Program Reviews

My trip with Travel For Teens was one of the most positive and engaging experiences of my life! I visited Florida with them, and it was such an effective and great way to see Florida and all that it has to offer. I felt that I was fully immersed and exposed to everywhere we went, thanks to my lovely trip directors who were so much fun. I met so many new people from so many different places, and it is hard to explain how much fun I had with them and the experiences we had along the way. My passion for travel shined and grew from this trip and program. The places we went to and the new people and friends that I made, made the trip what it was - such an amazing experience. I gained and learned so much from this trip and cannot wait until next summer to visit somewhere new!

If I could time travel my Teen for Travel trip would be the first thing I go back to. This extraordinary trip provided me with so many amazing experiences and memories that I will forever cherish. From the planned activities to the free time we had with friends to discover new cities by ourselves, the experience was a 10/10. I communicate everyday with other students that were on my trip who went from strangers across the country to lifelong friends. The counselors were beyond caring, always putting the group and our needs and wants first. The trip was well planned, the counselors were on top of our safely and got us to whatever destination we needed to be on time. If there was a word to describe the consistent theme of this trip it would be nothing more than fun, fun, and fun!! I cannot wait for next summer to join Teen for Travel again.

This past summer I had the opportunity to travel on the "Costa Rica Spanish Language and Immersion (22 Days)" trip with TFT. This experience was the most eye opening and life changing adventure I have ever been on. From the Spanish lessons to the volunteer work to relaxing on the beach, I have never been so overwhelmed with joy. This trip allowed me to see the world through a different and more exciting lens. In addition to the amazing culture we explored, I was able to become friends with other travellers that I am still in contact with months later. I constantly find myself scrolling back in my camera roll and going through pictures from the trip and they never fail to make me smile and reminisce. It is impossible to put into words how eternally grateful I am for Costa Rica and the memories I will carry with me forever, all thanks to TFT.

Traveling to Hawaii Ultimate Service and Adventure has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Like many others, I was nervous because I didn't know anyone or if anyone would like me for who I truly am. Once I arrived and met the rest of the group that fear was immediately gone. I formed some of the closest friendships I have ever had. The counselors were unbelievable. Whatever you needed they would accommodate you. They would listen to all your ideas and all your thoughts. The activities and service that we did were unbelievable. I was able to help out the Sea turtles in Hawaii. The sea turtles were injured and I was able to help them heal so they could get back out to sea. I had the best experiences going snorkeling, relaxing at the beach, shopping, surfing lessons and so much more. 15 days have never gone by so fast. Although the group is no longer in Hawaii, friendships and memories remain.

My experience with Travel for Teens in Thailand was unlike anything I’ve ever done. It felt like I was actually experiencing the country and not just visiting it. Not only do I now get to look back on the unique experiences I was able to participate in, such as working with elephants, but I also made strong and close connections within my group. Through my experiences with Travel for Teens, I have made friends around the world. The other campers, amazing counselors, and the exploration of the country itself all contributed equally to the memorability of my trip. I cannot wait for my TFT trip next year to meet new people and discover new locations and cultures!

I would say Alaska was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but because of this trip I definitely dream about going back. It took me a minute to adjust to the sun not setting and it still being bright at 3 am. But because it was so bright I could stay up later laughing, talking, exploring, and learning. I did not take this trip for granted. The staff and even kids on this trip encouraged each other to really observe where we were. I had never drunk so much water in one summer - everyone was really hydrated. The staff also really encouraged us to try new foods and drinks - I tried reindeer sausage! I felt a little homesick at times but this trip made me look beyond New Jersey and kept me in the moment. I now have a special place in my heart for Alaska.

Traveling to Thailand with Travel for Teens was an experience I will never forget. The sites were incredible and every single day was filled with adventure and fun. The food is incredible as it was authentic and we even got to attend cooking classes. We cooked traditional food that was delicious. The group I was with was filled with like-minded individuals striving to see the world and truly experience what real traveling is like. We shared beautiful experiences with excursions like rafting down the Pai River and scuba diving Thai coral reefs. A highlight was also working at an elephant sanctuary! The counselors made everyone feel safe while being friendly and fun the entire trip. I highly recommend any TFT trip to any teenager eager to seek out adventure. If you want to travel the world Travel For Teens is the way to go.

One word: magic. I will never forget my summer with TFT. Seeing parts of America I would never normally see or experience, spending days in some of the country’s most beautiful natural settings and coolest towns, with fun people. Just a great opportunity to explore our country and a different, more adventurous, kind of summer fun. We visited Utah and Colorado, two places I had been before, but not in the TFT way – hiking and climbing the State and National Parks, river walks, camping, the trip took me far beyond the ski mountains and funky towns I knew. Traveling across the country with amazing people, seeing new places, and trying new things is something you may not fully appreciate until the moment you’re there, but when that perfect day with great people in an I can’t believe I’m here place happens, it’s so memorable, My group was nice, genuine, and down to earth, people I liked sharing my days with and miss once our trip ended. Everyone was closest to one or two people but always traveled and explored as a big group, the dynamic became a group of friends experiencing new places together and making sure no one was left out. They’ve become great friends to me, sharing group chats and FaceTimes, secret Santa, talking about college together, and finding ways to see each other and stay connected across different hometowns, classes, and schedules. I have made lifelong friends, memories, and connections with these people. Lounging in the sun on an Idaho riverbank of smooth stones, finding the best tacos in a cool Montana college town, holding hands to jump across the Continental Divide together, whitewater rafting to the roar of rapids and the laughter of friends, I have hundreds of memories I’ll hold on to. Through TFT I have met some of my favorite people, made some deeply important and warm friendships, and came away loving how beautiful, diverse, and fascinating this country is. All while feeling safe and cared for and in smart, knowledgeable hands. I can’t think of a better summer or a gift from my family that I value more.

My whole life I have wanted to travel the world and experience new things. Once I found Travel for Teens I was so excited to try it out! My first trip was the Italy photography workshop and it changed my life in a great way. At first I was super nervous because I was going to a foreign country with strangers, but I quickly connected with them on our 9 hour group flight. I had the best time with my new friends doing the planned activities as well as the new photography challenges we had each day. The trip really brought out my love for photography and travel. I have traveled with TFT every summer since!

Hawaii is incredibly beautiful with all that it has to offer from mountains to oceans. Being able to travel by myself and do something this cool allowed my to expand my comfort zone when it comes to meeting new people and adventuring to new places. We got to do a lot of the fun touristy things, but we also got to do community service which included learning about the oceans/coral reefs and what we can do to protect them. The other campers on my trip were very fun and out going. Our counselors were amazing and made the trip even better than I could have imagined. This was a trip of a life time and I hope I can do more trips like this in the future. I definitely recommend doing a trip through Travel For Teens because it definitely opens doors to learning about new people, cultures, food, and much more.