Hawaii Adventure

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Hawaii Adventure

Destination

Hawaii

Current Grades

8th-10th

length

18 Days

view dates and prices
Airports

Arrive: Kona, HI (KOA)
Depart: Kona, HI (KOA)

Surfing, snorkeling, sailing, and hiking up volcanoes—the most epic outdoor activities you can do at this Hawaii summer camp! We will explore from the top of the Big Island’s parched volcanoes down to its verdant rainforests. We’ll swim with manta rays, exotic fish, and sea turtles, and we’ll learn how to help protect Hawaii’s fragile reef ecosystems. Hawaiian families will teach us local customs, and we’ll give back to their communities with an afternoon of service projects. We’ll hike to thundering waterfalls and get up close and personal with wild dolphins! This is an amazing part of our teen adventure programs!

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Itinerary

DAY 1-3: SURF THE KONA COAST AND NIGHT SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS

You can’t visit Hawaii without learning its favorite pastime. Throughout this Hawaii summer camp trip, we’ll have three different days of professional surf instruction on the Kona coast, back at Kahalu’u Beach Park. This area is extremely well-suited for beginner surfers: A barrier rock wall shelters the cove, keeping the waves gentle. In the afternoons, we’ll relax on the white sands of the nearby Hapuna Beach, regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world. One night will be dedicated to a Kona specialty: snorkeling with manta rays! These gentle rays do not have sharp teeth or tail stingers, and we’ll get to float above and with them as they feed on plankton and glide in the lit-up water below. This is sure to be a huge highlight of our Hawaii summer camp trip. When it’s time to dry out, we’ll tour Sunshower Farms to learn more about sustainable coffee agriculture.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 4-6: SNORKEL AND LEARN REEF ECOLOGY

As we learn to snorkel we’ll discuss reef ecology with marine biologists. We’ll study different types of coral and exotic fish, along with reef etiquette to help protect the fragile ecosystems in the bay. We’ll swim and snorkel alongside large populations of brightly colored marine life (parrotfish, peacock bass, eels, goat fish, and more) in Kahalu’u Beach Park. The water is shallow, allowing the sunlight to reach all the way to the floor and creating incredibly abundant coral and sea-life. Hawaiian sea turtles are known to frequent the area, so keep an eye out for them at this awesome Hawaii summer camp!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 7-10: EXPERIENCE HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND LEARN ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Get ready to engage in the rich Hawaiian culture in the Honokaa area! We’ll camp with a local Hawaiian family on their farm, help cook traditional meals, and learn local customs. Learning and engaging is a huge priority in our teen adventure programs. In addition, you’ll also volunteer at the local market garden and food hub while learning about sustainable Hawaiian farming practices. If time allows, we’ll also work to help eradicate damaging invasive species.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 11-13: HIKE TO WATERFALLS AND LEARN ABOUT HAWAIIAN CULTURE

One of our main priorities for our Hawaii summer camp trip is learning about the culture of the islands. The historic town of Hilo brings many more adventures! Over two days, we’ll hike to the 80-foot-tall, 100-foot-wide Rainbow Falls, officially known as Waianuenue. On sunny days, dazzling rainbows dance around the area as the water plunges over a lava cave and into the river below. As short and wide as Rainbow Falls is, our next stop, ʻAkaka Falls, is tall and narrow. Towering at 422 feet, ʻAkaka is surrounded by lush rainforest; you’ll pass by wild orchids and bamboo groves on your way in. To top off our trip to Hilo, we’ll explore a lava cave system north of town!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 14: ZIPLINE IN ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK

Next, our Hawaii summer camp will take you to new heights. After spending so much time at sea level, we’ll get a whole new bird’s eye view from the ziplines back in ʻAkaka Falls State Park. Seven ziplines offer different breathtaking views, with one of them flying over the 250-foot KoleKole waterfall!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 15-16: EXPLORE HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Explore Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Kilauea, meaning “much spreading,” is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and we’ll get up close and personal with a hike around the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater! (According to Hawaiian mythology, Halemaʻumaʻu is the home to Pele, goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes.) You’ll learn a ton about the beliefs and history at our Hawaii summer camp! Because of Kilauea’s continuous activity, the nearby landscape is largely barren, with a few endemic species thriving. We’ll partner with a local nonprofit organization to remove invasive species and help protect the fragile ecosystem surrounding the volcanoes. We love helping the land and native species as part of our teen adventure programs.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 17: HIKE TO GREEN SANDS BEACH

