Mongolia: Saddle Up for a Wide-Open Steppe Adventure
From Ulaanbaatar’s city buzz to campfires under a billion stars, this is the summer story your teen will brag about for years.
Mongolia is where city neon fades into an ocean of grassland and endless sky. Teens can trace ancient Silk Road routes on horseback, duck into cobalt-roofed monasteries, and wake up in a felt-lined ger instead of a hotel. Wildlife still outnumbers Wi-Fi spots, turning every hike into a true off-the-grid quest. Yet nomadic families gladly share dumplings and legends, so your traveler never feels far from home.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city, for orientation and cultural introduction. Journey west to the vast Mongolian steppe, ride horses with local herders, and stay in traditional gers. Visit archaeological sites, hike in national parks, and end with city exploration before departure.
A summer adventure for high schoolers in Mongolia isn’t just about epic selfies. Navigating vast landscapes builds grit; negotiating ger chores with hosts sharpens cross-cultural communication. Away from screens, teens discover the rhythm of a nomad’s day—pack up, move on, adapt. They’ll return home speaking a few Mongolian phrases, craving steamed buuz, and, most importantly, carrying a wider lens on the world and their place in it.
Focus on river travel skills, reading water, paddle strokes, and swiftwater safety, paired with hands-on community projects. Days on the water, evenings by the fire, and a capstone reflection tie together stewardship, teamwork, and fun.
Backpack slickrock country, float desert rivers, and learn the geology and natural history of the Four Corners. Cultural engagement and nightly group circles foster teamwork, navigation, and Leave No Trace—ideal for teens new to multi-day expeditions.
Classic overnight-camp magic—cabins and color war, waterskiing and ropes, electives from ceramics to coding—wrapped in pro staffing and 24/7 care. Older teens can opt for leadership/CIT tracks; adventure-leaners add out-of-camp trips (backpacking, surf, river days). Check out Camp Experts for personalized camp matching.
Have a budding biologist or future filmmaker? This longer option layers in multi-day rainforest treks, deeper volunteer projects, and homestays that turn cultural exchange into daily life. Expect plenty of laughs during Luganda language lessons and adrenaline on chimpanzee hikes through Kibale’s dense canopy.
Perfect for a first overseas leap, this summer adventure for high schoolers balances hands-on service with classic game drives. Mornings might be spent planting trees alongside conservationists; afternoons bring lion tracking across Queen Elizabeth National Park; evenings wrap with campfire stories under equatorial stars.
Parents join for part of the stay before teens step into more independent activities.
Mornings volunteering in schools or youth centers, afternoons filled with drumming lessons and beach time.
Split time between sails and shores—three nights on a catamaran, then rainforest homestays and community projects.
Waterfall-hike through Grand Etang National Park, restore coastal trails, and snorkel coral nurseries off Grenada’s west coast.
Designed for younger teens who learn best by doing. Think interactive scavenger hunts through ancient temples, crafts workshops decoding scarab symbols, and kid-led interviews with Egyptologists who make mummies sound downright cool. Every activity is fully supervised, blending fun with fresh confidence.
Live aboard a 40-something-foot yacht, master knot-tying, log dive data, and watch the Milky Way from the deck. Island-hop between St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada.
Ideal for high schoolers craving purpose with their passport stamp. Mornings might be spent assisting local educators with English practice or playground improvements; afternoons roll into guided walks through the Egyptian Museum, camel views of the pyramids, and a sunset felucca ride on the Nile.
Add extra comfort and camaraderie.
Blend history hikes with city nights.
Many programs include dumpling-making with local students or calligraphy lessons in village courtyards.
Add remote Great Wall hikes, panda conservation visits in Chengdu, or altitude-friendly treks on the Tibetan Plateau.
Hop between Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai for museum deep dives and market hunts.
Only have a couple of weeks? A shorter summer adventure for high schoolers condenses the essentials: dorm living, admissions chats, downtown Madison bike tours, and team pickup games on the intramural fields. It’s the perfect Midwest teen travel option for busy calendars.
Two-week intensives focus on sailing basics; three-week expeditions weave in deeper research and multi-island exploration. Either way, programs cap at small crew sizes so every teen takes a turn at the helm.
