Vermont

2 weeks

open to grades 7-9

Overview

Famous for its beautiful vistas, quiet roads and small, friendly towns, it’s no secret that Vermont is a perfect setting for a teen bike trip. Our daily rides over rolling terrain offer stunning views of Lake Champlain, Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondacks.

We’ll begin in Williamstown, Massachusetts, with an orientation that focuses on safe riding. In southern Vermont, we’ll load our bicycles with all the gear we’ll need for the next two weeks and begin our trek to the Canadian border. On daily rides that average 25 miles, we’ll bike along green fields, through covered bridges, by red barns and past white-steepled churches. We’ll ride through the Lake Champlain Valley, seeking out quiet roads and gentle grades. As we head north, we’ll look west across the lake to the imposing Adirondacks. To the east are Vermont’s Green Mountains, with impressive Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, in the distance. We’ll visit bustling Burlington, a nice contrast to the small towns and big farms along our route. Each day brings fun and discovery and, at day’s end, comfortable camping awaits us.

Near the end of our journey, we’ll ride triumphantly to the Canadian border. At trip’s end, we’ll return to Williamstown by van to celebrate the accomplishments, friendships and fun of our two weeks together.

“Sam returned with a stronger sense of self-reliance, a love of biking and a positive attitude to new experiences.” Elyssa Neiberg, Highland Park, Illinois

Highlights

Bike the length of Vermont
Swim in Vermont’s lakes & ponds
Explore small towns & quiet back roads
Visit exciting Burlington

Grade

For students who will finish grades 7-9 in June 2010. Call us (800.458.0588) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

4 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Dates and Fees

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 27 to Friday, July 9
Sunday, July 11 to Friday, July 23
Sunday, July 25 to Friday, August 6

$2795 (airfare not included)

“Our leaders were great, and the scenery was beautiful!.” Charlotte Weiner, Arlington, Massachusetts

Itinerary

At The Start Of The Trip

Vermont starts in Williamstown, Massachusetts. For students who drive to the start of the trip (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we’ll meet on the campus of Williams College and travel a short distance to our campground where we'll spend our fist night. Students who fly to trip start arrive at the Albany, New York airport where Overland staff will be on hand to meet you, help you collect your baggage and transport you by van the 42 miles to Williamstown.

Orientation & Practice Ride

On our first afternoon together, we'll prepare for our teen bike trip north by learning how to load our bikes and ride as a group. We’ll take a short practice ride and then return to our campground to set up our tents and prepare dinner.

Southern Vermont

From the border of Massachusetts and Vermont, we'll start our trek north. We'll travel in the valley between the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks where the terrain is gently rolling and increases in difficulty as we build up strength and get used to being on our bikes each day. A typical itinerary in Southern Vermont includes the following stops: Pine Hollow Campground in Pownal (10 miles); Lake Shaftsbury State Park (19 miles); Dorset Park (22 miles); Lake St. Catherine State Park (22 miles); Lake Hortonia (24 miles).

Burlington & The Border

From Lake Hortonia, we'll travel to the southern edge of Lake Champlain. Our route skirts along the shores of the lake with views of the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. We'll ride through busy Burlington, a nice change of pace from the small Vermont towns we’ve been riding through so far. We'll continue through the northern section of Lake Champlain to the U.S./Canada border. During this section, most groups will make the following stops: Lake Champlain D.A.R. State Park (38 miles); Burlington's North Beach Campground (43 miles); Grand Isle State Park (43 miles); U.S./Canada border (20 miles). In Burlington, there is a buffer day built into the itinerary to allow for delays en route (most groups will spend this day partially or completely off of the bikes, relaxing and exploring on foot).

Trip End in Williamstown

We'll finish our biking as we ride triumphantly to the Canadian border. After a brief celebration, we'll hop in a 15-passenger van and trailer to head back to Williamstown. Here we’ll enjoy a last night out together as we celebrate the accomplishment of biking the entire length of Vermont! On the last morning of the trip, students are picked up in Williamstown or shuttled to Albany, New York airport for flights.

