Overland Summer camps for 4th - 12th graders
This classic exploration of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard is always one of Overland’s most popular trips—and for good reason. Daily rides explore beautiful beaches and picturesque towns on back roads and bike paths. A whale watch off Provincetown rounds out two weeks of biking and beaches, friendships and fun.
Sunday, June 23 – Friday, July 5
Sunday, July 7 – Friday, July 19
Sunday, July 21 – Friday, August 2
2 (1-10, 1 is easiest)
Williamstown, Massachusetts
Completing grades 6-9 in 2019
Students grouped by grade
Each group is limited to 12 students
Meals
Group gear
Accommodations
Activities
Albany International Airport Shuttle
Personal gear and clothing
(see what to pack)
Airfare to and from the trip start and end
Trip insurance (recommended;
learn more about the benefits)
Bicycle (you can bring your own or rent a bike and panniers from us for $200 plus tax)
Bike rides and beaches, friendships and fun—the best two weeks of your summer.
This was the original Overland trip—and it’s still our most popular. It’s easy to understand why—every day brings great beauty, lots of activities and much to explore. Add gentle (for the most part!) terrain, and you have a wonderful introductory bike trip—two weeks of adventure and exploration.
Over the years, the trip has changed little: the routes (always the best we can find); the activities (swimming and games); the kids (almost all first-timers on a bike trip); the leaders (super responsible and a lot of fun, too). These are some of the reasons why the trip is so popular (12 groups every summer!).
Since our very first trip in the mid-1980’s Cape Cod & the Islands has offered enthusiastic students the chance to explore this beautiful part of New England in a supportive, wholesome group with caring Overland leaders. It’s a simple formula—and it’s worked for over 30 years.
Cape Cod & the Islands was amazing! We saw breathtaking sights and biked outstanding bike paths.
- Isabella Halkos, Atlanta, Georgia
Trip Start and First Orientation Rides
We will meet in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and spend the afternoon adjusting to our bikes, packing our panniers, learning riding etiquette and getting to know one another. With three or four groups on the Cape at once, we will run at least three different itineraries. Typically one group will start on Martha’s Vineyard then travel to Nantucket and finish in Provincetown; a second group will do that same itinerary in reverse; a third group will start on Nantucket, travel to Martha’s Vineyard and finish in Provincetown.
Cape Cod
In the morning, we will drive to Cape Cod in a 15-passenger van with our bikes and gear in tow. On the Cape, we’ll start our self-supported bicycle tour. The Cape offers beautiful beaches, quiet back roads and a rail trail. Averaging 20 miles per day, we’ll bike through forests, past marshes and beaches and visit Hyannis, Wellfleet and Truro. The terrain on the Cape is generally hilly and rolling with some flat sections.
Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard
On Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, we will ride on bike paths to classic seaports, charming towns and long stretches of white sand beaches—perfect for an afternoon of swimming and games. The terrain on the islands is generally rolling, and there is a mixture of quiet roads and bike paths. On Martha’s Vineyard, we’ll stay at a campground a short bike ride from the beach. On Nantucket, we’ll stay at a hostel right on Surfside Beach.
Whale Watch off Provincetown
In Provincetown, we’ll board a whale-watching vessel to explore an area off the tip of the Cape where these giant mammals feed. If we are lucky, we may see whales and other sea life.
Trip End
At trip end, we’ll return to Williamstown by van and enjoy dinner as a group. We will celebrate two weeks of biking, beaches and adventure on Cape Cod & the Islands.
ACCOMMODATIONS
10 nights of frontcountry camping. Campground facilities may vary; all include flush toilets and hot water, most have showers and laundry.
2 nights in a hostel in Nantucket. The hostel has dormitory style accommodations with separate rooms for boys and girls. Some groups may stay additional nights in a hostel depending on the section and itinerary.
Itinerary may vary by group and is subject to change.Luggage
Clothing
Outer Layers
General Gear
Bike Gear
Footwear
Miscellaneous
Important Documents
Spending Money
Things to know
You can expect typical summery weather with lots of sunshine, some rain, warm days and cool nights.
You will need to arrange transportation for your child to and from Albany International Airport (ALB). We will provide more specific travel information once we have placed your child on a trip. If your child is not flying to the start of the trip, he or she should be dropped off and picked up in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
We have regular access (almost daily) to showers. Groups will do laundry once a week.
Safety and risk management are at the forefront of our decision-making–from trip planning to leader training to supporting our groups in the field. We cannot guarantee absolute safety–no program can. All recreational activities include inherent risks. Therefore, we strive to manage the risks that we can, knowing we cannot eliminate them. We work hard to recruit, train and support our trip leaders so they can create the kind of trips that have made us successful for over 30 years. Please click here to read more about our approach to risk management and our accreditation by the American Camp Association.
While no previous experience is required, we have high expectations of our students. We expect your child–with your help–to select a trip that is appropriate for his or her interests and abilities. You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the details of the specific trip and help your child understand what to expect. We also expect our students to prepare ahead of time: to review the packing list, gather clothing and gear and complete whatever training the trip requires (for recommended training please see the Before You Go tab). Once the trip begins, your child should be ready–and excited–to contribute to a wholesome and enthusiastic group where each group member feels welcomed and valued.
