Enrollment for our 2027 trips is open! Check out details on our early bird discount here to save $300 on your 2026 Apogee tuition and peruse our 2027 trip offerings (including a brand new itinerary!).
It’s Trivia Tuesday, and we’re taking the opportunity to share a few of our favorite fun facts from each of the places Apogee students are exploring today! From alpine summits and Icelandic waterfalls to Caribbean coastlines and bustling European cities, today was packed with adventure across the Apogee world! Crews hiked mountains, pedaled into new destinations, gave back through meaningful service projects, explored local cultures, and even celebrated a birthday along the way. Whether students were kicking off brand-new expeditions or wrapping up unforgettable journeys, one thing remained the same: every day brought new friendships, new challenges, and memories that will last long after the summer ends.
Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMC, AXA, AXB, CRM, CSPR, CSVI, ECC, IMC, MCCE, NWMC, PMC
Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)
Did you know that dog sledding is the official sport of Alaska and has been around for nearly 9,000 years? Neither did we! Helloooo AK! This fiery squad woke up well rested and ready to conquer their first full day together. They laced up their hiking boots and hit the trail where they submitted Mt. Baldy! After their hike, they continued with getting all prepped and ready for entering the backcountry tomorrow. Finally, as the night wound down, AKMC gathered and classic Apogee bonding games like Mafia, Fishbowl, and of course, Alaskan baseball.
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
Swiss folklore says that dragons once lived in Mount Pilatus among the people! And on that note of flying… Auf Wiedersehen, Au revoir, Arrivederci! Today our wonderful AXers bid each other farewell after spending a marvelous 17 days traversing through Switzerland, Italy, and France. We sure are going to miss seeing these smiling faces behind the lens but we are positive they are going to do more incredibly epic things. AX out!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
As we know, Italy takes food very seriously; so seriously in fact, that they have an entire festival dedicated to Gelato! Unfortunately, our crew is missing it, but maybe they will return for it one day…. After 17 unforgettable days hiking through Switzerland, Italy, and France, this crew packed up their memories and flew home – tired, proud, and already dreaming of their next adventure. From alpine passes to shared meals and new friendships, they made every mile count. That’s a wrap, Tour du Mont Blanc!
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
A tastier fun fact for Colorado – Denver claims the invention of an American classic: the cheeseburger! The cheeseburger was trademarked by Louis Ballast in 1935 at the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In. Although maybe not with cheeseburgers, we are sure this group fueled up with a superb hike through Rocky Mountain National Park, scrambling over rocky trails, climbing ever higher, and soaking up some seriously spectacular views. Every step helped prepare them for tomorrow’s Challenge Day, where they’ll put their newfound confidence and endurance to the test. After returning to camp, they refueled with a delicious camp-cooked meal (we heard it was “backwards day” for our CRMers, so breakfast for dinner it was), swapped stories from the trail, and settled in for the night before they take on tomorrow! Let’s go CRM!
Caribbean Service Puerto Rico (CSPR)
Did you know that Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System?! With so much natural beauty to explore, our newest CSPR crew can’t wait to get started! This incredible group touched down in San Juan before making their way to Luquillo, where they’ll spend the next three nights getting settled into island life. With the ocean just steps away and adventure on the horizon, today was all about getting to know one another and soaking in their new surroundings. Tomorrow, they’ll roll up their sleeves for their first day of trail maintenance and conservation service work, helping preserve Puerto Rico’s beautiful landscapes while giving back to the local community.
Caribbean Service Virgin Islands (CSVI)
The U.S. Virgin Islands are home to an underwater National Park, one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean. After a day spent snorkeling yesterday, this crew helped with local service work today! Partnering with The Nature Conservancy, the group spent the day painting fencing, clearing trails, and removing debris to help care for the beautiful landscapes of St. Croix. After a rewarding day of hands-on conservation work, they toured a local coral research lab, where they learned about rare coral species, ongoing reef restoration efforts, and the vital role healthy reefs play in protecting marine life and coastal communities. It was a long but incredibly meaningful day of giving back, learning from local experts, and making a lasting impact on the island they now call home.
Europe Coast to Coast (ECC)
Today is Bastille Day! July 14 is recognized as France’s National holiday and is celebrated in many francophone countries globally, so bonjour from Strasbourg! Today’s ride had it all! An epic climb, a thrilling downhill, and 75 kilometers (46 miles) of beautiful French countryside before the crew rolled triumphantly into Strasbourg, France’s eighth-largest city and the second-largest port along the Rhine River. After facing every mile with grit, teamwork, and plenty of pedal power, they celebrated a birthday in the best way they know how: with good food, great company, tasty dessert, and lots of laughs. From challenging rides to birthday celebrations, today was another unforgettable chapter of their European cycling adventure!
Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)
Following the Swiss theme of dragons, many Icelanders believe that elves and other mythical creatures roam their country! And so, this morning, the IMC crew fueled up with a hearty Icelandic breakfast before bundling up to brave the wind and rain (and possibly, elves!) on their hike to the iconic Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall and around majestic Kirkjufell Mountain. Just when it seemed the clouds might stick around, the skies opened long enough to reveal breathtaking views, grazing sheep, and the perfect spot for a scenic trailside lunch. After returning to camp, the adventure continued with dance games, Mafia, plenty of laughs, and a delicious dinner to cap off another unforgettable day in Iceland.
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
I bet you thought we were done with the food fun facts, but not just yet because Maine is the single largest producer of blueberries, exporting over 90% of the nation’s blueberries! The MCCE crew kicked off the day with a college essay writing workshop, spending the morning brainstorming, drafting, and refining the stories they’ll share in their applications. They also toured Bowdoin’s admissions office, gaining valuable insight into the college application process and what makes each school unique. After a productive morning, the group headed out to cool off with a swim, play games, and enjoy a fun afternoon by the water. It was the perfect balance of preparing for the future and making the most of a summer day in Maine!
Northwest Mountains & Coast (NWMC)
The adventure has officially begun! We are prepped and energized for this crew because the first ever Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971! Today, the crew touched down in Seattle before making their way to camp, where they settled in, unpacked their gear, and met each other! The evening was filled with classic Apogee get-to-know-you games, plenty of laughter, and the excitement that comes with the first day of a brand-new adventure. After a good night’s rest, they’ll hit the ground running tomorrow as their Pacific Northwest journey officially gets underway!
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Hellooo from Spain, home of the world’s largest tomato fight! Today in the Pyrenees, our crew set out on a scenic day hike to a historic monastery, taking in sweeping mountain views and the rich history of the region along the way. After descending from the trails, they spent the afternoon exploring the charming coastal town of Port de la Selva, wandering its streets and soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere. To top it all off, they cooled down with a relaxing afternoon at the campground pool: a well-earned reward before the next leg of their Pyrenean adventure!
