that you will need; overpacking just makes it harder to repack your duffel everyday. Before bringing something not on the list, think to yourself whether you are really going to use it. Don’t worry too much about anything because as long as you follow the packing list and AT’s recommendations on how to prepare, you will be well-prepared.” – Mackenna M., student from Durham, NC (2 trips)

“When you’re packing, make sure you bring things that will be comfortable to wear in the environment you’re going to, like athletic shirts and shorts… breathable clothes in general are a good idea. As for organizing, sort your clothes into categories based on articles of clothing, socks, underwear, T-shirts, etc., and put them each in a separate stuff sack. The only issue then is making sure all the sacks fit in your duffel!” – Gibson D., student from Madison, WI (4 trips)

“To pack for the first trip, I made sure I read every single instruction on what to buy and how to pack. When they give you quantities, they know exactly what is needed. And it’s exactly what fits in the duffel bag they travel with. Right quality socks and boots are of utmost importance. First year, we had her go to school with her boots to make sure they were broken into beforehand, and she was so excited she actually did it a few times.” – Hildegard Vasquez, parent from Panama (10 trips)

“Organization within the duffel is as important as the clothes inside; a duffel can become a black hole, so packing clean socks, underwear, shirts, and shorts in separate stuff sacks helped our daughter manage and balance clean and previously worn clothing. Also, a “dirty clothes” bag to take clothes out of circulation within the bag was helpful.” – Kyle Graham, parent from Erie, CO (1 trip)

“Parents need to know how smelly everything is when they come home. It may be because I have a son, but I would warn every parent to open the duffel bag outside!!! It never ceases to amaze me how bad it smells. I always send him with lots of plastic bags (big garbage bags and smaller Ziplocs) but there is always something damp with a bad odor. We laugh each time he comes home over the stink, but I have yet to come up with a packing strategy to avoid it. If someone else has one, please help me!” – Marni Eisner, parent from Winston-Salem, NC (4 trips)

“Make sure you have a Ziploc with a clean outfit for the last day because you’ll definitely want it.” – Lexi S., student from Mooresville, NC (3 trips)

“Use the list that AT provides, and definitely have all the required items. It’s helpful to pack the duffel yourself so that you’ll know where everything is! It’s not fun having to search for your lantern when dinner is waiting.” –Krithi D., student from Berkeley, CA (3 trips)

Any last-minute general advice for AT?

“Adventure Treks is the best experience I think I’ve ever had. You learn so much and do so many things in such a short period of time. Yes, some things are hard, but it is well worth it.” – Alex F.

“Don’t let any potential drama get in the way of the connections you make with people. And try not to cause drama because it takes away from the entire AT experience.” – Serena G.

“Make the best of your summer! Take advantage of every new opportunity, and always be ready to try new things!” – Claire T., student from Nashville, TN (5 trips)

“My best advice—set them free! It is an amazing experience. Our kids had lots of fun and still talk often about their adventures.” – Laura Cattabriga

“The first trip was quite daunting for us; we were new to the country and the whole camp experience, and our daughter didn’t know anyone else going. But she settled and made friends quickly. For us as parents, we couldn’t wait for that first contact. The return was hard as she didn’t settle at home for a couple of weeks, and she couldn’t stop talking about it. But it gave her a fresh outlook on life, which was refreshing. It was huge in learning to dealing with others and working things out and compromising. It has certainly given her an appetite for this type of trip: The activities are great, fun, challenging, and team-building. The food worked really well; our daughter has dietary restrictions, and we have not had any issues about it.

Great friends have been made through AT over the past two years, even when she had to leave early last year due to severe allergic reactions to something. (The staff kept us informed every step of the way with the allergic reaction and doctors’ visits; at the end of the day they could not compromise her or the rest of the group. We were very impressed with the handling of the situation.) She has managed to maintain the friendships and sees one of them at least once a year outside of camp. This has been one of the best experiences, and she has gained so much from the trips that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. She has planned the next few summers in terms of trips with the aim of making it to Alaska. Also, we now work on the principle that no news is good news!” – Anne and Roland Hooley

“Don’t be nervous at all! I know it sounds scary to live with a group on unfamiliar faces for a few weeks, but everyone is so friendly, and it’s so much fun. Coming to AT each summer has taught me life skills that I would have never learned back at home. I have improved my social skills, and meeting new people is no longer a stressor for me. I’m also less nervous about my college interviews because I’ve learned how to talk to new people and introduce myself! But overall, words cannot describe how amazing AT is, and how much it has impacted my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my last few summers. I am so sad that this upcoming summer will be my last trip, but I hope to be an instructor one day to watch kids grow from all the valuable lessons taught at AT.” – Megan S.

