Overland SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR 4TH - 12TH GRADERS

Sierra Adventure

2 weeks for 6th graders only

Overview

Overland’s Sierra Adventure offers the opportunity to explore California’s high country at its finest. For two unforgettable weeks, we’ll hike the Sierras, raft the scenic and exciting American River and kayak Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America.

We’ll gather in San Francisco before heading east to Lake Tahoe, where we’ll swim in Tahoe’s brilliant blue water, kayak pristine Emerald Bay and hike high above the lake. We’ll then drive south to tackle more challenging hikes in the wildflower-filled valleys and granite peaks of Stanislaus National Forest. We’ll wrap up our time in the Sierras with a day of rafting on the American River—a great way to cap off a fantastic two weeks in California.

For our last night, we’ll return to San Francisco to celebrate all of our accomplishments in the rugged and beautiful California mountains.

Highlights

• Discover California’s spectacular Sierras
• Hike in the Sierra high country
• Explore Lake Tahoe on foot & by kayak
• Raft the American River

Grade

For students completing grade 6 in June 2012

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

Challenge Level

2 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in San Francisco, California

Accommodations

The group will stay at a hostel in San Francisco at trip start and trip end. The hostel has dormitory style accommodations with beds, showers and laundry facilities. Rooms are divided by gender.

All other nights the group will be tent camping at frontcountry campsites. Two of the campgrounds have hot water sinks, flush toilets and showers. The third has hot water sinks and flush toilets; showers and laundry are available nearby.

Dates and Fees

2 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Friday, July 6
Sunday, July 8 to Friday, July 20
Sunday, July 22 to Friday, August 3

$2895 (airfare not included)

Itinerary

At the Start of the Trip

We will meet at San Francisco International Airport and van east to our first campground in the foothills of the Sierras.

Lake Tahoe

Our introduction to the High Sierras will be Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay. At an elevation of 6,225 feet, Lake Tahoe is North American’s largest alpine lake and well worth a visit. The first few days will be spent on the trail, improving our fitness and adjusting to the altitude. We’ll explore the shoreline on foot, gaining spectacular views of the famous lake and beautiful mountains, before heading out onto Tahoe's crystal clear water for a day of kayaking with professional guides.

Emigrant Wilderness

After exploring Lake Tahoe, we'll head to Emigrant Wilderness, where we’ll load up day packs with snacks, lunch and extra layers and hit the trail. After easing our way into the hiking at Tahoe, we'll tackle more difficult day hikes, exploring the area's famous granite peaks and alpine lakes.

Rafting the American River

At the end of our two weeks in the Sierras, we’ll head back to San Francisco, but not before rafting the Middle Fork of the American River with the American River Touring Association (ARTA). We’ll launch our rafts in the morning and tackle an eight-mile stretch of exciting class II whitewater rapids. After a lunch break, we’ll climb back into the vans for our return to San Francisco.

Trip End in San Francisco

Our final night will be spent in San Francisco where we’ll head out as a group for a final dinner to celebrate our two weeks of fun and accomplishments in the High Sierras.
 

Trip Details

This is an introductory trip. The selected activities, their duration and intensity are designed for adventurous 6th graders. The challenge level is a 2 on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is easiest. While this trip is designed for some of our younger students, it is essential that parents make a good choice for their child. Every Overland program requires independence, age-appropriate maturity and good fitness.

Photos

Click thumbnails below to enlarge

Before You Go

Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

Trip-Specific Forms

Sierra Adventure Release Form

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Hiking

Stay active in sports and get out for some walks and hikes this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike 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 any of our non-hiking activities (for example, rafting and kayaking) 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, kayaking, swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for rafting and kayaking. If you don't have sport sandals, sneakers will work fine for rafting and kayaking although they will get wet so you may want to bring sneakers for rafting and kayaking in addition to those you'll wear for daily hikes.

  • 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 or two. To wear in camp on cool evenings. If you get cold easily, we recommend two.

  • Winter Hat & Gloves/Mittens
    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 or two pairs. To wear in camp on cool evenings. One could be a long underwear layer or a pair of sweat pants.

  • Shorts
    Three pairs of comfortable shorts to hike in.

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

  • Underwear
    Six pairs.

  • Socks
    Six pairs.

  • Pajamas
    One pair only.

  • Bathing Suit
    One only.

Hiking & Camping Gear

  • Backpack
    For everyday adventures and hikes. Your backpack should have two shoulder straps (i.e., not a satchel) and it should 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
    The bag should be reasonably compact (most come with a stuff sack) and rated to 30 degrees or less.

  • Sleeping Pad
    Any type is acceptable. A thin roll-up or fold-up foam pad or a self-inflating pad (like Thermarest) can be found at most outdoor stores.
  • 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 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, and Insect Repellent
    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 prepaid cell phone. Please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. 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.

