Reviews by Program Type

Active Teen Tours

This trip really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It allows kids to break out of the bubble of their hometown. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends, do things you’ve never done before, and just see the world! The program is so welcoming and really creates a safe haven of fun and friends throughout the whole trip!
Wes Calhoun, Mountain View, California

Sam had a terrific trip experience and expressed a lot of admiration for the staff. A great program overall and wouldn’t hesitate to send another one of our kids in the future!
Emily & John Rakowski, Vienna, Virginia

My experience with WCC was amazing. The trip flew by, and I am sad it is over because I made such close friends and lots of memories with them. I learned a lot about myself and spending time with others that will help me out in the future.
Clair Hallock, Zionsville, Indiana

Ethan had the most AMAZING trip. He really enjoyed everything! He thought all the staff on his trip were amazing! The whole experience of traveling to spectacular places and sharing this with a whole new group of people he thought was really cool. He returned with lots of hilarious stories, a trip bond, new friends, and laundry skills 🙂
Elana & Lawrence Bibi, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey

My trip was really special because I made so many friends and for the 40 days it was like we were one big family. We are all really close and plan to stay close even after the trip ends. The staff were extremely nice and always wanted us to have fun and always put our safety as a first priority. The activities were so fun, and I will never forget this trip of a lifetime.
Zach Lang, Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec

Bella had the best summer of her life. She made friends and memories to last a lifetime. The staff was extremely attentive and made her safe and supported throughout…plus as Bella said, “they were fun!” Bella felt like the staff was more like family and it made it easy to communicate and trust them. The program helped her become more independent and yet we knew she was always being watched carefully. Bravo to the whole Westcoast Connection team!
Robyn & Jeff Brecker, Highland Park, Illinois

I am so happy I chose to go on this trip. I loved meeting new friends, I learned to branch out and be confident in myself, and I had a great summer.
Rachel Lacorte, Suffern, New York

I had an amazing time on California & The Canyons!! Throughout the trip, I made so many friends and met so many cool people! This was truly the experience of a lifetime, and I will never forget all the memories I made along the way!
Megan Tate, Marietta, Georgia

This whole summer was incredible. The staff were all so helpful and kind, the kids so welcoming and fun, and the locations were all engaging. I wouldn’t trade this summer for the world.
Jared Abramson, Sharon, Massachusetts

The people, including the staff, were welcoming and nice and I was always comfortable and safe. The sights you see are amazing and experiences you couldn’t get anywhere else. Being able to be independent while traveling with new people truly made a difference in my life.
Alyssa Kessler, Potomac, Maryland

Drew had the most amazing experience on her Westcoast trip. She made many new friends and said the staff were caring, kind, approachable, and overall amazing.
Julie & Jonathan Dorfman, Birmingham, Michigan

Our daughter came home and said this was the best experience of her life. What more could we want to hear! From our perspective, the program was run fantastically. There are so many moving parts to have things run smoothly, and we were really impressed with how seamless it appeared. She really liked the staff and made some tight friends that she plans to stay in touch with. I think this was an excellent growth experience for her, and she certainly saw and did things that she will remember forever. We are so thrilled that we sent her on this trip and thank you so much for everything!
Tamara & Aaron Reed, Hollywood, Florida

Hailey loved her trip and we felt it was extremely well run. She made a ton of friends and loved the staff. She fell in love with Wyoming and with all the Parks that they went to. Watching her saying goodbye, with tears in her eyes, to her fellow travelers and counselors, was so sweet. Thank you for such a wonderfully put together and run program! We are definitely looking to do the European or Greece program for next year!
Jodi & James Acquaviva, Plainview, New York

Lily had an absolutely amazing trip, she made terrific friends and has been Facetiming with them every day since her return. She definitely came home with the “camp blues”, missing her friend group. I think she loved the independence and being with her friends 24/7 and of course all the activities. For me, I love that she had all these experiences that I could have never given her on a family trip. Thanks very much!
Joy Mashaal & Matthew Nuss, Venice, California

