Ultimate Hawaii

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Ultimate Hawaii

Flights and Packing
Destination

Hawaii

Current Grades

10th-12th

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!

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Itinerary

DAY 1-3: SNORKEL AND LEARN REEF ECOLOGY IN KAHALU’U BAY

This is a favorite among our teen adventure programs, so we’ll start this trip in Kahalu’u Bay, where 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. This Hawaii summer camp trip will include swimming and snorkeling 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!
Accommodation: Camping

DAY 4-6: SURF THE KONA COAST AND NIGHT SNORKEL WITH MANTA RAYS

You can’t visit Hawaii without learning its favorite pastime. Throughout our 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. During this Hawaii summer camp 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 the trip. When it’s time to dry out, we’ll tour Sunshower Farms to learn more about sustainable coffee agriculture.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 7: SAIL THE KOHALA COAST

It’s time to harness the tradewinds for a day on the Kohala Coast. On this part part of this Hawaii summer camp that you’ll learn how to sail a catamaran, including safety at sea, knot-tying, trimming sails, and more. Students love this practical part of our teen adventure programs. 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

DAY 8-9: HIKE IN HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Explore Hawai’ii Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous Kilauea and Mauna Loa, for two days. This is one of the most popular parts of this Hawaii summer camp! 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.) 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.

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 10: 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. This beach is a beautiful part of our Hawaii summer camp trip. 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.) 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 11-13: HIKE TO WATERFALLS AND LEARN ABOUT HAWAIIAN CULTURE

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. You’ll learn about the special culture of the islands on this Hawaii summer camp trip. 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! This outdoor exploration is a huge priority in our teen adventure programs!

Accommodation: Camping

DAY 14: ZIPLINE IN ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK

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 15-18: EXPLORE WAIPIO VALLEY THROUGH CULTURAL IMMERSION

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. 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. Our teen adventure programs are about more than just exploration. We also prioritize helping the places we visit.

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.

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Dates and Prices

Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    06/30/23
  • Return Day
    07/17/23
  • Grade
    10–12
  • Price
    $5,888
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure 1
  • Departure Day
    07/21/23
  • Return Day
    08/07/23
  • Grade
    10–12
  • Price
    $5,888
  • Availability
    Limited
Departure Day Return Day Grade Price Availability
06/30/23
07/17/23
10–12
$5,888
limited
07/21/23
08/07/23
10–12
$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

Hiking

Sailing

Surfing

Ziplining

Snorkeling

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Reviews

Emma, student from Hahira, GA 

I just loved my community. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share such amazing experiences with. Bold Earth has got everything right. 

Karen K, parent from Brooklyn, NY

We have been huge fans and advocates of Bold Earth for years. For our older daughter I feel the experience was life-changing and super positive. Overall, it has been great. 

Belinda F, parent from Easton, MD

My son had a wonderful time in Hawaii; he saw spectacular scenery, was engaged in all dimensions, enjoyed the cohort of kids, and loved snorkeling, sailing, and all the activities. 

Becky, student from Newton, MA

The coolest thing was when we went to Mauna Kea and looked at the stars in our sleeping bags. Bold Earth was an amazing experience, and I got to try things I never would have otherwise.

Alexa, student from Littleton, CO

I had a lot of favorite parts: surfing, snorkeling, riding the catamaran with the dolphins, stargazing, Waimanu Valley, the lava tubes, Rainbow Falls… I enjoyed pretty much everything! It’s such a cool experience to do stuff that you can’t with your family.

JoAnn L, parent from Kennebunk, ME

Bold Earth has fabulous leaders, and this trip was in a great location where my daughter made good friends. The trip leaders handled all issues very responsibly. Alex and Casey were a ton of fun, according to Jillian. They never failed to keep Jillian entertained and were very good listeners. They were always trying new things and getting out of their comfort zones. It’s the experience of a lifetime.

Jeramie R, parent from Wichita, KS

[Bold Earth is] the ultimate experience for a teen to challenge them in a safe, positive environment, gain confidence and leadership skills, all the while living in the present moment (which is sorely lacking in our digital world), learning new skills, growing an appreciation for the environment, helping local communities, and developing deep and positive relationships.

Lilia, student from Bloomfield Hills, MI

I would describe [Bold Earth] as a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t imagine doing such fun activities without this kind of organization. The connections you make are just so amazing and it’s one hundred percent worth it!

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