ANSLEY & VIVIAN’S STORIES

Hometown
Haddonfield, NJ
Trips
Language and Hiking France &
Mountains and Sea Explorer
AGE GROUP
Grades 10 & 7

Ansley's Experience

building confidence &
having fun

Coming into the trip, I was uncertain in French-speaking abilities; however, I was very surprised by the level of confidence I had leaving. Everyday, our Overland leaders and French teachers taught us new vocabulary words, and encouraged us to have conversations with people who lived around our town. Because of their kindness and positivity, we always felt comfortable giving it our best, even if we didn’t say everything perfectly the first time. Thanks to Overland, I feel much more prepared to take on my French class this school year.

A life-changing opportunity

“For anyone who loves to try new things, meet new people, or challenge themselves: give Overland a try. It has completely changed my life and I can’t wait to continue doing it for years to come.”

The best part for Vivian

challenge hike success

My favorite moment of my trip this past summer was reaching the top of the Franconia Ridge mountain for our challenge hike. When we were climbing the mountain while playing trail games all together, I felt so motivated to keep on pushing until we got to the top, and when we did, the level of accomplishment that I was feeling was indescribable.

Ansley's Group in France

bonding through shared experience

The friends I made on this Overland trip are impossible to forget. The friendly and welcoming nature of the group made it easy to bond and create memories that will last a lifetime. Some of the best memories were made in the tents after a long day of hiking. We had some of the most meaningful conversations and laughed the hardest during those times.

On Mountains and Sea Explorer, there's lots of time for fun activities: big things like sea kayaking, and little things like camp games.
You're guaranteed to meet some friendly mountain dogs on Language and Hiking France, like this one!
Dessert Circle on the beach? Yes, please!
Ansley and her group reppin' Overland high up in the French Alps!
Vivian and her group reached peaks of their own! This is them on Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire's White Mountains!

Vivian on her leaders:

Support and lots of engagement

My Overland leaders were some of the kindest and most encouraging people I have ever met in my life. They had multiple fun hikes and activities planned and quite a few surprises. At the end of the trip, our leaders took us to the top of a mountain where we reflected on our amazing memories that we had made all together. It was the main thing that I will remember from that trip.

Where to explore next?

A big world to explore

Ansley reflects on why she keeps coming back: “Overland is always the highlight of my year. In the past, I was lucky enough to do both the New England Explorer and the Rocky Mountain Explorer trip. I have tried other hiking trips and camps before, but after finishing my first Overland trip, I knew I didn’t want to do anything else.”

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