Enchanted forests. Brave groups of friends. Students learning exciting new things. No technology in sight. Are we describing the world of Harry Potter or the world of our Apogee students? There’s a pretty magical answer to that question: both! Just like Harry and his friends, our summer explorers are seeking out adventure at every turn, and they’re having no problem finding it. Not even Umbridge could sour a day like today!
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CRM, MCCE, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
While MCJ may not be knocking out any trolls anytime soon, they for sure knocked out some mountains! This adventurous young crew woke up early this morning to squeeze in one last hike in Acadia before packing up and heading back down the coast. After their journey in the van (or maybe the Knight Bus? Who knows!), they spent an amazing afternoon on the water, sea kayaking off of beautiful Orr’s Island. Tomorrow, they’ll use their powers to help out locally when they head out for community service!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
You’d think Hermione herself taught these CI-ers how to properly pronounce “wingardium leviosa” with the way they levitated on the waves today! This crew of the brightest witches and wizards of their age took to the ocean today for a stand-up paddleboarding session, and they blew it out of the water (not literally, of course). This group can clearly handle anything that’s thrown their way, including hopping back on their bikes tomorrow to continue their journey along the Cape. Maybe they should try Quidditch next!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
While it may not be the Forbidden Forest, NEMCA has certainly had quite the adventure in New Hampshire’s White Mountains! After conquering Mount Washington yesterday, this squad went out for one last day hike today. They didn’t encounter any unicorns or giants, but they encountered plenty of magical views! Tomorrow, they’ll Apparate back to Midcoast Maine for a day of community service.
New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)
It’s the last day in the Whites for our NEMCB branch of Dumbledore’s Army! These talented witches and wizards were so stoked from yesterday’s climb of Mount Washington that they wanted to tackle one last day hike before they close this chapter of their story, complete with a trip to a swimming hole. Tomorrow, they’ll zip back up to Maine for a day of community service. The real question is how they’ll get here – by flying car, broom, or hippogriff?
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
If we had to guess which house our CRM group would be in, it’d definitely be Gryffindor! This ultra-courageous bunch took on their challenge hike today, and they came out on top like Gryffindor in the House Cup! Their last day of hiking led them through some of the best scenery they’ve seen so far, and they soaked up every minute of it, with their challenge day culminating in an epic misty summit of Flattop Mountain. Tomorrow, they’ll say “Aguamenti!” and magic themselves to an epic day of white water rafting. We’ll be listening on our Extendable Ears to see how it goes! While they were unable to send in a photo before they went back out of cell service, we cannot wait to see what’s in store for tomorrow.
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
The Golden Trio studied and took exams for their classes and maybe tried to borrow a book from the Restricted Section, but our students are focused on writing their own stories! They were workshopping all morning, and just like Hogwarts students have to practice their spells to get them working just right, our students kept working on getting the details of their essays just right! They then spent another afternoon with Jared, learning about how to ace their admissions interviews with their magical charm. Even the best witches and wizards need rest, and that’s exactly what MCCE will get with their downtime at camp tonight!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
While our NWX crew could’ve easily Apparated their way out of the backcountry of the Hoh Rainforest, they chose to enjoy the beautiful backcountry by hiking their remaining five miles back to civilization! After their transit to Bellingham (which included an awesome ferry ride), they got some well-deserved rest and took some much-needed showers. Tomorrow, they’ll get to experience something truly magical – their first rest day!
Pacific Coast (PC)
Who needs broomsticks when you can breeze down the coast via bicycle? It’s surely a much smoother ride, not to mention easier to get moving. Today, our PC crew crossed into a new land: California! They arrived in Crescent City at the end of their 30-mile ride, where they’ll sleep next to some very real giants of the forests – the Redwoods! It’s not the Whomping Willow, but just as awesome. Tomorrow, they’ll get time on the waves with a surfing session, where they’ll take inspiration from our CI trip and invoke Hermione’s favorite spell: “Wingardium leviosa!”
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
Our Alps crew started their day at their version of Hogwarts: the Pink Church of Trient! This landmark will set them off on a journey full of twists and turns on the Tour du Mont Blanc, though we hope the steps are not as tricky as the Grand Staircase. These Gryffindors, full of courage and energy, ascended a 9-mile hike into the French Alps today to begin their journey. They’ll take in the night with a view of the world below and go to sleep nestled in those magical mountains.
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
Who needs a freezing spell when the Alps can keep your ice cream cool? Our trekkers enjoyed a well-deserved dessert during (are we under an alliteration spell?) lunch as they continued their Tour du Mont Blanc with a 12-mile hike, their longest yet. This crew was in no need of magic, though – they crushed the hike with the power of their own legs!
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
What an adventure in this magical place! Now, this chapter must come to a close. Our fearless cyclists have now packed up their bags and hung up their bikes for the skies above. While there isn’t a Terminal 9 ¾ , the hours will fly by today, and in the rush of getting home, it’ll feel like they Apparated there. May the enchantment spell of Europe live long in the memories and hearts of our ECC1 students!
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
So much in such a small space – almost like if they were in a Charmed Tent! Certainly, Venice has the charm to pull it off. Our whizzing cyclists spent their day strolling in Venice through canals and alleyways (perhaps Diagon Alley?), enjoying their last full day together. Their final dinner is taking place tonight, and though no sorting is on the agenda, they’ve already found their family: the House of ApogeECC2.
