European Challenge

4 weeks

open to grades 9-12

Overview

Cross a continent, from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, from the Netherlands to Spain. Discover Europe on a challenging ride of unsurpassed beauty.

From Amsterdam, we’ll head south through the Netherlands, riding along canals on bike paths dotted with windmills. In Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and France, we’ll bike through picturesque towns and rolling farmland. Our route in Switzerland offers spectacular views of the snowcapped Alps, big blue lakes and deep green valleys. Cycling out of the mountains, we’ll cruise down to the Rhône River and along the south shore of Lake Geneva as we head toward France.

In France, we’ll ride from village to village, through fields of sunflowers and past hillside vineyards. This countryside offers all a cyclist could ask for: varied terrain, quiet roads and beautiful vistas. On rides that average 70 miles a day, we’ll explore the timeless beauty of rural France. Climbing into the Pyrenees, we’ll leave France behind as we bike through stunning gorges and up winding mountain passes. We’ll enter Spain and then head down to the Mediterranean for a celebratory swim. At trip’s end in Barcelona, we’ll look back on four weeks of beauty, challenge, friendship and fun—a perfect month abroad!

“My trip was awesome, and my leaders rocked.” Stoddard Meigs, Newton, Massachusetts

Highlights

Bike from the North Sea to the Mediterranean
Explore the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, France & Spain
Cross the Alps and Pyrenees by bicycle
Swim in the Mediterranean

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2012.

Multiple sections are grouped by grades.

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

Challenge Level

9 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Ends in Barcelona, Spain.

Accommodations

23 or 24 nights (depending on the section) of frontcountry camping. All of these campgrounds have hot water sinks and toilets; most have showers. The majority of the campgrounds have areas set aside to hand wash laundry, while a handful have machines. The groups will do laundry once a week.

Two or three nights (depending on the section) are spent at a hostel in Barcelona. The hostels provide dormitory style accommodations with rooms broken down by gender, flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities.

Dates and Fees

4 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Saturday, July 21

$5695 (airfare not included)

“I absolutely loved the trip! My leaders were excellent, and we had a strong group of riders.” Allegra Robertson, Williamstown, Massachusetts

Itinerary

Trip Start

European Challenge starts at the Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport in the Netherlands. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll travel to a small town just outside of Amsterdam to set up camp and build our bikes.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany

The Netherlands are known for exceptional bike paths and bike routes, a perfect location for the beginning of our journey. We'll spend the first few days getting used to our fully loaded bikes as we head south. By the third day, we'll start riding through the Ardennes of Benelux... small, but steep hills, a good test for what's to come. Biking through northeast France in Alsace also contributes a few medium climbs. We'll ride through Luxemburg and then spend one night in Germany and swing back into France where we'll enjoy our first buffer day (see below) as we relax in the hills of Lorraine, enjoying fresh croissants and resting up for the challenges that will face us in the coming week as we ride through Switzerland.

Switzerland

As we ride into Switzerland, we'll head straight for Bern and the Bernese Oberland. We'll be faced with two 1,000 meter passes as we ride through green valleys and small Swiss towns complete with charming chalets and cows grazing on the hillsides. We'll ride through Gstaad and Chateau d'Oex before spilling out into the Rhone River valley to the shores of Lake Geneva on our way back to France.

France

We'll ride through the foothills of the Alps and into the heart of France, through vineyards and ancient cities. We'll head southwest through Provence, towards the Roman Amphitheater in Orange before skirting the Massif Central. We'll have a rest day in Carcasonne, one of Europe's best preserved Medieval walled cities, and have a chance to rest and explore the city before heading into the final week of our trip.

Spain

From Carcasonne, we'll head into the challenging, yet beautiful Pyrenees. After three weeks together on our bikes, we will be in shape and ready to face the challenges we'll encounter climbing through this spectacular mountain range. Our efforts will be rewarded as we cross into Spain (at over 6000 feet!) and make our way down to Barcelona for a well deserved celebratory swim in the Mediterranean.

Is This A Sightseeing Trip?

No. The European Challenge is not a tour with planned excursions to museums or monuments. Instead, the route is designed to show you—as you ride—the beauty of Europe's countryside and the charm of its many and varied, small towns and villages.

Buffer Days

During each section of the trip, there are buffer days built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route. Most groups will find that they have some of these buffer days partially or completely off of the bikes for rest, relaxation and exploration on foot.

Trip End in Barcelona

After our triumphant ride into Barcelona, we'll pack up our bikes, prepare for our flights home and celebrate our accomplishments together. We'll spend an afternoon exploring Barcelona, reminiscing about our month together riding across Europe.