Jonah said the trip was life changing! He loved all of the sights and adventure activities. He is usually a cautious teen when it comes to new activities but he embraced all of them on the trip and exceeded his own expectations. Jonah loved all of his counselors and Trip Director, Sydney.
Dara & Mark Wassersug, Atlanta, Georgia

This is our 3rd summer with Westcoast Connection and it was another wonderful experience for my twins. They had an amazing time traveling and meeting new friends. The staff is always caring and responsible. Their Director Ashley is amazing! She is always there to answer any questions and my kids loved being with her. The trip went smoothly and my kids came home sad because it was over!
Jennifer & Mitch Leidner, New York, New York

I had an amazing time on my trip. I met kids from all over the USA and Canada and was able to gain close relationships with many people. Derek was an amazing Trip Director and I had an amazing time with him.
Drew Frank, El Paso, Texas

My Westcoast Connection trip was a life changing experience. From making new friends to traveling to amazing new places that I’d never thought I would ever see, this trip had it all. I had a great experience and I am sure that anyone else who is going to participate on this amazing West Coast adventure will too.
Max Levine, Hampstead, Quebec

Every aspect of this teen tour and company was above and beyond incredible. Mason had the best experience, enjoyed making friends, and felt safe and secure. As a parent, the communications far surpassed excellence. Thank you very much for being everything that you represented to be as a teen tour company.
Marla Gross, Weston, Florida

Philip had a great experience! He enjoyed the many adventures on the trip. He developed self-confidence and autonomy. He made many new friends. He can’t wait to go on another Westcoast Connection trip next year.
David Diskin, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Jaden had the trip of a lifetime on the California Dreaming with Westcoast Connection. The itinerary was packed but perfect. The trip leaders were teachers, and so knowledgeable and engaged with the teens. The staff were amazing to deal with. He LOVED the action-packed days filled with surfing and tubing and white-water rafting – in addition to all other places they visited and all the new friends made. He raved about the food options and loved being able to have some “free” time to hang with and experience all. I recommend it without hesitation as a fantastic summer travel program for teens. Well done – thank you and will most certainly have him experience a new trip again next summer!
Sarah & Jon Lieb, Pleasantville, New York

Westcoast Connection was an unforgettable experience and it was super fun! I made many new friends and tried many new things. My leader Witnee was so super sweet and amazing, very helpful.
Jordyn Shapiro, Highland Park, Illinois

This trip was super cool! I met some great people who I have made some great memories with!
Alexandra Stumpf, Denver, Colorado

As a former WCC camper and staff I have been so excited for my children to finally have the opportunity to do a WCC trip. I was thrilled when Danna asked to do the Ultimate California this summer. In sum, Danna LOVED the trip. She absolutely adored the Director and said the staff were really wonderful. Her favorite activity was white water rafting, and loved the sites and activities throughout (even though she has already been to all the places she has visited) – she noted it was way more fun on this trip!! 🙂 She was pushed out of her comfort zone which was no doubt difficult for her as she generally likes structure and order, and we know this will have a long-lasting positive impact. She enjoyed visiting the LA food bank and having an opportunity to do community service, and noted this morning she is now an ‘expert’ at doing laundry (we are very thankful for this one!!!!). We were thrilled to hear her say she wishes it was longer and would do it again in a heartbeat and beyond happy to hear her say it was the best summer of her life. Thank you!!!
Stacey & Gali Bar-Ziv, Toronto, Ontario

Samantha, once again, had the summer of a LIFETIME!!!! She is already in countdown mode to take her next trip! Samantha’s experience on the Westcoast Connection trips have truly been life changing…she’s learned independence, confidence and has made friendships that will last a lifetime. We can’t thank you enough!
Leslie & David Byck, Wellington, Florida

Thank you for giving Isabel the memories and summer of a lifetime! She loved visiting the incredible destinations and adored all of the staff! She made so many new friends which she will surely have for years to come!
Rachael & Michael Silverman, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania

