Overview
Vermont
for 7th-10th graders
Famous for its beautiful vistas, quiet roads and small, friendly towns, it’s no secret that Vermont is a perfect setting for bicycle touring. Our daily rides over rolling terrain offer stunning views of Lake Champlain, Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondacks. Join us in a small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) as we discover scenic backroads, hidden swimming holes, great friendships and fun as we cycle the length of Vermont.
We’ll begin in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with an orientation focusing on group building and safe riding. In southern Vermont, we’ll load our bicycles with everything we’ll need for the next two weeks and begin our trek to the Canadian border. On daily rides that average 25 miles, we’ll bike along green fields, through covered bridges, by red barns and past white-steepled churches. We'll ride through the Lake Champlain Valley, seeking out quiet roads and gentle grades. As we head north, we’ll look west across the lake to the imposing Adirondacks. To the east are Vermont’s Green Mountains, with impressive Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, in the distance. We’ll visit bustling Burlington, a nice contrast to the small towns and big farms along our route. Each day brings fun and discovery, and at day’s end, comfortable camping awaits us.
Near the end of our two weeks together, we’ll ride triumphantly across the U.S./Canada border. At trip’s end, we'll travel back to Williamstown, by van, where we’ll celebrate the accomplishments, friendships and fun of our two weeks together on Overland’s Vermont, a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bicycle the length of Vermont
- Swim in Vermont’s lakes & ponds
- Explore small towns & quiet backroads
- Visit exciting Burlington
GRADE
For students who will finish grades 7-10 in June 2008. We plan on 1 group at each departure with 7th & 8th graders, 1 group at each departure with 8th & 9th graders and 1 group at each departure with 9th & 10th graders. Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.
CHALLENGE LEVEL
3 (1-10, 1 is easiest)
START & END LOCATION
Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts
2008 DATES & FEES
2 Weeks
Sunday, June 22 to Friday, July 4
Sunday, July 6 to Friday, July 18
Sunday, July 20 to Friday, August 1
$2695 (airfare not included)
APPLY TODAY
Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.
“The Vermont trip was just right for a beginning biker....challenging but not overwhelming and allowed Jamie to gain confidence as he went along." Ginny Burke, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Itinerary
At The Start Of The Trip
Vermont starts in Williamstown, Massachusetts. For students who drive to the start of the trip (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we’ll meet on the campus of Williams College and travel a short distance to our campground where we'll spend our fist night. Students who fly to trip start arrive at the Albany, New York airport where Overland staff will be on hand to meet you, help you collect your baggage and transport you by van the 42 miles to Williamstown.
Orientation & Practice Ride
On our first afternoon together, we'll prepare for our trip north by learning how to load our bikes and ride as a group. We’ll take a short practice ride and then return to our campground to set up our tents and prepare dinner.
Southern Vermont
From the border of Massachusetts and Vermont, we'll start our trek north. We'll travel in the valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks where the terrain is gently rolling and increases in difficulty as we build up strength and get used to being on our bikes each day. A typical itinerary in Southern Vermont includes the following stops: Pine Hollow Campground in Pownal (10 miles); Lake Shaftsbury State Park (19 miles); Dorset Park (22 miles); Lake St. Catherine State Park (22 miles); Lake Hortonia (24 miles).
Burlington & The Border
From Lake Hortonia, we'll travel to the southern edge of Lake Champlain. Our route skirts along the shores of the lake with views of the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. We'll ride through busy Burlington, a nice change of pace from the small Vermont towns we’ve been riding through so far. We'll continues through the northern sections of Lake Champlain to the U.S./Canada border. During this section, most groups will make the following stops: Lake Champlain D.A.R. State Park (38 miles); Burlington's North Beach Campground (43 miles); Grand Isle State Park (43 miles); U.S./Canada border (20 miles). In Burlington, there is a buffer day built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route (most groups will spend this day partially or completely off of the bikes, relaxing and exploring on foot).
