Hawaii Middle School Trip Overview

Join us this summer for some sun, sand, and sea turtles as we explore the Hawaiian Islands on this adventure designed especially for younger teens! From vibrant Honolulu to laid-back Maui, this middle school program covers some of the best highlights of Hawaii, including postcard-perfect beaches, turquoise water, and plenty of adventure!

We partner with a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maui’s sea turtles and coral reefs through science-based conservation efforts, education, and outreach. Learn about sea turtle conservation and participate in several Hawaiian community service projects to protect green sea turtles and the endangered hawksbill sea turtle. Projects include learning about sea turtle conservation efforts, snorkeling and reef surveying, beach and habitat cleanup, and watching over sea turtles as they bask on the island’s beaches. At the Center, we’ll spend time up close and personal with turtle patients–cleaning and bandaging wounds, taking fluids, massaging their fins, and monitoring their way back to release. The Center serves as the main rescue team for injured or stranded turtles. A call may even come into the Center to help a turtle in distress where you will directly assist with the rescue!

Plenty of action-packed adventures will complement our service projects. Hike to the top of a volcanic crater, take a surf lesson, snorkel and kayak through pristine waters, and more on this incredible journey to discover the best of the Aloha State!

On our Younger Teen trips, you will find smaller group sizes, outstanding staff who connect on the same level with this age group, and itineraries that perfectly inspire a passion for travel and a greater understanding of the world for all who join us!

*If you want a longer version of this trip, check out our USA for Middle School: Hawaii & Alaska Service program.

Price

$5395 + $200 Intra-Trip Flight + Airfare

Departures
  • Jul 10 - Jul 20 Available
  • Jul 21 - Jul 31 Available
Days

11 Days

Finishing Grades

7, 8

Who Can Go On This Trip?

Students from all over the world!

Places We Visit

Maui, Oahu

Optional Group Flight There

Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui (OGG)

Optional Group Flight Back

Honolulu (HNL) to Los Angeles (LAX)

Countries

Hawaii, United States

During this program, you will…

  • Earn up to 20 hours of service credit helping with a sea turtle conservation project
  • Learn about sea turtle and reef conservation and protect the endangered hawksbill sea turtles
  • Work up close with injured sea turtle patients
  • Snorkel with vibrant marine life in the biodiverse Molokini Crater
  • Learn to surf on the famous shores of Waikiki Beach
  • Kayak through the cerulean waters of the Pacific Ocean
  • Zoom over the lush jungle canopies on an adrenaline-pumping zipline tour
  • Take a step back in time and visit the 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
  • Try scuba diving to explore the underwater world*
  • 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

*This is an optional add-on

Looking for a longer trip? Come extend your travels by joining our 22 day USA for Middle School: Hawaii & California trip for more adventures!

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAYS 1-6: 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.

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 will participate in a variety of projects dedicated to sea turtle conservation. Some of these projects include beach cleanups to protect the turtle’s natural habitats, watching over basking turtles on the beach, and educating tourists. 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 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 hike 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!

DAYS 7-10: 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 Diamond Head Crater for breathtaking views of the island.

No visit to Oahu would be complete without a journey to the past in order to pay respects at the USS Arizona Memorial 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.

We will cap off our time in Hawaii with a special Luau, complete with hula dancers, music, and a delicious spread of traditional Hawaiian food. After ten beautiful days soaking up the sun in Hawaii, it’s time to say goodbye, but we’ll never forget our Hawaiian Ohana!

DAY 11: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA

An Important Message about the Maui Wildfires

Travel For Teens has been sending travelers to Hawaii for the past seven years and our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by the Maui wildfires. We have many relationships with people living on Maui, including vendors, friends, and even former travelers and staff members.

To continue showing our love and support we have set up a GoFundMe to donate directly to the organizations our local non profit partners have determined will have the greatest impact on the island’s recovery.

If you would like to share your love and support for Hawaii please donate here.

100% of the proceeds will directly go to organizations on Maui including the Maui Humane Society, Maui Food Bank, and Hawaii Community Foundation.

Thank you and we appreciate all of our TFT families and the support our community has already shown.