Westcoast Connection had a huge impact on my life. When I went on this trip, I had no idea anything could be this fun and life-changing. I met so many new friends and traveled the country, learning many new things. I am 100% doing a tour next year. I recommend Westcoast, and appreciate the amazing summer I had with them.
Emma Hoffman, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Drew came off the plane all smiles – every phone call and text were nothing but positive. The pictures and blogs were amazing and told a story of a summer they will never forget and friendships that will last a lifetime! Looking forward to another WCC trip next year!
Dana & Howard Taub, Hewlett, New York

This trip was the best summer of my life. I have made so many incredible friends who will be in my life for years and years to come. Westcoast has allowed me to bond with people that school or extracurricular activities can’t do. I have found my second family within this group. The trip itself was also so much fun. It allowed me to further explore my adventurous side but also let me chill and talk to new people. This has been the best experience of my life and I will definitely be doing another trip next year. The staff were incredible and made the trip so much more enjoyable for everyone. I can’t wait for so many more adventures like this one.
Emily Kogan, Toronto, Ontario

Griffin got off the plane and said, “I had SO much fun!” He really loved the trip. He was entertained from morning through night, experiencing different activities and different parts of the country. The trip was a nice mix of camping and staying in hotels, and offered the appropriate amount of independence. Griffin bonded with his trip mates, including the staff, and made strong relationships that he plans to continue even while he is home. Westcoast Connection was an excellent choice!
Lori & Parker Weil, Ridgewood, New Jersey

What an incredible trip Lola had this summer! She cannot stop talking about the friends she made, the trip leaders and the adventures. Everyone was incredible and I cannot rave enough. Her leaders Lianna and Skylar were EXCEPTIONAL. Lola told me she wished the trip was longer and wasn’t ready to come home! Be prepared for another trip next summer for Lola!!
Heather & Jeffrey Eiserman, Glencoe, Illinois

Matt had a wonderful time, met lots of friends from different parts of the country, and was constantly on the move seeing amazing things in Australia!
Jennifer & Jeff Greenberg, Calabasas, California

Thank you to everyone for making Elyse’s first experience away from home an amazing one. She actually didn’t want to come home so soon, which I will not take personally, LOL. As a mother you just want your child to have happy and fulfilling experiences throughout life and that she did. She will definitely do another tour next year.
Donna Fletcher, Voorhees, New Jersey

The trip was absolutely amazing. I made so many new friends that I hope to see after the trip. It taught me how big of an impact 3 weeks can make on me. It will be hard to leave a group of such character and I’ll miss the little things about every day.
Sari Kellman, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Pre-College Enrichment

This experience changes the way people learn how to interact with peers and teachers. It creates lifelong bonds and is the perfect simulation of college life.
Gracie Raznick, Bloomfield Township, Michigan

I loved how the program was both Pre-College and traveling on the weekends and the last week. I loved how chill and easy going the leaders were.
Riley Mackiernan, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

Pre-College Enrichment Los Angeles was the best three weeks of my life. I had so much fun with friends, staff, and everything in California. I loved staying at UCLA.
Sarah Erlichman, Bay Harbor, Florida

Mira loved everything about the experience. She made amazing friends and memories and had a great birthday. She said this trip is one of the best things she’s ever done.
Marci & Jeremy Silverman, Atlanta, Georgia

Julia had an incredible experience and all parent interaction with WCC was great – quick response and clear communication. She made a great set of friendships that I believe will persist beyond the program. WCC did a great job creating community and bonding within the group. Great program overall. Lots of options each day and weekend for students to opt in or opt out. But I was really impressed that they were kept active each day until midnight!! Julia raved about the location and quality of the residence. Again, everything was great!
Betsy & Eric Goldberg, New York, New York

Moira LOVED it. She learned a lot about college, made great friends and seems to have a better understanding of what she is looking for as she enters her Senior year of high school.
Erin Wathen, Stamford, Connecticut

Our instructor Myka was very passionate about what she taught. She came to every class energized and excited about teaching us something new. Thank you for all the effort and help you gave us to give us the best month ever.
Elena Chase, Wellesley, Massachusetts

