American Trails West: Wayfarer Program Overview & Recommendation

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Choice Camps Recommendation of American Trails West: Wayfarer

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

10 Days Westward Bound
After your special teen tour orientation, start your journey west with stops at Chocolate World in Hershey, Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Museum, the University of Michigan, Chicago, and much more.

9 Days in Big Sky Country
Continue on to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Shoshone River raft trip, Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Visit Salt Lake City and enjoy a great stay at our Park City Action Center.

5 Days in Spectacular Northern California
Our Lake Tahoe luxury resort and fabulous San Francisco start you on your exciting stay in California.

7 Days in Sunny Southern California
Enjoy the excitement of Los Angeles, the UCLA campus, Catalina Island cruise, the fun of San Diego and resort luxury in Palm Springs.

5 Days in Canyon Country
Enter Las Vegas on the colorful neon-lit “strip”, marvel at Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and the awesome Grand Canyon.

4 Days in the Colorado Rockies
Your teen tour concludes with visits to Capitol Reef and Arches National Parks, and a second great raft trip on the Colorado River at our fabulous Canyonlands Action Center.

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

ATW itineraries feature a combination of camping, dorm, and hotel stays.

ATW’s “Five-Star Camping” is highlighted by select 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. Each trip travels with everything it needs so campers never have to depend on equipment used by the general public.

Whether it’s shooting hoops on a college campus, playing tennis at a popular resort, 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. All dorms, hotels, and resorts are chosen for security, comfort, and outstanding facilities. Every camper sleeps in an individual bed each night. 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.