Give your teen room to unplug, move, connect with
others, and return home with renewed confidence.
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A Meaningful Reset
A well-designed summer program can give an overwhelmed teen a meaningful change of pace.
Phone-free time removes constant notifications, while hiking and outdoor activities replace scrolling with movement and shared experience. Small-group living creates space for face-to-face friendships, and daily responsibilities build independence. At Overland, supportive leaders and age-appropriate challenges encourage students to focus on the present, contribute to a team, and recognize their capabilities.
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Choose your teen’s completed grade, explore summer programs, and compare trip details to find the right outdoor experience for their interests and abilities.
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Discover how Overland creates opportunities for kids to grow and thrive. Download our PDF to learn more about our impactful programs and their lasting effects.
Overland creates age-appropriate experiences with a healthy balance of activity, rest, and shared goals. Time outdoors, reduced screen use, and a clear daily structure can give teens a meaningful break from the stress and pressure of everyday routines.
Students take part in daily responsibilities, from preparing meals to managing personal routines. Having an active role in the group builds confidence, encourages independence, and shifts focus away from constant pressure, comparison, and passive screen time.
Overland leaders are carefully selected, trained before trips, and certified in First Aid and CPR. Their guidance helps create a supportive environment where teens can feel safe, connected, and more present as they take on new experiences.
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Families exploring ways summer programs can support their teen often have questions about readiness, phones, supervision, and well-being. Here is what to know before choosing an Overland trip.
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How can summer camp help reduce teen burnout?
Summer camp can give teens a chance to step away from busy schedules, screens, and everyday pressures. Time outdoors, meaningful activities, friendships, and shared responsibilities create a different pace that allows teens to recharge and reconnect. Overland combines these elements through structured outdoor adventures designed to encourage confidence, connection, and personal growth.
Can a summer program improve my teen's mental health?
Overland is not a mental health treatment program, but a summer experience can support overall well-being in many ways. Time outdoors, physical activity, supportive friendships, and opportunities to build independence can help teens develop confidence and feel more connected. Families with specific mental health concerns should speak with a qualified professional.
Does my teen need previous outdoor experience?
No. Many Overland students join without previous backpacking or outdoor experience. Each trip is designed for a specific age group and experience level, so families can choose a program that matches their teen’s interests, comfort level, and readiness.
Are Overland trips phone-free?
Yes. Overland trips are designed to give students meaningful time away from phones and constant digital distractions. Phones brought for travel are collected when students arrive and returned at departure. Students can contact home upon arrival and departure using Overland phones, and emergency communication is always available.
How are Overland groups organized?
Overland groups are intentionally kept small, with no more than 12 students per trip. Groups are formed with consideration for factors such as age, grade, gender, hometown, and school, while limiting the number of friend pairs so students have opportunities to build new connections.
Overland’s progressive program levels give teens room to grow at an appropriate pace. Explorer introduces farther travel, while Expedition and Challenge offer increasingly demanding goals.
For students in grades 6-9, Explorer trips combine day hikes, introductory backpacking, and activities such as rafting or kayaking. Teens travel with a small group and caring leaders while discovering destinations in the Northeast, American West, Alaska, or Europe. Trip lengths vary by program.
Expedition trips for grades 9-11 feature longer backpacking routes and may add rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, or mountaineering. Challenge programs, primarily for grades 10-12, set the longest days and most demanding terrain around a shared capstone goal. Trips span the U.S., Europe, and Africa.
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If your teen feels overwhelmed by busy schedules, constant notifications, or everyday pressures, an Overland summer program offers a meaningful change of pace. Through outdoor adventure, supportive friendships, and screen-free experiences, teens can step away from stress, build confidence, and reconnect with themselves and others.
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