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Comments
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8/12/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Audrey loved this experience. We felt well prepared and secure with her being away from us. She loved the service component of the trip.
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7/23/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
It was an amazing trip, and Thomas loved every minute. Thank you, ARCC!
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9/8/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 18 YO daughter went on ARCC's 21 day trip to India and it was a life changing event. The trip was well planned and the leaders were FANTASTIC. She made amazing friends and will undoubtedly return to India again. The leaders worked to create a cohesive group and they were very bonded by the end of the trip. The office staff was amazing in assisting with visa's and packing lists. I highly recommend ARCC!
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7/30/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The California trip was so amazing! I was nervous about flying on my own, but right when I got to the airport, an ARCC leader came and found me and lead me to the group of kids I would be with. All of the kids were juniors and seniors in my group and 2 pairs of people came together but everyone else came alone. Our group clicked very well and nobody was exclusive. By day 2 we were all comfortable around each other and having fun. The leaders (Matt and Cali) were awesome and a great balance between being our friend and taking charge. This trip is the perfect balance between service and adventure and is very well planned out. There were enough breaks and downtime so nobody was exhausted or pushed past their limits, but there was never a boring moment. My favorite parts of the trip was serving at St. Anthony's and watching the sunset/ star gazing at glacier point in Yosemite. If you have any questions or doubts, please email me at mkeeler19@gmail.com and I'd love to chat with you
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7/25/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This group experience was one of the best things I have ever done! The counselors I had were two amazing, intelligent, and strong witted people who really valued the group and our feelings. I felt very safe in the hands of ARCC and I was very impressed by the connections that they had in Peru. While on this trip I met some new friends that I hope to keep in touch with for the rest of my life. In addition, the service we did on this trip really opened my eyes to the different cultures and communities and how they choose to live their lives. I will never forget how impactful I felt after helping these communities with things that we take for granted. I would totally recommend doing a trip with ARCC! I hope to come back next summer!
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7/25/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Best experience of my life! I have traveled the world, and never have I been on a trip that was as fun packed as my time with ARCC. The service was satisfying and real and ended with a tanglibe outcome where we could confidently say, "Look at this. I did this. I made a difference." The adventures were amazing and extremely well planned. The leaders were capable, empathetic people who I trust with my life and still go to for a laugh or advice. My peers were intellectual, interesting people who had a lot to say, but would listen when I spoke. I love them to death and am still in touch with them. I wouldn't hesitate to go on an ARCC trip again, and I cannot speak highly enough of them!
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7/18/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter just got back from Thailand. She had an amazing time and learned so much! The team leaders were great. As a parent, the blog was so helpful to put our minds at ease. ARCC is a great company and I look forward to my daughter's next adventure with them.
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8/31/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Cuba with ARCC was a fantastic experience. My son had nothing but great things to say about his group leaders and the kids he went with--a very compatible mix of kids who were looking for an intellectually provocative environment to learn from--as well as an adventure.
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8/14/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
GREAT, GREAT experience. My daughter came away with new insights about cultural issues and the realities of life outside of the US, the tour planning was well-organized, and the owners were very responsive to my questions. My daughter says she felt safe, as well. Thank you Scott, Kristen, and counselors Tori and Conor, for giving my daughter an unforgettable experience! PS- the facilities rating is difficult, as she stayed in several different places. Also, regarding the monetary value, it is on the pricey side, but IMHO the experience was priceless. Highly recommended.
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8/9/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our freshman daughter attended the Cuba trip for 2 weeks this summer. We can't say enough about the wonderful experience she had there! The leaders were well trained, attentive and offered wonderful spur of the moment opportunities. They surprised everyone with snorkeling in the Bay of Pigs. The accommodations were wonderful and meals were exceptional (according to our daughter). She made some amazing friends as a result of the leaders facilitating so many group activities. They offered a historical perspective and education along with fun experiences and cultures. We are looking for her next trip to book next summer through ARCC!
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8/9/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughters experience at her ARCC adventure, out did any expectations she had for the trip. She went to Bali and Sumatra to work with the Orangutans. She came home loving the places she visited but it was the friendships that she made that made her experience so special. She has friends all over the country, who she talks to every day now. They have a bond that is so dear it warms my heart to see her so happy.
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8/8/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I loved my trop with ARCC and recommend it to anyone who wants to see more of the world and form have an amazingly fun summer!
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8/8/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter had a fantastic time with ARCC on her Costa Rica Impact trip. She loved everything about her experience and looks forward to attending another trip next summer.
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8/6/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I went on the California trip; I got home over a week ago and have not been able to stop talking about it! I had saved up all year to raise the money myself and could not have been more excited prior to the trip. The day before I left one of my leaders called to check in about flight information, dietary restrictions, and any last questions. This was my first time camping and I was a little intimidated since we camped for the full two weeks but it wasn't an issue. My leaders were incredible, so passionate, dedicated, and established such a wonderful environment that allowed everyone to have a great experience. There were four boys and nine girls on my trip. Our group dynamics worked out fairly well despite varying reasons for attending the trip. The service, although not 30 hours, was incredibly rewarding. By the end of the trip I had grown so close to all 12 students and both my leaders. I cried so much the last day and still am sentimentally happy looking back at the pictures.
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8/5/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son, Ethan had a fantastic time on his trip to Ecuador. The trip leaders were fantastic!! We love ARCC. Highly recommend !!!
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8/5/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son had an amazing to on the Ecuador/Galapagos Program with ARCC. He came back a different kid. He gained self confidence and matured. I would recommend this program.
