With surprise rain storms and ominous clouds looming over us here in Brunswick, we hope that each trip (local or otherwise) enjoyed the sunny moments on this warm Monday! We unfortunately had to say goodbye to some of our delightful students today, but we also said hello to some new groups as they began their summer Apogee Adventure. Happy Monday, everyone!

Skip to a Specific Trip: NEMCA, NEMCB, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRMC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, AKMCC, NWXA, NWXB, PC, ACC1, ACC2

New England Mountains & Coast A&B (NEMC A&B)

Another trip is finishing up and we were sad to see these awesome NEMC groups head home! Today, both NEMC crews departed after a wonderful 10-days of hiking, rafting, and kayaking throughout Maine and New Hampshire. 

Bonus NEMCA photo from last night in Portland!

Caribbean Service (CS)

Our CS team left mainland Puerto Rico behind as they hopped on the ferry to Vieques and took in some gorgeous views from the water of Puerto Rico and El Yunque. They’ll start their service projects on the island tomorrow in earnest.

 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

The DEXA trip left Camden this morning to travel to Acadia National Park. On the way, they stopped in Ellsworth to work with the Frenchman Bay Conservancy on some tough trail maintenance work. Afterward: their first night in Acadia, with dreams of exploring the Park tomorrow!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

The DEXB crew launched from their overnight kayaking campsite this morning and paddled back to the mainland. After packing up, they had lunch and played a variety of exciting games on the Brunswick green before making their way to Camden, ME for the night, where they’ll properly break-in their hiking boots tomorrow!

Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)

Our VLCA campers arrived today and met our leaders in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Students and leaders played some icebreakers before travelling to gorgeous and green central Vermont for their first night in camp.

Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)

Our VLCB campers arrived today as well! They also winged their way to rural Vermont for their first night at camp after playing some get-to-know-you games.

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Our CRMC’ers enjoyed a last day of hiking around San Gerardo before having a final dinner and evening to say goodbye to this quaint village they’ve called home the past few days. Tomorrow marks a new adventure, hiking into an Ecolodge in the Costa Rican rainforest where they’ll be staying for the next few days.

California Mountains & Coast (CMC)

Today the stoke is HIGH as this group left for Yosemite. Though the drive was long from Manteca, CA, it is also beautiful. They were so eager to get to Yosemite that we didn’t get a blog photo from them before they lost cell service. Knowing Nate, Lila, and their crew, they explored some magical vistas before settling in for the evening.

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

Today was AKMCA ‘s last full day and night of Chugach backcountry camping. Students enjoyed many alpine lake and valley views as they continued on the Williwaw Lakes Loop. We hope that they got to see some mountain goats on their hike and we can’t wait to see their photos tomorrow!

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

This trip had an INCREDIBLE day today walking on glaciers and ice-climbing in Seward, Alaska with Exit Glacier Guides! Though challenging, this opportunity has been a favorite of past campers and we’re sure AKMCB 2021 rose to the occasion. For our lucky readers, we have here a suite of pictures that span both their recent kayaking adventures and today’s glacial forays. They also sent along some awe-inducing videos of ocean life that we so wish we could share with you. Alas!

 

Alaska Mountains & Coast C (AKMCC)

Connor and Clio’s crew had a busy day today between packing up camp, completing a big grocery shop, transferring to Seward, and getting prepared for the start of their kayak adventure tomorrow. Here are some lovely photos from their recent backcounty journey!

 

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

Today was a busy one for Emma, Tommy, and crew; between collecting mail, making calls home, and preparing for their North Cascades backcountry starting tomorrow, they’re pretty well done in (and excited). They hit the trails first thing tomorrow, so let’s hope that they get lots of sleep tonight! 

I’m not sure that the couch was on the backcountry shopping list, as comfy as it looks!

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

Jonathan, Emmaline, and Co spent another day stretching their legs with a day hike in Olympic National Park. Tomorrow promises to be a busy one as well as they check in with rangers to get their backcountry permit, get updates on trail conditions, and repack their backpacking packs for the start of their final week.

Pacific Coast (PC)

We’ve always said that a good pyramid starts with a stable base, and PC proves us right once again! Is the pyramid a metaphor for a cohesive group and a supportive trip? Perhaps. We’ll let the smiling faces below make any final arguments.

America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)

Students biked 60+ miles today through Arizona from Phoenix to Wickenburg, passing through 6 towns, over canals, and along many waterways before settling in for the night. These campers are beasts on bikes and we can hardly believe how smoothly they keep rolling along!

America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)

Nicole and Christian’s team was all smiles today as they pedaled into a rest day tomorrow! We’re not sure exactly where they got the sign below, but we couldn’t have said it better ourselves: “Eight states down and one to go!”