Hawaii & Alaska Service Trip Overview
This summer experience fire and ice as we journey to Hawaii and Alaska, two starkly different states with dramatic natural beauty. Our adventure will include a variety of service projects focused on wildlife conservation. In Hawaii, we will work up close and personal with injured sea turtles on the road to recovery while in Alaska we will switch from tropical turtles to wildlife that prefers colder temperatures, including the endangered wood bison, moose, and black bears!
In addition to our service work, we will experience the best each state has to offer, from the waterfalls, volcanoes, and beaches of Hawaii, to the glaciers, mountains, and ice fields of Alaska. So grab your bathing suit and your winter cap and join us on the adventure of a lifetime!
During this program, you will…
- Earn up to 30 hours of service credit volunteering with multiple wildlife conservation projects
- Learn about sea turtle conservation and protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtles
- Learn to surf on the famous shores of Waikiki Beach
- Kayak through the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean
- Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian feast at an authentic Hawaiian luau
- Take a step back in time and visit Pearl Harbor Memorial
- Hike through lava tunnels to the top of Diamond Head Crater for stunning coastal views
- Spend time playing with the local children of Oahu
- Zoom over the lush jungle canopies on an adrenaline-pumping ziplining tour
- Try scuba diving and explore the world under the ocean’s surface*
- Catch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Volcano and take a nature tour down through the clouds*
- Play beach volleyball, swim in crystal clear water, and enjoy life under the Hawaiian sun
- Whitewater raft up to Class IV rapids in two stunning canyons
- Strap on crampons and literally “walk on water” as you hike across a glacier
- Spend time in Kenai Fjord National Park
- Stargaze and, if we’re lucky, even see the Northern Lights!
- Channel your inner musher as we visit an Iditarod training camp and take the sled dogs out on a run!
- Hike to a glacially-fed alpine lake filled with icebergs
- Explore the charming town of Girdwood, hike, play disc golf, and adventure to your heart’s content
- Visit the Anchorage Museum and gain insight into the Inuit way of life
- Enjoy delicious seafood fresh from the Pacific
- Kayak in a glacial bay and keep an eye out for seals and other wildlife
*This is an optional excursion
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 2-4: HONOLULU > PEARL HARBOR > WAIKIKI
Oahu is the perfect island for a little bit of adventure! We will take a surf lesson on the famous shores of Waikiki with professional instructors who will have you riding waves in no time. Our hotel is just steps away from the beach, so we will have plenty of time to relax, swim, and enjoy some quality time in the summer sun! For a truly unique experience, we’ll hike through a lava tunnel to the top of famous Diamond Head Crater for breathtaking views of the island.
No visit to Oahu would be complete without a journey to the past to pay respects at the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor Memorials. Accessible only by boat, this memorial is one of several sites in Hawaii commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor and honoring those who lost their lives as well as the few remaining survivors.
DAYS 5-10: MAUI
Maui is truly a Hawaiian paradise with pristine white sand beaches, colorful coral reefs, lush vegetation, and turquoise ocean. Lucky for us, our hotel is right across the street from some of the best beaches on the island! We can hop over any time we like for beach volleyball, relaxation, and a refreshing swim. Also, we will enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner cruise.
Maui is also home to our sea turtle service project. We partner with a local organization dedicated to protecting and researching this endangered species. We’ll learn all about the hawksbill sea turtles and participate in a variety of projects dedicated to sea turtle conservation. Some of these projects include snorkeling and reef surveying to collect ocean data and look for turtles, beach cleanups to protect their natural habitats, and watching over basking turtles on the beach. At the Center, we will work first-hand with injured turtle patients–tending to wounds, taking fluids, and whatever else these gentle friends need on their road to recovery.
Our service work will be complemented with plenty of fun activities, including a boat trip to snorkel in the famous Molokini crater, sea kayaking, scuba diving (optional), and ziplining!
There will also be an optional excursion to catch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala Volcano and take a nature tour down through the clouds. For those who don’t feel comfortable biking, don’t worry, there is the option to ride down in a vehicle too!
On our last night in Hawaii, we will experience a traditional Hawaiian luau with incredible performances and plenty of food!
DAYS 11-15: ANCHORAGE > SEWARD
After we say aloha to Hawaii, we will travel to the other non-contiguous state: Alaska! We’ll fly to Anchorage, known as the hub of Alaskan culture and heritage. Enjoy a delicious first night dinner and get ready to set off on an incredible adventure!
We will spend the first few days in the beautiful port city of Seward, one of the best adventure capitals in the state. During our time here, we will get our adrenaline pumping with a world-class whitewater rafting escapade down Six Mile Creek, nestled between two stunning canyons. Afterwards, we’ll sea kayak in Resurrection Bay, learning about the history of the area, discovering wildlife, and exploring the coastal rainforest. We’ll also visit the Alaska Sealife Center to get a close up look at the wide array of species that call the Alaskan waters home.
