Westcoast Connection: U.S. Explorer

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Westcoast Connection: U.S. Explorer

Throughout the past 27 years, Westcoast Connection has become one of the premiere teen travel providers in the world. With teen-focused itineraries that provide the perfect mix of fun, adventure, learning, and relaxation, Westcoast Connection travel programs are great for teens with a variety of interests and ambitions. To ensure that each traveler gets the most out of their experience, Westcoast trips are founded on the “each and every” philosophy – the concept of respecting the individual while creating a bonded group on each trip. With amazing sights, activities, hotels, and restaurants, there’s no doubt that Westcoast Connection will show you the “perfectly planned, perfectly paced” summer of a lifetime.

Trip Description

Westcoast Connection Teen Tours: U.S. Explorer takes students completing 9th and 10th grade on a whirlwind tour of the United States over 40 incredible days.

Trip Highlights Include:
• 14 Days in Sunny California
• Learn to surf with professional instructors
• Lake Tahoe Sailing Cruise
• Whitewater Raft the Shoshone River
• Energetic Blue Man Group & Chicago Landmarks Cruise
• Vegas’ Gameworks and Ride the Stratosphere Big Shot
• Amazing Park City Alpine Coaster
• Universal Studios, City Walk & Disneyland
• Front row seats at the IMPROV Comedy Club
• Rock’n San Francisco Dance Club
• Hard Rock Cafe & Rainforest Cafe
• Famous Second City Comedy Club
• Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist and Niagara River Jetboat
• Paramount Canada’s Wonderland and Playdium
• CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Mall of America
• Major League Baseball
• World Famous San Diego Zoo
• Museum of Tolerance
• Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive & Hollywood
• Fisherman's Wharf & Alcatraz Prison Tour
• Waterski, Wakeboard or Tube Lake Tahoe
• Challenge Ropes Course & Mountain Biking
• Horseback Ride & Alpine Slide
• Whirlyball, Lagoon-a-Beach Amusement Park
• Magnificent National Parks: Bryce, Zion, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Badlands, and Mount Rushmore

Staff Overview

Westcoast Connection interviews each staff candidate face-to-face during the hiring process. Westcoast staff members are hired for their expertise in specific areas – for example, you’ll find that staff members who lead service-based adventures have service backgrounds and experiences. Each Westcoast Connection tour is headed by a trip leader who is typically in their late 20’s or early 30’s. Trip leaders are supported by staff in their early 20’s.

Setting & Accommodations

During Westcoast Connection Teen Tours: U.S. Explorer, travelers spend 25 nights in hotels, dorms, and resorts and 14 nights in deluxe camping accommodations.

Hotel & Resort Stays Include:
• Omni Hotel, Chicago (3 nights)
• Monte Carlo, Las Vegas (2 nights)
• Doubletree Resort, San Diego (2 nights)
• Westin San Francisco Market Street (3 nights)
• Buffalo Bill Village, Cody, WY (2 nights)
• Park City Peaks Hotel (2 nights)

Dorm Stays Include:
• Cornell University (2 nights)
• University of Toronto (2 nights)
• University of Michigan (2 nights)
• UCLA Dorms and Suites (4 nights)

Deluxe Camping Accommodations Include:
• Niagara Falls KOA Campground (2 nights)
• Minneapolis SW KOA Campground (2 nights)
• Mt. Rushmore KOA Campground (2 nights)
• Flagg Ranch Campground, Jackson (2 nights)
• Bryce Canyon (2 nights)
• Ventura Beach Campground (2 nights)
• Lake Tahoe Campground (2 nights)

Safety Standards

All Westcoast Connection staff members take part in an extensive assortment of orientation workshops that train them in the program philosophy and procedures. Every Westcoast staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. All programs involving water activities include a certified life guard on staff at all times.

Because most Westcoast programs have been running for many years, every staff member knows key physicians and medical facilities along their route in case of illness or emergency. Each trip also has a medical representative in charge of distributing prescription medicine to campers who require it.

As a final safety precaution, Westcoast Connection employs several program supervisors who personally check-in throughout each trip and meet with the campers and staff. Updates are relayed to Westcoast’s offices that are open seven days a week to keep parents and company representatives informed of any situations that may arise.

Westcoast Connection: U.S. Explorer Session Dates

Session Name	Dates	Ages	Tuition	Get Info
Trip One	6/29/10-8/7/10	13-17	$7,999
Trip Two	7/1/10-8/9/10	13-17	$7,999

Trip Overview

Program Overview

Theme: Teen Tours
This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Hiking and Backpacking
- Sailing and SCUBA
Trip Gender: Co-ed
Group Size : 50
Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 7:1
Religious Affiliation: None