Trip End in Williamstown
We'll finish our biking as we ride triumphantly to the Canadian border. After a brief celebration, we'll hop in a 15-passenger van and trailer to head back to Williamstown. Here we’ll enjoy a last night out together as we celebrate the accomplishment of biking the entire length of Vermont! On the last morning of the trip, students are picked up in Williamstown or shuttled to Albany, New York airport for flights.
What's It Like?
Vermont is a great bike trip because:
- It will be absolutely clear to you that you have accomplished something significant—you’ve biked the length of Vermont!
- It is a reasonably challenging trip that is still a great first trip—most participants will be new to Overland and new to bicycle touring.
- It is a comfortable trip—nightly camping is in small state parks and a few privately owned campgrounds: most have hot showers and many have lakes for swimming.
The days on Vermont include bicycling, swimming, camping and fun with a small group of students and two caring leaders (always a male and a female). There’s a real sense of adventure as you make steady progress toward the Canadian border…join us next summer and experience for yourself the excitement and camaraderie of our Vermont bicycle tour!
Supervision & Safety
On an
We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.
In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing bike paths and bike routes wherever possible, and where they are not available, choosing the best available roads. We ride with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear. We only ride during the day; we always wear helmets, and we attach an orange safety flag to every bike. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative.
For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our 24/7 supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer bicycle trips.
Overland Leaders
In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized. Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way.
You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.
Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.
Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.
Trip Difficulty
Vermont is rated 3 on a scale of 1-10 (1 is easiest). The length of the rides and the difficulty of the terrain are a notch higher than Cape Cod & the Islands (Level 2) and less demanding than Nova Scotia & Acadia (Level 5). Our daily rides average 25 miles and are a great way to discover the beauty of Vermont while making friends and having fun.
Many Vermont participants are first-timers on a trip like this—so few, if any, students come with prior experience. There is always a range of physical ability and fitness in each group. As long as you are motivated and reasonably fit, you will keep up just fine because the trip is designed to be a cooperative, non-competitive group activity where everyone contributes and helps one another.
Fully Self-Contained Bicycle Trips
Overland bicycle tours are self-contained—meaning there is no van support. You will carry all of your belongings, plus some group gear, on a sturdy rack mounted over the back wheel of your bike. You will hang panniers (these are saddlebags, pronounced “pan-yers”) off the rack and attach gear like your sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the top of the rack using bungee cords.
“It was awesome!” Lauren Gormer, Hampton Falls, New Hampshire
How We Put Our Groups Together
We have a number of important criteria for every group:
Group Size: Every
Gender:
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.
Trip Details
Getting To & From The Trip
Vermont starts in Williamstown, Massachusetts. For students who drive to the start of the trip (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we’ll meet on the Williams College campus. Students who fly to the trip start should fly into the Albany, New York airport where Overland staff will be on-hand to meet you, help you collect your baggage and transport you by 15-passenger van the 42 miles to Williamstown.
At the end of the trip students will be shuttled back to Williamstown. Students can either fly home from Albany, New York airport or be picked up in Williamstown. Overland staff will be on hand to assist all students with flights or pick-ups.
Equipment
Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete packing list. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this trip are: a bike (available for rent from Overland), a helmet, panniers (saddlebags—available for rent from Overland), a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad.
The Bicycle
You will need a good quality bicycle for this trip. You can either bring your own or rent a bicycle from Overland. Complete information to help guide you in the selection of an appropriate bicycle or arrange for an Overland rental is available in the Choosing The Right Bicycle and the Bicycle & Pannier Rental Form pages of the Enrollment Forms. If you plan to purchase a bike, keep in mind that in 2009 we will require a Trek 520 bicycle or Cannondale Touring 2 bicycle for European Challenge and American Challenge if you think you might do one of these trips in the future.
Renting a Bicycle and Panniers from Overland
You may choose to rent a bicycle and/or panniers from Overland to use during your trip. Please see the Bicycle & Pannier Rental Form for more information (click above on Enrollment Forms).
Additional Costs
Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., bicycles, panniers, sleeping bags).
“Outstanding people—trip mates, leaders, support staff and office—excellent!” Stella Seo, Westport, Connecticut