“My best advice to new Adventure Treks families: Enjoy the process and the trip. The world is a small place these days. The chance for our kids to go out on a trip by themselves, for them to meet kids from all around our nation and the world, in a safe and supportive atmosphere, is one of the best gifts we could have given them. They are more prepared to make the big step into college and the ‘real world’ because they were put into situations that challenged them, met people with different backgrounds, and were able to partner with them to achieve goals. In the great outdoors! Without phones!!!!! And they survived, and flourished! AT is one of the best decisions we’ve made as parents.” – Michelle and Wade Eichhorn

“Final advice: Keep an open mind. You’ll meet lots of different people and you’ll want to try to get along with all of them. The same goes for the challenges you face: Stay optimistic, because the happier you are, the easier everything gets.” – Gibson D.

“Just go have fun and be yourself! You’ll be with the same people for the next few weeks, so there’s no point in being someone else. And keep a positive attitude! It really brings the group down to be negative when things get stressful. And take lots of pictures and videos!” – Audi E., student from Ely, IA (5 trips)

“When you come to AT without a friend, don’t look at it like no one here knows you. Look at it like it’s a chance to see how many friends you can make.” – Sky W., student from Willard, UT (2 trips)

“All three of our daughters have caught the AT bug. As parents, our summers are spent with the certainty that the kids are having an amazing time. We check photos and blogs we receive on a constant basis and feel so happy when we find them on a picture that shows them smiling and connecting with nature. My husband and I also love to spend time with each other and travel a bit when our house will be an empty nest. When they come back full of memories, stories, and friendships, we know their summer has been a success. Just beware, you will drop one kid off at the airport and pick up a better one at the end of each trip.” – Hildegard Vasquez

“1: Be a yes person. Say yes to anything that comes your way (unless it breaks the rules). 2: Cherish the amazing memories you’re about to make, good and bad. 3: Stay in the moment. 4: Don’t freak out when you meet your fellow students. 5: Try your absolute hardest to keep in touch with the friends you’re about to meet. 6: Write your college admissions essay about your experience (it will only help you get in). Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!” – Ian M., student from New York, NY (3 trips)

“First, fully embrace who you are and don’t hold back. Push yourself—physically, mentally, emotionally—to do things and connect with people far beyond what you thought you were capable of. There is truly something special about the AT community and environment that fully embraces you, so fully embrace yourself. And second, go through the whole experience with an open mind, an open heart, a thirst for adventure, and a drive to always be putting yourself out there, helping out, trying something new, and making the best memories out of every moment.” – Kate W., student from Erdenheim, PA (3 trips)

“Just be yourself! Don’t be afraid to try something new… if you don’t like it, you don’t like it. That is totally fine! Plus, everyone at AT will be there every step of the way experiencing the same stuff. You’re not alone!” – Remi M., student from Columbus, GA (2 trips)

“Remember, there are a lot of other people that will be in the exact same situation as you! If you’re nervous about a specific activity, like mountain biking or backpacking, I completely understand. Mountain biking is terrifying to me! The instructors are there to help you get through the activities, and I learned you don’t always have to be the best at everything. I hope you guys have an amazing trip with really good instructors and activities!” – Krithi D.

Making the decision to embark on an Adventure Treks trip for the first time can be a little unnerving and scary; after all, many of our new students have never done an outdoor trip before! We applaud our students’ choices to step outside of their comfort zone to do something completely new, including meeting new people from all over the country and world; trying outdoor activities like mountain biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and backpacking; and living in a close community for two to four weeks at a time.

We recently asked our returning students and parents and alumni for their best advice for new students coming to Adventure Treks for the first time. As usual, they delivered with heartfelt, thoughtful comments! Below is part 1 of our advice series.

Any general advice for students (or their parents!) who might be a little nervous about attending AT for the first time?