The Pre-College Enrichment Montreal program is excellent, the activities they had were many and super attractive, the staff very attentive and the security and attention with the participants was excellent. My children had a wonderful and unforgettable summer.
Ana Maria Eastrada Baez & Omar Troncoso Ualera, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

William made lots of new friends. He LOVED the Student Hotel in Florence. He appreciated having a home base for most of the trip as well as a single room. He loved the cooking course and enjoyed touring all the sites throughout Italy.
Meredith & Robert Ohmes, Pelham, New York

Our child really enjoyed his experience in Montreal with Westcoast Connection. He made lots of new friends and loved the activities. He had an amazing time and became more independent and confident and these were all the things we were hoping for, so we were very happy!
Christy Vaughan & Charles Swartz, Boulder, Colorado

Ava had a nice experience. Programs, travel and food were good. She improved 200 points on the SAT prep which was the most important. The college prep and admission instructor was excellent – making that attendance mandatory was worthwhile. Ava was able to run every day either on the track or campus. She met an Olympic gold medal winner. How often does that happen?
Jeffry & Ernestine Biemuller, Howell Township, New Jersey

The location of Montreal is great. It is a beautiful city and we saw a lot of it. The staff was great, kind, and funny. The courses are really excellent, and the activities proposed by the staff were great.
Quentin Litou, Paris, France

I had the best experience on this trip. I made a bunch of new friendships, not only with the students, but with the staff. I 100 percent would recommend Pre- College Enrichment Montreal.
Lexi Wolf, Los Angeles, California

This experience was excellent. I had a great time taking classes and exploring the area. The friends I made will last a lifetime. The staff are all very caring and worked so hard to make this experience as good as possible. We visited so many locations, all of which were extremely beautiful and enjoyable. Highly recommend looking further into this program.
Ian Klimov, Merrick, New York

Emily has a wonderful summer with the Pre-College Enrichment program at UCLA. She made some new friends (including some from Rome!) and had the opportunity to experience dorm living and a taste of the college experience.
Nancy Bell-Sigman & Gregg Sigman, Weston, Florida

Thanks for your engagement with Chloe – perfect balance of ‘freedom to explore’ and ‘supervision’ – this was an enriching and good experience for her! Great experience for her – she loved the journalism course and was inspired!
Jamie & Kathleen Richardson, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Jake had a ball this summer. He made so many friends from around the world. He loved the staff, the accommodations and even the classes. I always felt that he was safe, when traveling with the group. The most important part, for me, is that my son enjoyed his summer experience. He certainly did with Westcoast Connection. Thank you.
Iris & Larry Brownstein, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

This program taught me independence while having fun and exploring Los Angeles!
Vasilisa Adukonite, Nice, France

I loved how I was able to immerse myself in the culture of Barcelona and appreciate the things around me. It was an amazing experience because I have gained lifelong friends and learned how to rely on myself. I would 100% recommend Westcoast Connection.
Amanda Lieber, Coral Springs, Florida

Our 4th summer with Westcoast and “best trip yet” was the quote we received from Casey. She said she loved the independence, self-reliance & social engagement combined with real life residency in a large European city. The excursions you put together seemed to be “just the right amount”. The director gave space to let the students develop routines, socialize & immerse themselves into the program & city culture.
Saul & Amy Richman, Pound Ridge, New York

The connections made between the kids were awesome. The leaders did a nice job getting everyone connected from the first introduction. This is hugely important to making all of them feel comfortable and at ease. It was a good mix of structured and unstructured time. Claudia had a wonderful experience. Nick was all we could ask for in a leader, and Steph was warm, caring, nurturing and on top of everything. Both made Claudia feel at ease and well cared for. Really awesome all around. Well done!
Shannon O’Mara, Needham, Massachusetts

Aaron had an amazing program that was enriching, experiential and engaging.
Jeremy & Rachel Brown, Montclair, New Jersey