“The European Challenge challenged Zoe’s physical strength but more importantly it challenged her mental and emotional strength. She learned a lot about herself on many fronts.” Joan Fox, Long Lake, Minnesota

Trip Details

STUDENTS: IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR YOU?

Only you can answer this question. We suggest you start the decision making process by reading everything on our website about the trip. Then, email us with any questions you have. Then, talk to students who have done the trip (we can give you references).

To start your thinking about the European Challenge, consider the following:

1. There are many kinds of challenge on the European Challenge:

Mileage: Long days on the bike-- typically 70+ miles a day.
Weather: Widely varying weather... from rain in Holland to cold nights in the Alps to sunny, hot days in Spain.
Minor Illness & Injury: over the course of four weeks there's a good chance that you'll catch a cold or that you'll fall off your bike and bruise an elbow or scrape up a thigh-- nothing too serious but still a challenge when you're far from home and working hard.
Homesickness: even if you've never had it before, there will likely be times when you long for the comforts and ease of home.
Camping Out: you'll get very comfortable sleeping out but you'll still miss the familiarity of your own bed, the ease and efficiency of screens and windows to keep bugs out, rain off and air-conditioned air in.
Group Living: group meals, group snacks, group cooking, group cleaning, group chores, etc. The demands of group living will be some of the most important challenges you'll face.

2. Are you ready to commit yourself to the training that is required for this trip? Think about whether or not you can commit yourself to completing the pre-trip riding—we've made it possible for even the busiest student to complete the training, but having the time and actually doing the riding are two different things.

3. Are you ready to commit yourself wholeheartedly to a demanding group experience? The European Challenge is all about the group succeeding, about the group getting the miles done, about the group enjoying the highs together (biking over the Alps!)... and sticking together through the lows (tough headwinds). Are you the kind of person who can put his or her own needs and wants after those of a group?

"It was better than I could have imagined!" Everett Wolf, Austin, Texas

PARENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND

Every summer we get a handful of phone calls from parents who ask questions that reveal to us that they really don't understand what the European Challenge is all about.

These questions often put the European Challenge in the context of a bike tour for adults that stays in luxury accommodations (we camp out) and where fine dining is the norm (we shop for our food every day and make meals for 14 people using two small camp stoves). The parents who ask these questions simply haven't paid attention (and they are relatively easy to get back on track).

The more difficult questions to respond to are the ones from parents who wonder why their son or daughter can't do what he or she wants. "Why can't my daughter just buy her own snacks (or lunch... or dinner... or dessert)." "Why can't my son ride ahead of the group... he's so much faster than the others?" What these parents have failed to grasp is that the European Challenge is a chance for their son or daughter to see beyond his/her own needs and wants, to see the needs of the group before his/her own. In this way, the European Challenge is a chance to become a caring friend... a terrific group member... an exceptional leader.

The European Challenge is a chance for your son or daughter to be challenged in ways that school and sports might never have. Riding a bike is not technically difficult—but riding across Europe with 13 other people is one of the hardest sustained challenges we can imagine. For your son or daughter to succeed on and enjoy the European Challenge you have to be on board and committed to the goals of the trip so that you can help your son or daughter understand what it is they are to be a part of.

DAILY ROUTINE

We'll get up before sunrise every morning and be on the bikes by shortly after first light. We'll bike for a couple of hours before stopping for a morning snack. We'll bike until 10 or 11 before we stop again for another snack and then continue until 1 or 2 before we stop for lunch. The afternoon riding is broken up by a snack stop or two. Depending on the day's mileage and delays en route, the goal is to pull into our overnight accommodations (typically a campground) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. There will be shorter days and longer days—if the day gets too long we'll change our plans and stop for the night before reaching our planned destination (and we'll make up the mileage in the coming days).

MEALS, SNACKS & COLD DRINKS

Breakfasts are generally made up of bread, croissants, cereal, fruit, juice and milk. A typical morning snack is fruit and some sort of bread or croissant. Lunch is usually sandwiches, cheese, fruit, chips and cookies. Based on the availability of stores along our route one afternoon stop a day will include cold drinks (for example, cold water, juice or Gatorade purchased by Overland) and a salty snack (chips, pretzels or crackers). Popular dinners include pasta, chicken and stir-frys.

Overland's goal is to always provide more food than is needed so that everyone—no matter how big their appetite—gets enough. Each group will plan and prepare their meals everyday. Over the course of the first week or so groups develop a comfortable routine around meals and their favorite meals become established.