“Going to Adventure Treks [in 2019 for the first time], I had many of these same worries. Don’t make any assumptions on what an activity or people will be like. For example, last summer I was not excited for the rafting trip because my family rafted once and it wasn’t very fun. At AT, though, the rafting was one of my favorite activities, and I wished that I didn’t dread it the whole trip because it totally was not what I expected.” – Alex F., student from Winnetka, IL (2 trips)

“The first day can be kinda awkward, especially when you don’t really know anyone. But don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to make a new friend—it’s totally worth it!” – Serena G., student from Erie, CO (1 trip)

“Like all first-timers, our granddaughter was apprehensive about what to expect the first time. But rest assured, the Adventure Treks team—in the office and on the ground with the kids—really know how to assure that each and every teen has a wonderful experience. Your children (and grandchildren) will come back to you so much more grown-up, self-assured, and independent—and the growth each year is a wonder to see. The most difficult part of the trip is the first few days when they return; it is an adjustment coming back to reality and, of course, they miss their friends. Our granddaughter most of all loves the lasting friendships she has made, the instructors being a close second to her peers; she also finds the beauty in the wilderness, the challenges that come up, and working together as a team so fulfilling. And, she barely misses her cell phone! Her grandfather, mother, and I can’t say enough good things about this program and can’t wait to hear all about her California Challenge this year!” – Susan Norwalk, grandparent from Norwalk, CT (3 trips)

“It is perfectly normal to be nervous! The first day at AT may seem overwhelming, but remember that everyone is nervous. Everyone there is looking to make friends, so reach out—and before you know it, you will have met some of your best friends!” – Claire T., student from Nashville, TN (5 trips)

“The first thing I would say to any new AT parent is that your kids are stronger and more resilient than you realize. This is the moment for them to try new things, test new skills, and have their own adventures. They need to do this without us always looking over their shoulders. We need to love them enough to let them make their own mistakes and have their own success. It is also really important for teens to see life beyond the bubble they usually live in, beyond their comfort zone. The experience reminds them that there are many ways to live, and they are strong and capable of adapting and flourishing! Finally, AT allows kids to join a new community with no preconceived notions about who they are or who they are not. They have the chance to meet and bond with kids and instructors in a neutral setting that allows for real friendships to evolve. AT is a great reminder that life is about more than stuff. It is about who you are and not what you have.” – Laura Cattabriga, parent from Miami Beach, FL (4 trips)

“I have met some of my best friends at AT, and I still talk to people that I met on my first trip three years ago. Also, I have had many reunions with some of my best friends, and I FaceTime the ones that live far away. I can’t imagine my life without some of my friends from AT. And each summer I get to reunite with my friends with previous trips. Running up to your best friends and hugging them after not seeing each other for a year is an amazing feeling. I can’t wait to see some of my friends in Alaska this summer!” – Megan S., student from Franklin Lakes, NJ (4 trips)

“First off, it’s normal to be a bit nervous for first-time adventures—we certainly were. But rest assured, the AT staff have the travel stuff VERY well organized. From the moment your child gets on the plane, they are tracking flights; they give great directions regarding flight times, travel tips, and how and when the instructors will meet your child. They make sure your child checks in with you via phone when they are all together so that you can rest assured they aren’t wandering the airports. When our daughter went on her first trip with AT, I traveled with her to the Denver airport. As soon as we got off the plane, we met up with one of her instructors and then she was on her way. I was able to fly back knowing that she was in good hands, and confident that she was beginning a trip of a lifetime. In this day and age, one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is to provide safe, guided challenges—getting to know strangers in the wilderness is just one of those challenges! As our daughter leaves for college this fall, I have no worries about how she will do in a setting with new people she doesn’t know.” – Michelle and Wade Eichhorn, parents from Ely, IA (6 trips)

“My general advice if you’re feeling nervous is that it’s way easier to integrate into Adventure Treks than you think; you have no need to be worried because everyone else might be worried, too.” – Gibson D., student from Madison, WI (4 trips)

“You might be a bit nervous about people not liking you and the activities being hard or boring, but you should keep in mind that everyone else is giving you a chance—so you should give them a chance, too. The activities are not meant to be easy… they are meant to help you grow, and once you’re done with them, you will be so glad you did an AT trip.” – Sky W., student from Willard, UT (2 trips)

