Our optional Teen Adventure Program lets campers grow into something bigger without ever leaving behind the friends and community they’ve built. Campers completing 8th through 10th grade opt into multi-week expeditions that launch and finish right at Thunderbird, traveling to some of the most breathtaking destinations across the United States and Canada. These aren’t just trips. They’re the kinds of experiences teens talk about for the rest of their lives, taken with the people who know them best. For parents, it’s the rarest thing: a summer you don’t have to plan. Thunderbird’s leadership handles every detail, from staff vetting and trip logistics to on-the-ground supervision, so you can exhale knowing your teen is somewhere extraordinary and completely cared for. To be eligible, campers must qualify during the summer after completing 7th grade.
A full season program that includes canoeing and hiking. To qualify for the extended programs outside of camp, campers must complete progressions.
Possible Locations: Superior Hiking Trail, Porcupine Mountains, Boundary Waters, Big Fork River, Voyageurs National Park, Duluth(Minnesota)
A full-season program that includes a six-week backpacking and van trip to Washington and Oregon. This is designed for campers who have completed 8th grade.
Locations Visited: Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Pike Place Market, Seattle, and San Juan Islands
A full-season program that includes a six-week trip in the Western United States and Canada, designed for campers who have completed 9th grade.
Locations Visited: Mount Rushmore, Bighorn National Forest, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone National Forest(Wind River Range), Banff(Canada), Kananaskis(Canada), Bonners Ferry(Idaho)
The CIT Alaska program is a three-week adventure to the most stunning place in the world. Throughout their journey, the staff team prepares campers to become staff members by providing campers more experiences to work on their leadership skills.
Locations Visited: Denali State Park, Chugach State Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Harding Icefield, Worthington Glacier, Seward, Anchorage, Homer, Valdez
Parents usually have between 3 and 4 opportunities to receive calls from their kids during the duration of trip. These calls will usually last 10 minutes so that every camper has the time to contact their families. You will be notified the day calls will be made, so that you can plan accordingly.
To keep our campers and staff happy and safe, there are skill and age requirements for each Tbird trip. For more information please don’t hesitate to contact our Directors.
Absolutely! We encourage parents to send letters to our mail drops. These addresses and timestamps will be provided to parents well before their campers embark to ensure post!
Not at all! Our Trip Director plans every single trip. We communicate the general calendar and mail stop locations with you.
Check out our dates and rates page for more information on this.
To ensure safety and the best possible experience, we ask that parents, siblings and friends do not visit our campers while they’re on their Teen Adventure Tour trips. For more information contact our Directors.
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