Please note that every meal, snack and cold drink on the European Challenge is provided by Overland and is shared by the group. This asks a lot of everyone in the group: even though it would be easy to allow students to buy their own meals and snacks if they wanted, doing so would break down the cohesiveness of the group. Getting 14 people across Europe on bikes requires tremendous teamwork—sharing meals, snacks and drinks is an important building block of that teamwork.

“The past two summer adventures have been the two best summers of my life. In 2008, I had an incredible time biking over 3000 miles in the US, and in 2009, I biked over 1300 miles through beautiful mountain passes and the European countryside. I met amazing people, challenged myself and had a blast! Thank you so much for these absolutely amazing experiences.” Julia Harbaugh, Westfield, New Jersey

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip 2012

Bicycle Report 2012

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Biking

Training ahead of time is essential to your success on an Overland bike trip. Training will enable you to enjoy your trip and to ride safely this summer. Please review the training guidelines below:

This is one of Overland’s most challenging trips due to its length and intensity.The European Challenge is rated a 9 on a scale of 1-10 (1 is easiest).

* 1500+ miles of riding
* 75 miles a day on average
* 28 days from start to finish
* Some days off of the bikes: arrival day, departure day plus two or three buffer days to allow for delays en route (most groups will find that they spend these buffer days partially or completely off of the bikes)
* Riding begins at first light and ends in the late afternoon or evening

Past experience has shown the following:

(1) Your health, safety and well-being for the duration of the trip will depend on the quality, duration and intensity of your preparation.

(2) Your enjoyment of the trip will depend on your understanding of and commitment to the European Challenge as a group experience—one that demands selflessness and teamwork.

Required Pre-Trip Training
You must be able to commit to a pre-trip training program that requires the following:
(1) two rides a week of one hour each in March (at least 12 miles over varied terrain);
(2) two rides a week of 90 minutes each in April (at least 18 miles over varied terrain);
(3) two rides a week of two hours each in May (at least 24 miles over varied terrain);
(4) four rides a week, two afterschool rides of two hours each (at least 24 miles over varied terrain) and two weekend rides of four hours each (at least 48 miles over varied terrain). All rides in June should be on fully-loaded bikes with all of your gear and clothing.

All training rides that are unloaded (i.e., without your panniers, sleeping bag, etc.) must be at an average speed of between 12 and 15 miles per hour (or greater); all loaded training rides must be at an average speed of between 10 and 12 miles per hour (or greater).

Your Commitment to the Group
The European Challenge requires an extraordinary amount of selflessness and teamwork. Consider the following:

(1) Riding. There will always be a range of abilities in every European Challenge group. Successful groups are the ones where the stronger riders commit themselves to support the weaker riders and where the weaker riders work hard to improve their riding so that the group can stay as close as possible when on the road. For fast riders, the challenge is to slow down and enjoy the group experience of riding across Europe (if you really just want to go fast then ride across Europe on your own). For slower riders, it's important to pay attention to your speed on the bike during your spring training rides. If you can't easily maintain the minimum speeds required (see above under Pre-Trip Training: unloaded rides must be at an average speed of 12 miles per hour or greater; all loaded training rides must be at an average speed of 10 miles per hour or greater), then you are going to have to train more—and harder—than the requirements that we have spelled out.

(2) Pace. Let's say an easy pace for you when your bike is fully loaded is 7 miles per hour. Do the math: 70+ miles a day at 7 m.p.h = 10 hours of pedaling—when you add in stops for snacks and lunch and delays and breakdowns your 10 hours of pedaling has grown to 12+ hours. Assuming the group is on the road by 6:00 a.m. that means you're rolling into camp after 6:00 p.m.—it's simply not a schedule that can be maintained, especially when the day's mileage is in the 80+ range. Plus, there will be a handful of riders who can easily maintain 16 m.p.h. In the spring, if you find that you are a slower rider, then you must work longer and harder to improve your speed and endurance.

(3) Meals. Experience has shown that it is absolutely essential that the group come together for meals, snacks and drinks... these are the times when friendships form and bonds are strengthened. These friendships and these bonds not only make the trip fun, they are the bedrock that provides the support for the most difficult days. Your group will work together to make sure that everyone has the kind of meals, snacks and cold drinks that they need to stay healthy and to have fun. You will find that you are eating and drinking constantly on the European Challenge—but you are doing it as a group; enjoying meals, snacks and drinks that the group chooses, that Overland pays for and that the group enjoys together.

(4) Time Together Off The Bikes. There's precious little time off the bikes, but when it comes, the group has to stick together, to include everyone... in everything—from chatting at morning snack to relaxing at lunch to reflecting on the day just before bed. Train hard for the trip, be prepared for an incredible challenge and come ready to be an important member of a close-working team.