Travel For Teens intends to run our Hawaii programs for summer 2024 but will adapt the itineraries and service projects as needed to ensure we are best assisting the local community. Please contact us for additional information.

Ready For Your Next Adventure?

Space is limited, reserve your spot! Then get ready for an authentic teen travel experience this summer!

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Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently awarded “Top Youth Travel Organization” year after year.

See all program reviews

"Thank you, Kevin! She was really hesitant to try something like this before the trip, so we are so happy she participated and delighted she managed it well. Thank you again for your leadership and for doing such a thoughtful and wholehearted job!"

Laura S. New York, NY

"Totally blown away! From day 1 to day 11! Breisen and Kristina are two amazing people. I don’t know how else to express my complete gratitude to & for them. I am just blown away and have been since the beginning. The funny thing is, from the get go, I saw it in the pictures that were posted on Waldo. They were amazing, fabulous, wonderful pictures that really told a story (as far as I am concerned). What I saw was a group of strangers that truly appeared comfortable, respectful of each other and appeared to really get along with each other. Part of that is just the group itself but the main reason, I believe, is that these amazing people made that happen & ARE TRULY EXPERTS AND AMAZING IN DOING WHAT THEY DO! They nailed it! I had basically no fear throughout this trip and when I did have a concern, there was an explanation immediately. All I can say is that I would send my children on a trip, (almost) anywhere in the world, with Breisen and Kristina! Throughout the morning at the LAX airport they happily and enthusiastically got every child either safely on their flight or at the very least, safely to their gate destination. I saw it! That is a HUGE feat! I flew into LAX because I was just nervous about my daughter in LAX by herself but I TOTALLY didn’t need to do that. This is one happy momma!!"

Judi C. Plymouth Meeting, PA

"With this being Owen's first time away from home in quite some time, we have been so grateful for the level of care and attention that you and the team put into every single detail of the trip. Even with the flight issues at the beginning you managed everything smoothly and ensured they had the time of their lives. It was so great to be well informed every day with emails and photos so we didn't even feel like we had to text Owen at all during the trip. I know he appreciated this independence! Owen had an unforgettable trip to Hawaii, met new people and had new experiences, and for that we can't thank you enough!"

Julie F. Dobbs Ferry, NY

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

What kind of teen typically participates in this program? What are the requirements to join?

Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious  individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.

This program is exclusively for students who are currently in 7th or 8th grade and approximately 12 to 14 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!

Where do we stay?

Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, 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.

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.

Do most travelers go on their own?

Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!

If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.

What do students like most about the USA for Middle School: Aloha Hawaii trip?

USA for Middle School: Aloha Hawaii provides eye-opening conservation service while still enjoying everything Hawaii has to offer alongside students their own age. Working firsthand with sea turtles along with exploring the breathtaking beaches and endorphin-fueled activities gives younger teens a whole new perspective on the islands.

What is unique about the USA for Middle School: Aloha Hawaii trip?

Our work with our service partner allows us to get up close to the amazing sea turtles of Hawaii! On USA for Middle School: Aloha Hawaii, you will work first-hand with turtle patients, assisting the team with bandaging wounds, fin massages, and anything else the turtle may need. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity!

What is included?

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.

How do the optional group flights work?

Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.

Who leads the program?

Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.

We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.

Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.

What are the safety qualifications for our staff?

Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid.  We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.

What is the average group size?

We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.

Do I need any vaccinations for this program?

We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

How does this program connect to other programs?

Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer.  When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.

 

What is the food like on this program?

In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!

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.

Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.

Do we ever get time to go off on our own?

Our staff and teens are nearly always together, but we do provide the opportunity to break up into smaller groups to allow for flexibility and customization within the itinerary.

We offer free time in defined safe areas – for example, shopping in a market or exploring a museum. During these times, students remain in groups of at least two and are given no more than an hour. Of course, the counselors remain nearby and available. Additionally, a lifeguard-certified counselor supervises the campers any time they are involved in water activities.

What kind of visa do you need for this program?

US citizens do not need passport or visa for this program, but a form of government-issued identification is needed for airport security.

When joining a TFT trip from outside of the US, please be sure to check your country’s specific visa requirements.

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