Program Description

American Trails West

Summer Travel Programs
United States, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info

For More Information, Contact
American Trails West
92 Middle Neck Road
Great Neck, New York 11021-1243
516-487-2800 (in New York State)
800-645-6260 (toll-free)
Fax: 516-487-2855
http://www.atwteentours.com
E-mail: info@atwteentours.com

Type of Program: Active student travel
Participants: Coeducational, ages 12–18, grouped by age
Enrollment: Approximately 40 per group
Program Dates: End of June through August, twenty-one to forty-two days
Heads of Program: Howie Fox, Jeff Gass, Howard Gorchov, Josh Miller, and Will Thompson, Directors

Background and Philosophy

Since 1965, the American Trails West (ATW) family has been the originator and innovator in the field of student travel. From the first camping trip to the first combination trip to the exciting itineraries for the summer of 2009, American Trails West has led the way. ATW’s years of experience in working with young people, as well as their expertise in the field of travel, can be seen in every aspect of their program. Student travel is a specialized field, and the ATW family devotes its full-time efforts year-round solely to the preparation of their summer programs.
A summer of travel with American Trails West is a broadening experience in discovering new places and an opportunity to make friends with fellow travelers from across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Many teenagers come on their own, and compatible age groupings and a wide geographic mix ensure that each one feels comfortable. Traveling on an American Trails West trip means being part of the group, a member of the ATW family. ATW’s philosophy, staff, and activities make that goal a reality.

Program Offerings

North, South, East, and West, American Trails West takes students to the most exciting destinations. ATW is the only student travel program that features so many great itineraries. Across the U.S., through Canada, north to Alaska, west to Hawaii, or around Europe, travelers experience the best that each has to offer. From the natural beauty of national parks to the high energy of great cities, students are always in the very center of the action on American Trails West.
    Students may choose exciting combination camping/hotel/dorm trips or hotel/dorm trips. Each one offers a skillful blend of outdoor adventures, sightseeing, sports, and evening entertainment. During the day campers raft the best rivers, hike the most exciting canyon trails, or ski down awesome Alpine mountains. Campers do everything from in-line skating, mountain biking, and snorkeling to dogsledding, inner tubing, and waterskiing, depending on the itinerary. At night, it is comedy clubs and campfires, light shows and dance clubs, go-carts, theme parks, and much more.
    ATW is the only student travel program whose camping itineraries have no one-night stops. Every location visited is for two nights or more. No one-night stops means more time for activities, more time for nightlife, and more time to make friends. It provides more time for breaking the ice, learning the ropes, and feeling at home. Everyone can use a little help during the first few days of a new experience. Meeting new people, adjusting to new routines, and being in new locations can be overwhelming if the itinerary rushes from place to place. All ATW camping and dorm trips start with a special two-day group orientation. Travelers learn all they need to know, meet the staff, and begin to make those friends for a lifetime in a relaxed, unpressured atmosphere.
    For families located in the New York metropolitan area, ATW offers its unique MINI TOURS. Specially designed for middle school students, MINI TOURS feature travel from Monday to Friday, with weekends at home. Destinations range from Virginia Beach to Niagara Falls and from Maine to Orlando. Pick-ups and drop-offs each week are conveniently located in the Greater New York/New Jersey metropolitan area as well as the Philadelphia/Cherry Hill area.

Enrollment

Each summer, American Trails West attracts students from across the United States and from around the world. Through the years, campers from forty-five states and more than a dozen countries have traveled with American Trails West. Living together, learning from each other, and having fun with students from all over are what make an American Trails West summer so special.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

American Trails West itineraries are planned to maximize action, fun, and excitement, while minimizing bus riding. ATW’s unique blend of great activities, both day and night, guarantees each traveler the greatest summer ever. These include everything from waterskiing to snow skiing, London theater to laser tag, jet boating to river rafting, and Planet Hollywood to the Hard Rock Café. Nonetheless, ATW directors have the flexibility, as well as the experience, to find new and exciting, up-to-the-minute surprises while traveling and to incorporate them into the itinerary.

Facilities

American Trails West pioneered cross-country camping in 1965. Over the next four decades, continual innovation and improvement have culminated in ATW’s Five-Star Camping. Personally selected national park and private campgrounds, custom-designed walk-in cabin tents, comfortable cots with mattresses, three delicious and nutritious meals each day plus snacks, and meticulous year-round maintenance of all camping equipment are hallmarks of ATW’s commitment to the comfort and safety of its travelers. Each trip travels with everything it needs, right down to its own spotless picnic tables, so it never has to depend on equipment used by the general public.
All dorms, hotels, and resorts are chosen for security, comfort, and outstanding facilities. Every camper sleeps in an individual bed each night. Whether it’s shooting hoops on a college campus, playing tennis at the Hyatt Regency, or working out in the state-of-the-art fitness center at a mountain resort, American Trails West campers enjoy the finest accommodations and facilities.

Staff

Each American Trails West trip is personally supervised by an experienced director returning for another summer of leadership. These directors and their specially selected staff members—all college graduates over the age of 21—offer youthful participation in all facets of the ATW program. The ratio of campers to staff members is 6:1. All senior staff members (directors, co-directors, and returning counselors) are CPR and first aid certified. Every staff member takes part in ongoing training sessions at the American Trails West office over the winter months. In the spring, these culminate in a five-day orientation program of workshops, seminars, and hands-on training.
Each trip staff combines many summers of ATW experience with the unique ability to understand and relate to their campers. This combination guarantees each trip the finest in responsible supervision. The ATW family is very proud of the large number of past campers who return as staff members each year.

Medical Care

The health, safety, and security of each trip member is the number-one priority of the ATW family. The senior staff members of each trip are certified in CPR and first aid. Over the years, American Trails West has developed a wide network of doctors, hospitals, and 24-hour emergency facilities in every part of the country, to whom the staff turns should medical attention be necessary. A sick traveler is accompanied by an ATW staff member at all times, and parents are always contacted when a traveler sees a doctor.

Costs

Costs vary by program, depending on length, location, and accommodations. For 2008, prices ranged from $3395 to $9495. Three meals daily and all entertainment, recreation, lodging, gratuities, and taxes are included. Airfare to and from home is not included.

Transportation

All air travel on American Trails West is by regularly scheduled jet. American Trails West arranges round-trip transportation for all travelers. Each camper is met at the airport upon arrival and accompanied to their flight on the day of departure.
ATW’s deluxe motorcoach and professional driver remain with each trip for the entire summer. ATW’s ultramodern motorcoaches are air conditioned and restroom equipped. They feature reclining seats, video and stereo sound systems, and panoramic windows for the greatest view on the road.

Application Timetable

Inquiries are welcomed year-round. Admissions are on a rolling basis starting in the fall. Because the number of seats is limited, early enrollment is encouraged. A deposit of $300 is required (fully refundable until February 1).