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Northwestern Odyssey 17 Days
Breathtaking describes the sites on this teen travel adventure with visits to Lake Louise, Banff, and Jasper. Adrenaline-pumping describes the activities – skiing, snowboarding, waterskiing, downhill karting, tandem biking, canoeing, and alpine sliding. Just plain awesome describes this entire adventure – the cool vibe of Seattle, beach time in the Okanagan Valley and the glory of multiple former winter Olympic sites Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb and Calgary. Our summer program leaders are experts at creating a close, inclusive family for everyone. Homer’s odyssey lasted for 10 years. Your tour will be 17 incredible days through the USA and Canada on this student travel tour.
Teens on this trip participate in the first 17 days of the longer 25-day Northwestern Odyssey program.
An adrenaline-filled program with the coolest activities, picture-perfect landmarks and a close group bond.
Hotels & resorts
(10 nights)
College residence
(1 night)
Deluxe camping
(5 nights)
Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Chartered deluxe, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
Separate departure dates are assigned to create compatible co-ed age groups.
Up to 48 participants.
This program includes a few nights of deluxe camping at full-service campgrounds.
Fly to Portland, then make the short drive together to Mount Hood where your orientation begins with some of our favorite icebreakers and “get to know you” activities during our first day of deluxe camping at Mt. Hood.
Ride the Magic Mile chairlift to the Palmer Glacier for unforgettable skiing* or snowboarding* on the only mountain in North America to offer year round snow activities or mountain bike through scenic Oregon. At speeds up to 37 mph, race down a half mile of twists, turns and s-curves on an alpine slide at the Skibowl. Take advantage of the indoor pool and workout facilities at your camping resort and participate in an unforgettable Westcoast Connection activity in the evening. (* Skiing and snowboarding requires proficiency that varies by the mountain and from year to year. Please call us to discuss current requirements.)
Kayak the glacially formed, freshwater Lake Union. Toss fish with the Pike Place fishmongers. Add your contribution to the infamous tradition and stick your gum on the Market Theater Gum wall. Rock out in front of a virtual audience On Stage at the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPoP). Take in Seattle, 518′ off the ground at the top of the Space Needle. Buckle up for Whirlyball, a team sport that combines elements of basketball and lacrosse in bumper cars. Grab your tube and go wild on Riptide, Wild Waves’ exciting water slide. If the Mariners are playing at home during your visit, cheer them on at T-Mobile Park.
Sunshine and snow together in the summertime! Browse the shops in the pedestrian-friendly village. Travel 2.7 miles reaching a maximum height of 1,427′ over Fitzsimmons Creek from Whistler to Blackcomb and back again on the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Clip into Via Ferrata, a network of steel cables that run the length of a mountain face and cross built-in steps, handles, beams and bridges while you are struck by spectacular views of nature all around. Conquer the Sasquatch, a monster zip-line over a mile long and is the longest zip-line in all of Canada and the USA! You will experience spectacular views and 7,000 feet of pure eco-exhilaration! Will you take it on? Relax in your fully furnished condos and hangout in the outdoor hot tub
Explore the Granville Island Public Market with over 100 vendors and artists, a farmers market, and a ton of shops offering local delicacies. Take a dip into the Pacific at Kitsilano Beach. Get set for the amazing FlyOver Canada! Its special effects including wind, mist and scents combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. Walk across the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge with its awesome views and enjoy the Cliffwalk and exciting Treetops Adventure for a unique forest experience. Go tandem biking through Stanley Park, an urban area in downtown Vancouver that is 10% larger than NYC’s Central Park. Check out the funky shops on Robson Street.
Learn to waterski or wakeboard with professional instructors or go banana boating in Lake Okanagan. For those more advanced wakeboarders, try out wakesurfing and enjoy the ride in this hands-free, freestyle sport. Spend an evening bowling. Lounge lakeside, tan, listen to your tunes or play football on the sandy beach.
Canoe in the glacial fed, emerald colored Lake Louise. Hike past Mirror Lake to the Lake Agnes Teahouse to taste some of their famous apple crumble. Browse the shops in the quaint town of Banff. Tour the Athabasca Glacier on the Columbian Icefields in Jasper National Park to sip glacier water and throw a snowball or two. Snap a photo in front of the husky-shaped Peyto Lake and admire the impressive Bow Falls outside the Banff Springs Hotel. Unwind in the 100°F Banff Upper Hot Springs, with Mt. Rundle in the background.
Check into the impressive University of Calgary. Take in “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” at the Calgary Stampede. Battle your friends at laser tag, it’s hide-and-seek combined with tag with a high-tech twist. For the 25-day program, the incredible action continues.