This Westcoast Connection Pre-College program was what I expected and more. The staff were really understanding and caring and most importantly very fun to be around. I’m grateful that I got to meet so many new people from around the world. During the courses and activities, I had a chance to learn about new things, new people and most importantly about myself and my future regarding my education.
Kayra Oguz, Istanbul, Turkey

Savannah had a fabulous program. She enjoyed meeting everyone and made some great friends. She truly loved all of her staff. From our perspective, they were responsive, responsible, fun and trustworthy. The program was well managed, well planned and we are very happy Savannah had this experience.
Dee Dee & Marcos Lopez, Narbeth, Pennsylvania

This is a great program. It gives us a chance to meet new friends, take amazing courses, and have the best summer ever. My Program Director was very nice and I felt like I could talk to her about anything. She did everything for us to make us happy, found us some really fun activities, planned really fun days and I’m very thankful to have had her as my Program Director.
Emily Wallace, Boca Raton, Florida

Jackie liked the freedom they gave and the trust they ensued. She had a fabulous time!
Mindy & Michael Goldstein, Closter, New Jersey

This was by far Brendan’s best experience! He loved the city, the experience, the group, the staff, even the food! His roommate was a great match, the dorm was amazing, and the planned activities were well thought out and fun.
Paula & Jeffrey Lynn, West Bloomfield, Michigan

I feel much more prepared for college and independent living and have gained new helpful life skills. I have also seen new places and sights and participated in many fun activities. I have learned to be responsible in getting to my classes on time, and managing my time. The staff also worked very hard to make sure I felt happy and safe. This program has given me lasting memories and friends that I will always cherish.
Blythe Breitman, New York, New York

My WCC Pre-College Enrichment program was a fantastic experience that allowed me to fully experience Italian culture.
John Desantis, Chagrin Falls, Ohio

WCC runs excellent programs. The activities are varied and fun, like bike rides, the comedy show, and jazz festival. Brandon made amazing friends from so many different countries that he keeps in touch with regularly. Brandon loved many things about the program: Montreal, kids (he made great friends from around the world), and his Business Entrepreneurship class (great professor and field trips to Montreal start-up companies).
Ellen & Jonathan Silver, Mamaroneck, New York

Tessa had a wonderful experience. She really got to explore Florence and thanks to that has truly fallen in love with the city. She enjoyed the excursions but really loved the trip to the Amalfi Coast (I mean, who wouldn’t?).
Nycci & David Nellis, Kensington, Maryland

This program was a great experience for me to meet new people, learn new things, and try new activities. I had a lot of fun, and the staff was helpful and understanding. I really enjoyed the college campus and town next to it.
Max Chu, Brooklyn, New York

WCC really did well on the academic aspect of the program. The courses were well chosen. Making friends from all over the world was an unforgettable experience. The relationships built between the staff and the students became a key element to the enjoyment of the program.
Anais Guille, Paris, France

Jillian loved the program. She made some fabulous friendships and loved hearing from the guest speakers in Sports Management. She really enjoyed Cooking as well and sent us pictures every day of what they made and now wants a pasta maker for us to have at home to make our own pasta.
Caryn & Cory Davis, Alpharetta, Georgia

Abby made amazing friends this summer as well as from her program last summer. She was signed up originally for two weeks at UCLA and was so happy and not ready to come home that she extended another week. She loved every minute of her time at UCLA. The Directors and leaders are fantastic. This is Abby’s second program and each one has exceeded her expectations.
Jodi & Geoff Quintiere, Pleasantville, New York

Anton really liked his two weeks in Montréal. Especially the organized classes and activities that seemed to be fully scheduled and interesting. He especially liked connecting with his peers, which for us is the main element in choosing Westcoast.
Charlotte Peters & Tom Van Gyseghem, Singapore

This was an excellent program, I enjoyed all aspects of it. I made lots of new friends and being able to experience Montreal with them was amazing. As a rising junior, I found all of the college resources incredibly valuable. Seeing colleges with kids my age was a great opportunity.
Noah Lichstein, Chicago, Illinois