Conclusion
The European Challenge is a spectacular experience full of beauty, challenge and fun. If you're excited about it, apply today—then get ready for the greatest summer of your life!

“The trip was amazing; I had the time of my life.” Ari Brosowsky, San Francisco, California

Packing for Your Trip

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
Overland bicycle tours are fully self-contained—meaning there is no van support. You will carry all of your belongings, plus some group gear, on a sturdy rack mounted over the back wheel of your bike. You will hang panniers (these are saddlebags, pronounced “pan-yers”) off the rack and attach gear like your sleeping bag and sleeping pad to the top of the rack using bungee cords.
Please bring only the clothes listed below and do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. At trip start, your leaders will distribute group gear and they will help you repack your panniers and bike—at that time any unnecessary items will be mailed home.
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.
As you pack your gear adhere to the following instructions: (1) pack your sleeping pad and shoes in your bike box (2) Please take your helmet and sleeping bag with you on the plane as carry-on items in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time. (3) Pack all your remaining items in your panniers. You can tape or strap your panniers together to check them as one piece of luggage.

Biking & Camping Equipment

Touring Bicycle & Rear Rack
A touring bicycle is required for this trip. One of the following bikes is recommended: Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Cannondale Touring 2, Fuji Touring, Jamis Aurora, Novarra Randonee. These bikes must be in excellent condition and have been purchased in the past 48 months. Other bicycles will not be accepted.
- Please see The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip for more information.
- Return the 2012 Bicycle Report Form by May 1st to ensure your bicycle meets all qualifications.
- Prepare your bike for travel: Traveling With Your Bicycle.

Panniers & Four Bungee Cords
Panniers are saddlebags sold in pairs that attach to either side of your rear rack. For our trips you will want large panniers, 2400-3000 cubic inches total (for the pair), designed for touring. One large pannier has internal dimensions of approximately 17" x 13" x 7". You should be able to fit all of your belongings, besides your sleeping bag and pad, into your two panniers and have some space for group gear. Consider compressibility of clothing while packing for your Overland bicycle tour.

Spare Bike Parts & Tools
- Four spare tubes that match your bike's tire size.
- One pair of spare brake pads.
- Four spare spokes that fit your wheels (two front, two rear).
- One tire patch kit; tire levers; one spare tire.

Hydration System
70-100 oz. bladder inside a small backpack (e.g., CamelBak). The simpler the better—the pack is used primarily to carry water and if it's too big and heavy or filled with other items, it will be uncomfortable to wear all day. Also attach one or two water bottles and cages to your bike frame.

Helmet
Carry on the plane with you.

Biking Gloves
Well-padded for comfort.

Shoes For Biking
You have two options (most European Challenge participants choose option 2):
- Ride in running shoes and have toe cages attached to your pedals.
- Ride in bike touring or mountain biking shoes with bottom treads and recessed cleats—these shoes clip into “clipless” pedals (it’s confusing). A popular style of clipless shoes/pedals are SPDs. Please do not ride in racing shoes (they have hard soles that are uncomfortable to walk in).

Sleeping Bag
Warm to 30 degrees or less. Lightweight and compact (when stuffed in a compression stuff-sack it should be no larger than 12" x 20"). Synthetic or down is acceptable. Carry on the plane with you.

Sleeping Pad
Compact and either 3/4 or full length. Closed cell foam (thin and firm—e.g., RidgeRest) or self-inflating (e.g., Therm-a-Rest) is acceptable.

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 (or similar) dish and regular utensils are fine.

Headlamp
Small and lightweight. This comes in very handy in camp when it's dark and you're using both hands.

Clothing

Please bring only the clothes listed below and do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. At trip start, your leaders will distribute group gear and they will help you repack your panniers and bike—at that time any unnecessary items will be mailed home.

Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
To stay warm on cool nights. Your fleece can also double as a pillow.

Synthetic Long Underwear Top & Bottom
To stay warm on cool nights. Top can also be used as an extra layer while biking on cooler days.

Winter Hat
To stay warm on cool nights.

Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket
Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water resistant). Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.

Padded Bike Shorts
Two pairs. These are spandex shorts with a padded seat called a chamois. Bike shorts should fit snugly and feel comfortable to reduce chafing and any discomforts from sitting on a bike seat for long distance rides.

Around Camp Shorts
One pair. Athletic shorts work well around camp as they are comfortable to wear, light and compressible to pack.

T-Shirts
Three. Synthetic preferred. Bike jerseys are acceptable but not necessary.

