New year, new adventures! As January unfolds, we’re excited to share stories, highlights, and inspiration to fuel the year ahead.
Also, if your Apogee Alum has done something cool or exciting recently (and we know you have!), please send a blurb and photo to jackie@apogeeadventures.com. We love hearing from you!
Apogee Alumni Feature - Emma Blaustein
A three-time Apogee alum (Golden State Adventure ’21, Alaska Mountains and Coast ’22, and Northwest Explorer ’23), Emma Blaustein recently reflected on how her time with us prepared her for an unforgettable experience as Crew Leader during an 11-day trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.
Leading her 11-person crew through 86 miles of challenging terrain (topping out at an impressive 12,441 feet!) Emma relied on the skills, resilience, and leadership she honed during her Apogee trips, particularly her Northwest Explorer (now Northwest Mountains and Coast) adventure with us in 2023!
Emma shared how she would often ask herself, “What would Molly and Ellie do?” – a nod to her past Apogee leaders – as she navigated tough decisions and embraced the responsibility of leading her team. We’re so impressed with Emma’s outdoor leadership skills and can’t wait to see what she does next!
Emma while at Philmont Scout Ranch (left) and with her NWX ’23 group (right).
Staff Feature - Jocie Funderburk
We are excited to spotlight one of our own incredible trip leaders, Jocie Funderburk, whose passion for bike touring and commitment to empowering young women has come to life through her senior thesis project.
Through her initial research, Jocie discovered a that there are no bike touring programs in the US designed as programs specifically for teenage girls. Subsequently, for her senior capstone project, she designed and presented about the benefits of a three-week, 80-hour bike tour for teenage girls on the Pacific Coast. She hopes her research and subsequent program design will create space for young women to experience the many positive effects of cycling.
Jocie’s journey with Apogee has been a full circle of inspiration. It was through her own Apogee trips as a student (Maine Coast Junior ’15, Cape Cod & the Islands ’16, Montana Service Adventure ’17, America Coast to Coast ’18, and Europe Coast to Coast ’19) that Jocie discovered her love for cycling and outdoor adventure. Those transformative moments fueled her desire to return as a leader (Vermont to Montreal ’23, Pacific Coast ’24, and, returning this summer to lead our Europe Coast to Coast trip!), and ultimately, to create a program that would help other girls experience the same empowerment she found.
Jocie’s work is a wonderful reminder of the impact Apogee trips can have, not just during the journey but far beyond. We are excited to have her back on the team this summer and are proud of the research and work she has done!
Jocie as a student on Cape Cod and the Islands in 2016 and Jocie crossing the Golden Gate Bridge last summer while leading Pacific Coast!
If you’re an alumni of one of our service or hiking programs, you probably know that Apogee runs bike trips. Maybe you’re intrigued by the idea, but you aren’t quite sure what a “bike trip” entails?
On our bicycle touring programs, you move from point A to point B on your trusty bicycle steed, exploring and experiencing all of the excitement in-between. In doing so, you are also bringing everything you need for your trip (whether it is a two-week trip, three-week trip, or a cross-continental four-week trip), packed on your bike with you. So how does it all work? We explain the logistics (and magic) of bicycle touring in our newest blog post!
Traveling is richer on two wheels – whether it’s across the Alps or down the Pacific coast!