On Pre-College Barcelona, I grew more confident in my verbal Spanish skills and my skills in photography grew as well. I also gained a great experience by coming to Spain.
James Gullett, Winchester, Virginia

My Psychology course was good because we learned the information in a way that wasn’t just a boring lecture. The surfing instructors taught us what we needed to learn and also gave us the freedom to then get to surf on our own.
Jack Riekena, Atlanta, Georgia

The Program Director and leaders were amazing. Sophie thought the cooking class was incredible and we have already enjoyed some of the recipes. She enjoyed the independence and the experience of living in Barcelona!
Courtenay & Ed Wallach, Bethesda, Maryland

My teachers were amazing and we did so many things and went to such cool places in photography, we even got to shoot in our teacher’s studio. It was an amazing experience!!!! My psychology teacher was also amazing. Our Director was so so sweet!!!! One of the best Directors I’ve ever had, she made such an effort to have a personal connection with each and every student and was always understanding and patient.
Tessa Karikas, East Williston, New York

The campus was perfect, beautiful. The staff was funny and friendly. All the locations we visited were interesting and amazing. The whole program was well organized.
Federica Bosio, Brescia, Italy

Everything about this program was amazing. From my classes, I learned how to cook and take amazing photos. I also learned so much about the college application process and made so many friends along the way. I would definitely recommend this program to everyone.
Jonathan Choeff, Miami Beach, Florida

Wonderful summer experience. Very organized, great communication with parents and supervision with students. Staff, classes, trips, activities and accommodations were all great. Every aspect was very well planned. Jake had an amazing time with fun, educational and rewarding experiences.
Jami & Robert Scanlon, Savannah, Georgia

Community Service

This trip taught me many things. Doing service in Hawaii showed me how important culture is and how Westcoast can really make a difference even if it is small. It showed me how important it is to take care of our earth and the people who live on it.
Evyn Firestone, Atlanta, Georgia

I loved meeting new people and exploring new places. The group becomes one big family, which makes it feel like home! I loved the service at Peterson Bay, Wynn Nature Center, and Beans Cafe because I really felt like I was giving back.
Brandon Belian, Northfield, Illinois

Excellent program. Very well-organized. Perfect combination of real community service and fun. My son had a blast – he made new friends and will have lasting memories from this trip. He reported that there was an abundance of staff and supervision and that they were great. Your company did a great job sending email updates. It was a perfect way for my son to start his summer. Worth every penny. Thank you!
Jennifer Stark & Adam Sisitsky, Framingham, Massachusetts

This trip with Westcoast was phenomenal. It was a perfect mix between volunteer work and fun activities. The different locations that we visited were beautiful, like the stunning waterfalls and gorgeous forests. We got to see the progress we made and the way we impacted the people we helped was heartwarming. The staff was great at planning debriefs and fun activities to get to know each other and make new friends. All of the kids were kind and inclusive and it felt like we were one big family. This was a great experience that helped me realize how much I can truly do to help those in need of it, and how much I can impact their lives.
Vasilia Polyhronopoulos, Montréal, Quebec

This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m so grateful I took part in it. The friendships I made, the people I helped, and the memories created will last forever.
Kelly Griswold, Mequon, Wisconsin

This trip was really special, and I made a lot of new friends and forever friendships. I got to do things that I never would have done without this experience. The Costa Rica Community Service trip made me see what I could do to help different communities and people. It was really impactful to see how I could make a difference in this world from this trip.
Annica Harris, San Rafael, California

I loved how I was able to go out of my comfort zone and get the opportunity to have a change in perspective. Somos Picnic was my favorite service project because it seemed very genuine and the people who volunteered there and created it were very inspiring.
Tate Grossberg, Chappaqua, New York

The staff and the activities were amazing. The community service impacted me because it showed what the rest of the world is like.
Nathan Brooks, New Orleans, Louisiana

Nolan had a fun and very meaningful experience. He connected well with the staff, and also made an amazing group of friends who were able to share this unique experience together. Everyone involved in this program was excellent.
Justin & Sara Elder, Lakeville, Minnesota

