By: The Apogee Assistant Directors

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, CRM, CSA, DEXA, DEXB, VM, CRLS, CMCA, CMCB, CQA, CQB, MSA, NWXA, NWXB, PCA, PCB, SHX, AXA, AXB, ACC1, ACC2

It was a busy day in the Apogee world – are you surprised? The Assistant Directors (AD’s) united to give you the latest and greatest updates from all of our friends in the field. We can hardly believe that, after multiple trips starting today, there are only a few more of those on the docket this summer. While our views at HQ consisted mostly of sunny skies through the window, the students in the field soaked up some stunning views around the world – and we get to take a peek!

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

Today, Maine Coast Junior continued to explore the picturesque Acadia National Park with a day hike of Gorham Mountain, full of sunny skies and gorgeous views. Tomorrow, they’ll hop on their bikes and explore through a different medium!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Today, our Capers had their full day on Martha’s Vineyard – they did community service with the local Thimble Farm Island Grown Initiative this morning, and spent the afternoon with more exploring and ice cream!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Life jacket? Check! Helmets? Check! Paddle? Check! It was a day on the white water for our students in Colorado, and they were all smiles as they headed downstream. Just look at that ear-to-ear grin on Tim!

Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA)

Our Caribbean adventurers started their service today! They headed down to the Tanama River Valley to do some trail maintenance and, judging by these photos, it was a blend of hard work and thumbs up. Nice job, CSA!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA&B)

Today Maine’s Downeast Explorer (both A & B) kicked off again! They’ll both navigate north towards Camden for their first night – settling in, getting to know each other, and learning about camp life before jetting off on their adventures in earnest tomorrow.

Vermont to Montréal (VM)

Vermont to Montreal had a beautiful day in the Green Mountain State, continuing their journey northward. Not only did they crush their mileage, they were also rewarded with a refreshing dip in the pool!

Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS)

Arrival day! Our CRLS3 team arrived in Costa Rica and are headed out to beautiful Turrialba to start their Spanish classes tomorrow. Pura Vida life starts now, and we can’t wait to see the photos of it begin to trickle in!

California Mountains & Coast (CMCA&B)

Over on the west coast it was trip start day as well! Our California Mountains and Coast A&B groups came together in San Francisco and then hit the road to set up camp. They can hardly wait for all of the adventures that lie ahead!

 

Coast to Québec (CQA)

CQA had a scenic ride into Camden today, with aquatic views and sunny skies. They even stopped to dip their toes in along the way! They look forward to setting up camp for the next two nights and having a day off the bikes tomorrow.

Coast to Québec (CQB)

Ezra and Tina’s CQB team rode down Maine’s famed Pemaquid Peninsula this afternoon; stopping for an incredibly adorable picture along the way. Fingers crossed that tomorrow we get a photo from the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse!

Montana Service Adventure (MSA)

Ah, the great plains. Open road and beautiful scenery — what more could you ask for? Today our MSAers made their way across the plains to Dupuyer (pronounced Daah-pu-yer). We hear that their ride across the plains was Great! (yes, pun intended)

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

The NWXA squad embarked on their 5 night, 6 day back country section in the North Cascades today! Over the next 6 days they’ll see snowy peaks, wild flowers, and more – while learning to live off the grid and doing some quality group bonding. Lucky for us, they left one last treasure trove of photos to get us through our prolonged cell phone service-less stint!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

NWXB is enjoying their full day out on the water – they’re sea-kayaking in the heart of the San Juans, camping on an island, and continuing to enjoy the beauty this area has to offer. It’s truly like paddling through an aquarium!

Pacific Coast (PCA)

Our dedicated readers will note that we were able to fulfill our promise of elk pictures from Ryan and Grace’s group. Don’t worry, there’s a picture of the kids, too!

Pacific Coast (PCB)

PCB was able to get us a couple of dynamite pictures before riding into the redwoods today! Being surrounded by redwoods, it’s only fitting that they found a few more out-sized friends along the road.

Scottish Highland Explorer (SHX)

Our intrepid Highlanders are beginning their three day stint in the Fort Williams area – they hiked a glorious 12 miles to their resting place for the evening, celebrating their completion of the West Highland Way!

Alps Explorer (AXA)

AXA’s day consisted of two of their favorite things: hiking and ice cream! Looks like they are properly preparing their legs – and stomachs – from the many topographical and culinary adventures the Alps have yet to offer.

Alps Explorer (AXB)

Although there is no service, this day is notoriously beautiful (much like the others we’ve seen photo evidence of), and while their hike started with some serious climbs, it was followed with a bit of downhill. Also, the place is known to have very local cheese – as in, you can meet the goats that make it. Quaint!

America Coast to Coast (ACC1)

Downhill we go! ACC1 had an 89 mile day today, which consisted of almost 4,000 ft of elevation loss! Cruising into Phoenix and closing in on the desert, this group was on a roll (again, pun intended).

America Coast to Coast (ACC2)

ACC2 is celebrating their 1-month anniversary together by biking into Heber, AZ. Tomorrow’s 56 miles into Payson are going to feel like chump change for these road warriors!