A swell adventure

awaits all Apogee kids.

Lean in and enjoy!

Welcome to Vermont & Lake Champlain Groups A and B and to America Coast to Coast Group 2! As day 5 comes to an end, it’s humbling to think about where everyone in the Apogee family is at the moment. Just a couple days ago students and trip leaders were all preparing for trips, feeling some good, healthy nerves and excitement, and wrapping their heads around the amazing activities in store for them. Now, the Apogee family is growing and students are settling into their groups all over the US and even in the Caribbean. Hate to break it to you kiddos, but you’re all part of the Apogee family now. Have fun and embrace it!

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

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

Hooray for MCJ! Our leaders Chase & Merrick were psyched to finally meet their amazing students and bring them to their first campground in Brunswick. After a long day of travel and introductions, they settled at camp and shared their excitement about sea kayaking and heading to Acadia National Park tomorrow! Welcome to the blog, MCJ!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Our CI’ers said goodbye to Martha’s Vineyard and hello to Nantucket! They had an action-packed day enjoying the ferry ride and exploring the neat old whaling town. Then they wrapped up with some beach time after lunch. What a swell time!

New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)

Sometimes a little bit of cloudy weather deters you from reaching Mt. Pierce. Luckily, our NEMC’ers still had a great day hike up to Mizpah Hut! Way to be flexible and make lemons out of lemonade! Maybe Mt. Pierce will be waiting for you to crush it tomorrow!

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

This morning, CRM learned from our trusty leaders how to become experts on quickly and efficiently packing up camp. Once they ensured that they were leaving no trace, they finished the morning with a solid hike in the Rockies. While in transit to their new campsite near Estes Park, they drove through the heart of Rocky Mountains National Park and took a pitstop at the Alpine Visitor Center, the highest elevation Visitor Center in the National Park System! Tomorrow they’ll be giving the mountain goats a run for their money when they gear up and go rock climbing!

Greetings from 11,796 ft. at the Alpine Visitor Center!

Caribbean Service (CS)

Day one of service! CS spent the day working on the incredible, wild Tanama River in Angeles with the one and only, Roberto! The Tanama River Valley is one of the least-developed areas on the island and Roberto is the man who “started it all” in keeping Tanama the spectacular area it is today. Well done, CS’ers! Starting off your trip strong with some hard work, sweat and smiles! 

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

MCCE’ers got to have some one-on-one time with Leah today to zone in on specifics in their essays and talk about any aspects they might be having trouble with. After their individual conferences, they stopped at Willard Beach before spending time with Jared to hone in on their admission interview skills. They spent the rest of their evening listening to the sweet sound of fingers typing and playing games.

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

The possibilities are endless in Acadia National Park! Filled with great hikes, views and swimming holes, what more could you ask for? DEXA spent the day exploring and warming up for their backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Off to bed early tonight in preparation for a potential early morning tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

DEXB’ers (kayaking experts at this point) kicked things off with a full day of hiking in Camden Hills State Park. Trip leaders, Kaia and Jack, chose a good starter hike with a hint of challenge in preparation for the group’s next couple of days in Acadia National Park.

Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)

What a day of introductions, get-to-know-you games and van activities. Welcome VLCA’ers! Your leaders, Mikey and Frances, are stoked for the adventures ahead and can’t wait to see you make this trip your own.

Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)

Hooray! Yippee! We’ve got VLCB! Trip leaders Hannah and Ellie rounded up their biking team and everyone set off in the van for their first night at camp. Once they arrived to Vermont, the rain clouds broke and greeted them with cool 70 degree weather. Sleep tight kiddos and dream of deep green valleys, cool streams, cow-dotted pastures and charming small towns.

California Mountains & Coast (CMC)

Our CMC’ers took an off-day from hiking and spent the morning volunteering with Empire Food Bank in Santa Rosa! After their project, they hit the road towards Yosemite to prepare for their backcountry adventure.

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

Julian and Mandy have their crew pumped and ready to rumble for their next backcountry expedition in Chugach! We’re wishing them the best of luck and crossing our fingers for some amazing scenery and wildlife photos!

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

After a beautiful night under the stars, AKMCB enjoyed a morning paddle before hopping onto the ferry back to Seward. No pictures from them as of press time because of the schedule of their day and the time difference, but here’s hoping they have a plethora for us tomorrow!

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

Rise and shine, NWXA, the mountains and forests of Olympic National Park await you! Our group excitedly boarded their van and drove to the park just in time to set up camp, eat lunch, and hike Hurricane Ridge. More day hikes are in store for them tomorrow and we are so excited to share what kind of views they’ll be lucky enough to see!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

NWXB met up with their incredibly knowledgeable kayaking guides today for their paddling and camping trip in the San Juan Islands! Similar to other Apogee kayaking adventures, they’ll be camping on the beach tonight where they hopefully can spot some exciting wildlife.

Last night’s dessert with the beautiful PNW sunset in the background.

Northwest Explorer (NWXC)

With their first night of camping complete, NWXC packed their gear and headed to Olympic National Park. They set up camp and went out for a day hike to explore their new home for the next few days. After dinner and a relaxing evening full of bonding time, they’re looking forward to more hikes tomorrow and preparing to head into the backcountry!

Pacific Coast (PC)

First day of riding, first day of riding! 31 miles oh me, oh my! PC’ers spent the day familiarizing themselves with their bikes and what it’s like to pedal all of your gear from Point A to Point B. Today was about becoming acclimated to the bikes and the touring lifestyle. More intensity, challenges and fun to come!

America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)

ACC1 put in more impressive miles today consisting of smooth roads and plenty of downhills. With the sun shining and the breeze blowing through their helmets, they made it to Fairfax in record time and are looking forward to their first state line-crossing tomorrow!

America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)

Today’s the day, ACC2! Leaders Christian & Nicole excitedly gathered their new Apogee family in Folly Beach before completing a brisk 12 mile ride to James Island, where they will be spending the night. Get ready for your most exciting summer adventure yet ACC2, we’ll be cheering you on every step (or pedal) of the way!