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 and from San Francisco, California. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO), 11:00 a.m. Sunday
PICK UP: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO), 10:00 a.m. Friday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: San Francisco Intl Airport (SFO) between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Friday

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 send Letters & Postcards (rather than care packages)

  • Since we’re on the move and prefer to travel light, we encourage you to send letters and postcards rather than care packages.

Specific Instructions For Letters

  • On all letters: Please write clearly, in bold print, “Please hold for Overland Group” on the front of the envelope.
  • Please do not send overnight letters: Many overnighted letters arrive before or after we arrive and are then sent back (for this same reason, please do not send mail that requires a signature upon delivery).
  • General Delivery addresses: For some programs, a mail stop will be a General Delivery address—this is a post office; post offices can only receive U.S. Postal Service mail (they cannot accept UPS or FedEx).

SA 1 Mail Stop (Must arrive before June 29)

Student's Name, Overland/SA 1
General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517

SA 2 Mail Stop (Must arrive before July 13)

Student's Name, Overland/SA 2
General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517

SA 3 Mail Stop (Must arrive before July 27)

Student's Name, Overland/SA 3
General Delivery
Bridgeport, CA 93517

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011

Expectations, Cell Phones & Electronics

EXPECTATIONS

Our programs are wholesome, structured experiences with strong leadership and high expectations of students’ behavior. Overland students are expected to be enthusiastic, positive, motivated, helpful and supportive of each other. Overland students understand that smoking, using any tobacco product, drinking alcohol or using any drugs (other than prescribed medications) is strictly prohibited. In addition, our students are expected to adhere to our no phone calls and no electronics policies.
 

COMMUNICATIONS

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: We are committed to providing extraordinary support to the parents our students; to that end; the Overland office is staffed from 8am to 10pm seven days a week during the summer (after office hours our answering service provides emergency coverage). Our leaders in the field are in touch with our office regularly; they carry cell phones and/or satellite phones.

NO PHONE CALLS: Overland's 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 an emergency). All students who fly to their Overland program will call home on arrival (using a leader's cell phone) to confirm that they have arrived safely. At trip end, students who fly home will call home (with their leaders' assistance) from the airport before departure.

EMERGENCIES: Parents can be assured that when it is important that a student talk with his or her parents, we will make sure that they are in touch as soon as possible.

CELL PHONES: Cell phones are not permitted on any Overland program. We understand why some parents would like their children to carry a cell phone with them on their flights to/from their Overland program. If you feel like it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive prepaid cell phone. Experience has shown us that despite taking precautions, a significant number of the cell phone we collect will be lost, damaged or stolen. Therefore, we take no responsibility whatsoever for phones brought by students and collected by our leaders at the start of a program.
 

NO PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs except for cameras. Students should not bring electronics with them on their flights. Electronics brought by students will be mailed home upon arrival at the student's expense.

Apply Now

Thank You for Choosing Overland!

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.

WHEN TO APPLY

We receive our first applications in September; there is a steady flow all fall and then most programs fill in January and February. Some programs fill earlier; and others may have space available until later in the spring. Please call our office (413-458-9672) to check on availability.

WHEN WE RECEIVE YOUR APPLICATION

If your first choice is available, you will receive a phone call and an email containing our Enrollment Forms. If your first choice is not available, we will call you to confirm that your second choice is acceptable. If neither your first choice nor your second choices are available, we will call you to discuss options.

PAYMENTS & REFUNDS

A deposit of $795 is due with your application. Full payment is due on March 1st. For applications received after March 1st, full payment is due within 30 days of receipt of our confirmation email. Please note:

  • If your child’s program choices are not available, your deposit will be returned in full.
  • We do not accept credit cards for the final balance, only for the deposit of $795.
  • If, upon our review of your child’s Enrollment Forms, the offer of a spot is withdrawn by Overland, a full refund of all payments to Overland will be made.
  • If, at any point in the admissions process we determine that you have provided incomplete, misleading or false statements, we will withdraw the offer of admission and no refund of any payments to Overland will be made.
  • If you withdraw your child before March 1st (notice of the withdrawal must be made in writing), $295 of the deposit is refundable.
  • If you withdraw your child after March 1st, there are no refunds for any reason whatsoever (including, but not limited to: voluntary withdrawal, illness or injury, summer school, security concerns or any other reason).
  • If your child leaves a program after it starts, there are no refunds for any reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to: voluntary withdrawal, illness or injury, dismissal by Overland (due to discipline, behavior, lack of fitness or motivation, etc.), security concerns or any other reason. Any costs incurred by Overland related to an early departure are the sole responsibility of the parents.

WAITING LISTS

We will notify all waitlisted applicants of their status in April.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ADMISSIONS

No other organization is more committed to putting together great groups of good students—students who are positive, enthusiastic, motivated, eager and considerate. To do this, over the course of the spring we ask the parents of every enrolled student to provide us with important information about their child including a detailed school reference and information from a physician on the student’s physical condition and medical history. In addition, every student completes a personal statement and our expectations and rules form. If, as a result of this process, we have concerns about one of our enrolled students, we will contact the parents and make an appropriate decision about the student’s participation. If the offer of a spot on a trip or program is withdrawn by Overland a full refund of all payments to Overland will be made.

