We’re thrilled to connect with Overland prospective and alumni families at virtual presentations throughout the coming months!
Our year-round team has been working hard to plan Zoom-Ins for November, December, and January. Presentations like these are one of our favorite ways to connect with families, and we are so excited to see new and familiar faces over Zoom! In this post, we’ll discuss what Overland Zoom-Ins are, and what we’re most looking forward to for these upcoming presentations.
What is an Overland Zoom-In?
Our Zoom-Ins are the latest iteration on a 40-year tradition of Overland presentations. They are an opportunity to connect our families with Overland’s year-round staff to share Overland experiences and learn more about our mission and programs. We love our in-person presentations, but we recognize that we cannot travel to every city, nor can every family make it to in-person presentations. By adding virtual presentations to the mix, we hope to increase access to Overland and spread our message further!
A Zoom-In will begin with a short presentation given by our year-round staff. A Q&A will follow the presentation, giving families the opportunity to ask questions about Overland traditions, meals, logistics, and everything in between. The event will last for about one hour, but if further questions arise, we can certainly continue the conversation!
What is covered in the presentation itself?
The presentation is designed to give a general overview of Overland and the student experience. We’ll start with some basic information about our mission and values. Then, we’ll explore some of our trip offerings as we compare our trip levels and categories. We’ll also cover the work our year-round team does to ensure students have great experiences, a day in the life of an Overland student, and stories from past students and leaders. Throughout the whole presentation, we’ll enjoy incredible photos of Overland students around the world!
Who can go to an Overland Zoom-In?
Everyone! The whole family is welcome— parents, kids, friends, and grandparents! Whether families are new to Overland or seasoned alumni, Zoom-Ins are meant to connect us as a community.
If you completed an Overland trip in 2026, you are eligible to attend alumni-specific Zoom-Ins. These sessions spend less time discussing general information and are more focused on what trip would be the perfect next step for your child. These Alumni Zoom-Ins will be catered toward specific age groups; for example, a student who completed an Adventure trip in 2026 will be eligible to attend Alumni Zoom-Ins highlighting Adventure and Explorer options for 2027. Alumni families can find a sign-up link on the home page of the Family Portal.
Why do Zoom-Ins take place during late fall and early winter?
Winter is our busiest enrollment season, particularly in January, so we hope that these Zoom-Ins offer an opportunity to get acquainted with Overland ahead of our peak application season. Right now, in early November, most of our trips still have availability. Availability will grow much more limited as we near early February. If a specific trip sparks your family’s interest, we encourage you to apply soon!
What time will Zoom-Ins take place?
There will be virtual presentations scattered throughout the coming months, starting in November and continuing through the end of January. We know family schedules can be busy with sports, clubs, school events, and travel, so we try to schedule Zoom-Ins on a variety of weekends and weekday evenings. We want to make sure everyone has a session they are able to attend! You can find our presentation schedule on our website.
What does Overland hope families will take away from a slideshow?
Regardless of where you are in your decision-making process, Zoom-Ins are a great opportunity to connect with the Overland team. If you’re just learning about Overland, no worries. We’ll be sure to cover the fundamental themes, values, and structures that underpin every Overland trip. If you’re excited about Overland and have just a few final questions, that’s great too! Zoom-Ins are interactive and we offer lots of opportunities for Q&A. No matter what, I hope every attendee leaves a session with their questions answered and a better understanding of Overland. Hope to see you soon!
– Luke Costley, Director
Are there particular questions staff members are most excited to answer?
Zoom Ins are the perfect opportunity to get questions answered by our year-round team members. I love to chat through things like “What does traveling to or from an Overland trip look like?”, “How are student allergies managed on this trip?”, or “How long are the hikes on this particular trip?”. For me, diving into the nitty-gritty details and helping people learn about Overland is super gratifying! Your question can also be as simple as, “What trip seems like a good fit for my child?”. On a Zoom-In, you’re welcome to share a bit about your child: their age, the types of trips they’re excited about, and anything else you feel important for us to know. From there, I enjoy being able to guide families towards trips that may be the best fit for them! Zoom-Ins are a great chance to get a full picture of Overland, but are also an opportunity to dig deeper into the things you’re most curious about for your child’s summer.
– Katie Cullen, Director of Admissions
I absolutely love when people ask questions about Iceland, the Northwest, or Norway. Having been lucky to lead Overland trips in all of these places, getting the chance to draw on my experiences as a leader and share it with others is always fun. Every time I talk about these trips, all the great memories come rushing back and I can’t help but crack a smile!
– Asher Rabinowitz, Assistant Director of Trip Planning and Admissions
If a family can’t make it to a Zoom-In, are there other ways to inquire about Overland’s programs?
Yes, of course! Families are always welcome to call our office at +1 413-458-9672 or email [email protected] to chat about Overland at large or a specific trip. We’re always happy and eager to connect with families. As the cold weather rolls in, we’re already dreaming about summer 2027!
