Program Reviews

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.

Traveling with TFT absolutely changed my life. When I left, I had never set foot outside of the United States; when I returned, I'd added three new countries (and their public transit systems) to my list! The trip gave me a taste of a few cultures so different from my own in the best way possible. Really, TFT opened my eyes to all the world has to offer. It was a whirlwind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences: climbing the Duomo in Florence, cooking lessons and flamenco shows in Barcelona, wandering centuries-old streets in Rome, and tasting authentic French pastries in Paris. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to explore Europe with Travel For Teens—if you get the chance, take it!

During this program, I met some of the best people in one of the most beautiful states in the country, as well as learned so much about the earth and how to take care of it. Throughout the trip, I got closer to my small volunteering group, who at the end was like my family, and also became much more educated about the danger our oceans and marine life are in and what we can do to make a difference. I am so lucky to have gotten to learn about the culture of Hawaii while growing as a person and meeting new people on this trip! This truly was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it!

I went on a service trip to the Big Island in Hawaii and it was the most fun I have ever had traveling. I was quite stressed going into it, but TFT made the trip an enjoyable and non stressful experience. The activities that we did on the trip are beyond what I would ever do with my family. ATV riding in a coffee farm, snorkeling in a beautiful reef, and going to one of the highest telescopes in the world, is something that I would have never done without TFT. My counselors were absolutely amazing and really did care about what us, the teens wanted to do. They made sure that all our needs were fulfilled and that everyone was getting along and having a great time. They allowed us to really take in the culture and environment surrounding us, and made the trip both fun and educational. I created many friendships on the trip and I still keep in touch with them daily. Without TFT, I would have never had this life-changing experience. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend a trip with TFT.

I had the most wonderful experience when I went on the Costa Rica Ultimate Adventure & Service trip last summer.
I was nervous at first, being an international traveler and not having English as my native language.
All my worries disappeared when I met my group and I discovered how nice and welcoming everyone are! As the days passed, I made so many friends and got to know each of my amazing travel peers, we stay in contact to this day.
The staff were amazing as well, they were all very friendly and always made sure that everyone is safe and happy.
Throughout the trip I was grateful enough to have many amazing experiences like Kayaking, Ziplining, tubing, white water rafting, learning how to surf, visiting amazing beaches and volunteering. I also got to try local Costa Rican food which I never tried before!
This was an unforgettable summer and a life changing experience! I can only recommend everyone to go on this kind of trip, I am sure this is not my last travel with TFT!

I attended the Greece and Athens trip last July. I had my doubts, I was nervous because of my young age (14 at the time) and still being in the pandemic is never a guarantee especially with travel. But I was pleasantly surprised with how well TFT had planned this trip. I was met by one of my counselors at the airport and was helped navigate the airport all the way to Athens airport and through customs. We then met the rest of our group and counselors. I was nervous I wouldn't make too many friends as I went by myself and wasn't sure if people already knew each other and if some were going together but throughout the trip I met lifelong friends that to this day I still talk to, and plan to travel again together next summer and so on. My counselors were outstanding and cared for each one of us. They really added a fun element to the trip as they made sure we were safe and stayed out of trouble but as we gained their trust got to have more privileges such as staying out later, going off on your own with friends, and my personal favorite... going to the city every night just for gelato and pastries! We stayed in beautiful hotels that overlooked the most incredible views to wherever we stayed. We ate in upscale restaurants for dinner, and had filling breakfasts in the morning. Lunches we got to find on our own, but sometimes our whole group would eat together, and our counselors always helped us. We got to feel like tourists and locals as one of our counselors was actually from Greece! We took delicious Greek cooking lessons, had a relaxing but at times rowdy boat day traveling to islands, and so many fun shopping experiences in each city. This trip allowed me to be independent, responsible, and helped shape who I am today. TFT is an amazing travel group and I will forever be thanking them for my outstanding trip I am so grateful to have experienced. Thank you TFT!