Overland SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR 4TH - 12TH GRADERS

Berkshire Adventure

1 week open to grades 4-5

Overview

Overland welcomes our youngest students to join us for a week of exploration in the beautiful Berkshires, as we hike hills and mountains, cycle a quiet bike path and raft a fun river on Berkshire Adventure.

Few settings could equal the Berkshires and the southern Green Mountains as locations for an introductory Overland program. Gentle hills become mountains, clear rivers flow past old farms and postcard-perfect towns spread out from manicured greens. With a wide range of funoutdoor activities—from hiking to biking to rafting to camping to playing games—the Berkshires and the Green Mountains are perfect for our weeklong program. We’ll begin with easier hikes and walks, building up to our hike of Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. We’ll also spend a day cycling the countryside on the beautiful Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and enjoy a day of rafting on the Deerfield River.

At trip’s end, we’ll celebrate all that we have accomplished and seen on Berkshire Adventure—the perfect introduction to Overland. 

“Reggie has a new found confidence and independence after his Overland experience. We could not be happier.” Ray George, Brooklyn, New York

Highlights

  • Hike the Berkshires & southern Green Mountains
  • Bike the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
  • Raft the Deerfield River
  • Climb Mount Greylock (3,491 feet)

Grade

For students completing grades 4 and 5 in June 2012

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability

Challenge Level

1 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Accommodations

All nights except one are spent camping in tents at campgrounds that have flush toilets and showers available. One night is spent at a campground the day before hiking Mount Greylock that has a composting toilet.

Dates and Fees

1 Week

Sunday, June 24 to Saturday, June 30
Sunday, July 1 to Saturday, July 7
Sunday, July 8 to Saturday, July 14
Sunday, July 15 to Saturday, July 21
Sunday, July 22 to Saturday, July 28
Sunday, July 29 to Saturday, August 4

$1495 (airfare not included)

“A program I can trust.” Sue Boomershine, Wilmette, Illinois

Itinerary

At The Start Of The Trip

The trip begins in Williamstown, Massachusetts. For those who fly, we'll pick you up at Albany International Airport in Albany, New York; for those who are dropped off, we'll meet on the Williams College campus.

Our First Day Together

On our first afternoon together, we'll focus on getting to know each other through playing fun games and taking a short, beautiful hike to stretch our legs. Our group will include two leaders—always a man and a woman—and up to 12 students (never more). A small group makes for close friendships and fun as we enjoy our week together.

Exploring the Berkshires & southern Green Mountains

We'll spend our days doing day hikes and bike rides. We'll bike the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and hike to a few of the beautiful vistas in and around Williamstown, Massachusetts, and Manchester, Vermont. Between hikes and rides, we'll enjoy the area by taking a dip in one of the local swimming holes or playing group games. We'll spend one day rafting the Deerfield River with professional guides. The Deerfield is a perfect mixture of fun rapids and calmer water in the spectacular Zoar Gap. At trip's end, we'll challenge ourselves with a hike up Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts (3,491 feet).

Trip End

On our last night together, we’ll celebrate our week of fun and discovery. All in all, this trip is the perfect introduction to Overland.

“I didn't have a favorite part; I loved it all!” Melissa Swann, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Trip Details

This is an introductory trip. The selected activities, their duration and intensity, are designed for adventurous kids who will finish 4th or 5th grade in June. The challenge level is a 1 on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is easiest. While this is an introductory trip designed for our youngest students, it is essential that parents make a good choice for their child. Every Overland program requires independence, age-appropriate maturity and good fitness.

“I had a great time on Berkshire Adventure meeting friends, hiking, biking and especially rafting. It was the best week of my life.” Emma Robitaille, Cincinnati, Ohio

Photos

Click thumbnails below to enlarge

Before You Go

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Hiking & Biking

Stay active in sports and get out for some walks and rides this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike and ride safely this summer.

Packing for Your Trip

  • Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
  • Bring only what you need and and pack it in a duffel or suitcase and your day pack. Participants can bring one additional set of travel clothes (e.g. jeans and a t-shirt) to wear on the plane. These will be left in the van.
  • If you are flying to your trip start, you should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.
  • You will have the chance to do laundry periodically and you will be able to leave some extra items in our van while we are on the trail, so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
  • Overland will rent or provide any specialized gear for the rafting and that gear is included in your trip fee.
  • Check out some of our favorite brands and retailers to purchase items on this list.
  • Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
  • If you have any questions, please contact our office at 413-458-9672.

Clothing

  • Medium-Sized Duffel Bag/Suitcase
    Please pack all your clothes and gear into a duffel bag (measuring between 3000 and 3500 cubic inches) and your day pack. You'll be able to leave the duffel bag and any extra items in our van during the trip and use your day pack for hikes and activities.
  • Sneakers or Low Top Hiking Shoes
    Comfortable shoes to wear around all day and on day hikes and bike rides. Shoes should be supportive and have a good tread on the bottom for traction.

  • Sport Sandals
    With a heel strap for rafting, swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for rafting. If you do not have sport sandals, sneakers will work fine for rafting although they will get wet so you may want to bring sneakers for rafting in addition to those you'll use for daily hikes and bike rides.