When we receive your application, if your first choice is available, we will: (1) call you to acknowledge our receipt of your application, (2) send you an email with a link to our Admissions Review Forms, and (3) charge a deposit of $795 to your credit card to hold your place in the trip pending a favorable admissions review. If your first choice is not available, we will call you to discuss your second choice, third choice or other options. For more information, and to access our application, please visit our Apply page.
PHONES
To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our campers. Your child will call home on arrival and departure with our phones and assistance, and in the case of an emergency. If your child brings a phone for use while en route to Overland, please do not send an expensive smartphone, instead, an inexpensive prepaid cell phone will do. All phones will be collected on arrival and returned at departure. While we will take reasonable steps to prevent damage, theft or loss, we take no responsibility for phones and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones.
ELECTRONICS
Cameras are welcome but please do not bring any other electronics (e.g., iPods, iPads, Kindles or other readers, GPS or similar devices). All electronics (except cameras) will be mailed home on arrival (at your risk and expense).
COMMUNICATION
We are committed to providing extraordinary support to you and your child; to that end, the Overland office is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days a week during the summer. Outside of office hours our answering service provides emergency coverage. Our leaders in the field are in touch with our office regularly; they carry cell phones (and in some cases satellite phones). Anytime a camper is treated for an injury or illness by a doctor or other medical personnel, parents are notified by our office. A director will call the parents to explain the nature of the injury or illness, the sequence of events leading up to the injury and/or the steps leading to the treatment. Parents are typically able to speak with the medical personnel, with the leaders and with their child.
Getting a letter, card or postcard while on an Overland trip is always exciting. Please keep in mind that sending mail to your child on an Overland trip is different than sending mail to camp because your child will be on the move. Our experience has been that mail often does not arrive on time, and, sometimes, even when it does, post offices, campgrounds and other mail stops do not reliably deliver mail to our groups. For these reasons:
1. Please do not send anything valuable – please send letters, cards or postcards only. If mail is late, lost or misdirected, Overland’s leaders and staff are not able to return to the post office (or other mail stop) to collect it.
2. Please use the US Postal Service first-class mail only; do not use UPS, FedEx or DHL (many of our mail stops accept US Postal Service mail only).
3. Please do not send overnight letters: many overnighted letters arrive before or after we arrive and are then sent back. For this same reason, please do not send mail that requires a signature upon delivery.
4. Please allow one week for postal delivery to U.S. mail stops.
5. Please allow two weeks for postal delivery to international mail stops.
Bike, swim and explore Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
Students going on Cape Cod & the Islands should prepare for:
We expect you to arrive to your trip fully prepared for all activities.
Preparing for the Biking
Daily rides on Cape Cod & the Islands average 20 miles over varying terrain. The longest day is approximately 30 miles. The terrain will be mostly flat to rolling with a few substantial hills. Cape Cod & the Islands groups typically average 8-10 miles per hour while riding. There are always lots of breaks—for water, snacks, lunch, etc.—and the goal is to have fun while improving biking skills and overall fitness.
Overland bicycle tours are self-contained—there is no van support. You will move camp every two to three days. On these days, you will carry all of your belongings, plus some group gear and food, on a sturdy rack mounted over the back wheel of your bike. On average, you will carry 30 pounds of equipment on your bike (not including the weight of the bike). On other days, you will take day rides as a group—to a beach, lighthouse or into town—with little to no weight on your bike.
You should come prepared and recognize that some days will be more challenging and longer than others. Delays occur due to a wide range of variables—weather patterns change and road conditions vary. You, or someone in your group, might get a flat tire or encounter another mechanical issue that could delay your group. On some days your group will arrive at camp in the early afternoon, with plenty of time to explore, play games or go swimming, while on other days your group will spend more time on the bike.
Cape Cod & the Islands is designed to be a cooperative, non-competitive experience where everyone contributes and helps one another. While there is always a range of physical ability in each group, it's important that you follow our training schedule and that you take the time to gain confidence on a bike—mounting and dismounting, shifting gears, braking and making turns. Enjoy your rides this spring . . . and we'll see you on the Cape and Islands this summer!
Pre-trip Training:
Responsible Riding Practices
In addition to building your fitness and familiarity with bicycling, preparation for Cape Cod & the Islands includes increasing your awareness of responsible riding practices. We encourage you to follow the guidelines below when training for your trip and to consult with local bike shops for route and riding advice.
WEAR A HELMET AND CLOSED-TOED SHOES
Always, no exceptions.
DESIGN A GOOD TRAINING LOOP
To the extent possible, ride on bike paths, bike lanes, and bike routes.
FOLLOW THE LAW
You have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Obey traffic signals and stop signs. Ride with traffic; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.
BE PREDICTABLE
Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns, and check behind you before turning or changing lanes.
BE VISIBLE
Ride where people can see you and wear a hi-vis top. Ride with your rear light on and flashing. Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks. When possible, ride with others.
THINK AHEAD
Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.
RIDE READY
Check that your tires are sufficiently inflated, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and supplies that are appropriate for your ride.
Preparing for an Overland Experience
Overland trips are wholesome, structured experiences with high expectations of each student’s behavior. You are expected to be enthusiastic, positive, helpful and supportive of your trip mates and your leaders. We ask that you leave your cell phone and electronics at home (cameras are always welcome), so you can fully engage with your group and your trip. Arriving ready for a challenge – and prepared to contribute to an enthusiastic group – will go a long way toward creating a successful trip. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss preparing for your Overland trip.
2 weeks
$3,395
