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Comments
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7/17/17 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I just got back from the Pacific Northwest Trek. It was a blast! The leaders made sure everyone was happy and safe. I didn't know anyone before the trip, but we became close friends. I enjoyed spending time on off days in the city going places I had never been to before. I would highly recommend this trip.
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8/11/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I just got back from the New York - Montreal trek, and it was amazing! The leaders, and the other campers on the trip were all awesome - super nice, funny, and caring. The leaders were really good bikers and leaders, and were very knowledgeable about bikes and our trip. It was obvious that tons of planning was put into the trip, we travelled on good routes, and stayed at great campsites, hotels, and hostels. There were tons of great activities both between stops while we were biking, and when we were in towns or campsites. Us campers had lots of input into what we did each day too, which made it an awesome experience. Food was a mix of homemade meals & lunches, and meals at restaurants. Everything was great, and we were able to plan out and cook our own meals. Honestly, I can't even recommend this camp enough. I wish I could give it more than a 25/25 rating. I don't want to sound cliche, but it was really a life-changing experience. It's absolutely worth every penny!
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12/14/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This camp was the best camp i had ever been to. The leaders we're awesome, as well as the the other kids. We had a lot of fun, either under the sun or rain, or during the day or night. I would love to do this trip again next year. All the memories i have are the best ones!
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12/8/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
It's been about 5 months since my trip with Teen Treks, and I still find myself reminiscing and holding on to some of the best memories I've made. This program was phenomenal, great leaders, great kids, and a wonderful experience! I grew so much as a person and met some remarkable people along the way of which I still keep in touch with! I can't wait to go again and relive the adventure and the excitement of the Teen Treks program!
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12/8/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The best summer of my life my advisors still stay in touch. I made some freindships will last till i die. I can't wait to meet up with some of the friends i made soon and i loved the whole trip.
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12/8/13 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The camp was by far the best part of my summer. I went on the California Coast trip in 2013, and it was amazing. The weather was perfect, and i love that we got to stay in so many hostels.
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8/1/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Best experience you can buy for your teenager. Mine came back happy, fit, feeling accomplished, and ready for more. Would love to see more trips in Canada due to all the great camping, even combining a canoe trip for seasoned swimmers. Better than some other outfits because the kids carry their own gear, cook their meals, fix their own bikes (with assistance of course) but they end up feeling really accomplished.
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12/15/12 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Biked across America with teen treks this past summer. What an incredible experience!!! Of course there were many moments during the trip when I was tired or frustrated or my butt hurt but that was part of the experience. I learned so much about myself my bike and my country over my eight weeks of biking The staff had never done that ride before which I really liked because they were exploring along with us. Don't expect to much for fancy sleeping (on the AA trek) because in the middle on Montana there really aren't hotels. It's camping and if you are prepared for that you should be good. I loved my 8 week experience this summer and would definitely recommend it but I would say that while I can't speak for the shorter and easier trips, across America is not some fun sleep away camp and if thats what you want, think again.It's hard work (with fun), but if you want to push yourself and do something so amazing that you can tell stories about for the rest of your life- go for it!!
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12/8/12 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
Looking back on this summer, I can truthfully say that it was one of the most interesting and unique things I've done in my life. Although there were definitely ups as well as downs, this trip really helped me change as a person...and also allowed me to branch out and explore a new interest in biking. I absolutely loved one of my bike leaders (Kat Power). This trip was a great experience and one I will never forget.
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12/8/12 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
This past summer I went on a bike trip in the Pacific Northwest. It was the first time I had ever been on a bike trip was completely unprepared. The other campers and counselors were very helpful and accommodating. I never pushed myself quite as much as I did on that trip and began to understand my boundaries. I never laughed as much in my life as when I was on that trip. The entire group bonded extremely well and towards the end I felt that we became a family. I am unfortunately too old to participate this year however know that both of my younger siblings with participate in Teen Treks in the future.
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12/8/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
This was an unforgettable experience that changed life. The trip was so fun packed and exciting that I never wanted it to end. All of the staff are very friendly and the various places we stayed are all high quality.
