









USA East to West Tour for Teens
- City, Nature, Sea
- 13-16 years old
- 40 days overnight camp
- 28-48 campers per session
- cell phones OK
Price: $12 399
USA Teen Tour
This summer teen tour is the ultimate American road trip, literally taking you “from sea to shining sea.” This 40-day adventure begins in New York and ends in California. Along the way, teens will experience the awe of natural wonders like Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, the hustle and bustle of cities like Chicago, and the excitement of California. This summer program brings teens together in a welcoming group environment to connect and share unforgettable experiences. You might think the “U.S.” before “Explorer” stands for United States… but actually it means Unforgettable Summer!
- Take a ride to the Falls and enjoy a Jetboat thrill on the Niagara River.
- Whitewater Raft the Snake River.
- Challenging ropes course and Quadricycles.
- Visit National Parks like Bryce, Yellowstone, Zion & Grand Canyon.
- Learn to surf with professional lessons in San Diego.
- Witness the lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore.
- Sea kayak off the coast of Santa Barbara.
- Cedar Point Amusement Park - The nation’s best!
- Sail a private charter across Lake Tahoe.
- Exciting Las Vegas Show, plus The Sphere Experience
- Learn from professional chefs at a private cooking school.
- Extreme Tubing at Park City Olympic Park.
- Laugh it up at the IMPROV Comedy Club in L.A.
- Horseback ride, Alpine Slide and Cowboy Coaster.
- Enjoy San Francisco including Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz.
- Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier.
- Waterski, wakeboard, kneeboard or tube Lake Tahoe.
- Explore Universal Studios and Disneyland.
- Major League Baseball and San Diego Zoo.
- Whirlyball, Lagoon-a-Beach Water & Amusement Park.
Itinerary
1-2

This trip begins with a few of our favorite icebreakers and "get to know you" activities as we head upstate to Ithaca together. Ithaca is gorges and gorgeous and a great place for our bonding and orientation to begin. Experience the ultimate team building at the Hoffmann Challenge Course including the centerpiece high element, a 64′ high replica of Cornell’s McGraw Tower featuring a tree fort platform, rappelling stations, a 400′ double zip line, and a 40′ Giant Swing. Visit the Cornell campus including the bookstore. Browse the shops in the college town of Ithaca and enjoy a night of mini golf with your new friends.
3-4

Get ready to see over 100,000 cubic feet of water falling nearly 165′ over the Horseshoe, American and Bridal Veil Falls. Grab a poncho and head onto the Maid of the Mist to feel the spray inside the curve of Horseshoe Falls before getting soaked on a Whirlpool Jet Boat tour down the Niagara River.
5-6

Turn up the volume at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; learn about recent inductees including JAY-Z and Eminem. Hit up the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point with 18 coasters voted as one of the “Best Amusement Parks in the World”! Top rides include Magnum XL-200 (Hypercoaster), Millennium Force (Giga coaster), Top Thrill Dragster (Strata coaster) and the record-breaking, Steel Vengeance!
7-8

Check into the University of Michigan, and tour The Big House, home of the Wolverines. Grab a bite to eat on State Street in the heart of Ann Arbor. Buckle up for Whirlyball – lacrosse, bumper cars and basketball mixed into one wild game. Try the World Famous Chipati at Pizza House, a popular college hangout.
9-11

Enjoy the Blue Man Group at the Briar Street Theater. Venture to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the United States and stand 1,353′ above Wacker Drive on the glass Skydeck. Explore Chicago’s number one tourist attraction, Navy Pier and take a ride in a surrey along the lakefront biking path. Visit the Museum of Science and Industry to walk inside Apollo 8 which first flew humans to the moon. Enjoy browsing the stores on The Magnificent Mile - Michigan Avenue! Laugh it up at the famed Second City’s comedy improv that has produced comedy legends such as Keegen-Michael Key and Jason Sudeikis!
12-13

Welcome to Minneapolis – the larger of the Twin Cities. Check out the Mall of America, one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world! While at the mall, get set for the amazing FlyOver America, an aerial tour of some of the greatest landmarks and regions throughout the United States! The attraction is a fully immersive experience including wind, mist and even scents. Finally, enjoy one of the state's 10,000 lakes by diving in or hanging out on the shore while joining a game of beach volleyball!
14

Hike through Badlands National Park. Sample the 5¢ coffee and get a bumper sticker from the world famous Wall Drug.
15-16

Hang out with Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln at Mount Rushmore. Venture deep into the earth at Jewel Cave National Monument, the second-longest cave in the world, to see chambers and passages decorated with crystal formations. Browse the Reptile Gardens, home to more species of reptile than any other zoo or park in the world.
17-18

Yee haw from the wild-west, and the town named after “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Spend some time browsing the quaint shops in this western town. Embrace the beauty of the Shoshone National Forest on horseback. Participate in (yes, participate in!) or watch the Cody Rodeo.
19-20

Journey through America’s oldest National Park, Yellowstone, and watch Old Faithful erupt. Check out the geothermal features including the Fountain Paint Pots and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as bison and elk. Travel through Grand Teton National Park on your way to zip down the 2,500′ alpine slide track. Browse the shops of downtown Jackson Hole after whitewater rafting the Snake River for an adrenaline rush and great laughs!
21-22

