Summer Programs
for Middle School Students

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do participants join independently?

  Yes, many participants choose to travel independently! We have a Social Integration Plan in place with a heavy focus on the first few days to help all students acclimate to the program. We do many icebreakers and ‘get to know you’ activities, will assign roommates and rotate them and more – lots of initiatives on our part to help advance things socially and build the community! The following video & reviews may be helpful if you’re considering traveling independently.

• What are your safety standards?

  Our travelers’ security is our number one priority and we strive to create the safest programs possible. There are various aspects to safety from planning and itinerary development, staffing and training, risk management and social and emotional safety. Built on 40+ years of experience in providing teens with reliable and secure travel experiences, we are proud of our excellent safety record. For more information, visit our Safety page, watch this Health & Safety video, and better yet call us.

• Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?

  Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.