Terms & Conditions
The Adventure Treks experience is most successful when it’s a partnership between parents, students, and us. Communication and full disclosure are important to us. We want you to understand our policies so we can build the best possible relationship with your family. The information contained herein will help you be more informed and understand Adventure Treks’ high standards and expectations for both students and families.
Parents/legal guardians will attest that they have fully read and agree to our terms and conditions when submitting an online application.
1. HOW TO APPLY
While we operate with rolling admissions, we intentionally limit the size of our program. Programs fill quickly, so it’s important to apply early to ensure a space.
Summer 2023 trips refers to our adventures for middle and high schoolers. Leadership Adventure Semester (hereafter referred to as LAS) refers to the spring and fall gap semester programs for high school graduates (students ages 18–20).
For summer 2023 trips: Submit an online application at www.adventuretreks.com/enroll. To secure a spot on your student’s preferred trip, we require a $1,000 deposit at the time of application. We cannot guarantee a space on a trip until a deposit is paid.
For 2023 Leadership Adventure Semester (LAS): Submit an online application at www.adventuretreks.com/enroll. (Though LAS students are adults, the database will require a parent/guardian’s information to create an account.) To secure a spot on the spring or fall LAS, we require a $3,000 deposit at the time of application.
2. ADMISSIONS PROCESS
We are selective in our admissions process to ensure the best peer groups possible on each program, as the close community we strive to foster and the quality experience we seek to provide for each student can be compromised by a single student. Please see “student expectations” section below for more information.
After an application is submitted, you’ll receive an email the same or next business day outlining the next steps. This email includes information on payments, the required paperwork and how to complete each form, deadlines for submitting a complete admissions package, and more.
Completed admissions packages are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Our deadlines for notification of acceptance for students changes throughout the year, depending on the proximity to summer. Generally, you’ll be notified within one to two weeks. However, while we strive for timeliness, we evaluate every applicant individually and we may choose to extend the process to ensure that the specific trip and/or Adventure Treks is the best fit for the student. The process may also be extended if we are unable to reach the reference(s) provided. Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny acceptance or ongoing participation to any student, based on medical, behavioral, physical, or mental health reasons, or for any other reason, in Adventure Treks’ sole discretion. If your student is not accepted at Adventure Treks, the deposit will be refunded in full. If admissions forms are not received in completion by the deadline provided, Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny ongoing admission to that student without a refund of fees paid.
Our screening process is in place to ensure a mutually good fit and to maintain the integrity of Adventure Treks’ communities. If at any time a student or family withholds or provides incomplete or misleading information or falsely represents their student in interviews, on the application, or in any required paperwork, Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny admission or ongoing participation to that student.
Once accepted and enrolled at Adventure Treks, additional paperwork will be required, including (but not limited to) acknowledgement of risk and liability waivers and parent and student agreement.
For summer 2023 trips: For new students, a complete admissions package includes an online application, deposit, health history, confidential parent questionnaire, student questionnaire, and confidential school reference. A complete admissions package for returning students includes an online application, deposit, health history, confidential parent questionnaire, and student questionnaire. We may request an additional reference or interview with a director for any student.
For 2022/2023 Leadership Adventure Semester: For new students, a complete admissions package includes an online application, deposit, health history, student questionnaire and essays, director interview, and two academic and/or professional references. For returning students, a complete admissions package includes an online application, deposit, health history, student questionnaire and essays, and director interview. Once Adventure Treks has received all completed materials, spoken with both references, and held the interview, prospective students will be notified of their official acceptance via the email address and/or cell phone provided on their application.
3. PAYMENT POLICIES
We accept personal checks and e-checks, debit cards, and Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards. For e-checks, we’ll need your bank’s routing number and your checking account number. For Visa, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards, there is a 3% bank processing fee for every credit card transaction processed. (Credit card fees cannot be refunded.) There is no processing fee for debit cards. For international families, wire transfer information will be emailed to you after your application is submitted. Payment plans can be arranged on an individual basis.