Say farewell to your new friends as you part ways for your return home. The summer might be over, but all the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Mount Hood, Oregon
This premier campground will be your home base as you busy yourself skiing, snowboarding or mountain biking at Timberline. You’ll come back to the Mount Hood Village Camping Resort to relax and enjoy the facilities, maybe take a dip in the heated swimming pool, use the fitness center or play some basketball or volleyball. This resort campsite is phenomenal!
Seattle, Washington
Embassy Suites Bellevue offers newly renovated and remodeled two-room suites with an indoor heated pool and fitness center.
Richmond/Vancouver, British Columbia
With easy access to all of Vancouver’s attractions, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Riverport hotel offers comfort and convenience with most rooms featuring a separate living area and kitchenette.
Whistler, British Columbia
Blackcomb Springs Suites is an all-suite, condo-style hotel at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain. Suites include full kitchens and spacious rooms. Enjoy an outdoor pool and hot tub as well.
Penticton, British Columbia
The Penticton Lakeside Resort offers a relaxing resort-type location on a private beach along the shores of Okanagan Lake. Rooms are comfortably equipped with modern amenities. The hotel also offers a fitness center, pool, and hot tub.
Banff, Alberta
The Tunnel Mountain Campground is located in Banff National Park, famous for its spectacular mountain scenery and close proximity to the town of Banff.
Calgary, Alberta
The University of Calgary is conveniently located in Northwest Calgary, a short drive from the downtown core. You’ll get a taste for university life when you stay in the residence on campus.
Flight to Portland, Oregon
We help you coordinate your flight to arrive within designated times so that we may greet you upon arrival. For participants from the New York area, we offer a chaperoned flight that leaves early morning. One of your summer leaders and staff from our office will be at the airline counter to greet you, introduce you to fellow travelers, help you to check-in and the leader will be with you from check-in onward.
Return Flight Home From Calgary, Alberta
For the return flight from Calgary, our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed. They remain on the program for the duration of the longer 25-day program and chaperone that flight home. Depending on the number of students departing after 17 days to the New York area, one staff may chaperone that flight as well.
Food and Meals
Eating well while away from home is an important part of a summer’s success. We understand how it helps our travelers feel secure, happy and looking forward to their day. Our North American Active Teen Tours visit great restaurants. Depending on the itinerary, you may be dining at the Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock Cafe, a popular upscale food hall/marketplace with local gourmet options or a happening area where you will have many cuisines to select from. We make a point to balance great food choices that teens love with trying great local favorites like the sourdough bread from the Boudin Bakery in San Francisco.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Rooming
You will stay in the finest hotels, resorts and college residences, which are chosen based on safety, security, amenities, comfort and location. You will also get to enjoy a few nights of deluxe camping, as outlined below. Indoor accommodation rooms vary from doubles to triples. Triples may contain two beds and a rollaway or be a suite style with a sofa bed. Each participant has their own bed.
Deluxe Camping
This program visits such breathtaking places that you’ll quickly see how a few nights of deluxe camping enhance the experience. Led by our experienced leaders, we offer a taste of the joys of camping, – no prior experience or special equipment is needed. We stay at campgrounds that have hot showers and clean modern bathroom facilities – that means indoor plumbing! Some of the campgrounds on our teen tour programs have added amenities like pools, basketball courts, and space for football, soccer or other games.
For a comfortable night’s rest, we provide cots and insulated air mats inside large, sturdy 16’x10’cabin-style tents. These are the largest tents in the teen travel industry and have floors and screened windows. We generally sleep 6 participants per tent with plenty of room for your stuff. Set up is quick and simple!
We add campsite managers at each location as additional staff members for extra support. They manage the equipment and oversee buying fresh produce and the meal prep. The participants contribute by working together preparing meals. Menus include omelets, fresh pancakes, French toast, BBQ chicken, steak, grilled salmon and of course s’mores and banana boats by the campfire.
Community Service
We believe in promoting responsibility, community, and helping others. As a result we have a long history of giving our time to charitable organizations. It is a summer tradition that trip members give a helping hand at a local non-profit at some point during their program. WCC alumni have contributed well over 100,000 hours over the years assisting on projects ranging from building homes with Habitat for Humanity, running day camps for the Boys & Girls Clubs or sorting food at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. This taste of volunteering has proven to be a fun, rewarding part of our trips that helps build self-confidence and may even inspire a sense of purpose.
Laundry
You will only need to bring one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. We visit local laundromats weekly and we will supply the detergent and dryer sheets. Don’t worry if you’ve never done laundry before, we’ll show you the ropes. Parents, we know the thought of your children doing laundry is making you smile!
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
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