  • Waterproof Rain Jacket
    Your rain jacket must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof and breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from.

  • Fleece Jacket/Pullover or Warm Sweater/Sweatshirt
    One only. To wear in camp on cool evenings.
  • Winter Hat
    To stay warm in camp on cool nights.
  • Hat
    With a visor—like a baseball cap—to keep the sun off your face.
  • Long Pants
    One pair only. To wear in camp on cool evenings.

  • Shorts
    Three pairs of comfortable shorts to hike and bike in.

  • Shirts
    Three short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; two long-sleeve shirts.

  • Underwear
    Four pairs.

  • Socks
    Four pairs.
  • Pajamas
    One pair only.

  • Bathing Suit
    One only.

Hiking, Biking & Camping Gear

  • Backpack
    For everyday adventures and hikes. Your backpack should have two shoulder straps (i.e., not a satchel) and be big enough to carry your lunch, snacks, two water bottles and a rain jacket or extra warm layers. A regular school backpack will work fine.
  • Sleeping Bag
    Any type is acceptable. Overland will provide sleeping pads.

  • Bike Helmet
    Overland will provide bicycles.

  • Pillow
    Optional. Many students will use their fleece or sweatshirt as a pillow.

  • Flashlight or Headlamp
    So you can see in camp when it's dark outside.

  • Utensils
    6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils. A Rubbermaid dish (or similar) and regular eating utensils are fine.

  • Water Bottle
    One of any variety. One-liter bottles are a good size to aim for, but smaller sizes are fine.

Miscellaneous Gear

  • Towel
    Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.

  • Toiletries
    All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen & Chapstick
    Minimum SPF 15.

  • Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
    Great for documenting the trip.

  • Personal Journal or Book
    Optional.

  • Spending Money
    $25/week in cash.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

  • To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
  • Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
  • In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

 Cell Phones

  • Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
  • Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
  • If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

  • We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
  • We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
  • Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

  • Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

  • Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

 

Travel Information

DROP OFF: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 2:00 p.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 11:00 a.m. Saturday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday

For any special cases, please call Overland to make arrangments if you have not done so already.

Students who fly to the trip, fly into the Albany, New York, International Airport, where Overland staff will be on hand to meet and assist all arriving students. Students who are dropped off should come to the Williams College Campus in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

At the end of the trip in Williamstown, students can either fly home from the Albany, New York, airport or be picked up in Williamstown. Overland staff will be on hand to assist all students with flights or pick-ups.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

For Parents Driving to Williamstown 2012

Mail Stops

Throughout the week, students may receive mail sent to our Williamstown office, addressed as follows:

Student’s Name
c/o Overland Group BA __ (please fill in student's section number here)
PO Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

Note: If you will send mail or packages vis UPS or FedEx, please use our street address--63 Spring St--instead of the PO Box.

Please write the student's name and BA section number on the envelope/package and make sure it arrives prior to the date listed below to ensure delivery to the group:

BA 1 - mail must arrive prior to June 27

BA 2 - mail must arrive prior to July 4

BA 3 - mail must arrive prior to July 11

BA 4 - mail must arrive prior to July 18

BA 5 - mail must arrive prior to July 25

BA 6 - mail must arrive prior to August 1 

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011

Apply Now

HOW TO APPLY

You have two choices. You can apply online with a credit card by clicking the link below.

Apply Online

Or you can download the 2012 Overland Application as a PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Then mail your completed one-page application and $795 deposit check to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

Learn about our admissions process.

Leader Profile

Sarah Davenport

Sarah Davenport

Hometown
Richmond, Virginia
School
Elon University
Leadership
Berkshire Adventure, New England Coast
More about Sarah »

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Summer Programs

Overland Programs offers more than 40 different trips including New England summer camps and adventures for kids (4th graders, 5th graders and 6th graders), hiking trips for teens, teen bike trips in Europe and America, teen summer service programs, writing programs on the Williams college campus and field studies trips in the developing world. Overland has summer adventure trips and programs of all types, lengths, and locations. Our teen adventure travel trips and programs are for elementary school students, middle school students and high school students. We have wilderness adventures, bike adventures cross-country, and outdoor leadership programs spread across five continents. Overland is not simply a summer-long experience—it's a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

  

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Bright, charismatic and accomplished, our leaders ensure the safety and well-being of every Overland student. We recruit our leaders from America's finest colleges and universities, meeting with hundreds of campus leaders across the the countryan effort that generates over 450 applications for just 80 new leadership positions. No other organization of our kind invests the resources that we do to put together the finest summer leadership staff possible.

Programs and Adventures Since 1984

American Camp Accreditation LogoOverland, also known as Overland Summers, Overland Programs, Overland Travel, and even as Overland Adventures, is proud to have ACA accredited summer programs which are held to the highest safety standards. Overland is not a teen tour or a typical summer camp, our trips and programs are carefully crafted and designed to challenge our students, who are always in small groups of no more than 12 students with superlative leadership.

 

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