European Explorer

for 9th-12th graders

From the Pyrenees to the French Alps, Europe’s mountains offer magnificent valleys, stunning passes and quaint villages.  In a small, spirited group (no more than 12 students or fewer than 2 leaders) we'll hike sections of two world-famous hiking routes: the GR 11, a mountain traverse from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and the Tour Mont Blanc, a demanding circuit around Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Backpack Spain’s Pyrenees
• Backpack the Tour Mont Blanc in France, Italy & Switzerland
• Swim in the Mediterranean
• Visit Barcelona & Chamonix

GRADE

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2008.  This summer we will have 1 group.  Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

CHALLENGE LEVEL

8 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

START & END LOCATIONS

Starts in Barcelona, Spain

Ends in Geneva, Switzerland

2008 DATES & FEES

4 Weeks

Sunday, June 29 to Saturday, July 26

$5095 (airfare not included)

APPLY TODAY

Most groups fill in January & February. To download an application, click here.

The trip was everything I expected it would be and more!" Atid Kimelman, Millburn, New Jersey 

Itinerary

Trip Start

We'll meet in Barcelona for a quick introduction to Spain and Catalan culture. After an afternoon walk and some last minute preparations for our first hike, we'll get a good night's sleep before travelling to the Pyrenees the next morning.

The Pyrenees of Spain

Starting in the quaint mountain town of Espot, our eight-day backcountry hike through the Pyrenees will take us over spectacular mountain passes and through small villages along ancient trails. We'll average five miles a day over challenging terrain including demanding climbs and slow descents. Some nights will be spent camping in the backcountry; other nights we’ll stay in traditional mountain huts, opening a window for us into Spanish life and culture. Our last day on the trail will take us to the charming town of Benasque, surrounded by the Pyrenees' highest peaks.

 Swimming in the Mediterranean

After backpacking the Pyrenees, we’ll head back to Barcelona for a few days to explore the archicture and beaches for which this city is famous. We'll enjoy a walk down the famous Ramblas and allow our feet to soak in the azure waters of the Mediterranean before boarding our train for the alps!

The Tour Mont Blanc

Leaving Spain, we'll head to Chamonix in the heart of the French Alps. The following day we'll begin our hike along the world-famous Tour Mont Blanc. The next 13 days will take us through France, Italy, and Switzerland, over Alpine Passes, and through charming villages. Our days will be challenging, as we average 9 miles per day. We will spend our nights camping in both the remote Alpine backcountry and alongside quaint Alpine huts. At the end of our hike, we will have travelled through three countries and completed almost a complete 360 degree loop around the highest peak in Western Europe, the towering 15,771 foot Mont Blanc!

Trip End

From the heart of the mountains, we’ll train to Geneva and celebrate all that we've achieved together during our month of hiking on European Explorer, a trip with value and resonance that extend far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

Supervision & Safety

Overland’s two leaders, a man and a woman, provide 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week supervision of the highest standard. Our leaders, while loving the outdoors and being experienced hikers, are dedicated, first and foremost, to making each student's experience with us a safe and enjoyable one. By creating a supportive and wholesome environment, our leaders help each student to feel comfortable and at home. In this kind of setting, friendships flourish and teamwork grows; challenges are welcomed and accomplishments are celebrated. For nearly 25 years, Overland's students have felt safe and secure in our talented and conscientious leaders’ hands.

On an Overland trip the group stays together all day: hiking together, playing games together, swimming together, and enjoying our evenings together. We get up early (usually before 7:00 a.m.), have full, active days, and head to bed soon after dark (typically between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.).

We set high expectations for each student’s behavior—we expect respect and consideration for others, a positive attitude, and an eagerness to help make the trip a success in every way possible.

In every decision we make, safety comes first. We plan our trips carefully choosing hiking trails that make sense for the age and abilities of each group. We hike with care, with a leader at the front and a leader at the rear—and we take frequent rest stops. Since our first trips in 1985 our safety record has been superlative; it's no wonder, then, that Overland is one of the few organizations of its kind to earn accreditation by the American Camp Association.

For nearly 25 years our caring and competent leaders, our superlative supervision, our high expectations, and our commonsense approach to safety have made Overland the number one choice for summer trips.

Overland Leaders

In a world where strong leadership skills make the difference between the average and the exceptional, Overland recruits and trains only the best to be our leaders. Not only do these remarkable people capably lead our groups, they also offer our students the kind of role modeling for which Overland has long been recognized.  Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student, and then they provide much, much more, inspiring our students to reach for their potential in every way. 

You won’t find a more dynamic and talented group of people than Overland’s leaders. Most Overland leaders have played varsity sports and many have captained their teams; they have served as student government officers, volunteered as peer counselors and directed campus organizations. They are high achievers who come to Overland with a lifetime of leadership experience—but just as importantly, they are warm, wonderful people who are eager to work with Overland’s students.

Overland’s leaders prepare carefully for the summer. We know of no other program that requires certification in First Aid, CPR and lifesaving—every Overland leader has all of these plus our own 10-day training program that focuses on safety, supervision and leadership. All of our efforts prepare Overland’s caring and committed leaders to create safe, supportive and valuable programs where each of our students can flourish.

Meet some of our spectacular returning leaders.

How We Put Our Groups Together

We have a number of important criteria for every group:

Size: Every Overland group is limited to 12 students.
Gender: Groups are coed; the male/female ratio is always carefully balanced (6:6, 7:5 or 8:4).
Friends: We allow two pairs of friends in a group (we never allow three or more friends to travel together). With a maximum of two pairs of friends there will always be space available for at least eight students to come on their own without a friend. Furthermore, if we enroll two pairs of friends in a group and both pairs are of one gender, we generally try to: (1) enroll three or four more students of that gender in that group, or (2) close the group to additional students of that gender.

“It was everything I expected it would be: fun, challenging, cool people—a great trip!” Jaime Gonzalez, River Forest, Illinois

Trip Details

Getting To & From The Trip

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from the trip start/end locations. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the arrival and departure airports to provide supervision and assistance. European Explorer starts at the airport in Barcelona and ends in Geneva.

Preparing & Important Equipment

Please see the Preparing & Packing page for a complete equipment list. Note that the main pieces of equipment needed for this trip are: a backpack, hiking boots, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad.

Additional Costs

Transportation to and from program start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear including tents and stoves; students provide all personal equipment (e.g., backpacks, boots, sleeping bags). Bus and train transportation during the trip are also included in the program fee.

“Great leaders, well organized, safe and challenging—excellent!” Julie Silberstein, Williamstown, Massachusetts

What's it like?

Here's how a former Overland leader described the hiking on European Explorer:

"Hiking in Europe is different from hiking in the U.S. In the U.S., there are hikes that can take you in to the backcountry for days with little to no contact with others. Not so in Europe. You will hike through beautiful mountain areas and small Alpine villages everyday. You will hike on mountain trails, dirt roads and paved roads. While there is less solitude than in the U.S., there is far more in the way of culture and opportunities to experience Alpine life.

“The kids and leaders were spectacular!” Danny Schwaibold, Atlanta, Georgia

Return to top