From the Blog-Writing Stage at the Apogee Studios….. This! Is! Apo-Jeopardy!! Today’s contestants are you (our loyal blog readers), so prepare for a challenge. We hope some of your answers are correct, but we also hope you learn some new facts about the awesome activities our young explorers did today and the amazing places these trips have taken them to. We will be your hosts today, so we have named today’s game Apo-Jeopardy! Are you ready?? Let’s go!

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Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMC, AX, CRM, CRMC, CSPR, CSVI, DEX, IMC, NWX, PC, VM

Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)

Question: This Alaskan state park where our AKMC group is hiking today is right next to Anchorage, yet is home to a vast array of wildlife.

Answer: What is Chugach State Park?

Our AKMC group had their first full day of their trip, which included a day hike in Chugach State Park through open terrain with views of the spectacular mountains. The group then did their preparation for the backcountry portion of the trip, which begins tomorrow, before cheffing up a yummy dinner, playing a few goofy games, and getting in their sleeping bags for a good night’s rest. 

Alps Explorer (AX)

Question: This alpine animal, whose tracks our AX group spotted today on their hike, is a species of goat-antelope that lives mainly at elevations above 11,000 ft. 

Answer: What is the chamois?

AXB not only passed chamois tracks, but donkeys, fox scat, wild raspberries, cows, and the home of the discoverer of Neptune on their hike today. A food resupply and popsicles for all was a fantastic end to the day. The group then headed off to camp to rest up for their big climb tomorrow. 

Caribbean Service Puerto Rico (CSPR)

Question: This sport, which our CSPR group played today at the beach, made its debut at the Olympics in 1996.

Answer: What is beach volleyball?

CSPR spent the morning doing community service with Corredor Ecologico del Noreste. They cleared a 1.5-mile-long trail that leads to a river in the nature reserve and spotted a crab and many snails in the forest! They then swam at the beach and played some beach volleyball as well as a competitive game of keep away. Afterwards, they packed up, ate a delicious dinner, and headed to bed, dreaming of a fun day of snorkeling tomorrow! 

Caribbean Service Virgin Islands (CSVI)

Question: This environmental organization, one of the largest in the world, welcomed our CSVI group to their St. Croix chapter today for several days of sustainability-based service.

 

Answer: What is The Nature Conservancy?

Our CSVI group began their work on trail maintenance and conservation projects with The Nature Conservancy this morning. They then went on a tour of The Nature Conservancy’s Coral Innovation Lab, which gave the students some insight on how their service work this week is furthering the mission and efficacy of the TNC on St. Croix. A relaxing afternoon followed, which included some time by the water to cool off. They then headed back to camp for dinner and some evening games! 

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Question: This Apogee tradition, which students in the second picture are doing, is done before every meal on a trip and is meant to encourage the whole group to wait until everyone has been served to start eating. 

Answer: What is quakering? 

After a fun final dinner last night, our CRM trip said goodbye to each other this morning. We’re sure that the group will head home with wonderful memories of beautiful lake swims, singing goofy songs while hiking, and sleeping in tents under the stars. 

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Question: Our CRMC group explored this small national park today, which is known for its diverse range of plants and animals, including white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, and toucans.

Answer: What is Parc Nacional Manuel Antonio? 

CRMC did a guided hike in the park and spotted some rainforest animals, including monkeys, sloths, a coati, crabs, bats, colorful crickets, and iguanas! They ended their hike with some bodysurfing at a calm beach to cool off before heading into the small town of Manuel Antonio for a yummy lunch and some exploring as a group. They then hit the road for their next hostel destination in the cloud forest, played some evening games, and went to bed early to rest up for their challenge hike tomorrow! 

Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)

Question: This unique, cylindrical mountain is situated near the town of Grundarfjörður on a peninsula, and our IMC group paddled around it today! 

Answer: What is Mt. Kirkjufell? 

Our IMC group started off the morning with a paddle around Mt. Kirkjufell. They then hiked to a waterfall in the afternoon, which looks stunning! The group then went into the town of Grundarfjörður to explore as a group for a while before heading back to their campsite for dinner and evening games. 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)

Question: This is the first place you can see the sunrise in the U.S. between October and March.

Answer: What is Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park?

Today, the Downeast Explorers packed up camp for the first time and headed north to Acadia National Park, where they enjoyed a beautiful afternoon hike. At camp, they made a delicious dinner, played some fun games, and went to bed eager to explore more during their hike tomorrow! 

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

Question: This is the national park where our NWX group is currently hiking. With more than 300 glaciers, it is more glaciated than anywhere in the U.S. outside Alaska. 

Answer: What is North Cascades National Park?

NWX is on day 3 of their backcountry adventure. They hiked, cooked a delicious backcountry dinner, and played some fun games in camp! Amidst the serene quiet of the rugged forest, we’re sure pierces of laughter can be heard from this group of explorers as they make countless memories together. We can’t wait to hear all the great stories and see the awesome pictures when they come out of the backcountry in a few days!

Pacific Coast (PC)

Question: This is the Olympic sport that PC tried during their day off from the bikes today.

Answer: What is surfing?

PC ditched the road, donned their wetsuits, and hit the waves today for a totally tubular morning of surf lessons! They surfed, had a nice picnic lunch on the beach, and surfed some more. Afterwards, they enjoyed a chill afternoon of laundry and calls home back at camp. They stocked up on groceries and cooked a delicious dinner. After an awesome day of sun and surf, the crew happily hit the hay in anticipation of tomorrow’s awesome ride.

Vermont to Montreal (VM)

Question: This small college town is the home of many an Apogee leader, and is also the rest stop for VM tonight.

Answer: What is Middlebury, VT?

After warming up their legs and learning the ins and outs of bike safety yesterday, VM hit the road again today for another great day of cycling. Once again, they arrived in camp nice and early, leaving them plenty of time for games, dinner, and lots of sleep!