We Welcome Your Application to Join Us!
We build each of our groups with care, keeping the groups small (no more than twelve students), and paying close attention to age, grade, gender, and the mix of hometowns and schools. Our goal is to put together great groups — groups where nice kids thrive in a supportive, wholesome, and caring environment. Please note: availability as shown is based on students traveling without a friend; if your child is interested in traveling with a friend, please call our office for availability.
Important Information about Availability
Available
This departure of this trip has good availability. Apply as soon as possible since availability changes quickly.
Limited
This departure of this trip has limited availability. Apply as soon as possible, and on receipt of your application, if space is still available, we’ll confirm a spot for you. If all of the spots are taken, we’ll call you to discuss options.
Waitlist
This departure of this trip is currently full — please call us to discuss options.
How to Apply
Apply online using a credit card for the $795 deposit (your card will not be charged until we confirm a spot for you). Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received (we do not hold spots over the phone).
When to Apply
The flow of applications starts in July and peaks in January/February. Some groups fill by the December holidays, and others will have space into the late spring. Our advice? Apply as soon as possible — it only takes a few minutes — and we’ll get to work right away to find a great spot for you.
Questions?
Call (413.458.9672) or email (info@overlandsummers.com). We look forward to hearing from you.
Ali
Hometown: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Alpine Challenge • Summer of 2019
I am a senior at Radnor High School, and I will be attending Dartmouth College next fall! I love rowing, science, and spending time with my friends and family outside. When I went on my first Overland trip at age 13, my entire life changed: I went vegetarian, became much more outgoing, and realized that environmentalism is something that I want to pursue for the rest of my life. With Overland, I have gone on the Rocky Mountain Explorer, Northwest Expedition, High Sierra Expedition, and Alpine Challenge trips; each adventure was somehow more exciting and influential than the last! Upon arriving home from Switzerland in 2019, I created and passed legislation that committed my school to achieving 100% clean electricity by 2030 and clean energy in all sectors (transportation, heating, cooling, etc.) by 2035. Overland has given me so much confidence, support, and inspiration through its incredible people and empowering itineraries, and I owe much of my motivation to it. I would absolutely love to give back and continue being active in the Overland community by becoming a leader in the next few years!
Alpine Challenge was absolutely incredible. We had gorgeous weather, delicious food, and breathtaking views daily. I feel so lucky to have met so many lifelong friends in this amazing journey!
The Best Part…
Words cannot describe the intimate dynamic of an Overland trip, something I crave every day I am not on a trip or visiting my Overland friends. At Overland, everyone is important and everything that we do is as a team. Such a supportive and collaborative environment is hard to find anywhere else. I am so grateful for the long-lasting connections that I made on my trips!
The Most Unexpected Part…
The most unexpected part of my trip was definitely the food. I was pleasantly surprised to find that we had access to fresh Swiss food almost every day! The local baguettes and European cheeses were something we would not have access to on any other trip.
My Group…
My group was so special. We were made up of 12 people from all over the US and Canada. Everyone was positive, open-minded, and absolutely hilarious. I was always laughing, and it felt like the people on my trip were a part of my family. I never would have guessed that such impactful connections could be made in just three weeks!
My Leaders…
My leaders were some of the most intelligent, happiest, balanced, and uplifting people I have ever met. One of my leaders, Elena, particularly inspired me. She attended Dartmouth College and took advantage of many of their environmental, outdoors, and study abroad opportunities. She encouraged me to check out their programs and helped me discover that Dartmouth is where I want to spend my next four years, too!
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about doing this trip?
I cannot recommend this trip enough! Everyone in my group had an amazing time, and we are all still very close. Even if hiking in Switzerland feels out of your comfort zone, I encourage you to sign up because the traveling experiences, friendships, and views are really a once in a lifetime opportunity!