“Kyle had a blast! It was the perfect amount of challenge with the right opportunities for my son to meet new kids and do new things.” Kelly Tribble Spencer, Catonsville, Maryland

Trip Details

Vermont is rated 4 on a scale of 1-10 (1 is easiest). The length of the rides and the difficulty of the terrain are two notches higher than Cape Cod & the Islands (Level 2) and slightly less demanding than New England Coast (Level 5). Our daily rides average 25 miles and are a great way to discover the beauty of Vermont while making friends and having fun.

Many Vermont participants are first-timers on a teen bike trip like this—so few, if any, students come with prior experience. There is always a range of physical ability and fitness in each group. As long as you are motivated and reasonably fit, you will keep up just fine because the trip is designed to be a cooperative, non-competitive group activity where everyone contributes and helps one another.

Vermont is a great bike trip because:

It will be absolutely clear to you that you have accomplished something significant—you’ve biked the length of Vermont!
It is a reasonably challenging trip that is still a great first trip—most participants will be new to Overland and new to bicycle touring.
It is a comfortable teen bike trip—nightly camping is in small state parks and a few privately owned campgrounds: most have hot showers and many have lakes for swimming.

The days on Vermont include bicycling, swimming, camping and fun with a small group of students and two caring leaders (always a male and a female). There’s a real sense of adventure as you make steady progress toward the Canadian border…join us next summer and experience for yourself the excitement and camaraderie of our Vermont bike trip!

“Sabra came home in excellent spirits and great shape. I can't remember a time when he smiled so much.” Julia Dasgupta, Princeton, New Jersey

Photos

Click thumbnails below to enlarge

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Enrollment Forms

Below is the Admissions Materials packet and other information for Vermont.

Admissions Materials 2010

Bicycle & Pannier Rental 2010

Bicycle Report 2010

The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip 2010

Prepare & Pack

Vermont

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. The most important part of training is gaining confidence on your bike by riding regularly. Please take two 30- to 45-minute rides every week for four weeks before the start of your trip. Your health and safety this summer depend on this. Before your trip you should be comfortable getting on and off your bike, shifting gears, braking, and making turns; and you should be able to ride 10 miles with ease. A good goal to work towards is being able to ride 15 miles in one ride, although frequent shorter rides (5-8 miles) are a great way to become a confident and safe rider.

Fully Self-Contained Bicycle Trips

Overland bike trips are 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.

Renting A Bicycle And Panniers From Overland

You may choose to rent a bicycle and/or panniers from Overland to use during your trip. Please see the Bicycle & Pannier Rental form.

Packing for Your Trip

Our packing list is designed to keep you safe and comfortable while biking and camping this summer. Keep in mind, however, that there are a wide range of products available in terms of clothing and equipment. Overland programs are relatively short and although you want your clothing and equipment to be durable, this does not mean it has to be top of the line. Often times more basic and less expensive options perform just as well. Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number. Bring only what you need and pack everything in your panniers, or in a duffel bag if you are renting panniers from Overland. You can tape or strap your panniers together to check them as one piece of luggage. Please take your helmet and sleeping bag and pad with you on the plane as carry-on items in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.

Please bring only the clothes listed below. Do not wear an extra set of clothes for the flight. By layering you will stay cool on warm days, dry on rainy days and warm on cool nights. You will have the chance to do laundry periodically.

Clothing

Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.

Waterproof, Breathable Rain Jacket
Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable as they are difficult to ride in and don't provide the same protection that rain jackets do.

Shorts To Bike In
Three pairs. Synthetic recommended. Most students bring padded, spandex bike shorts, but they are not required. Bike shorts should fit snugly and feel comfortable to reduce chafing and any discomforts from sitting on a bike seat for long distance rides. Some students will wear bike shorts and then an additional pair of athletic shorts on top. Mountain bike shorts are another choice—they have a padded bike short with a more baggy outer short attached as one.

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 or cotton.

Underwear
Five.

Socks
Five 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.

Sport Sandals
With a heel strap for swimming and around camp. Flip-flops are also okay if you do not have sport sandals.

Biking & Camping Equipment

Helmet
Carry on the plane with you.

Water Bottles
Two. 24 oz bike bottles are the best size to aim for, but smaller sizes are okay if that is what you have. Hydration systems (e.g. CamelBak) are not necessary, but if you have one and want to bring it, that's great.

Shoes For Biking
Any comfortable running shoes, all-terrain shoes or sneakers are fine.

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. Carry on the plane with you.