This program has truly changed my view on life, and is the reason I made lifelong best friends, became a better person, and learned more about myself! I loved the environment and the staff, and this was truly an unforgettable experience!
Lilly Tourge, Newark, Delaware

Seeing all of the locals’ smiles and then being so appreciative was so heartwarming and brought so many smiles to us. The staff was amazing, they always had a smile on their face, always made sure we were doing well, and always made us laugh. What made my experience so special was creating such great friendships and being able to feel the happiness of helping other people. Overall, I loved this trip so much. It was the best experience I have ever had in my life, and I definitely will do it again next year.
Hailey Pinkus, Paradise Valley, Arizona

I gained a better understanding and appreciation for sustainable living on Hurricane Island. It was incredible to see a whole community thriving on pure renewable energy and I learned a lot from the people there.
Ayalah Spratt, Bronx, New York

I learned so much from both the trip staff and the people from the service projects that we worked with. It was such an amazing experience to work with all the service groups and all the people in my group.
Grace Trotta, Toronto, Ontario

I had the best time, and I would definitely recommend it. I made some great new friends, and the staff were amazing. All the activities were super fun. I’m so happy I signed up for the community service trip because not only were we able to explore Costa Rica, but we were also able to give back to the community.
Micayla Lowe, Boca Raton, Florida

My experience with Westcoast Connection in Costa Rica was great. I felt safe and happy around the staff. I would recommend this trip to others because it is a great experience and will change your view on community service. Building a water tank and getting to know the families at TECHO really was a great experience because the water tank will help the family for years. TECHO was a great service project because you feel like you are making a difference. Siempre Amigos was also very fun when we got to paint and play soccer. The community service was very meaningful, and we made a difference.
Kyle Sarran, Marlboro, New Jersey

The staff is super friendly! I’ve met many life-long friends! The community service projects truly impacted me in a way that was very enlightening. The adventure activities are very fun! They made me step out of my comfort zone! I personally think everyone should try WCC! I will definitely be returning!
Willow Ackerman, Carmel, Indiana

Sofia was able to gain a new perspective on how she interacts in the world and a sense of empowerment and confidence from working in the community.
Claudia Bates , Los Angeles, California

Carolyn had an amazing time. She loved helping the people, playing with the kids and all the fun they had.
Deborah & Robert Bayha, Sharon, Massachusetts

I’m really happy I did this program. The community service was extremely rewarding and the smiles we put on people’s faces were so special.
Liat Frumer, Teaneck, New Jersey

This program was life changing. I felt comfortable expressing myself and stepping out of my comfort zone. I can safely say that I was happy for 10 days straight. This trip made me proud of the work I did, and taught me so much beyond my expectation. I am forever grateful for this experience and know that the friendships, interactions, and lessons learned will be with me always.
Maya Granath, Atlanta, Georgia

I am really impressed with WCC – I felt my daughter was in great hands and safe throughout the entire trip. They had so many fun activities, both fun and important. As for the community service, Lucy was so inspired to build an actual house for a family – right alongside the family. Everything was really great!
Rachel & Charles Wray, Mount Desert, Maine

Stepping out of Sarah’s comfort zone to meet new friends, try activities in a safe environment that she otherwise would not have had the courage to do and the community service was extremely meaningful. She also enjoyed experiencing another culture that was very different from her own. Sarah was very happy with the program directors and felt that they were very connected to the girls in the group and were well cared for.
Ruth & Brad Rudin, Thornhill, Ontario

From a parent perspective, I was very pleased with how this staff managed to bring the trip together by really doing everything they could in the first few days to help them all bond. I liked that they would sit them at meals in different orders in the first few days so everyone could get to know one another. I also appreciated that the kids often had to leave their phones on the bus at certain venues. This is Maddie’s third teen tour and the one that bonded the most and I really believe it was due to the staff!! Thank you for another fabulous Westcoast Connection trip!!
Lisa & Kenneth Feinstein, West Bloomfield, Michigan

