What a day to have a day! We had some groups hit their halfway point today, some had their first full day, and some are on the back stretch. Some are in the mountains, some on the coast. Some are backpacking, others are kayaking, and still others are completing service projects. Apogee groups are all over the country and the world, but what do they all have in common? They’re ROCKING it! So many milestones were accomplished today, so many lifelong memories made. Read below to learn more about it!
Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMCA, CRM, CS, MCCE, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWXA, NWXB, NWXC, PC, ACC1, ACC2
Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)
Up and at ‘em! Our Maine Coast Junior squad had a busy first day together. They spent the morning on the water off of Harpswell, Maine, then headed “Downeast” to get to Acadia National Park. Day hikes and bike rides await in beautiful Acadia!
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Big day for our Cape Cod & the Islands folks! On this glorious fifth day of the trip, they left the islands for good to headed back to the Cape, after spending some time on a beautiful stretch of the Cape Cod Rail Trail (pictured here). Today marks the halfway point for CI! Great things ahead for them!
New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)
Halfway there! The NEMC’ers spent the day moving campsites and doing a beautiful day hike on a beautiful day in the White Mountains, wrapping up their busy day with a restorative dip at a local swimming hole (shhhh…it’s a secret).Their challenge hike day is tomorrow and we can’t think of any group more up to it!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
What a day! The Colorado’s Rocky Mountains team did some incredible rock climbing at Kent Mountain Adventure Center (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds). After a long day of crushing it, these folks are due for a great night’s sleep!
Caribbean Service (CS)
Another great day in the central valley of magical Puerto Rico! Today, Kendra, Kramer, & Co. spent valuable time painting an old school house. What an absolutely unforgettable experience! After a long, rewarding day of service, our Puerto Rico folks wrapped up their day hanging out at the beach and with each other. Keep up the good work, CS!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Here on the back end of Maine Coast College Essay, we have potential Paris Review submissions just waiting in the wings! The brilliant MCCE’ers and their fearless leaders, Chuck and Sage, spent the morning in 1-on-1 conferences with the fabulous Leah before spending a well-deserved beautiful afternoon kayaking off Orr’s Island. With all that time to think and be inspired, they spent the evening at camp polishing their essays. Imagine…the soft click-clacking of keyboards and deep reflection in the dying light of a gorgeous Maine day. Lucky ducks!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)
DEXA started their fifth day off right–a beautiful sunrise at Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, widely recognized as one of the most beautiful spots in the entire park. Their backcountry portion begins tomorrow! After such a glorious morning, the DEXA squad spent the day prepping for a transformative and incredible backcountry experience. So exciting! Here’s a photo from yesterday: ”jump if you’re excited for the backcountry!”
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)
Hellloooooo Acadia! The DEXB folks arrived in beautiful Acadia National Park today, but beforehand, they spent some time completing a service project repairing footbridges with the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Nice work, folks! After a morning of service and a quick resupply run, DEXB arrived in Acadia. This place of wonder will be their home for the next few days, and we are so excited for them to experience it!
Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)
It’s a great day to be on VLCA! They spent today getting used to their bikes and completed a short ride to their next glorious campsite — resplendent with a great swimming spot, fire pits, and hot showers! What an exciting time — it’s the first full day of an unforgettable trip. Pumped for them!
Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)
The force is strong with this group! Even after a minor repair on leader Ellie’s derailleur, the day wasn’t derailed! VLCB couldn’t have had better conditions for a first day of riding — Vermont welcomed them with absolutely perfect weather! So many good things lie ahead!
California Mountains & Coast (CMC)
YO! Yosemite, that is. That’s right, folks — the California Mountains & Coast squad arrived in the crown jewel of California today — the fabled, world-famous Yosemite National Park! Stoke is at an all-time high. After arriving at their campsite, the CMC’ers spent time on a glorious day hike in this magical park. Wonderful things lie ahead. Will they run into Alex Honnold? Smokey the Bear? Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update!
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
Another day living the dream in Alaska! The AMCA folks spent the day in the majestic Alaska backcountry — soaking up ample daylight, workshopping trail names, cooking a tantalizing backcountry dinner, and further defining their sock tans! What a time. Here’s a photo from yesterday — holy golden hour! Looks like heaven on earth…we’ll happily live vicariously through them.
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
Day 5! Glaciers! Ice climbing! Does it get any better? Meg, Zach, and the gang spent the day exploring a glacier — a true once-in-a-lifetime experience (unless you’re Meg or Zach, who get to do it three times). After a day of challenging themselves and learning more about the natural wonders that surround them, AKMCB is due for a good night’s sleep!
Northwest Explorer (NWXA)
What a day for NWXA! After prepping for the next few days, this group was able to do a great day hike nearby their campsite. Carpe Diem, folks! We love to see our friends at NWXA making the most of the time they’re given. Also, here’s a photo from yesterday — high, high above the tree line (hi Tommy)! Keep up the good work, team!
Northwest Explorer (NWXB)
NWXB spent the day sea kayaking! Their wonderful guides are dear to the Apogee family, and rolled out the red carpet. What a way to spend a day. Here’s a photo from their leader, Jonathon, taken at golden hour yesterday. All smiles for this place of wonder!
Northwest Explorer (NWXC)
The backcountry awaits! NWXC spent the day getting ready for what is sure to be a majestic first few days in Washington’s fabled wilderness — we’re stoked for them! After a day of packing, the trip was even able to fit in a nice day hike. Great work team! It was an early night for these folks before their first backcountry stint. The great wild awaits!
Pacific Coast (PC)
PC absolutely crushed the Seven Devils today! Look at those muscles! This group of superstars is loving Oregon so far. After a solid day of riding, these folks are getting more and more used to their bikes. Great things lie ahead…keep crushing it, team!
America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)
Ray Charles said it first…Georgia on my mind! ACC1 got a warm welcome and beautiful sunrise from Georgia today — that’s state #2! After a day of riding, this all-star group was ready for some in-camp chill time. Well deserved, folks! One state down!
America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)
We’re feeling some James Taylor for ACC2…Carolina on my mind! ACC2 is loving the palmetto state! Today was a long day of riding: eight hours and sixty-two miles to be exact. But this group of extraordinary people aren’t even fazed! According to Nicole and Christian, the stoke is high, the bikes are fast, and the kids are incredible! Great things ahead!