EXPECTATIONS

Our programs are wholesome, structured experiences with strong leadership and high expectations of students’ behavior. Overland students are expected to be enthusiastic, positive, motivated, helpful and supportive of each other. Overland students understand that smoking, using any tobacco product, drinking alcohol or using any drugs (other than prescribed medications) is strictly prohibited. In addition, our students are expected to adhere to our no phone calls and no electronics policies.

COMMUNICATIONS

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU: We are committed to providing extraordinary support to the parents our students; to that end; the Overland office is staffed from 8am to 10pm seven days a week during the summer (after office hours our answering service provides emergency coverage). Our leaders in the field are in touch with our office regularly; they carry cell phones and/or satellite phones.

NO PHONE CALLS: Overland's 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 an emergency). All students who fly to their Overland program will call home on arrival (using a leader's cell phone) to confirm that they have arrived safely. At trip end, students who fly home will call home (with their leaders' assistance) from the airport before departure.

EMERGENCIES: Parents can be assured that when it is important that a student talk with his or her parents, we will make sure that they are in touch as soon as possible.

CELL PHONES: Cell phones are not permitted on any Overland program. We understand why some parents would like their children to carry a cell phone with them on their flights to/from their Overland program. If you feel like it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive prepaid cell phone. Experience has shown us that despite taking precautions, a significant number of the cell phone we collect will be lost, damaged or stolen. Therefore, we take no responsibility whatsoever for phones brought by students and collected by our leaders at the start of a program.

NO PERSONAL ELECTRONICS

We do not permit personal electronics on our programs except for cameras. Students should not bring electronics with them on their flights. Electronics brought by students will be mailed home upon arrival at the student's expense.

MEALS

Each group buys, prepares and eats all of its meals together. The students, with their leaders' supervision, prepare all meals. While food is always plentiful and nutritious, meals reflect the limitations of group cooking and the students' preparation skills. While it is not possible for us to provide separate meals for vegetarians, vegetarians can expect to eat the same meals as the rest of the group but they can have the meat portion withheld. It is impossible for us to accommodate vegan or kosher diets.

FOOD ALLERGIES: If your child has a food allergy, please contact our office (413-458-9672) to discuss an appropriate placement as some of our programs are better equipped to handle food allergies than others.

REFERENCES

Please call or e-mail us at references@overlandsummers.com us for a list of references in your area or for a specific program.

OVERLAND GROUPS

We run multiple sections of most programs and take great care in putting together groups. Please see each program description for age and grade requirements. In the case of multiple groups, the groups will be further divided by adjacent grades.

TRAVELING WITH A FRIEND

We encourage students to come on their own. Traveling with one friend, however, is permitted (we do not accept groups of three). We will allow no more than two friend pairs per group, and these slots will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. We will not consider a request to travel with a friend until both applications and deposits are received. If you would like to travel with a friend, please write his or her name on the application.

PREPARING & PACKING

Comprehensive pre-program information and packing lists are available on our website. On each program page, click "Before You Go" and then "Prepare & Pack".

TRAVELING TO & FROM YOUR PROGRAM

Each program description provides start and end locations; families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from these locations. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the arrival and departure airports to provide supervision and assistance.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Transportation to and from the start and end locations, spending money and personal gear are not included in the program fee. Overland provides group gear; students provide all personal equipment including bicycles, backpacks and sleeping bags. Students on bicycle touring trips in New England and Nova Scotia can rent bicycles and panniers from Overland.

ACCREDITATION & LICENSING

Overland is fully accredited by the nationally-recognized American Camp Association—a distinction earned by few of our peers. The ACA accreditation process reviews our overall program quality and our maintenance of over 300 safety standards. In addition, Overland is licensed by the Williamstown, Massachusetts, Board of Health and complies with 105 CMR 430.000 Chapter IV.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We recommend that all Overland families opt in to our travel insurance program since after March 1 all payments to Overland are non-refundable for any reason whatsoever (prior to March 1, $295 of the $795 deposit is refundable). For complete information about the travel insurance please go to: www.tripmate.com/wpF434B.

FINANCIAL AID

In 2011, Overland awarded over $95,000 in financial aid (an increase of over 45% from 2010). Awards range from $500 to $2,500 and generally cover between 10% and 50% of the program fee (excluding equipment and transportation costs). Visit our financial aid page to learn more.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Please don’t hesitate to contact us: 413-458-9672.

Leader Profile

Sally Ogilby

Sally Ogilby

Hometown
Wayne, Pennsylvania
School
Colorado College
Leadership
Sierra Adventure
More about Sally »

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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.

  

Elite Leaders

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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