For summer 2023 trips: The $1,000 deposit is applied to the full cost of an Adventure Treks trip and is due within five business days of the application date. Final balances are due in full by March 1, 2023. For new students who apply after March 1, the $1,000 deposit is due within five business days of the application date, and the final balance is due upon official acceptance. For returning students who apply after March 1, tuition is due in full within five business days of the application date.
For 2023 Leadership Adventure Semester: The $3,000 deposit is applied to the full cost of the Adventure Treks semester and is due within five business days of the application date.
- Spring LAS: Final balances are due by January 1, 2023.
- Fall LAS: Final balances are due by June 1, 2023.
Adventure Treks reserves the right to cancel unpaid applicants whose full tuition is more than 14 days past due, with no refund. The 14-day time frame begins March 1 for any student enrolled at that time, and begins at the time of official acceptance for those students who enroll after March 1. Students whose tuition is not paid in full by the start of a trip will not be permitted to participate, unless prior arrangements have been made.
4. REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Upon receiving your student’s application and deposit for an Adventure Treks program, that space is then reserved for your student—we are no longer able to offer it to any other prospective students. Please understand that because we are unable to sell a reserved space, we are not able to provide any refunds for potential cancellations, other than what is outlined below.
Once a trip starts, no refund will be granted to a student who withdraws voluntarily or who is sent home because of unacceptable behavior or disciplinary reasons; poor physical condition; illness or injury; mental health concerns; prolonged homesickness; or pre-existing medical or physical condition or injury that prevents them from completing the trip or activities on the trip and/or that was not disclosed to Adventure Treks during the admissions process. All additional travel, lodging, supervisory, or any other expenses incurred by Adventure Treks are the responsibility of the family.
Adventure Treks must enforce our cancellation policy because program expenses are incurred well in advance of summer, including, but not limited to: commissioning the construction of new vans; nonrefundable outfitter deposits; campground reservations; equipment and food purchases; and staff hiring and salaries. Many of these expenses are negotiated based on a total group number, rather than a per-person basis. We highly recommend families purchase trip and program insurance for your protection.
For summer 2023 trips: All deposit payments are refundable through January 1, 2023. Between January 2 and February 28, 2023, deposits are nonrefundable. (If you’ve paid tuition in full and cancel by February 28, you forfeit the $1,000 deposit.) For cancellations that occur after March 1, 2023, all payments are nonrefundable. If you apply for a trip after March 1, 2023, and decide to withdraw the application during the admissions process, the deposit is non-refundable. Adventure Treks must be notified of all cancellations in writing.
For 2022 Leadership Adventure Semester:
- Spring LAS: Deposits are refundable until January 1, 2022. For cancellations that occur after January 1, all payments are nonrefundable.
- Fall LAS: Deposits are refundable until March 1, 2022. For cancellations that occur between March 2 and May 31, 2022, deposits are nonrefundable. For cancellations that occur after June 1, 2022, deposits and tuition are nonrefundable.
If the Leadership Adventure Semester starts and then is interrupted or closed for any reason during our operating dates, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide any refunds, though we will do our best to refund recoverable costs.
5. WHAT’S INCLUDED IN TUITION
Tuition at Adventure Treks is transparent, and there are no hidden costs. Tuition includes, but is not limited to, activities, food, group gear, outfitter costs, and transportation. Not included in tuition is airfare; clothing; any elective costs such as program insurance; and any costs incurred on the trip, such as medical expenses or replacing your student’s lost/broken gear. Additional fees may apply on a case-by-case basis, in such instances as early arrivals for international students.
We can easily accommodate vegetarians and many food allergies, including peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy, sesame, and gluten. We regret that we cannot accommodate strict vegan or kosher diets.
6. ENROLLMENT PAPERWORK AND WAIVERS
Enrolled families will be required to complete additional paperwork prior to the start of an Adventure Treks program, including (but not limited to) an acknowledgment of risks, liability waiver, and activity waivers from participating outfitters. Your student’s final acceptance, enrollment, and participation on their Adventure Treks program is contingent on full payment and on our timely receipt and review of all completed and signed forms. Parents and students agree to return required forms in a timely manner based on the schedule Adventure Treks sets forth, and Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny your student’s participation on their program in the event of failure to do so.
7. STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
It is the student’s responsibility to arrive with a safety-conscious mindset; desire to challenge themselves and try new things; and a willingness to participate fully, help with group chores and tasks, and care for themselves and others. While some trepidation is quite normal, we expect from each student a positive and unselfish attitude and a desire to be a part of a close community of friends. Adventure Treks strives to foster an inclusive, welcoming, and judgment-free community of peers that celebrates individuals and the unique strengths they bring. Students are expected to respect others’ backgrounds, gender identities, and beliefs that may differ from their own.
Adventure Treks trips are physically and mentally challenging. It is the student’s responsibility to be physically prepared by getting in good physical condition before their program. By completing all paperwork, students agree they will abide by these expectations. We reserve the right to send a student home who cannot meet the physical requirements of the program, or who, in our judgment, does not meet our expectations for demonstrating safe actions or good behavior. Students must be able to function independently and practice good self-care and personal hygiene.
A. NON-NEGOTIABLES
Any action by a student that jeopardizes their safety, or the safety of other students or instructors, will not be tolerated. No one student’s actions (in Adventure Treks’ judgment) will be permitted to negatively affect the enjoyment of the program by other students. Individual behavior that keeps the group from forming a close community will not be tolerated. If a rule violation or unacceptable behavior occurs, Adventure Treks will contact the student’s parents with a course of action.
If a student has a known emotional, medical, and/or behavioral issue or challenge, including an eating disorder or self-harm, that was not disclosed to Adventure Treks prior to a student’s program participation, the student may be dismissed. If a student discusses suicidal ideations or exhibits signs of self-harm (at the interpretation of Adventure Treks staff), the student may be dismissed. Repeated, disruptive actions that will result in dismissal include, but are not limited to: illegal acts, sexual activity, bullying, any type of harassment, stealing, leaving the established boundaries of camp, or other actions deemed unsafe or inappropriate by Adventure Treks.
If a student’s behavior causes them to be dismissed, we will make every effort to give advance notification to a parent. Due to the wilderness nature of our program and lack of cell phone service in some locations, we are not always able to immediately communicate with parents about sending their student home. If a student is dismissed from Adventure Treks, all additional travel, lodging, supervisory, or any other expenses incurred by Adventure Treks are the responsibility of the family.
B. ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, & ILLEGAL DRUG POLICY
Adventure Treks programs are 100 percent alcohol-, tobacco-, and drug-free. The possession or use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, any vaping or e-cigarette device, or any illegal drug is cause for immediate expulsion from the trip. This policy is absolutely non-negotiable. If a student brings any of these substances, they should expect to be caught and dismissed.
C. WHAT WE ARE NOT
Adventure Treks’ areas of expertise do not extend to handling behavioral, emotional, psychological, motivational, rehabilitative issues; mental health issues; or eating disorders. We are not in any way a program for youth with emotional, motivational, or behavioral problems and challenges.
8. TRAVELING TO AND FROM ADVENTURE TREKS
If your student is flying to Adventure Treks, please book their flights to arrive into and depart from their trip’s specific airport within the windows specified by Adventure Treks (more travel information will be provided to enrolled families this winter). Flights that are booked earlier or later than these windows create logistical challenges for our instructors and students and can disrupt the group’s schedule. If you choose to book a flight outside the specified windows, Adventure Treks cannot guarantee that an instructor or director will be able to pick up or stay with your student earlier or later than those windows.
International families: Depending on where your child is flying from and the flights available, your child may be able to arrive the day before the trip starts. Please contact us at admissions@adventuretreks.com or at 888-954-5555 to discuss flight options, and DO NOT book flights without pre-approval from Adventure Treks.