Officially known as Papakolea Beach, we’ll hike to this secluded, green sand beach on the southern tip of the Big Island. Part of the base of Mauna Loa, the bright green olivine crystals making up the beach were formed during an eruption about 49,000 years ago. (Olivine is a Hawaiian mineral found in its volcanoes’ lava.) This beach visit is a teen favorite on our Hawaii summer camp trips! After a meadowlands hike down to this geologic oddity, we’ll explore the walls and around and admire the gorgeous teal water.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 18: SAIL THE KOHALA COAST

It’s time to harness the tradewinds for a day on the Kohala Coast. We’ll learn how to sail a catamaran, including safety at sea, knot-tying, trimming sails, and more. As we sail, we’re likely to cruise alongside spinner and bottlenose dolphins and maybe even false killer whales! We’ll take snorkeling breaks, joining the sea turtles for a swim in the cool Pacific waters. The stony coral colonies here are part of a semi-contiguous system, making it one of the longest reefs in Hawaii.

Accommodation: Camping

*Listed above is Bold Earth’s intended itinerary for this trip. All itineraries are subject to change in order to provide the best possible program quality.

Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/30/23
  • Return Day
    07/17/23
  • Grade
    8–10
  • Price
    $5,888
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    07/21/22
  • Return Day
    08/07/23
  • Grade
    8–10
  • Price
    $5,888
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
06/30/23
07/17/23
8–10
$5,888
limited
07/21/22
08/07/23
8–10
$5,888
limited

Accommodations & Service

Community Service: Approximately 8 Hours
  • Hilo Coast: Environmental project, where we remove an invasive species from a wilderness area.
  • Waipio Valley: Help the local elderly population with various projects in the community.
Accommodations:
  • 17 nights of camping. All campgrounds are designated campgrounds with access to bathrooms. Bold Earth will provide comfortable 3-person tents.

Activities

Community service: 8 hours

Sailing

Snorkeling

Hiking

Surfing

Reviews

Polly W, parent from Scottsdale, AZ

Bold Earth was a great experience. Jordan was pushed out of her comfort zone and excelled and grew. 

Michelle S, parent from Maplewood, NJ

Our daughters have been talking about their trip and how amazing it was since they arrived home. We would definitely recommend Bold Earth to other families. 

Gately, student from Hudson, OH

Bold Earth pushed me out of my comfort zone. It introduced me to a new place and culture, as well as people I never would have met if I hadn’t gone on this trip. Spending time with everyone and doing life-changing activities with them was amazing. This was an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Sunn C, parent from Moraga, CA

Philip’s trip leaders were super friendly, and my son totally trusted them. He had all of the fun that I wish I’d had when I was young. He wants to do another trip with the same trip leaders next year! 

Kyle K, parent from Avondale, PA

I loved that kids had no phones! Kyle bonded with those kids in ways that he’s never bonded with ANYONE. I honestly think that this was because of your no-electronics policy! Kyle talks so highly of his trip leaders. They seemed like great, fun people that could be friends and responsible trip
leaders at the same time.

Steph, student from Pelham, NY

My favorite parts of the trip were the connections and memories I made with every single person in my group. I really enjoyed the hike into the Wai-pio and Waimanu valleys.

Katherine, student from Montclair, NJ

I loved the experiences Bold Earth enabled me to have in Hawaii that were unique and unlike that of typical tourists. I especially loved the day at Green Sand Beach, the hiking, and sunset and sunrise atop Mauna Kea. All while doing so, I had the opportunity to break out of my shell and create close bonds with the fellow students, creating countless memories full of laughter and  smiles.

Sam, student from Baltimore, MD

I loved getting to see and experience the amazing wildlife, like sea turtles, eagle rays, dolphins, fish, and so many more. I made great friends who I’ll keep in touch with.

Helen B, parent from Los Angeles, CA

Families should absolutely send their children [to Bold Earth]. They also need to prepare their hearts because the child they sent will not be the same the person upon return; we received a young adult whose eyes were opened to the endless potential of life and opportunities that await him.