By: Apogee’s Assistant Directors Poets
This time of year is like no other
The office is busy – our hearts are aflutter!
With rounds 2 and 3 of our trips in the field
Endless adventurous memories, they’ll yield!
Without a doubt ’tis a great time of season
so sit back and enjoy our rhymes with no reason!
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ3):
Maine Coast Junior is well on their way,
In Acadia Park they did spend their day.
Exploring and hiking and having good fun,
They used up their day in fresh air and good sun.
Today they spent out, covering miles on their feet,
Tomorrow they’ll adventure, this time in a bike seat!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE3):
Today the crew
Shared their stories to all
And their feat of writing
Was not at all small
Their essays are polished
And finally done
It’s time to say goodbye
To their week of fun
Tonight they’ll celebrate
By eating out on the town
And we’re confident there will be
None with a frown
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI3):
Today the Capers reached their final spot,
They took the ferry to Boston – it was a straight shot!
They’ve surfed and cycled and made their way,
To Boston, where they’ll celebrate – hooray!
We can’t believe all that they’ve done,
With so much adventure, friendship, and fun.
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC3):
Awake by dawn, on the trail before six,
Julia and Andy’s NEMCers were due for some great pics.
They made their way up the tallest peak in the east,
Determined to tame the notorious Mt. Washington beast.
Flash-forward to the summit, 6,289 feet later,
A feeling of accomplishment that could not be greater!
Caribbean Service Adventure (CSA3):
They headed off to Vieques
On the morning ferry ride
Each with 11 new friends
Seated by their side
It’s their final part of the trip
As they live “Island Time”
And volunteer with teens
Without making a dime
They’ll spend their afternoon
Exploring along the beach
It’s hard to believe
The trip’s end is in reach!
Vermont to Montreal A & B (VMA3&B3):
As the saying goes, “Two teams are better than one.”
So our two Vermonster trips teamed up to get it done.
Together they rode the final 25 miles;
Twice the students means twice the smiles.
Their final destination, congrats to all!
And from all of us here, bienvenue a Montreal!
[Note: No pic arrived before going to press, but they’re all doing well and we hope to have one soon!]
Maine’s Downeast Explorer A (DEX3):
Packs are packed – stuffed full of food and gear,
Onto the Appalachian Trail goes this group so dear.
They’ll hike for two days carrying everything they need,
They’ll enjoying living off the grid, yes indeed!
Into the woods with zest they came,
We hope their trails are filled with fun and games!
[Note: Off the grid = no pics. Can’t wait to see their smiling faces in a few days!]
Costa Rica Language & Service (CRLS3):
Into the rainforest
Our hikers did go
Exploring the nature
Both high and low
They volunteered this morning
On a hydroponic farm
And learned about medicinal plants
To keep all from harm
They swam in cool waters
Under tall waterfalls
And hunted for tree frogs
By listening for the calls
They hike out tomorrow
And return to cell range
We can’t wait to see photos
Of all that has changed
Coast to Quebec A (CQ2A):
Goodbye, United States. But to Canada, we say hello!
A hilly 40 miles couldn’t stop CQA’s flow.
Emily and Kadin’s crew crossed the border feeling good,
Or should we now say they’re feeling bien? I guess we could.
They’re making great progress, now just two more days to ride,
They’ve got Quebec City in their sites – it’s got nowhere to hide!
Coast to Quebec B (CQ2B):
Fifty miles of Maine’s northwoods to enjoy today,
With fearless leaders Grubes and Jess to lead the way.
I hope they keep their eyes peeled for moose,
Or maybe the moose should be careful, because CQB is on the loose.
It’s hard to believe, but they’ll get to Quebec in two days time,
But for now, spirits are high, and the group’s feeling fine.
California Mountains & Coast A (CMC3A):
Marmots, deer, foxes, oh my!
In the backcountry of Yosemite, surrounded by sky.
Epic panoramas of the High Sierra Mountains,
Hiking miles and miles, but then again, who’s counting?
Unfortunately no cell service means no photos tonight,
But we’ll be swimming in them soon – hold tight!
California Mountains & Coast B (CMC3B):
After a week of hiking, it’s time to rest their feet,
So Jessi and Nick’s gang changed from a pack to a fleet.
They spent the day paddling through the beautiful Tomales Bay,
Trying to spot some rays or seals along the way.
Tonight they’ll spend the night camping on the beach,
With thoughts of San Francisco in a few days, just out of reach.
Montana Service Adventure (MSA2):
It’s time to do service
In the National Park
They worked very hard
To leave their group’s mark
They painted and weeded
And broke a small sweat
And though it’s their last day of service
It’s not over yet
Tomorrow they’ll boat
And hit the white water
With the help of their guide
Northwest Explorer (NWX2):
Picking up paddles, our Northwestern crew,
Heads out to sea kayak in the big blue.
They’ll sleep on an island, under the sky
Enjoy the lull of the waves and some seaweed stir fry.
They’ll paddle and play and explore the shore,
They could see eagles, starfish, orcas, and more!
Pacific Coast A (PC2A):
It’s Day 16
Riding along the coastline
And with only three days left
The group’s feeling fine!
They’ve got 50 miles
Of rolling hills,
Of beautiful views,
And many fun thrills!
This fabulous group
Is riding so strong
And making memories
They’ll have their life-long.
Pacific Coast B (PC2B):
After a rest day
They’re ready to go
Back on their bikes
Towards San Francisco
They’re riding the coast
With beautiful views
With sights just like this
You can’t have the blues!
They’ve got 60 miles
To their next campsite
But with Spencer and Lindsay
We know they’re alright!
Scottish Highlands Explorer (SHX2):
Our Scottish Explorers have Olympic spirit,
Their team chants and yells? By golly, you’ll hear it!
Divided and assigned country representation
Each pair bravely defended their nation.
With Russia in red and Jamaica in yellow
Neither of the teams were fearful or mellow.
Djibouti in green and the UK in white,
Towards the US in blue they put up a fight.
Before the games was castle exploration
Making the most of their day of relaxation!
Alps Explorer (AX2):
“Goodbye France, hello (again) Switzerland,” they’ll say,
As Will and Becca’s gang crossed their final border today.
An easier hike, but not without it’s share of epic views,
They’re getting the full Alps experience, all by way of their shoes.
A few days without service, so we’ve been lacking our photo fix,
But the wait is over, so please, enjoy these unbelievable pics.
America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1):
The rest day of all rest days – one never more deserved,
After a delicious dinner out last night, so nice to have food served.
So nice to sleep in, and in real beds nonetheless,
Showers, clean clothes, air-conditioning? Yes!
Abby and West’s team bringing tan-lines back in fashion,
And their feeling of accomplishment? We can only imagine.
America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2):
Just two days to San Diego, but some serious mountains to climb first,
Fortunately, being so close to the coast sure has it’s perks.
Today, Apogee’s founder and co-director, Kevin, and his wife joined the gang,
Climbing thousands of feet with Lucy and Dixie’s team, their quads feeling the pain.
Tomorrow morning, they’ll get going early, right out of the gates,
After 2,700 miles, the Pacific Ocean awaits.