DAYS 15-18: HOMER > PETERSON BAY FIELD STATION
Then it’s time for our next city: Homer, the halibut capital of the world. Our group will go on a stunning hike in Kachemak Bay State Park to a glacial lake filled with floating icebergs and explore the town of Homer, including the unique Homer Spit, a 4.5 mile strip of thin land jutting into the bay, home to a cluster of local arts, artifacts, restaurants, and some of the most historic areas of Homer.
To begin our service, we will spend time at a living laboratory on the south shore of Kachemak Bay. This unique field station is only accessible by boat from Homer and not on the typical tourist path! We will stay overnight in a traditional yurt village which allows for all of our creature comforts while providing easy access to the great Alaskan wilderness. Our group will learn about natural history, participate in tidal pool studies, and assist with maintenance and light construction projects. We’ll finish up with a morning oceanography cruise, where you’ll explore the waters through a scientific lens as you learn more about oceanography, geology and the the history of our relationship with the environment and modern maritime issues.
Please note, our stay at Peterson Bay is very rustic with basic facilities, but this allows us to be much closer to the stunning nature that surrounds the facilities! Participants should be prepared to assist with a variety of projects and come with an open mind and ready to see what living at a field station is all about!
DAY 19: GIRDWOOD
Next up, get ready to channel your inner Iditarod dog sledding champion! We will visit a camp for sled dogs, get to know the team, ride on a real circuit, listen to some unbelievable Iditarod stories, and to top it off, get to cuddle some playful pups who will someday be racers themselves! Spend the rest of the day hiking, playing disc golf and soaking in the beautiful sights of the outdoor recreation paradise of Girdwood.
DAYS 20-21: ANCHORAGE > WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER > GLACIER TREK
To finish off our incredible Alaskan adventure, we’ll circle back to Anchorage to explore, discover the historic sites that survived the famous quake of 1964, and get an insight into Alaskan history and culture such as traditional crafts, stages dances, and replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups while visiting the Anchorage Museum.
Continuing with our theme of community service, we’ll also spend time volunteering at Alaska’s Wildlife Conservation Center. Our naturalist guide will give us a walking tour of the scenic property as we immerse ourselves in the natural habitat of the 13 species of Alaskan wildlife housed here. Working alongside expert staff and naturalist interns, we’ll work on projects to better the lives of the animals through husbandry, maintenance, and enrichment projects. We will even get to feed moose and make “toys” for wolves and bear cubs! Not only is this a fantastic opportunity to give the animals unique enrichment experiences, but it is also a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Alaskan wildlife exhibiting natural behaviors up close and personal!
As our time in Anchorage comes to an end, we’ll take a day trip out for a truly surreal experience, literally “walking on water” as we trek across the Matanuska Glacier. Our expert guides will help us navigate the glacier to discover stunning formations among the bright blue ice. And, of course, no TFT trip would be complete without a fancy final dinner where we’ll close out our Alaskan adventure with traditional cuisine featuring some of the freshest seafood in the world!
DAY 22: RETURN FLIGHT TO SEATTLE (SEA)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Oahu, we stay at a great hotel right in the center of vibrant Waikiki that is walking distance to all of the shops, restaurants, and best of all, just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach! In Maui, we stay at a centralized hotel right on the beach. There are swimming pools at both hotels perfect for cooling off after a fun day spent under the sun.
In Alaska we will stay at the University of Anchorage, a waterfront hotel, and even have the unique Alaskan experience of staying in yurts!
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Oahu, we stay at a great hotel right in the center of vibrant Waikiki that is walking distance to all of the shops, restaurants, and best of all, just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach! In Maui, we stay at a centralized hotel right on the beach. There are swimming pools at both hotels perfect for cooling off after a fun day spent under the sun.
In Alaska we will stay at the University of Anchorage, a waterfront hotel, and even have the unique Alaskan experience of staying in yurts!
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is unique about the Hawaii & Alaska Service trip?
Hawaii & Alaska Service provides two incredibly unique service experiences. In Maui, our work with our service partner allows us to get up close to the amazing sea turtles of Hawaii!
You will work first-hand with turtle patients, assisting the team with bandaging wounds, fin massages, and anything else the turtle may need. In Alaska, working with the Wildlife Conservation Center provides special access to a wide variety of Alaska’s native wildlife.
Hawaii & Alaska Service provides two incredibly unique service experiences. In Maui, our work with our service partner allows us to get up close to the amazing sea turtles of Hawaii!
You will work first-hand with turtle patients, assisting the team with bandaging wounds, fin massages, and anything else the turtle may need. In Alaska, working with the Wildlife Conservation Center provides special access to a wide variety of Alaska’s native wildlife.
What is included on the Hawaii & Alaska Service trip?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are Poke bowls, Acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit. In Alaska, gorge yourself on salmon and sample the delicious king crab!
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
The food in Hawaii involves plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and of course, seafood! Some typical foods we will have the chance to try are Poke bowls, Acai bowls, poi, and breadfruit. In Alaska, gorge yourself on salmon and sample the delicious king crab!