Choice Camps Recommendation of American Trails West: Mini Tours Series One
Founded in 1965, American Trails West (ATW) has been a perennial leader and innovator in the field of worldwide student travel. Known for premier accommodations, great food, and experienced staff, ATW tours appeal to students throughout the United States and abroad. Each trip offers a unique blend of adventure, sight-seeing, and entertainment. With decades of scheduling experience, each adventure is meticulously paced to give students the opportunity to enjoy every minute of their summer.
Spending a summer with American Trails West gives travelers the opportunity to discover new places while making friends from around the world. Although many teenagers come on their own, few leave without lifelong bonds and connections formed on the road. Complimented by a dedicated and mature staff, American Trails West is one of the safest and most reliable tour operators in the world. To see the world at its best, choose American Trails West.
Trip Description
The ATW Mini Tours series allows students to spend weekdays taking trips around the region while spending weekends back at home.
Trip 1: Yankee Clipper (June 29-July3) takes students on a tour of New England, Boston and Cape Cody. Trip 2: Northern Lights (July 6-10) takes students to Montreal, Lake George, and the Green Mountains. Finally, Trip 3: Eastern Frontiers (July 13-17) heads south to Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and Virginia Beach.
Each trip’s full itinerary is available by clicking the “Itinerary” tab.
Staff Overview
Each American Trails West trip is supervised by an experienced director returning for another summer of leadership. All trip leaders have worked as a staff member on a previous trip prior to becoming a director. 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.
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. ATW boasts a large number of past campers who return as staff members each year.
Setting & Accommodations
On ATW’s Mini Tours, you’ll stay in fantastic hotels and resorts. Enjoy the luxury of Marriotts, Sheratons, Crowne Plazas, Embassy Suites and more. All hotels are chosen for security, central location, comfort, and outstanding facilities. Every camper sleeps in an individual bed each night. Whether it’s swimming at a great hotel pool, playing tennis at a popular resort, or working out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, American Trails West campers enjoy the finest accommodations and facilities.
Complete breakfasts, full lunches and delicious dinners, with a wide and varied menu, are provided daily. Campers eat at popular restaurants with no restrictions on the amount of food they can order.
Safety Standards
The senior staff members of each ATW 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.
Throughout the summer, ATW also maintains a Trip Communication Center where trips are monitored by the company’s executive staff. The center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to field calls from parents, trip leaders, and travelers.
American Trails West: Mini Tours Series One Session Dates
Trip Overview
Program Overview
- Theme: Teen Tours

This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Hiking and Backpacking
- Sailing and SCUBA
- Trip Gender: Co-ed
- Group Size : 40
- Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 6:1
- Religious Affiliation: None
Trip Destinations
- New England
- Boston, MA
- Cape Cod, MA
- Montreal, QC
- Lake George, NY
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Colonial Williamsburg , VA
Trip Activities
- Jet Boating
- Boston Harbor Cruise
- Busch Gardens
- Lazer Zone
- Water Country USA
- Boston Duck Tour
- Go Carts
- Swimming
- Boating
- Hiking
- Freedom Trail
- Quincy Market
- Harvard University
- Museum of Science
- Bunker Hill
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- Salem Witch Museum
- McGill University
- Mt. Royal
- La Ronde Theme Park
- Great Escape Fun Park
- Hubba Bubba Highway
Special Accommodations
- Peanut Allergies
- Gluten Allergies
- Vegetarian Friendly
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