Explore this resort ski town and the incredible hotel amenities including an indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub and fitness center. Visit the Olympic Park and whiz down the landing hill of a ski jump in an Extreme Tubing ride at up to 50 mph! Ride the tube, body and drop slides at Lagoon-A-Beach. Brave Cannibal, Lagoon’s newest state of the art roller coaster that includes vertical lifts, plunging free falls, break-over angles, underground tunnels, and three inversions.
23-24

Greetings from Canyon Country! Experience Zion National Park, named Zion by western pioneers meaning a place of peace and relaxation. Hike the Queen’s Trail in Bryce Canyon, known for its breathtaking red rocks. Walk the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World! Roll down the coral-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
25-26

Check into the Egyptian-themed Luxor hotel and experience the Las Vegas strip with its incredible sites including the dancing fountains at the Bellagio and the charm of Venice at the Venetian. Ride the Coney Island roller coaster at New York-New York before exploring M&M World and the Coca-Cola store. Finally, realize the excitement of seeing one of Las Vegas’ world-renowned Cirque du Soleil shows!
27-28

Head to the O.C. to kick off our time in the Golden State! You’ll stay just steps away from Disneyland Resort and enjoy a dinner at Downtown Disney. Spend a fun-filled day together at the happiest place on earth, enjoying everything Disneyland has to offer! Explore ‘Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge’, ride Space Mountain, and enjoy a classic parade through the park.
29-30

Learn to ride the waves with professional surfing instructors. Play Frisbee, make a sandcastle or lounge on an incredible SoCal beach. Enjoy a guided tour on an open air bus throughout the San Diego Zoo! Explore Seaport Village on San Diego Bay. Spend the evening at San Diego’s iconic beachfront boardwalk, Belmont Park, and take a ride on the Giant Dipper or Tilt-A-Whirl while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
31-33

Beverly Hills – That’s where I want to be! Pick up a hoodie or other souvenirs at the UCLA bookstore. Stroll along the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, browse the shops at Ovation Hollywood, and check out the imprints outside TLC Chinese Theater. Survive a flash flood, experience an earthquake, come face to face with Jaws, watch King Kong battle dinosaurs, see the Bates Mansion, and journey into the Mummy’s tomb on the Studio Tour at Universal Studios. Additionally, explore Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Enjoy an evening at the IMPROV Comedy Club on Melrose Avenue. Indulge your sweet tooth at Diddy Riese. Check out Venice Beach and the stores on Rodeo Drive. Take a stroll in Downtown Santa Monica on 3rd Street Promenade and enjoy live performances. Then, hop over Ocean Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier and soak up the beautiful views of the California coast from the world-famous Ferris Wheel.
34-35

Enjoy the perfect stay on the California Coast. Santa Barbara features small-town charm, miles of beaches and the beauty of the surrounding mountains at your fingertips. Sea kayak the Pacific Ocean, and check out Stearns Wharf and State St. Enjoy a beach day, go for a swim or play a pickup game of soccer in the sand… don’t forget the sunscreen!
36-37

Relax on the shore of Tahoe, play beach volleyball, listen to music and perfect your tan. Learn to waterski with professional instructors or go tubing or wakeboarding. Sprawl on the deck of a sailboat as you cruise around the lake.
38-40

Welcome to the City by the Bay! Ride one of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, visit “the Rock” (Alcatraz*), explore Pier 39 and see its famous resident sea lions, sample fresh seafood near Fisherman’s Wharf, taste chocolate in Ghirardelli Square, wobble down the most crooked street in the world, and marvel at the Golden Gate Bridge.
*As per the National Park Service, we disclose that Alcatraz tour has a retail value of $45.25 included in the program tuition.
More Details
Arrive in New York
For participants on this trip, transport by motor-coach leaves in the morning of the first day and is included from New York to the trip starting point in Ithaca. For our travelers from outside of NY, NJ, CT or PA, we are happy to assist you with arranging flights into New York for the afternoon before the departure and to provide chaperoned accommodations. You may also choose to meet us in Ithaca and we help you to coordinate your travel times to meet the group at the hotel.
Return Flight Home from San Francisco, California
Our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed. For those from the New York area, we offer a chaperoned flight.
Food and Meals
Eating well while away from home is an important part of a summer’s success. We understand how it helps our travelers feel secure, happy and looking forward to their day. Our North American Active Teen Tours visit great restaurants. Depending on the itinerary, you may be dining at the Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Cafe, a popular upscale food hall/marketplace with local gourmet options or a happening area where you will have many cuisines to select from. We make a point to balance great food choices that teens love with trying great local favorites like the sourdough bread from the Boudin Bakery in San Francisco.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Rooming
You will stay in the finest hotels, resorts and college residences, which are chosen based on safety, security, amenities, comfort and location. Rooms vary from doubles to triples. Triples may contain two beds and a rollaway or be a suite style with a sofa bed. Each participant has their own bed.
Laundry
You will only need to bring one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. We visit local laundromats weekly and we will supply the detergent and dryer sheets. Don’t worry if you’ve never done laundry before, we’ll show you the ropes. Parents, we know the thought of your children doing laundry is making you smile!
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes, and motor coach transportation from New York to Ithaca.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry and insurance.