9. TRIP AND PROGRAM INSURANCE
Adventure Treks cannot recommend trip and program insurance highly enough. Each year, students must cancel their participation in an Adventure Treks trip because of unforeseen medical reasons or family or personal circumstances. Should your student be unable to attend or leave a summer trip early due to illness, injury, family crisis, etc., trip and program insurance helps you recover your investment (as Adventure Treks cannot offer refunds after the dates outlined in paragraph 4). Trip and program insurance policies can cover a variety of situations, including, but not limited to: illness, injury, weather, travel delay, lost baggage, trip interruption, emergency medical coverage, etc. Most policies require you to purchase coverage within 15 to 21 days of your initial deposit to include coverage of pre-existing conditions and the “cancel for any reason” option.
Adventure Treks does not offer insurance policies, nor are we affiliated with any insurance providers. If you are interested in learning more about trip and program insurance, please contact insurance providers directly.
10. ELECTRONICS
For summer 2023 trips: Students may bring a cell phone to use when traveling to and from Adventure Treks, and for designated calls home throughout trips. Otherwise, students will have not access to their cell phones while at Adventure Treks (they will be turned off and stored throughout the trip). (Students without cell phones will have access to an instructor’s cell phone when designated phone calls home are made.) The wilderness nature of our trips makes it almost impossible for us to provide specific timelines of when students will call home; if you miss your student’s call, we’ll make every effort to provide the opportunity for them to call home again soon. Parents will not be able to call their student while on the trip.
For 2022/2023 Leadership Adventure Semester: For spring and fall LAS, students may bring a cell phone, laptop computer, tablet, or other electronic device to use at designated times throughout the program. While on extended backcountry trips, students will not bring their cell phones. For summer LAS, students may bring a cell phone to use when traveling to and from Adventure Treks, and for designated calls throughout trips. Otherwise, students will have not access to their cell phones while at Adventure Treks (they will be turned off and stored throughout the trip).
Adventure Treks is not responsible for any electronics or items that are lost, damaged, or ruined, even if collected by instructors.
11. FRIEND POLICY
Exclusive relationships are highly discouraged at Adventure Treks because they detract from the overall group experience. To preserve the unique nature of our program and in the interest of inclusivity, we limit the number of new students who have a pre-existing relationship, whether from home, school, or otherwise, to no more than two to three on any one program (depending on our discretion and the size of the program).
Students who arrive together as friends from home will not spend every day/activity together in order to allow them the opportunity to branch out, make new friends, and help avoid mutually exclusive relationships.
12. COMMUNICATION
Adventure Treks will make every effort to post photos and written updates provided by students and instructors throughout each trip. Parents will not receive email notifications when updates are posted, and there are limitations regarding the frequency of updates and the number and size of photos that can be uploaded. During multi-day activities like backpacking or sea kayaking, trip updates will not be available until the group comes back into cell service. Our goal is to provide at least one update per week on each trip; however, updates may be less frequent.
13. COVID-19
All students and staff who attend a summer 2023 program will be required to be fully vaccinated* against COVID-19. Adventure Treks will also accept students who have had a prior confirmed case of COVID-19 and one dose of an approved vaccine. The latter must be accompanied by a letter from a healthcare provider confirming the date and diagnosis of a positive COVID test. Adventure Treks will consider requests for medical exemptions.
Adventure Treks will make every effort to follow and implement policies and protocols established by national, regional, state, and local government, along with the CDC. We will also use our own judgment when in the best interest of the Adventure Treks community.
*This policy may be updated at any time.
14. FINANCIAL AID AND DONATIONS
Adventure Treks accepts donations to the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Charlie Wellman Memorial Foundation, which provides financial aid for qualified students. Contributions are greatly appreciated. Scholarship applications are released in early January every year. Please call us at 888-954-5555 for more information.
15. MEDICAL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students at Adventure Treks are required to have health insurance; if participating on the British Columbia Adventure trip, please check that your student’s policy is accepted in Canada. If students do not have health insurance, parents and students will be responsible for any medical costs incurred on the program. Many travel insurance companies offer one-time travel medical coverage.
16. HEALTH HISTORY AND MEDICAL TREATMENT AUTHORIZATION
A completed and signed health history must be submitted in order to be considered for official acceptance and enrollment. The health history does not require a physician’s signature, but we do ask parents to be open, honest, and transparent. In lieu of a doctor’s signature, parents take responsibility to completely and accurately represent their student’s physical and mental health, and to tell Adventure Treks about any and all health issues (including previous mental or physical health issues). Parents and students also agree to update Adventure Treks regarding any medical or psychological issue that arises after official acceptance that could affect their student’s ability to participate on their trip.
