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

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

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

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

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

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.