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 utensils are fine.

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

The following items are available for rent from Overland.
Please see the Bicycle & Pannier Rental form.

Bicycle & Rear Rack
Please see The Right Bicycle For Your Overland Trip. Please note: If you plan to do the American Challenge or European Challenge in the future, and you are buying a new bike now, a touring bike is required for those challenge trips. If you need assistance in choosing a bicycle, please contact Ashley Ransom at ashley@overlandprograms.com.

Water Bottle Cages
Two. Attached to the bike frame. Note: Some smaller size bike frames can not accommodate two cages. That's okay, as you'll be able to strap additional water bottles to your rack with your other gear.

Panniers & Two 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, 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 Tube
One spare tube that matches your bike's tire size.

Miscellaneous Gear

Towel
Medium size cotton or synthetic.

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. Your group will collectively keep a group journal and you'll receive a copy of the journal after your trip. If you'd like to keep your own journal though, you should bring one.

Camera/Batteries/Memory Card
Optional. Interested in seeing your photographs or videos on Overland's website next year? Bring a camera with lots of pixels (10 or more) and lots of memory (4GB or more). Buying a new camera? One of our favorites is the Canon PowerShot SD960 IS digital camera.

Spending Money
$25/week for souvenirs, gifts and necessities (like more sunscreen if you run out or envelopes to mail letters). 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.

Note: Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool (e.g., Swiss Army Knife, Leatherman).

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs (e.g., cellphones and iPods). We do, however, allow students who fly to their program to carry a cell phone while traveling; on arrival, Overland's leaders will collect all cell phones for the duration of the program and return them for flights home. Perhaps, a better option would be to bring a pre-paid phone card so that the leaders do not have to carry cell phones for the duration of the program.

Bringing A Bicycle On The Plane

If you are flying to the start of your trip, you will need to box your bike prior to your flights so that you can check the boxed bike as a piece of luggage. Most airlines charge about $100 to $200 one-way to check a bike. Please let your airline know that you will be bringing a bike, as many small planes cannot accommodate bike boxes. Please bring and set money aside to pay the bike fee for your return flight.

To box your bike, bring the bike to a bike shop where a mechanic will break it down and box it for about $50. Please make sure the mechanic leaves the cables attached and protected and does not remove the rear derailleur. For instructions on how to box your bike yourself, click here.

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. Friday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Albany International Airport (NY) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Albany International Airport (NY) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Friday

For special cases, please contact the Overland office to make arrangements, if you have not done so already.

Vermont starts in Williamstown, Massachusetts. For students who drive to the start of the trip (Williamstown is three hours north of New York City and three hours west of Boston), we’ll meet on the Williams College campus. Students who fly to the trip start should fly into the Albany, New York airport where Overland staff will be on-hand to meet you, help you collect your baggage and transport you by 15-passenger van the 42 miles to Williamstown.

At the end of the trip, students will be shuttled back to Williamstown. Students can either fly home from 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 2010

Program Start & End Information 2010

For Parents Driving to Williamstown 2010

Mail Stops

Students have the chance to receive mail midway through the trip. Please follow instructions below to properly address mail to your student's VT section. Please send mail well in advance to ensure deliver to the group.

All VT groups will receive mail at the following address:

Student's Name, Overland VT __ (fill in student's section number here)

c/o North Beach Campground

60 Institute Rd

Burlington, VT 05401

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

VT 1A - mail must arrive prior to July 3rd

VT 1B - mail must arrive prior to July 3rd

VT 2A - mail must arrive prior to July 17th

VT 2B - mail must arrive prior to July 17th

VT 3A - mail must arrive prior to July 31st

VT 3B - mail must arrive prior to July 31st

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2010

Apply Now

We welcome your interest in joining Overland this summer!

To apply, please complete and sign the application on page 47 of the Overland catalog or download an application. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the application).

Please refer to page 46 of our catalog for important information you should know before signing the application.

Send your application and $795 deposit 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

Sorry, we are unable to accept applications by fax, and we do not take credit cards. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

To learn about our admissions process, please click here.

Becca Dobler

Hometown: Darien, Connecticut
School: Vanderbilt University
More about Becca »

See More Overland Leaders

Vermont

Overview

Highlights

Grade

Challenge Level

Start and End Location

Dates and Fees