“What time is it? Summer Time! It’s our Vacation!”
-High School Musical 2
Welcome back to the blog, East High Wildcats!
Just as Gabriella from High School Musical had to leave her old school to start at East High at the beginning of the hit movie, many Apogee students are at the “start of something new” as they begin or end their adventures today! Though we are sad to say goodbye to so many students, we are so excited to see new faces and we know that “no matter where life takes us, nothing can break us apart!”
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMC, CRM, CS, MCCE, MCP, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2, PMC
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
“So lonely before, I finally found what I’ve been looking for!”
The wait is over for these awesome MCJ friends as they begin their trip today! After saying goodbye to family and friends in Wakefield, these folks headed up to beautiful Brunswick, Maine to play some games and enjoy the sunshine. Their fearless leaders, Emma, Clare, and Josh, can’t wait for all the fun that the next few days will hold!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Come and join the party
You deserve it, same as me
Take it there together!”
Our Cape Cod friends had a great second day getting to know each other! After loading up their bikes, they cruised over to the ferry which took them to Martha’s Vineyard where they ate a picnic lunch and finished their ride. Just as the HSM (that’s High School Musical for short, folks!) troop got to relax at the beach after their hard work in the second movie, the CI team swam and relaxed at the beach after their awesome day on the bikes!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
It’s day 2 for the NEMC students! While the Wildcat basketball team had to work together to win the state championship, these folks had to work together even more during their team-building ropes course adventure today! After an awesome day, they drove into the beautiful white mountains for the next part of their adventure!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
It’s been a great first day for the CRM2 team! After everyone arrived, Dana, Louise and their students got their heads in the game by taking a gorgeous drive to Grand Lank for their first night in the Rockies. While they were too busy having fun to grab a picture, we look forward to seeing their smiling faces soon!
Caribbean Service (CS)
Champions one and all
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
I know that we belong
Yeah it’s living in all of us
These rising seniors got off to a harmonious start today as they said goodbye to family and headed to the yurts! With a guitar in hand, Ellie and Sam are so excited to welcome this group for lots of college prep and outdoor activities! After a long day of travel, these students will get to enjoy a delicious dinner, time by the pond, and some music to bring them all together!
Maine Coast Photo (MCP)
It’s the first full day for the MCP bunch! They started off the day with a lesson with their photography instructor, Jaime inside their cottage in Boothbay. In the afternoon, they took what they learned into the great outdoors! Jaime and the team enjoyed a beautiful walk to Pemaquid Point to get out their cameras and capture the blue waters of Maine! Lookin’ good out there, Wildcats!
Vermont to Montreal A (VMA) and Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)
Well, today we said goodbye to our VMA and VMB Wildcats. We can’t believe that the trip came to a close today and that we had to say farewell to such amazing groups! We’re comforted to know that it’s not a true “goodbye,” but rather a “see you later!” We’ll miss you all, you fantastic VMers!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
“We learned to fly together
Side by side
I just hope the rest of my life
Would feel as good”
It’s departure day for CRMC! While it’s hard to say goodbye to new friends and beautiful Costa Rica, we know these students will leave with unforgettable memories. We wish this team a happy summer and hope to see them on another Apogee trip soon! See you later, Wildcats!
California Mountains & Coast A (CMCA) and California Mountains & Coast B (CMCB)
Whoa there, Wildcats! How the time flies! Both CMCA and CMCB wrapped up their trip today, and to say that we’ll miss these all star teams is an understatement. They always knew when to shoot the outside J (just like Troy Bolton) and made some stupendous memories along the way. Farewells are always bittersweet; we love you CMCA and CMCB!
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA) and Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
We’ve got things to do, we’ll see you soon
And we’re really gonna miss you all
Goodbye to you and you
And you and you”
Mac & Molly and Alex & Nellie said their goodbyes to their teams today! Be it hiking in the beautiful Alaska landscapes, sea kayaking, or ice climbing, these students have done it all! Just like the HSM students reunited after summer break, we hope to see many of the AKMC students for another Apogee trip in the future!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
“I’m not gonna stop, that’s who I am
I’ll give it all I got, that is my plan”
Ben, Maeve, and their campers are non-stop! They headed back into the backcountry today to enjoy the wonderful Northern Cascades! One of the beauties of the backcountry is to be completely connected to nature, without much access to the internet. So while we won’t see their pictures for a couple of days, we know they are enjoying one of the most gorgeous parts of the country!
Pacific Coast (PC)
“We’re soarin’, flyin’
There’s not a star in heaven
That we can’t reach”
The PC team killed it today as they rode into the Avenue of the Giants! They conquered a big ride today thanks to teamwork and some fun face paint! After a big ride, they enjoyed their campground, which was surrounded by redwoods which made for a great camping experience. Keeping killing it out there, PC team!
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
“If this was forever, what could be better?”
The AXA Wildcats had a beautiful day on the trail today with views of Mont Blanc massif! They stopped for a break in a meadow to enjoy some snacks and the landscapes. Although it was a tough hike, this crew absolutely crushed it today and made it to camp for a delicious dinner and a mail stop! Tomorrow they get a well-deserved rest day! Good job team!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
“A little bit of sugar
a little bit of butter
it’s the perfect recipe!”
This amazing group had another border crossing today! After reaching the Swiss border, the group got to look back at the beautiful Italian valley that they conquered! On the Swiss side of the valley, the group finished their hike along side gorgeous meadows and glacial streams. After a successful day, our Alps crew celebrated with a lovely fondue! Tasty!
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
“A dip in the pool, a trip to the spa
Endless days in my chaise
The whole world according to moi”
While the ECC1 team isn’t at the spa like Sharpay, they do have a rest day today! Their lazy day meant calls home, laundry, and exploring the town of Epernay! We know the team is enjoying a day off the bikes to relax before riding tomorrow.
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
“It’s out with the old and in with the new,
Goodbye clouds of Gray, hello skies of blue”
The EEC2 crew is making their way through Europe day by day! Out with Laon and onto bun-skied Paris! These folks enjoyed a rest day with delicious food, awesome friends, and the classic French tourist attractions! These students are fueled up and ready to go for the next part of their trip!
Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)
The PMC team said farewell to Barcelona as well as their new friends today! They had a great two weeks of hiking, kayaking, and exploring in Spain! We wish them safe travels and hope to see them back next summer for another Apogee trip! Be well out there, PMCers; we miss you already!