Underwear
Four. Typically underwear is not worn under bike shorts, but you'll need some for around camp and days off.

Socks
Four pairs; at least one warm, synthetic pair for inclement weather and around camp.

Pajamas
One pair only. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.

Bathing Suit
One only. Boys should bring a Speedo as many pools in Europe require it...sorry guys.

Sport Sandals
Good quality flip-flops or crocs are also okay.

Miscellaneous Gear

Towel
Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.

Plastic Bags
Ten large ziplocks and five tall kitchen trash bags. The trash bags will be used to line your panniers and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad in. The ziplocks will be used to organize and waterproof the rest of your gear.

Toiletries
All travel size (in a plastic bag). If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.

Sunglasses, Sunscreen (SPF 15+), Chapstick (with SPF protection) & Insect Repellent

Paperback Book and/or Journal
Optional.

Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

Spending Money
$50/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card. If you are flying home at the end of your trip, please bring additional money to set aside to pay the airline bike fee for your return flight.

Valid Passport
Leave a photocopy of your passport at home.

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

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to the Amsterdam airport and from the Barcelona Airport. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AMS) 9:00 a.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Barcelona Intl Airport (BCN) 8:00 a.m. Saturday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AMS) between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday*
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Barcelona Intl Airport (BCN) between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Saturday
*Please note: To arrive in Amsterdam on Sunday morning, flights must depart from the U.S. on Saturday night. If possible, please choose a flight that does not connect in Europe (e.g., fly non-stop from a U.S. gateway).

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

Mail Stops

Please only send mail via the US Postal Service. Sending mail to a moving target in Europe is challenging. To have the best chance of getting mail to your son or daughter, please note the following:

Use United States Postal Service Air Mail only.
Do not use Express Mail. Do not use FEDEX, UPS, DHL or any other express or courier service. Our European hiking and biking trips have mail stops that are either post offices or small rural campgrounds. Twenty-five years experience has shown us that despite what you might be promised here in the US, if you use these services, your mail will not make it to your son or daughter. Furthermore, it is almost impossible to track these packages.
Send mail 14 days or more before the scheduled mail stop.

European Challenge A

Mail Stop #1: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Schönberg, Belgium. Mail to this address must arrive before July 1st with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Pour groupe Overland Travel, 30 Juin.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC A
c/o Camping Waldecho
Am Weberbach 11
4782 Schönberg (Sankt Vith)
BELGIUM

Mail Stop #2: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Villard de Lans, France. Mail to this address must arrive before July 13th with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 11 Juillet.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC A
c/o Camping L’Oursiere
1080 avenue du général de Gaulle
38250 Villard-de-lans, FRANCE

Mail Stop #3: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Barcelona. Mail to this address must arrive prior to July 21st with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Para Grupo Overland Travel, 21 Julio.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC A
c/o Barcelona Dream Hostel
Ave. Alfonso XIII - 28 B
08912 Badalona
Barcelona, SPAIN

European Challenge B

Mail Stop #1: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Schönberg, Belgium. Mail to this address must arrive before June 30th with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Pour groupe Overland Travel, 1 Juillet.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC B
c/o Camping Waldecho
Am Weberbach 11
4782 Schönberg (Sankt Vith)
BELGIUM

Mail Stop #2: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Villard de Lans, France. Mail to this address must arrive before July 11th with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 12 Juillet.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC B
c/o Camping L’Oursiere
1080 avenue du général de Gaulle
38250 Villard-de-lans, FRANCE

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC B
c/o Barcelona Dream Hostel
Ave. Alfonso XIII - 28 B
08912 Badalona
Barcelona, SPAIN

European Challenge C

Mail Stop #1: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Schönberg, Belgium. Mail to this address must arrive before July 2nd with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Pour groupe Overland Travel, 3 Juillet.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC C
c/o Camping Waldecho
Am Weberbach 11
4782 Schönberg (Sankt Vith)
BELGIUM

Mail Stop #2: We’ll pick up mail when we arrive in Villard de Lans, France. Mail to this address must arrive before July 14th with a note in the lower left corner saying: “Poste restante pour groupe Overland Travel, 14 Juillet.” Please address your letters as follows:

Student’s Name, Overland Group/EC C
c/o Camping L’Oursiere
1080 avenue du général de Gaulle
38250 Villard-de-lans, FRANCE

Student's Name, Overland Group/ EC C
c/o Apt. Sagrada Familia
Carrer del Freser, 5 Entresuelo 3a
08026 Barcelona, SPAIN

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.

Mike Geary

Hometown: Rochester, New York
School: Williams College
Leadership: European Challenge, Northwest Explorer
More about Mike »

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