Program Reviews

This past summer (summer 2018) was my second year traveling with Travel For Teens, and my first year as a counselor in training, or CIT. In July, I set off with TFT on Peru Service and Adventure. This was the trip of a lifetime! For 21 days we traveled around the beautiful countryside and immersed ourselves into the rich Incan culture. What I loved about the trip is the equal balance of both the service work and the thrill-seeking. The community service we did for the schools and in the town of Misinay, Peru was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. This portion of the trip is where we got a sense of what life is really like for these people. For a few days, we were a part of the family and community. We were welcomed with open arms and were sent off with the warmest of hugs and heavy hearts. The goodbyes were bittersweet, as we all would miss our host families, but were excited about continuing on our adventure. The other half of the trip was just as inspiring as the first. Being the adrenaline-junky that I am, I was thrilled to go white-water rafting, walk across suspension bridges in the Amazon Rainforest, stand in awe of the beauty of Macchu Picchu, and visit the great floating islands of Lake Titicaca! Everyday was a new adventure and an checkmark off the bucket list! I am so thankful for the opportunity to experience it with TFT, the memories and the friendships that I made will last me a lifetime. Also, for me I had the unique experience of being the CIT for the trip, which gave me insights on what goes on behind the scenes. It was a new level of responsibility that allowed me to bridge the gap between the students and the counselors. I loved this incredible learning experience and it added so much to my trip! Needless to say the trip was an once in a lifetime adventure for me, and Peru now holds a very special place in my heart. All thanks to TFT!

On my TFT trip, I had the most amazing time. Not only did I get to explore a few cool cities, but I was supported by the best staff. I instantly became extremely close friends with the other kids on TFT trip. Everyone who went was so nice, and within minutes after my arrival in San Diego, any nervous energy I felt had been let go. Over those two weeks, I learned how to be independent, and trust myself as well as how to rely on other kids my age. I loved swimming in the Pacific ocean. I had so many favorite parts that I can't choose one. We stayed at this incredibly beautiful mountainside lodge in Lake Tahoe, it was so nice. The last night of my trip was really fun. All the kids stayed up together and talked about how much we would miss each other. 2 years later, I hung out with a few of my friends from the trip a month ago. Go on a TFT trip, it an adventure that you'd be crazy to miss. The connections you will make can last a lifetime.

Iceland is such a beautiful country, it was almost like another world. This trip was action packed and we got to see a lot of what this gorgeous country has to offer. We got to drive around the entire ring road, which not even a lot of locals have done. It was always exciting to see the changing scenery day after day. From its spectacular waterfalls, to its glistening glaciers and toasty hot springs, Iceland has something for everyone! I enjoyed every day while on the trip and every activity we did was exhilarating. Iceland is defiantly a one of a kind country and I recommend everyone to visit it at least once in their life!

I will never forget the three weeks I spent in New Zealand and Australia with Travel for Teens this summer. From the moment I stepped off the plane I fell in love with New Zealand. The beauty country is just breathtaking, and all the activities we did while in New Zealand were exhilarating. After an amazing few days in NZ we were off to Australia which was just as an amazing country. The service work we did while in Australia was incredibly fulfilling. I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of the trip, from day one to twenty-one! The counselors were the best!! They were approachable, spirited, and full of fun positive energy. The other campers on the trip were awesome, and by the end of the trip we all became like a big family! I can not wait to one day return to these stunning countries!

The Travel for Teens trip to Florence, Cinque Terre, Switzerland and Paris was the best experience of my life! The itinerary for each location was full of amazing activities and excursions that helped me experience the culture of each city like a local. The counselors made sure we always felt safe, but gave us freedom to explore on our own. There is nothing I would change about my two weeks in Europe as they were the best of my life! Thank you Travel for Teens for some unforgettable memories.

This was my Fourth TFT trip and definitely the most fulfilling!! I went to Thailand the summer of 2017 and had an amazing experience. We had some thrilling adventures, like zip lining and scuba diving, but my favorite part was the service aspect. We helped with renovations to a school in a small village near Chiang Mai. I was also lucky enough to participate in the optional excursion to Angkor Watt in Cambodia. The temples were breathtaking and I consider it one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. We had a small group so everyone on the trip, including the counselors got pretty close. I recommend this trip to anyone looking for an experience of a lifetime.

I went to Iceland in the summer on 2017 and had an amazing experience!! From visiting beautiful waterfalls to playing soccer with locals, the trip was action packed. A few of my favorite memories are horseback riding under the midnight sun and snorkeling between the tectonic plates. The fourth of July happened to fall while we were abroad and our group celebrated by going to a nearby waterfall, eating cake and playing frisbee. Everyone on the trip became super close, which made the vibe even better!! My counselors were great and always looking out for our best interest. I highly recommend this trip if you're looking to see some extraordinary views and immerse yourself in a new culture.

Visiting the west coast and Canada was one of the best decisions of my life hands down. The National Parks were incredible sights to see. Rock climbing in Utah was the scariest adventure of my life, but so rewarding. I loved white water rafting and Alcatraz had the best audio tour I’ve ever heard. Camping out underneath the stars in Utah and Colorado was beautiful and I cannot imagine having a better experience. I loved the friends I made on the trip and my trip leaders were well equipped for all situations we experienced and amazing people in general. I can’t wait to travel with TFT again!

This summer I had a great time in Fiji. We stayed in several resorts that all had such friendly staff members. I spent my birthday at my favorite resort, and it was one of my favorite parts of the trip. TFT has an amazing staff that makes you feel safe and welcome the entire time. I made some of my best friends through this trip, and I am so thankful for that. I even got to go scuba diving, which I probably would not be able to do in the United States without a license. The service aspect of my trip was especially rewarding. We built a trash incinerator at a local school and we got to play with the children afterwards. I would totally recommend this trip to anyone who is looking to experience another culture, help benefit our world, and make new friends!! :)

I went on the Italy Service and Adventure trip during the Summer of 2018, which was my first trip with Travel for Teens. I can genuinely say that I had some of the best days of my life on this trip! My fellow travelers and I took part in meaningful service activities such as helping maintain a garden at a monastery and renovating an Italian elementary school. After a few days of service, we focused on the adventure portion of the trip! This included visiting historic sites such as Pompeii and taking boat rides up and down the Amalfi Coast. Overall, this trip was both humbling and incredible fun. It was an amazing opportunity for me to experience what Italy is like from a real traveler's point of view, not a tourist's!