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South America/Central America/Caribbean Summer Camps > Hiking and Backpacking Summer Camps
Academic Treks by Broadreach
Academic and Community Service Adventure Programs
Academic Treks, the academic and service adventure division of Broadreach, offers summer programs for teenagers that blend hands-on learning, community service, adventure, cultural immersion and international travel. The 20-30 day summer trips focus on marine science, language immersion or cultural studies and qualify for college credit as well as up to 55 hours of community service credit. Imagine studying dolphins with researchers in Belize, learning Spanish while you trek through the spectacular Andes or working on sustainable agriculture projects in the heart of the Amazon. This is just a taste of the adventure!
In addition to hands-on research and studies, Academic Treks program activities can include SCUBA diving, sailing, rainforest treks, hiking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, surfing, horseback trips, spelunking, home-stays and 10-55 hours of community service.
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Deer Hill Expeditions Inc.
Wilderness adventure and service program
Deer Hill Expeditions offers a unique and powerful blend of wilderness expeditions and community service programs in the Southwest United States and Costa Rica. Since 1984, Deer Hill's purpose has been to enhance an individual's appreciation of the natural world, teach the skills of living in the wilderness with minimum impact, promote stewardship of our Earth, and foster a tradition of service to our native lands and peoples. Deer Hill provides a safe, yet challenging atmosphere in which people can grow as individuals and be an integral member of a small group.
Students from the United States and the international community engage in activities, including whitewater rafting, backpacking, rock climbing, inflatable kayaking, mountain biking, canoeing, surfing, leadership development, cross-cultural living with Native Americans, and conservation projects with the U.S. Forest Service. Spanish Language immersion is central to our Costa Rica expeditions. Field staff average 28-30 years of age and have extensive experience leading young people in the backcountry. Programs are specifically designed for 7th-8th grade introductory expeditions, as well as 9th-12th grade individuals. Our expeditions launch from our 128-acre base camp facility located near Durango, Colorado. Deer Hill is accredited by the Association for Experiential Education. You don't need previous experience, and you can rent all the equipment you need from our outfitting store. As long as you are physically fit and eager to be part of a dynamic group, you'll have the adventure of a lifetime.
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Broadreach
Adventure Travel Programs
Broadreach offers summer adventures for teenagers with SCUBA, sailing, marine biology, surfing and wilderness programs in the Caribbean, Baja, Australia, Red Sea, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, Panama, Yucatan, Egypt, Solomon Islands and Fiji. No experience is required for many trips. Small groups allow participants to learn more, do more and have more fun! 14-35 day co-ed trips for teenagers ages 13-19, in small groups of 10-14 participants. High school credit, college credit and community service credit is available.
Broadreach program activities include SCUBA diving, sailing, surfing, rainforest treks, hiking, zip line canopy tours, water skiing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, community service, ecological & marine biology field studies.
AAVE - All About Visiting Earth
Adventure Travel Programs
The worldwide leader in adventure travel since 1976! If you are interested in fun, community service, cultural and language immersion, adventure and travel then this is the camp for you. Zip-line through towering jungle trees, raft world class rivers, climb peaks, dive the Great Barrier Reef, hike the great wall of China, visit Machu Picchu or surf the warm blue waters of Hawaii!
AAVE has something for everyone, from beginner to expert! Our leaders are the best in the industry with over 80+ hours of backcountry first aid and extensive experience working with students. Their first priority is safety and the second is FUN! The goal of AAVE is to teach skills which will lead to a lifetime of exploration, friendship and enjoyment.
Black Mountain Expeditions
Wilderness adventure program
Black Mountain Expeditions provides wilderness and international expeditions that are purpose-filled, character-shaping and committed to the growth of high school-aged young adults. Remarkable adventures with exceptional Christian leadership.
We offer expeditions to the Pacific Northwest in WA, the High Sierras, in CA, the NC high country and a Bolivian Mission and mountaineering expedition. Backpacking - Rock Climbing - Paddling - Mountaineering - Service - Travel.
The Road Less Traveled
Community Service, Language, Adventure Expeditions, Global PerspectivesYou may build a school or medical outpost in Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania or Namibia. Work on environmental projects; restore coral reef in the Florida Keys, save monk seals in Hawaii, work with wolves in Colorado or wild horse herds in South Dakota. Travel to Norway, cross the country kayaking, rafting, biking and hiking.
We offer formal language coursework in Guatemala, Costa Rica or Spain! Travel to Bhutan, perform music collectively in Costa Rica, aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. We offer surfing, rockclimbing, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, SCUBA, backpacking, ice and snow mountaineering. You will contribute, learn and return home with an experience to remember!
Wilderness Ventures
Wilderness adventure program
Since 1973, Wilderness Ventures has been introducing exciting outdoor expeditions to beginners and experienced young adults, ages 13 through 20. Our adventures visit a variety of wilderness environments in the Western United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Europe, Australia, Central America, South America, and the South Pacific. Trips range from 16-42 days.
Activities include backpacking, whitewater rafting & kayaking, mountaineering, biking, sailing, surfing, SCUBA, canoeing, sea kayaking, and community service.
SOAR, Inc.
Wilderness adventure program
For over 30 years, SOAR has provided multi-length, adventure programs for youth diagnosed with ADHD and/or learning disabilities. Recognizing the outdoors provides an ideal classroom where relevant learning can occur and life skills can be taught, emphasis is placed on developing self-confidence, social skills, and problem solving techniques. Courses are co-ed, and are developed for youth ages 8 - 18 with average or above average intelligence and physical aptitude. Staff to student ratio is low, and instructors are hired for qualities of maturity and caring, enabling them to relate to students and enhance their adventure experience.
Activities vary by location and range from snorkeling and kayaking in the Florida Keys; backpacking, and whitewater rafting in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina; surfing and sea kayaking along the California Coast; and horsepacking and fishing in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming and much more. Specialty courses include a trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, learning to whitewater kayak and even participating in a western rodeo! New programs incude a Northern California Expedition and a traditional camp model in sunny Florida.
Outward Bound
Wilderness adventure programs worldwide
Outward Bound, a national nonprofit organization, offers over 500 adventure-based courses - year round - serving adults, teens and youth (ages 12+).
Course activities include rock climbing, sea kayaking, backpacking, mountaineering, sailing, dogsledding, canoeing and rafting in some of the most untouched wilderness areas across the nation. No matter the activity, courses focus on learning through experience, compassion, leadership and responsibility to both team and the environment. Courses range in length from 4 days to three months in length. Scholarships are available.
Since 1962, over 500,000 students have returned from an Outward Bound experience with a deeper knowledge of themselves and the world in which we live.
Academic Treks by Broadreach
Academic and Community Service Adventure Programs
Academic Treks, the academic and service adventure division of Broadreach, offers summer programs for teenagers that blend hands-on learning, community service, adventure, cultural immersion and international travel. The 20-30 day summer trips focus on marine science, language immersion or cultural studies and qualify for college credit as well as up to 55 hours of community service credit. Imagine studying dolphins with researchers in Belize, learning Spanish while you trek through the spectacular Andes or working on sustainable agriculture projects in the heart of the Amazon. This is just a taste of the adventure!
In addition to hands-on research and studies, Academic Treks program activities can include SCUBA diving, sailing, rainforest treks, hiking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, surfing, horseback trips, spelunking, home-stays and 10-55 hours of community service.