Rayna had a fabulous experience, met some great girls, and loved every minute of it!
Michelle & Brian Mastin, Birmingham, Alabama

These days in Ecuador were some of the best of my life. The friends that I made are some of the most amazing people I have ever met and I have learned more from the community service than I ever could have imagined.
Avery Franks, Dallas, Texas

This program is absolutely life-changing. I am coming out of this trip with some of the best friends I have ever made, and I cannot believe I didn’t know them 11 days ago. The service projects were beyond inspiring and rewarding. I loved every single second.
Sophie Shrock, Rockville, Maryland

My staff members were like parents that became friends and my friends became family.
Emma Tishler, South Glastonbury, Connecticut

The WCC Vietnam trip was overall an amazing trip. I had such a fun time through traveling to new sites and cities as well as making an impact through community service. I had such an amazing experience with all of my friends that will last a lifetime.
Brayden Gwartzman, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado

I never would have thought that I’d make such amazing friends in such a short period of time and learn so much about the world around me.
Caroline Bomback, Mount Kisco, New York

I loved community service at the schools and concrete mixing. I gained many new friendships and perspectives I will cherish forever.
Julia Tann, Oxford, Mississippi

Westcoast has consistently provided wonderful and safe experiences for both our daughters. The logistics and organization for each trip have been excellent. The environment created for the kids was of experimentation and discovery which was important to us. Great job.
Ritu & Raj Mathur, Syosset, New York

Westcoast Connection’s service trips exceed expectations in many ways. There was a perfect balance between impactful service and adventure which made the trip itinerary perfect. The trip leaders were not only great as role models, but friends as well. They were always willing to help in any way they could to make this the best summer possible for each and every trip member.
Daphne Baker, Westport, Connecticut

The trip was meaningful and adventurous and will leave a lifelong impact. My time with Westcoast Connection has been nothing short of incredible.
Skylar Katz, Ocean, New Jersey

Great staff – amazing community service projects, the conversations/reflections about the projects at the end of a work day really made an impact on her – awesome extra activities – life changing.
Tatjana Nugteren-Gijsbrechts & Nils Nugteren, Boxford, Massachusetts

Our boys felt it was a good balance of community service and fun activities; they made some terrific friends that they have stayed in touch with and even seen since the trip. They felt proud of themselves for the community service work they did and they also gained some strong feelings of independence as it was the first time they traveled by plane alone and the longest they’ve been without us.
Rich & Brenda Battista, Santa Monica, California

Alaska was amazing. It was beautiful and the community service was extremely rewarding. My favorite project was Peterson Bay because afterwards I got to see my work being used. Participating on this program has opened my eyes to the beauty of Alaska and helped me change the lives of other people. It is an amazing place.
Sarah Evan, Forest Hills, New York

The impact I saw being made was incredible and the work itself was very fun. Painting the woman’s house was my favorite service; hearing her story was amazing. I have learned to be more thankful for what I have and want to be more active in my community. There was a perfect amount of service, adventure, work and fun which made the experience that much better. The leaders were very fun to be around and extremely helpful. I had an amazing learning experience with memories and friendships to last a lifetime. Being able to do amazing service work in such a beautiful place was incredible. Best summer of my life.
Sarah Togman, Thornhill, Ontario

It was a perfect combo of giving back to the welcoming community, seeing majestic beauty, and creating lasting friendships. This trip could not have possibly been better! I can honestly say that I’ve had the adventure of my life thus far. I’ve made so many friendships, had so many laughs, and feel so fulfilled. I know that the memories I have made will stay with me forever, and the experiences will shape the person that I will become.
Grant Besner, Davie, Florida

The community service program was incredibly rewarding and had a perfect balance of service and adventure. I loved the Boys and Girls Club because we formed bonds with the children. This program has made me more independent and more aware of how I can contribute to serving the community. Robyn was an amazing director! I made friendships that I know will last a very long time. I would recommend this program to anyone in a heartbeat!!
Allie Mayers, Montreal, Quebec