An excerpt from “Aloha’oe,” a poem by Queen Lydia Kamakaeha Lili’uokalani:

Farewell to thee, farewell to thee

Thou charming one who dwells in shaded bowers

One fond embrace ere I depart

Until we meet again.  

All good things must come to an end, and some members of the Apogee family had to say farewell to one another today. But it’s not really a goodbye! Just a “see ya later.” To all those who are checking the Summer 2021 blog for the final time, we wish you well! Thanks for stopping in.

Though some trips ended today, a whole lot more got into even more great adventures! Stay tuned to hear about sea kayaking, new horse friends, clean laundry, and all things in-between! Another day, another apogee! 

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, CRM, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRLC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWXA, NWXB, NWXC, PC, ACC1, ACC2

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

Au revoir, MCJ! Today the MCJ1 squad did their final A’s and P’s before heading home. What a week it’s been — a week of firsts, a week of laughs, a week of adventure. You all should be so proud of all that you’ve accomplished this week. Safe travels home, and we hope to see you next summer! 

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

After a wonderful night in Boston full of celebration and story-swapping, the CI all-stars are headed home today. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible things they’ve done these past ten days: they’ve explored all kinds of towns and cities, engaged in community service, and biked over a hundred miles! Wow! As the Boston skyline retreats behind them, we know that the CI family will be thinking of their new friends and experiences. Great work team!

New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)

Back to Wakefield for NEMCA as well! After a wonderful evening in Freeport, these folks are headed home for the summer. From ropes courses to sea kayaking to challenge hikes and everything in-between, New England Mountains & Coast A absolutely crushed it! It was ten days of firsts and apogees — an unforgettable experience. Nice work folks, see you soon!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Ah Boulder. After a bittersweet evening full of snazzy Apogee shirts, great food, great stories, and great people, the CRM family is headed home at long last. As they leave the ground in Denver, the mountains recede behind them and colorful Colorado waves goodbye. And yet, they’ll carry their new friends and new experiences with them, sharing stories with loved ones and friends from home, recalling a week of great adventure. Adios, amigos! Until next time! 

Caribbean Service (CS)

It was an incredible day four in Vieques for Caribbean Service! Like yesterday, the CS squad spent today at the Vieques Humane Society doing their part to help abandon animals find new homes. Today they were also joined by a couple equine friends! Thanks for all your hard work, CS’ers!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

After their big day on Katahdin yesterday, the DEXA squad was feeling elated today. After packing up camp, these folks said goodbye to beautiful Baxter State Park and headed to Brunswick, where they’ll be for the rest of their trip! Sea kayaking is on the horizon, but first this group of all-star explorers enjoyed the highlights of charming Brunswick before going for a refreshing swim in the bay. To top it all off, these folks were able to take hot showers — no doubt a welcome luxury after a long few days in the backcountry and beyond. After a restorative day, the DEXA squad is all ready to go for their next adventure!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

Out of the backcountry! After a fantastic couple days on the AT, these folks headed to their next adventure: Baxter State Park! This beautiful spot is among the crown jewels of Maine, and we know that this group will love it. Tomorrow, they’ll be attempting to summit Mount Katahdin, the terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the most famous mountain in the Northeast. After a long couple days in the backcountry, DEXB spent the day resupplying and prepping for more days full of incredible experiences! 

Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)

Big day for VLCA! They spent the morning riding through Bath and around beautiful Lake Champlain, taking their time to stop and take in the views. Looks like heaven on earth! These folks are just cruisin’ along through Vermont. Crushing it!

Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)

What a day for VLCB! This squad took a break from their bikes today and instead did some awesome kayaking on Lake Champlain. After a beautiful day on the water, the VLCB folks headed back to camp for a tasty dinner and their cozy sleeping bags. Back to the bikes tomorrow!

Costa Rica Language & Community (CRLC)

Another perfect day in Turrialba! Today the CRLC squad headed to class in the morning to continue working on their Spanish language skills. After lunch they volunteered at the botanical gardens of a research institute in Turrialba!

California Mountains & Coast (CMC)

Out of the backcountry for CMC! Leaving epic Yosemite behind, these folks headed back to the coast. After an incredible few days in the backcountry, this rock star group was due for a recovery day, which they took full advantage of. Doing laundry, making calls, and eating well, these folks are primed and ready to take on whatever comes next! Spoiler: it’s all fantastic.

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

LAND HO! That’s right, our rock star arctic kayakers headed back to land today. After a phenomenal couple days on the water, these folks headed back to Seward to resupply and gear up for tomorrow’s adventure…glacier climbing! This group is living large today: packs full of food, hot showers, and a healthy sense of adventure. Excited for you all!

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

Day 2 in the beautiful Chugach backcountry for these folks! In fact, this might have been their best day of hiking yet. At this point, the group is immersed in the backcountry experience — trail names, epic vistas, and ingenious meals abound. They’ll be headed out tomorrow, but today? Today is a day of adventure!

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

NWXA spent the day sea kayaking! Their wonderful guides are dear to the Apogee family and rolled out the red carpet. What a way to spend a day! After a week of hiking and backcountry camping, today and tomorrow’s kayaking adventure will be a great change of pace for these folks. Great stories await!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

Out of the backcountry, into some fabulous pizza. After three days in the magnificent backcountry of North Cascades National Park, these folks headed back towards civilization–hot showers, laundry (important), and more supplies for the coming days. To reward themselves for a job well done, the NWXB fam treated themselves to some delicious pizza pies! With happy stomachs and happy hearts, these folks are ready to take on the next great adventure of their trip…rafting tomorrow!

Northwest Explorer (NWXC)

Ahoy mateys! NWXC spent today on the first leg of their sea kayaking adventure in the San Juan islands. After learning how to safely operate a kayak, this squad got their sea legs about them and headed out for a two day trip kayaking and camping! Along the way, they’re sure to see all kinds of incredible wildlife and marvel at the wide blue expanse of the ocean around them. What an experience! Also, they spent some time last night engaging in a friendly whipped cream battle (seen here) — now that’s an idea!

Pacific Coast (PC)

Back on the road again…again! After a day off yesterday, this group got back on their bikes and continued their ride through beautiful California. Word is: they crushed over 30 miles before Noon. They passed through beautiful Del Norte Redwoods State Park, cruising through the dappled shadows of the magnificent redwood forest. Sounds like a dream!

America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)

Sweet home Alabama! That’s right folks, ACC1 is officially in the third state on their trip! They’re making record time and smiling big while doing it. After getting to camp nice and early, they had the afternoon to chill out and gear up for another great day of riding tomorrow! Keep it up, team!

America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)

Another great day in Georgia! Today, Nicole, Christian & the gang made great time as they made their way through their final leg of the Peach State. Rolling hills and blue skies — this group is crushing it! Proud of you all, you inspire us!