Skip to a Specific Trip: AXA, AXB, CRM, CRMC, CSVI, DEX, ECC, MCCE, NEMC, NWMC, PC, PMC, VM
*** Cue smooth Frank Sinatra in the background*** Welcome friends to Le Café Apogée, a 3 star michelin restaurant serving its patrons wonderful adventures since 2001. Today’s tasting menu promises to transport your tastebuds from the snow-dusted Alps to the salty breeze of Acadia, with detours through jungles and coastlines. Pull up your camp chair and prepare to indulge in our 13-course adventure packed feast. No reservations needed- just a healthy appetite for snacks, sweat, and stories. Bon apple teeth.
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
Zermatt Zucchini Frites
Served al fresco, our Alps explorers (A) started off the day with a scenic hike through the Zermatt highlands, featuring close views of the glamorous Miss Matterhorn. A midday lakeside lunch offered the perfect break, complete with glacier breezes, misty views, and some serious alpine ambiance. Back in town, the afternoon shifted gears with a healthy dose of free time, featuring a bit of shopping, wiffleball, and some very competitive hackysack. The day came to a close with a warm and cozy dinner and plenty of laughs as the crew settled into mountain life. Tomorrow the adventure continues– high altitudes, and higher spirits!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
Croissant Summit Sampler
Croissant. Lakes. And sweet sweet Vibeeeeees. That pretty much sums up AXB’s wonderful day on the 5 Lake Trail. The crew hiked 8 miles, soaked up some jaw-dropping alpine views, and somehow managed to make eating pastries on a mountaintop look casual. Fueled by their flaky and buttery treats, these adventurers conquered lake after lake. Morale? High. Scenery? Unreal. Crumbs in their backpacks? Probably.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
Switchback Sweet Potatoes
Our CRM crew woke up this morning to a herd of elk grazing around a nearby campsite as the sun rose over the rockies. Talk about a majestic welcome to the day! Our hikers trekked and worked up a sweat around Rocky Mountain National Park in the morning before travelling onwards to Estes Park. Once at camp, the crew settled in, played a few classic Apo games, and enjoyed a warm dinner under the Colorado sky. With full bellies and high spirits, they’re ready for another day of mountain magic tomorrow!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Canopy Ceviche Cups
ZIPLINING DAY WOOOOHOOOO! The CRMC crew woke up bright and early, excited for their action packed day of ziplining. Throughout the morning, the crew soared through the lush jungle canopy. They took in the breathtaking views and felt the thrill of the flight. In the afternoon they headed south to the village of San Gerardo de Rivas, nestled in Costa Rica’s tallest mountain. A day packed with zipping and zooming around Costa Rica’s jungle, the crew’s excitement and stokeness levels were at an all-time high. Oh…and they hung out with adorable puppies again as volunteers at the Ruff Start adoption agency.
Caribbean Service Virgin Islands (CSVI)
Pineapple Pupsicles
Now come on, just looking at those puppies!!! Today our CSVI crew was back at it with Ruff Start, spending some quality time with adorable pups up for adoption. They also chatted with folks from docked cruise ships to spread the word about this awesome organization. After the adorable puppy session, the team hit the beach for a quick snorkel. They soaked up the sun, saw some colorful fish, and enjoyed island life. Spirits are high and hearts are full after a day of service, waves, and overall good vibes.
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
Spokes & Stroopwafels
Fresh off the plane and ready to roll through Europe, our ECC crew finally touched down in Amsterdam! Spirits were high as students met each other for the first time, quickly turning a group of 15 strangers into a soon to be cycling team. They spent their first afternoon in the Netherlands doing what any world-class cyclist would do before crossing a continent — building their bikes from scratch with jet-lagged enthusiasm and some Allen wrenches. Tomorrow, our ECCers hit the road, as the Tour de Apogee has officially begun.
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
Pen and Paddle Poutine
The MCCE crew woke up with beautiful sunny weather here in Maine — perfect for their first day of writing on the Bowdoin Quad. The day kicked off with an outdoor brainstorming activity which had all of the students thinking big and stretching their creative muscles. The fresh air and warm weather seemed to compliment this well. Talk about brain fuel! After lunch, the crew swapped their notebooks for life jackets and headed out with a Kayaking outfitter for a lovely afternoon on the water. The MCCE team kayaked to a rocky beach to soak in the scenery and caught their breath before paddling back to the beach for some snacks in the cool shade. From writing to water adventures, the day was the perfect mix of imagination and exploration!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
Backcountry Biscuits
Today our Down East Explorers kicked off their adventure with a big shopping spree, grabbing everything from trail snacks to bug spray. After fueling up their bodies and playing a few Apo classic games (Big Booty, Bob the Weasle, etc), the crew prepped to head deep into Maine backcountry. Back at camp, excitement was radiating in the air as our leaders prepped the students on backcountry camping and leave no trace principles. With their gear packed and a warm meal in their stomachs, the crew is ready for some wilderness exploration in the next coming days. Stay tuned folks!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
New England Clam Chowder
The NEMC crew is still enjoying all that the lovely state of New Hampshire has to offer, and today did not disappoint! After rafting on some white water, they got back to camp for a little bit of afternoon hooting and hollering, some gourmet cooking, and general in-camp-good-vibes. They’ve been training hard, and tomorrow they take on their biggest hike yet! We can’t wait to hear how it goes!! Unfortunately, the gang is out of cell service for the evening, so we will have to wait on the edge of our seats for some picture updates tomorrow! Until then, stay golden, young rippers!
Northwest Mountains & Coast (NWMC)
Misty Mountain Mac and Cheese
Par for the course in the pacific northwest, but today’s scenery was once again, gorgeous. On today’s plate was a well balanced meal of hiking, fish spotting, swimming, and even some afternoon volleyball. It has been a blast so far in Washington, but the fun is only beginning as the group prepares to hit the water on some kayaks the next few days.
Pacific Coast (PC)
Pacific Pedal Provisions
The first day of riding is in the booksss! Our Pacific Coasters truly coasted down their first 30 miles of the Pacific Northwest. After a fun morning in camp consisting of bike safety and a yummy breakfast, the crew was eager to finally hit the road and ride their bikes down the coast of Oregon. Expansive coastlines, salty air, and luscious pine forests accompanied this terrific crew throughout their day of biking. In the afternoon, our PC crew continued to wind around the Oregon roads before arriving at their oceanside campground. Not too shabby of a spot if you ask us. The crew is hoping for an epic sunset before hitting the hay as they dream of crossing the arches of the Golden Gate Bridge in a few short weeks.
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Paella Paddlers
Sun, Sea, and Snorkels– what more could you ask for? Today our PMC crew traded their shoes for paddles as they kicked their day off with an epic kayaking adventure along the stunning Spanish coast. Their morning was jam packed with exploring secret sea caves and a beachside snorkel sesh. After drying off and grabbing some lunch in the shade, the crew explored the charming town of Sitges for a bit of shopping and some well-earned sweet Spanish treats. Yummmmmmm. Back at camp, the day wrapped up with dinner, a few competitive rounds of card games, and a splash in the pool. Spirits are high for our group in Southern Europe!
Vermont to Montreal (VM)
Cycling Cider Donuts
Our VM team rolled through 20 miles of the green mountains in Vermont today. They biked through picturesque rural farmlands and through the college town of Middlebury. Snacks, laughs, and games were shared amongst the crew when they got into camp. Now that’s what I call a Good ol’ time. As the sun dipped behind the trees, the group gathered for a hearty dinner and a few rounds of cards before turning in for the night. Group morale is high, legs are feeling strong, and the crew is excited for what tomorrow’s ride will bring!
