Hawaii Service

Overview

For three weeks, we’ll reach out to the people and the land of Oahu, volunteering with local organizations as we explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes imaginable and enjoy the camaraderie of our Overland group.

On Hawaii Service, we’ll work together to connect with the people of Oahu and preserve the natural beauty of the landscape. We’ll partner with local organizations that oversee marine and environmental issues throughout Oahu and then lend our time and energy to their conservation efforts. On the North Shore of Oahu, we’ll learn about sea turtle habitats and spend an afternoon on the beach volunteering to help protect them. In the mountains of Oahu—dramatic ridges formed by ancient volcanoes—we’ll maintain trails in beautiful nature preserves, protect native habitats and learn about the geological processes that formed these islands.

In the afternoons and on the weekends, we’ll take time to enjoy some of the activities for which Hawaii is best known—swimming at spectacular beaches, hiking fern-shrouded trails to waterfalls, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay and exploring Oahu’s coastal waters by kayak. At the end of our three weeks, we’ll sit on the beach under the Hawaiian sunset and reflect on all that we have accomplished in this beautiful, but fragile, land. 

“My leaders were wonderful, and all of the kids got along really well. I would not have changed one thing.” Peter Gandal, Bethesda, Maryland

Highlights

• Help protect Hawaii’s fragile ecosystems
• Volunteer on a sea turtle protection program
• Rebuild trails in Oahu's mountains
• Swim, snorkel & kayak the best of Oahu

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2012
Multiple sections will be grouped by grades

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

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Honolulu, Hawaii

Accommodations

19 nights total.

7 nights in a cabin with bunk beds with mattresses.  Sleeping bag required.

12 nights in a hostel with beds.  Sheets, blankets & pillows provided.

Dates and Fees

3 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Friday, July 13
Sunday, July 15 to Friday, August 3

$4695 (airfare not included)

“I will never forget this experience; every moment was amazing!” Maddie Nissen, Winnetka, Illinois

Itinerary

Trip Start

Hawaii Service is based in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, where Overland's leaders will be on-hand at the airport to meet students and help collect baggage. From here we’ll head to our accommodations in Honolulu to get to know one another before we begin our service work the next day.

Service Projects in and around Honolulu and on the North Shore

While in Oahu, we will work with several service organizations to serve both the people and the land of Hawaii.  We will coordinate with local service organizations throughout the year to best serve the needs of the island when we arrive in the summer. Here are a few examples of the types of service projects we expect to do:

Waimea Valley

We'll work together at Waimea Valley, a nature preserve on Oahu's North Shore for a land stewardship project where we'll restore sensitive island habitats. We'll spend three mornings outside working in the Waimea Valley gardens, amongst endangered plants, soaking up the Hawaiian sun, while preserving the fragile island ecosystems of the land and caring for the botanical gardens of Oahu.

Honolulu Botanical Gardens

We'll pitch in at the Honolulu Botanical Gardens, lending a hand in their orchid nurseries and extensive grounds and gardens. Our mornings will be spent helping with stream clean-ups and conservation projects as we learn about the delicate ecosystems found in the beautiful gardens of Hawaii's capital city.

Activities

When we're not volunteering, we'll explore the best Oahu has to offer - beaches, hiking, culture, and history. 

Visit Pearl Harbor

We'll visit the USS Arizona Memorial and the site of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor. Our visit to this historic site is a trip highlight and a beautiful, though sad reminder of a tragic day in US history.

Sea Kayaking in the Pacific

We'll spend a full day sea kayaking with professional guides off Oahu's windward coast.  We'll kayak along the protected part of the coast and then head offshore to a bird sanctuary called Popo'ia. The sea kayaking will be fun and provide a challenge for the group, but will be designed for beginners with little or no kayaking experience.

Snorkel Hanauma Bay

We'll take a short break from our service projects to visit what has been called one of the most beautiful beaches in America. In Hanauma Bay, we'll rent snorkel gear and be able to wade from white sand beaches into crystal clear waters to view tropical reefs and schools of colorful and exotic fish.

Swimming at Oahu's Beaches

Oahu has dozens of beautiful beaches and with the help of our leaders and advice from the locals, we'll seek out the best beaches Oahu has to offer and enjoy relaxing afternoons on the beach and in the water.

Trip End

After a fun final dinner and reflection on all that we have accomplished during our two weeks together, we will bid our group goodbye and return to the Honolulu Airport for our flights home with memories to last a lifetime.

PLEASE NOTE: The nature of service trips means working with non-profits, schools, community centers, and other organizations with changing schedules and needs. We do our best to plan as far in advance as possible and be as accurate in our itineraries as we can, but projects and organizations can change and an ability to be flexible is necessary. We will continue to refine and update this program's itinerary throughout the spring. 

“Elisabeth had an amazing transition in her perspectives and in her appreciation of her world. The program did an excellent job of combining service work, interpersonal teamwork and an enjoyment of the location—Hawaii!” Dianne Thompson, Seattle, Washington

Trip Details

Service Hours

45 hours of service.

Students: Is this the right trip for you?

Hawaii Service requires a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard as teen volunteers. One-on-one mentoring of children and a variety of outdoor service work will challenge students emotionally and physically. Participants should be eager to take part in a range of summer service projects and be ready for both the challenges and rewards that service work in Hawaii has to offer.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:

1. Your motivation. It’s not always easy—you must be motivated!
2. Your desire to hike and do trail work. We’ll spend some time working hard on trails, in botanical gardens and other outdoor projects.
3. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates and you’ll find that you will have a great experience!

Please note that some of the service opportunities your group pursues will depend on the needs of the community and available service opportunities. We ask for students’ flexibility in the service projects we pursue in Hawaii.

“I had a great time on my Overland program.  The service work was very rewarding, and the time spent at the beach and exploring Oahu was lots of fun.” Aaron Taylor, Williamstown, Massachusetts

What's it like?

Here's how a recent leader described the Hawaii Service experience:

“Hawaii Service offers students the opportunity to perform a diverse array of service projects, helping both the ecosystems and people of Hawaii. Students combat invasive plant species in an unparalleled setting of tropical mountains and beaches, and work with a population that has an amazing cultural heritage. While time spent in the Islands is certainly productive, students also have the opportunity to learn about Hawaii's natural and cultural history from the many Hawaiians they meet along the way. Performing meaningful service in a tropical paradise is an experience you won't soon forget.”

“It's such a great experience in every way! Morgan has enjoyed every program, every place and every leader!” Barbara Stamm, River Forest, Illinois

Photos

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Before You Go

• Enrollment Forms
• Prepare & Pack
• Travel Information
• Mail Stops
• Helpful Reminders

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.