“Just jump in! I remember that at my first year of being at Adventure Treks, I was nervous and didn’t say much for the first few days. But I think if you walk in being yourself, you’ll have nothing to worry about! Just go have fun and be yourself. You’ll be with the same people for the next few weeks, so there’s no point in being someone else. And keep a positive mindset! It really brings the group down to be negative when things get stressful. Take lots of pictures and videos!” – Audi E., student from Ely, IA (5 trips)

“We found AT via an internet search. Our oldest daughter wanted to have an outdoor summer experience, and we were scared she would go on any trip and call us a day later to ask to be brought home. I wrote to AT just because I liked their website (truly). They called me the next day and explained the whole program. I was relieved to know that my daughter did not need to be a star athlete and that trips were gender-balanced so that she would not be the only girl on the trip. In terms of safety, to be honest, explanations were so clear that I never doubted she would be safe in their care. As the trip approached, all she had was great anticipation for what has become a way of life for her. She went on five AT trips throughout high school and has made lifelong friendships. I remember one summer where I told her that maybe as college applications were approaching, she should try a college prep summer camp. She just looked at me and said, ‘How many girls do you know have climbed Mt. Shasta?'”– Hildegard Vasquez, parent from Panama (10 trips)

“Even though our daughter grew up around Adventure Treks [as I am a former AT instructor], she was very nervous about attending her first adventure. But she found all of the online videos, blogs, and other information very helpful to ease concerns. She was also very concerned about navigating an airport on her own for the first time—we found studying online airport layouts and signs for concourses, gates and baggage claim was helpful.” – Kyle Graham, parent from Erie, CO (1 trip)

“I was lucky enough to have my older sister to give me tons of advice for my first trip, and I’ve been so lucky to find lifelong friends from all over the world! Remember, there are a lot of other people in the exact same situation as you. If you’re nervous about a specific activity, like mountain biking or backpacking, I completely understand. Mountain biking is terrifying to me! The instructors are there to help you get through the activities, and I learned you don’t always have to be the best at everything.” – Krithi D., student from Berkeley, CA (3 years)

“If it’s your first time attending AT, don’t get too nervous that it stresses you out. Once you get there, you’ll realize how amazing it is. Try to enjoy every single thing. Even it’s just a van ride or staying up late in your tent, those are honestly some of my favorite memories. Also, try to talk to every single person, and soon your trip will have inside jokes and everyone will be really close.” – Lexi S., student from Mooresville, NC (3 trips)

“James started at Adventure Treks when he was 13; he was born and raised in the same small town, in the same house, with the same people. He had never done anything outside of the family, his circle of friends, or his sports teams. When I was 13, I went with a group of about 14 kids my age (that I did not know prior) on a road trip from Virginia to Canada and back. We camped, backpacked, and whitewater rafted at many stops along the way. It had a huge impact on me that I have never forgotten, and I wanted my son to have the same experience. I researched outdoor programs on the internet and found Adventure Treks. Comparing AT to the other programs, I liked their philosophy best. The reviews almost seemed too good to be true. It was not an easy decision, and it was a monetary sacrifice. But I pushed forward and got my wish. Putting him on the plane by himself led me to wonder if I had any idea what I had done. He arrived safely, so I got over the first hurdle. The next day we received a picture of James in his new AT group. It was a little painful to see him standing apart from the group, so stiffly, hiding behind his bucket hat and sunglasses.

The next few weeks were long and lonely. However, my fears subsided each time I heard his voice on the phone. He was having such a good time that I don’t think he missed us a bit. It felt bittersweet. But when we picked him up from the airport, I knew we had made one of the best decisions for his life. He got off the airplane happy and confident… ready to take on anything. Over the next few months, conversations opened up about his adventure, the people he met, the insight he shared from his journey, and what he wanted from himself and us.

James has gone every year to Adventure Treks since then. And each year was a bigger step. The first year was to the Smokey Mountains in NC, a two-hour plane trip away. The next year was to British Columbia, his first time out of the country (he was excited to get a passport). The year after that was to the Pacific Northwest (first time having to switch planes by himself).And last year, at 16, he flew to Alaska. He switched planes three times with 3- to 5-hour layovers. I kept calling him each time he landed to make sure he made the next plane, but he said, ‘Mom, I got this. This isn’t the first time I’ve flown.’ Leadership Summit will be his last trip before heading off to college. He wants to major in mechanical engineering and design and produce outdoor gear and equipment. He found his passion!