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8/16/12 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
I came into this camp thinking positively about it. Boy was I ever disappointed. While I had many cool experiences on the trip, all those that I did have were not a result of the camp at at, but arose just due to the nature of bike touring (i.e. I would have had similar expieriences without teen treks). Coming from a family that values food, the meals were quite a shock to me. In grocery stores, meals compromised of getting meat, fruit and junk food as cheaply as possible (aka teen treks 'budgeting'). The budget for meals and lodging was 22$ per person per day which I found a little low for the amount of money that I paid for my trip. The leaders were not very wel qualified and some kids on the trip knew more about bike mechanics and biking in general than the leaders which shows you the depth of the field there (although since the leaders are only paid 100$ a week you can't expect much). Lodging was a joke as we illegally camped in city parks 70% of the time. This camp is a joke.
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*
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8/4/12 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Leaders are really nice, understanding individuals. Facilities are good, as good as they can be on a bike. I guess any facility is good if you've biked for 7 hours. Activities are awesome. Biking is the main activity, and that is quite enjoyable. Activities in cities and towns are fun, the routes for the trips are well thought out. Personal attention is good, you're not part of a huge group where nobody pays attention to you because the leaders have to worry about 20 other kids. Monetary value is definitely worth it. With similar pricing to a sleep away, the experience is completely worth every penny. GO TEEN TREKS!!!!
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*
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4/16/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have been a teen treker for three summers in a row now and I would continue if I was not already in college. The trips that I have done have always been the highlights of my summers and have taught me many important life lessons. I'm saddened to see that other reviewers have cited bad food and getting lost as unacceptable negatives on teen treks trips. I cannot remember a trip where we did not get lost or where every meal was perfectly cooked. But a bicycle trip is what you make of it, and I left each trip with new friends, some of them I still keep in touch with, and better cooking and navigation skills.
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4/8/12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
As another reviewer wrote, the food and fluid was rationed. The trip included traversing highways. The counselors got lost twice. Once they lost total contact with the bikers. One time they actually took a ride from a stranger. There were such glaring health risks on the new England trip that I was just happy to pick up my son from the trip in a safe condition. Cliff was useless. The blog accounts were fabricated. I must strongly discourage you from sending your teen on this trip.
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*
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10/27/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 12 year old son went on the New England Trip this past summer. He loved it and returned strong, very fit and a bit more mature. This is a wonderful opportunity for growth and adventure.
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*
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10/27/11 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
An excellent, safe, satisfying experience with a strong sense of accomplishment at the end. Small groups and experienced leaders who allow the teens to take full responsibility for the planning and executing of each day. The challenge was more than just the ride - it was personal, interpersonal, spiritual and physical! A great experience and highly recommended!!!!
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*
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10/26/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son had a wonderful time on his New England Coast Trek. This camp is really an adventure camp for kids who love biking and camping and my son does. He is already looking forward to his next trek. Thank you Teen Treks for providing my son with a fun and exciting summer adventure !!
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*
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10/26/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 14 year old son went with 9 other campers and two lovely counselors on the Hudson Valley tour from NYC to Montreal. He chose to go with a friend which made his experience automatically positive. All along the way the pacing of the terrain and the distances each day served to build my son's confidence. He loved the outings in Albany and on Lake George, had a good time with the other campers and came home happy and self-assured, ready to enter 9th grade on top of the world. Thanks for this great experience, Teen Treks!
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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10/6/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We had a great experience with Teen Treks. Our 16 year old daughter did the Across America Trek. She had a blast. Teen Treks is a little outfit with a lot of heart. The folks at the office were very responsive to our needs and questions. The leaders were first class – smart, knowledgeable and fun. The trip had just the right balance of structure and whimsy. This is not daycare! If you are looking for a trip with hotels and catered meals, they’re out there – but if you want to your kid to learn how to pull together with others, work with a budget, see a little of the world and gain a great sense of self-accomplishment – then Teen Treks is a great choice. If you want to check out my daughter’s experience first hand, you can read her blog: http://www.wishrider.com/jennas-blog.... We are always telling our kids they can do anything they set their minds to – a trip like this proves it to them.
