Is there anything better than catching up with an old friend? As spring arrives here in Maine, we’re gearing up for our 25th season and reflecting on the incredible adventures from our first 25 years. This month, we’re excited to share our conversation with a 2016 Apogee student, Caroline, and her Apogee leader from that first summer, Emily. It was fun to hear about the adventures they shared, and they offered great insight for those considering joining us on future adventures. We hope you enjoy this new Peak News segment as much as we enjoyed creating it!
We’re looking for alumni submissions for our next edition of Peak News! If your Apogee alumni student has done something cool lately, please send in a brief description and a photo to lucia@apogeeadventures.com.
Conversations with Old Friends
Caroline Harrington and Emily Hoffman
Caroline on Pyrenees Mountains and Coast in 2018
Caroline Harrington’s first trip with Apogee was our Coast to Quebec trip in the summer of 2016. It was Caroline’s mom who first discovered Apogee. She knew Caroline loved the outdoors but was nervous about leaving home. She felt an Apogee trip would be the perfect way for her daughter to challenge herself and grow. She was (as moms usually are) correct in her assessment. Caroline remembers, “I ended up going to one of the Apogee info sessions and loved all they had to say, so I signed up.”
On that first trip, Caroline found that even the toughest moments were fun. She recalls that for a few days in the middle of the trip, it rained constantly, yet she and her group still managed to make the best of it. They went to sleep, woke up, and rode through the rain for two or three days, and everyone was still having a great time. Now, she says, “I honestly look so fondly on those rainy days. It brought the crew together. Definitely ‘type 2’ fun.” With leaders committed to creating joy and building community, Caroline and her group not only got through those soggy days but now look back on them with real fondness.
Caroline (in the middle in the navy blue rain jacket) and her group taking a goofy blog pic in the rain!
One of the leaders who was helping facilitate the fun during those soggy days in 2016 was Emily Hoffman. Emily, who went on to lead for three more summers (Montana Service Adventure, America Coast to Coast, and Europe Coast to Coast), was an Apogee student herself before becoming a leader! Similar to how Caroline found her way to Apogee, Emily was drawn in by her love for being outside and biking around her neighborhood. She recalls that after discovering Apogee, she “instantly fell in love — not knowing it would truly open my eyes to a whole new world.”
Her memories from her time as an Apogee student influenced not only her leadership style, but her whole life. Emily describes a defining moment she remembers from one of her trips, “I woke up to a bright blue sky through green leaves overhead. That one moment rewired my brain. Growing up in New York City, ‘outside’ meant different parks or time out on Fire Island. But right there, something clicked — where I was, what I was doing, how cool it was that I physically moved my body to this spot, and how badly I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible for the rest of my life.” She brought not only this love for the outdoors but also her love for Apogee to every trip she led.
Emily and her co-leader, Donovan, on Europe Coast to Coast
Caroline remembers many meaningful moments with her leader Emily, from silly parking‑lot games before big rides to heartfelt conversations on the bike as they crossed the border from Maine to Canada. But one moment stands out above the rest. During a scheduled phone call home in the middle of the trip, Caroline felt a wave of sadness and homesickness. She had been nervous about being away from home before the trip, and the call brought those feelings back. Emily noticed immediately and made sure to support her, reminding her of all the amazing things happening on the trip. Caroline remembers:
“There was not a human who could have handled a 15‑year‑old girl’s feelings better. I didn’t even know why I was so anxious. I just felt it, and she let me talk and talk. She was the immense support and comfort I needed. It was the first time I had really let out these feelings, and she made me feel so heard, seen, and safe. After this conversation with Emily, I was able to let it all go and had the best trip of my life, and she was a huge reason for this. Emily was such an amazing leader and made the whole trip so awesome, but that moment solidified her as an all‑timer in my books.”
We take great pride in our leaders and their ability to connect with students and support them through every moment of a trip. This story is a perfect example of that. Emily recognized that Caroline was struggling, created space for her to express her emotions, and helped her move forward into an unforgettable experience.
Caroline (on the far left) and her leader Emily (on the far right) at final dinner on Coast to Quebec in 2016
For Emily, that first Coast to Quebec trip with Caroline’s group was so rewarding that she knew she wanted to come back to lead for Apogee again (and again, and again, as it happened…). Just as she helped Caroline through her homesickness, she helped countless other students push themselves and grow by accomplishing things they did not think they were capable of. She took a lot away from the experience herself, lessons she still carries today. As she explains, “Apogee’s leader training prepares you mentally and physically for every scenario and dynamic a trip can throw your way, but the lessons don’t stop there. So much of what I learned during leader training shows up in my everyday life: how to navigate relationships, mitigate conflict, communicate directly, work as a strong unified team, show up as a good partner, and be a part of a community. The list goes on.” These lessons were not only shared with her students through her leadership but continue to show up in her current life.
Emily and her group finishing America Coast to Coast
After starting with a trip close to home on the East Coast, Caroline expanded her Apogee horizons and headed to Europe for the next two summers (Alps Explorer in 2017 and Pyrenees Mountains & Coast in 2018). She made unforgettable memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Her advice to students considering Apogee for the first time: “DO IT! First, there is no reason not to. You will meet friends that will last a lifetime, have quality support, and it will give you the bug to keep doing epic stuff. I am so grateful for my Apogee trips. They are forever a part of who I am today!”
Emily has similar advice for anyone — leaders or students — starting their first summer at Apogee. She says, “Buckle up. You’re about to go on the best adventure of your life, surrounded by people who will be by your side for years to come. And honestly? I’m so jealous.”
We are so grateful to hear about meaningful experiences and connections, like those between Emily and Caroline, that stand the test of time.
Caroline (in the blue fleece) and some of her group in the Alps in 2017
Office Happenings
Scouting Report
Caroline (in the blue fleece) and some of her group in the Alps in 2017
At the end of March, Director Will and Assistant Director Lucia headed out on one last spring scouting trip! They traveled to Puerto Rico together to meet with our service partners for Caribbean Service: Puerto Rico before Lucia continued on to St. Croix to do the same for our Caribbean Service: Virgin Islands itinerary.
As part of our scouting report, we can assure you that these places are truly breathtaking (in case you were wondering). But more importantly, each scouting trip reminds us of the huge impact our service groups make each year. From helping out on small local farms in Puerto Rico to planting mangrove trees to restore habitats in St. Croix, the impact and memories waiting for our service crews this summer are endless.
There are still a few spots left on both Caribbean Service Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands if you want to join in on a fun and meaningful adventure!