If at any time, parents or students withhold or provide incomplete or misleading information, or falsely represent their student, in interviews, the application, or any required paperwork, Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny admission or ongoing participation to that student. By signing the health history, parents and students acknowledge that trained Adventure Treks instructors have the right to administer first aid to students, to engage the services of a medical professional, or to hospitalize a student if deemed necessary. Parents give permission to Adventure Treks, Inc. and all affiliates (including field staff and outfitters):
- To have access to their student’s medical information included on the health history form.
- To select medical personnel and to order X-rays, routine tests, or treatment for their student.
- To make relevant medical information available to medical personnel.
- To provide ongoing health care during the trip.
Parents also give permission to the physician, dentist, or other health care provider selected by Adventure Treks to hospitalize, secure proper treatment for, and order injection, anesthesia, and/or surgery for their student.
17. ALTERATIONS TO ITINERARY
Severe weather; high or low rivers; high or low snowpack; unpredictable natural disasters and acts of God; vehicle breakdowns; road closures; volcanic activity; forest fires; illness; any potential threat to safety; or even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student may necessitate itinerary changes. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible. In the event of significant changes to your student’s itinerary, we will notify you via email.
18. PHOTO/VIDEO RELEASE
While participating in Adventure Treks programs, a student may be photographed or videoed by Adventure Treks or any other outfitters. By signing the parent/student agreement, you agree to allow the student’s photo, video or film likeness, or reproductions thereof made through any media, including electronic media, to be copyrighted and used for any legitimate purpose by Adventure Treks or its assigns.
19. ADVENTURE ETHICS
Adventure Treks is wholly committed to the protection and preservation of the natural environment. We use the most current minimum-impact camping techniques and subscribe to the practices of Leave No Trace. Students can expect to shower at least once a week during their trip. While students don’t shower daily, there are many days when they will swim. Students always have soap, water, and hand sanitizer available.
20. PERMITS AND LICENSES
Adventure Treks is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service and operates under licensed permits in the following areas: North Cascades National Park (WA), Olympic National Park (WA), Olympic National Forest (WA), Gifford-Pinchot National Forest (WA), Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA), Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (WA), Mt. Hood National Forest (OR), King Range Bureau of Land Management (CA), Shasta-Trinity National Forest (CA), Point Reyes National Seashore (CA), E.C. Manning Provincial Park (BC), Chugach State Park (AK), Chugach National Forest (AK), Alaska State Lands/DNR (AK), Denali State Park (AK), Pisgah National Forest (NC), Nantahala National Forest (NC), DuPont State Forest (NC), Rocky Mountain National Park (CO), Yellowstone National Park (WY & MT), Grand Teton National Park (WY).
21. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
In accordance with Federal Law and US Department of Agriculture policy, Adventure Treks does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. However, Adventure Treks reserves the right to deny acceptance or ongoing participation to any student, based on medical, physical, or mental health grounds, or for any other reason, in Adventure Treks’ sole discretion.
Read more here.
22. ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Adventure Treks’ essential eligibility criteria (EEC) is designed to help potential participants understand if Adventure Treks is the right fit for them. These criteria help guide our admissions process and are not intended to be exclusionary, but rather identify the fundamental elements of participation. Adventure Treks strives to foster an inclusive, welcoming, and judgment-free community of peers that celebrates individuals and the unique strengths they bring. Students are expected to respect others’ backgrounds, gender identities, race, and beliefs that may differ from their own.
Please read our essential eligibility requirements in full here.
23. SPECIAL NOTICE
Adventure Treks reserves the right to change its Terms and Conditions at any time without notice. We publish our Terms and Conditions in several places, including but not limited to, our website and the application for summer. In the case of any discrepancy between published versions, the Terms and Conditions published at www.adventuretreks.com/terms-conditions/ shall control.