What a day in the Apo-verse! Today saw a lot of our groups fulfilling our “community” pillar, as many of our groups had their community service day today! Read on to see the adventures of all of our programs in the field.

Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMCA, AKMCB, AXA, AXB, CCM, CI, CRM, CRMC, CS, DEXA, ECC1, ECC2, ECC3, NEMCA, NEMCB, NWX, PC, PMC, VMA, VMB

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

Today AKMCA headed down the Kenai peninsula and helped clear trails and learn about salmon with the Kenai peninsula stream watch for their community service. This evening, they head to Seward as they prepare to begin their kayaking adventure soon!

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

AKMCB is headed out into the backcountry today! They packed up this morning and are excited to explore. We got a pic before they entered the land of no cell service, though! Leaders Isabelle and Jondall said that a tasty dinner awaits them (with a backcountry dessert) when they’re done hiking for the day – what a treat!

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

Games, shopping, and gelato, oh my! AXA spent the day exploring the beautiful Swiss town of Martigny. After enjoying some delicious gelato and checking out the town square, the group found a perfect spot to stop and play a few games as they prepare for the next hiking journey – the Tour du Mont Blanc!

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

AXB said goodbye to their campsite this morning, which they affectionately referred to as their “gnome-home” (this previous AX leader can tell you that there are lots of little garden gnomes around the campsite). The group enjoyed the ultimate meal experience, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc at lunch, and a specially-prepared dinner ready for them when they got to camp – a mountain rifugio!

California’s Coastal Mountains (CCM)

Backcountry, best-country! While we can’t get any photos of the group in the backcountry, the backcountry makes for some of the greatest times on Apogee trips. No light pollution to cover up the stars, plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company, and amazing views of mountains and coast! I’m getting jealous just writing this! Looking forward to seeing their pictures when they emerge on Wednesday!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Holy moly, CI1… you did it! You rode to the tip top of the Cape! A beautiful 25-mile bike ride built the excitement for the group as they cruised on in to Provincetown to celebrate their last big ride. Feeling accomplished, they are excited to take a ferry into Boston tomorrow and explore the area as a group before wrapping up their time together.

Ice cream and quintessential New England views?! Sign me up!

Caribbean Service (CS)

Caribbean Service had a great day working with Martin and Apoyo Mutuo Agrícola (mutual aid for local farmers) today. They tilled a patch of soil to create 5 rows that they planted seeds in! The seed is called canabalia and is used to feed farm animals and fix up nitrogen in the soil. “It was great to see the tangible result of our team effort!” said leader Will. The group enjoyed a nice break from work with a tour of the farm to meet the chickens, cow, goat, and bunnies.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Shred the gnarly whitewater, dude! …is what we imagine our CRM crew said to each other as they cruised down the Poudre river today. Reports are that rafting was awesome and the water felt amazing. No photos from rafting, as water+phones = no good! But here is an adorable and amazingly Colorado-y photo of our group at dinner tonight. Hard to believe that tomorrow is their last night together!

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Life is good in Costa Rica! The group enjoyed a decadent breakfast with fresh local ingredients, including fresh fruit from their very own backyard! The Apogee of the day for team “Pura Vida” was the victorious win from the group soccer game. Both teams reunited as one after the game and enjoyed watermelon and Coca Colas. Leader Charlie says spirits are high as they prepare to head to the beach town of Uvita tomorrow!

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

ECC1 is feeling STRONG today (Just look at those muscles)! They officially logged their farthest mileage of the trip – 118 kilometers – WOW! They even biked across water?! Ok maybe it was a ferry ride, but still quite an experience! 😉 A rest day comes at the perfect time as the group is looking forward to exploring their next country – Belgium!

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

ECC2 enjoyed a scenic views on their tour today. Beautiful bike paths make for an easy-going ride (with the exception of the breezy headwinds) as the group enjoys their last full day in the Netherlands. The group had the chance to take a ferry (with their bikes!) along their route today!

Europe Coast to Coast 3 (ECC3)

And they’re off! This crew started out with a wonderful tour of coastal Holland for their first day of biking! Beautiful suburban neighborhoods, a national forest, and a gorgeous coastal route made for an enjoyable first ride as they begin to work their way towards Venice.

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

They did it! DEX made it back from the backcountry and leader Lucia says they are feeling victorious! The group hiked 20 miles over the past 3 days (with their full packs!). “Our kids CRUSHED and we could not be prouder!” (say leaders Luke and Lucia). They hiked out of the backcountry back into civilization today with pizza, ice cream, games, and nail polish to celebrate (oh, and some sweet medals for finishing the backcountry).

New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)

NEMCA made the trek back from New Hampshire to Maine and set up camp right next to the ocean for the “coast” portion of their itinerary. They spent their day serving the local community by helping an organization focused on increasing outdoor access for those with disabilities. What a cool way to share the experiences they’ve had this past week and extend the opportunity for others to access similar experiences! A note from the leaders left us in good spirits: “Everyone is enjoying our remaining days together and spending moments laughing and sharing stories!”

New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)

Today NEMCB’s group gave back to their local community by planting zucchini in winter rye fields. These kids have a green thumb! Speaking of kids, this crew made some new friends today out at the farm! These friends had funny little beards that we like to call “goat-tees” 😉 Some may even say this day was the Greatest Of All Time (get it, get it?). The group is looking forward to a fun night of games with more friends as they meet up and share a campground with NEMCB next to the ocean.

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

Backcountry night two! We can’t wait to see the photos from their venture into the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park when they emerge tomorrow! We are expecting photos with tall trees and mountains – can’t wait!

Pacific Coast (PC)

Pacific Coast conquered the notorious Cape Sebastian today for their last full day of biking in Oregon! While there wasn’t enough cell service to push through a photo from today’s campground, we have a photo from last night that will make you wish you were out biking on the Oregon coast!

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

PMC is feeling strong!! Leader Elle says the group “crushed over 10 miles today!”, and saw three different estanys (Catalan for “lakes”). After today’s hike and refugi visit, they could not be more excited to start the next portion of their trip – a trekking circuit in the high Pyrenees called the “Carros de Foc.” The group is enjoying a memorable 4th of July celebration tonight (yes, we know, one day early) before a good night’s rest to start the Carros de Foc!

Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)

VMA spent the day in Burlington out on the water. With bikes?! Just kidding, they went kayaking today on their day off the bikes! They spent the morning paddling around Lake Champlain before having lunch on the beach. They spent the afternoon exploring Burlington, and even made a special stop at Ben and Jerry’s (a Vermont classic)!

Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)

VMB – livin the dream over in Vermont! Today VMB ate rainbow bagels for breakfast (tasty and stylish!), rode into Burlington, saw lots of sailboats, jammed out to Noah Kahan, and painted boards for picnic tables for Burlington Parks and Rec on their afternoon of community service. They capped it all off by seeing a pre-4th of July fireworks show and having cookout with the other VM group as they are both at the same campground this evening!