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8/5/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Our daughter had a wonderful time on her trip to Peru. She came back with a whole new perspective on the world and I feel that the world has been opened up to her, she is just itching to continue to explore it. What she enjoyed the most was interacting with the Peruvian people. It was great for her to see another culture and to see how others lived. She enjoyed the group and absolutely loved her leaders! She found them to be great leaders and really good role models. it was interesting to hear how they had the group interact, explore deeper meanings in our world around us, and come together closer as a group. She tells many wonderful stories of interacting with both leaders and dealing with a far different culture. She developed many close friendships and a deeper understanding of our world. Really, a "life changing experience". It was easy dealing with all the staff, I could not be happier with the program.
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8/5/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
My son had the most incredible time on his program to Cuba this summer. The experiences and activities went well beyond what was described on the website and in their catalog. He had experiences that were life changing. His trip leaders were amazing...both as role models and as responsible adults. I can't say enough how wonderful his experience was.
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1/20/16 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Went to this camp myself, TWICE, biggrst mistake of my life! Saved up and have never felt like my money was wasted more but thought to give it another try. The "community service" we do could barely be called that. Got an award for over 30 hours but were barely did 4 of actual work that made a difference. I will never send my children here in the years to come and will never go back. Honestly the culture and travel while meeting new people was what I came for and this camp did not provide it's money's worth. If you're looking to go with a bunch of white upper class america teenagers to a different country, be underfed at least pick a program that has nice staff.
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7/13/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
First contact with ARCC was years ago. I was so impressed with individual personality, conduct and initiative. I resolved that should my son participate in such a program, it would be with ARCC. Finally, now 14, he went on an adventure with ARCC. He gave them a 10 out of 10 and can't stop talking about the wonderful time he had. Group bonding was apparent and deep. Leadership was outstanding, in accord with the impressions I had from the leaders years ago. ARCC vets participants, looking for those who embrace life and adventure. It is not a remedial program for troubled youth. But, while screening of participants exists, it is clear that ARCC does not mess around when it comes to leadership. ARCC must have some magic process to come up with these gems. My own cup is looking half full now, knowing there are folks out there who flow over; and I didn't even go on the trip! The experience is working on my son, it shows, and he's already plotting a trip to Costa Rica next year.
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8/5/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter just spent 31 days in Thailand with AARC. It was the trip of a life time. The team building was incredible. The group was 9 girls and 2 boys who all left each other crying in San Fran when the trip ended. The service work completely rewarding and the fun activities spaced around the service work were seriously fun adventures! I highly recommend AARC!
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7/27/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son had a wonderful experience on the California Service Adventure. The staff was very attentive and from the moment he was on his flight, they were on top of things. He has a food allergy and his leaders took excellent care during every meal. The group did every activity exactly as planned, and he met kids from all over the US and even one from France. The planning was completely organized from the itinerary to the packing to the exact items needed. I would send him on another trip without hesitation!
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2/24/14 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
I went on a 3 month trip to Asia and was dissappointed. It was very expensive and I was surrounded by entitled rich kids that complained the whole time. I was constantly hungry and wasn't fed nearly enough. We only did a small portion of what was on the itinerary and spent most of our time sitting around bored. The leaders weren't engaged with the kids and were constantly separating themselves. The kids didn't get along more than they did and there was always a problem. The way problems were approached by the leaders was immature and unproductive. I wouldn't suggest it
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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5/25/13 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
I have been on two ARCC service trips- Costa Rica and Peru. It was an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. I was exposed to a totally different lifestyle than I'm used to. The problem is, ARCC is very expensive, which means a lot of kids on the trips are pretty used to being pampered, and not great company during the portions of the trip where you have to rough it a bit more. Socially, it was a miserable experience. However, I think I learned a lot and I'm very proud of the work I did. I'd recommend ARCC over other similar programs (ie Rustic Pathways) but don't think that this is a wholehearted endorsement.
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4/2/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter traveled with Adventures Cross-Country last year (California Service) and it was such a phenomenal experience! I was so impressed with ARCC's communication, program highlights and the level of quality leadership and guidance from her leaders. I saw the review above about the quality of food and my daughter not only enjoyed the food but also came home ready to show me the things she learned how to cook on her California Service program. We researched programs for several months and every step of the way it was obvious that ARCC provides something special that can't be compared. We are excited to send our daughter on the Hawaii Service program this year!
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10/19/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Time of my life! Everyone in Thailand was so friendly, even when plans fell through it was still fun. Though not everything went according to plan, that just made for good memories. Regardless I still think of it as the best month of my life!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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9/9/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I had the summer of a lifetime. Staying the the villages was life-changing, and all the connections arcc has are impecable. DEFENITELY RECOMEND
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7/15/11 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Son went on trip and was told it was 10 boys his age. Found out 3 boys and 7 girls! One day 4 kids sent to E.R. for injuries and illness ... out of 10..?? Kids fed bad food and only water. My son knows how to rough it, but this seemed way out there! We felt the whole program was over-sold.
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1/20/11 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Have been on two ARCC trips - one Blue Water and one Service. Both were fantastic. GREAT counselors. Very organized and reputable organization. Highly recommend.
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8/12/10 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
paid alot of money, son went to italy and greece. never ate at restaurants and was fed ramen noodles etc. very poor travel organizing, re-routed and sent on bus and ferry for multiple hours after international flights without hotel/hostel to save money. this company is all about taking your money and saving it for themselfves.
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5/4/08 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
When I went, everything was good- it was planned great, the staff was nice and the activities were good, but the kids I was with were really horrible. but, I would still go back (I actually am) but you have to be prepared to meet a few spoiled brats, especially if you do a trip to a "vacationy" spot that doesn't involve a lot of manuel labor.
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