It is humbling to realize that there was something my child needed that I could not do myself. He had reached an age that a parent can not follow. All I could do was provide him with a positive experience that provided growth and opportunity. I had to TRUST: trust that we had given him enough to make the trip alone, trust our son to grow in a positive direction without our suggestions and nudges, and trust AT to do what they do best: guide young minds into becoming the best version of themselves.” – Diane Parana, parent from Berlin, MD (5 trips)

“First of all, I know flying alone can be scary; on my first trip, I had to fly alone, and that was the main thing I was nervous about. But when you get to the airport, your parents can walk you all the way up to the gate, and when you get off the plane, one of your instructors will be there to pick you up. Also, be yourself 100 percent because you will have so much more fun. I know it can be scary putting yourself out there, but it is so worth it. I would encourage new students to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Your summer with AT will be the best summer you’ve ever had, and you will want to keep coming back every year, so have fun and live it up!” – Zoey G., student from Apex, NC (4 trips)

“New parents should know that their children couldn’t be in better hands. Because I know you do everything as if it were your own children traveling on these adventures, I can rest easy knowing that Tyler is safe, secure, and active. I have watched Tyler grow with you over the years, first at Camp Pinnacle and now through three different trips with Adventure Treks.” – Marni Eisner, parent from Winston-Salem, NC (4 trips)

“Don’t worry too much about anything, because as long as you follow the packing list and AT’s recommendations on how to prepare, you will be well prepared. Once you arrive at AT, all the things that you were worrying about will seem nonexistent because you will be having so much fun and making lots of new friends.” – MacKenna M., student from Durham, NC (2 trips)

“On my first trip, I was super nervous and worried that I was not as experienced as other students going, as I live in a city and had never been backpacking—let alone camping before. However, I quickly realized everyone was so kind and helpful, and I wasn’t alone! I learned many new things and made friends instantly. By the second day of backpacking for the first time, I felt like a pro and had the time of my life!” – Natalia M., student from New York, NY (3 trips)

“I remember the first time I went on an Adventure Treks trip. The night before, I was researching everything I could find about planes because it was the first time I was going on a flight by myself. It is OK to be nervous and even more OK to do whatever you need to do to calm those nerves.” – Ian M., student from New York, NY (3 trips)

“I would say even though new students are nervous, a lot of other people are, too—even people who have been before—so just be yourself, and you will make friends really fast.” – Sophie H., student from Pinecrest, FL (3 trips)

“My daughter had never been a real ‘outdoorsy’ kid, having lived in the city her whole life. She’s active and likes a challenge and to be with other teens, but that first summer I was worried that she would not enjoy being outdoors and so disconnected from the city. We figured she’d give it a shot for one summer anyway because she had aged out of overnight camp, and I wanted her to have one full-on outdoor experience while she could.

When she called home after the first week of her California trip and told me they were sleeping outside without tents, I started profusely apologizing. She stopped me and started telling me how much fun it was, how she was enjoying the group a lot, and that it was a great trip. She never said it was easy, but she’s always valued the experience and has returned twice now. I could never have imagined that my iPhone-connected, Shake Shack–loving, nail polish–wearing teen could be so deeply engaged in the AT outdoor life.” – Julie Kay, parent from Brooklyn, NY (3 trips)

“It’s OK to be nervous! Going to a place where you don’t know anyone or the place can be scary. But all the students and instructors are very nice and welcoming. After that first long car ride to the first campsite, all your nerves will leave and you’ll be ready to have the best summer yet!” – Remi M., student from Columbus, GA (2 trips)

“You won’t understand how amazing the experience of an Adventure Treks trip is until you’ve lived it. But the second you say goodbye, you’ll understand that you’ve had an experience that has changed you in so many incredible ways. Whether it’s the best friends you’ve made, the confidence you’ve gained in yourself, or the newfound passion for adventure, you’ll leave changed in some way. So although it may be a bit nerve-wracking leading up to your first day, focus on all of the amazing people you’re going to meet, activities you’re going to do, and memories you’re going to make. Focus on all the ways you’re going to surprise yourself, all the songs you’re going to sing in the van, and all the laughs you’re going to share over the littlest things. Trust that it’s going to be the best summer of your life, and go into it ready to live every moment in the present.” – Kate W., student from Erdenheim, PA (4 trips)

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Stay tuned for our next installment of advice, to be published on Monday, May 18!