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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8/24/11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
this trip was awful. the counselors were dating and were too busy paying attention to each other. They were always together and stayed in their tent for long periods of time. Laughing could be heard throughout the night which leads many campers to become suspicious of the activities occuring. The activities were not fun and we did what the counselors said and had almost no say.
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8/16/11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Along with the rationing of food, the worst part of this trip was the leadership. Our leaders yelled us and were INCREDIBLY immature. Even though I carried the most group equipment I was told to carry more b/c I was "the strongest biker" and I was being rude to the leaders for not carrying more. I was called "spoiled" and a "bragger" whenever I bought a souvenir or even said that I want to live in NYC (where I already do). Instead of confronting issues I was told to tell my parents to "tone down" the complaining-specifically about fast food which another girls parents had complained about-not mine. We were ignored when we got sick, even though we had to help our leader when she was. The same thing happened when a girls bike broke- we had to fix it in free time. When our leaders bike broke (it was still completely functional unlike the campers bike) we waited in a cold rainy town for 3 hours while it was fixed. The leadership on this trip was TERRIBLE. I would not suggest this trip.
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8/4/11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Daughter was on nightmarish trip to Europe. The leader was just plain mean,incompetent and owners were unwilling to listen. I met leader during trip-I was in Europe at time)she was openly hostile! (2nd leader, 18 yr old son of owner - nice kid- not a leader). Kids ate fast-food all over Europe or ate food that had been attacked by animals when camping b/c leader refused to try anything different. She called the kids names and insulted them My daughter was actually terrified of retribution when she made secret call in the bathroom to tell me. They travelled to major cities and didn't see anything leader was uninterested in (missed Versaille gardens "uninteresting", and reknowned Maritshuis - home of Vermeers and Rembrandts in The Hague)- despite trip advertised as giving kids choices. Kids were constantly threatened -forced kids to camp illegally in park to save money (waiting in cold rain to set up tents until dark) this trip was not cheap. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON THIS TRIP!
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7/18/11 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
counselor was a poor cyclist herself-- a surprise for a bicycling camp. trips were NOT picturesque but really used busy roads which had bike lane. The budget for meal bordered on rationing--ALL the teens complained about this. Cliff, the director, intervened into the trip when many parents complained. Nothing changed. The blog did NOT relate what the campers said or felt. It was a fictionalized account of our son's experience.At 1/4 the price I would not send my son back to this trip/camp. Campers were discrouraged from reporting complaints to their parents and were not allowed to contact their parents on occasion. This was not just our experience but the experience of 10/11 teens on this trip.
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3/10/11 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Last summer I broke tradition and sent my 13 year old daughter on a bike tour through Teen Treks. I was incredibly hesitant, relying only on day camp as a means to keep my kids motivated, active, and content throughout the summer. After speaking with several other parents and letting my daughter speak to other kids that had gone on trips, I signed her up. Hands down, my husband and I were overall thrilled with our choice by the time she arrived home. The trip itself was about two and a half weeks. As an eighth grader, she was with four other girls her age (all of whom still talk weekly) and four boys also her age. The best part of the trip for her father and I- being reassured about our decision when she came home much more independent and self-reliant. This year my daughter will be going on another tour, and our son will be going on his first! Further, we thoroughly enjoyed meeting the leaders, speaking with staff, and the overall feeling that our daughter was well attended to.
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*
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8/6/09 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
My daughter just finished one of this camp's trips. I think the tour itself and the team leaders were really good. There was just one problem. The tour was described as having a group of 10 campers and when my husband and daugher arrived at the trips start, they discovered that there were 5 campers total and that she was the only girl! I strongly suggest to propective campers and their parents to check before hand what the boy to girl ratio is and what the total enrollment is. It can really make or break the experience.
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3/22/08 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
This camp is o.k. Most people i know hate it, i don't hate it. the counsulors need to be a little more nice. The kids are a little rude, but other than that the camp is o.k.
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