Your teen will live in a residence hall, dine at campus cafés, and map out their day just like future freshmen. Expect college-prep workshops, small-group sports on the quad, and guided excursions to the farmer’s market and Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks. Evenings wrap up with lakeside yoga or improv nights—ideal for forging fast friendships over s’mores.
Live aboard a modern sloop, hoist the mainsail, and log data for real-world marine research. Daily dives let certified teens collect reef surveys, while beginners can earn their open-water SCUBA card.
Prefer more land time? Split your days between village homestays, coastal hikes, and service projects that support local conservation groups—all with plenty of snorkeling interludes.
A liveaboard voyage linking St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada with marine dives and cultural deep-dives.
Pair reef surveys with village projects ashore.
Anchor in St. Vincent and a few nearby cays—ideal for first-timers.
Layer in homestays, Buddhist art workshops, and wildlife monitoring. Some families tag along on a parallel adult trip, reuniting for momo-filled dinners.
Hit the essentials—Tiger’s Nest at sunrise, dzong visits, and village clean-ups.
Extend a stay with homestay weekends, weaving lessons, or a kayak spin across Lake Atitlán. Extra days mean extra tortillas—and extra confidence.
Budding helpers can shadow community health workers, join grassroots outreach, and practice conversational Spanish in real clinics. Think hands-on projects by day and salsa steps by night.
For teens craving deeper connection, two-week homestays in floating or farming villages deliver dawn-to-dusk participation in daily life, from harvesting morning glories to leading sports with local students.
Future change-makers dive into workshops on sustainability, then roll up their sleeves for tree-planting or clean-energy demos alongside Guatemalan peers. Leadership labs meet lava-glow hikes for the ultimate summer adventure for high schoolers.
Got an explorer who wants more stamps? Longer, three-week loops weave Cambodia with neighboring Vietnam and Laos. Expect overnight trains, river cruises, and a front-row seat to the region’s shared history.
Perfect for first-time globe-trotters. A quick-hit 10–14-day itinerary pairs community projects—think water-filtration builds or English conversation clubs—with guided temple tours and street-food deep dives.
Some sessions tack on an extra week in a different region, giving travelers a broader view of rural life and one last campfire under impossibly starry skies.
Shorter sessions (think one week) focus on Danish history—royal palaces, Viking ships—then switch gears to seaside kayaking and island hikes. It’s the ultimate “culture plus outdoors” combo.
Daylight hours might be spent restoring jungle trails, planting native trees, or teaming up with local youth on community projects—perfect for teens craving a South America volunteer trip with real impact.
Teens settle into a host family, brush up on conversational Spanish, and dive into Guaraní phrases at evening workshops.
Stitch Alaska into a 30-day loop that also hits Oregon dunes, Whistler cliffs, and Hawaiian surf for teens who crave “everything, please.”
String together progressively tougher summit days, learn back-country navigation, and cap it with a reflective trek that celebrates new trail legs.
Basecamp near Anchorage, tackle day hikes over crystal ice, cruise coastal fjords, then recharge in comfy lodges—ideal for first-time explorers.
Have an adrenaline seeker? Opt for an itinerary that pairs Copenhagen’s canal cruises and Tivoli Gardens with glacier hikes in Iceland or ziplining over Oslo. Ten- to fourteen-day routes keep the momentum high without overstaying.
Shoulder everything you need and disappear into remote valleys for a week, rotating leadership roles while mastering Leave No Trace skills.
For the budding architect or environmentalist, days can center on innovative urban planning, green tech labs, and eye-opening bike tours that reveal how Denmark leads the climate conversation.
Two-week itineraries weave in Prague or Vienna before settling into Slovenia’s green valleys and Croatia’s Roman ruins—perfect for the history buff who also craves a beach day.
Prefer a broader cultural sampler? Multi-country loops hit four capitals in two to three weeks, mixing guided museum strolls, local food crawls, and the must-soak Széchenyi thermal baths.
For teens eager to explore Jewish roots or family history, specialized tracks weave reflective workshops with poignant site visits—from synagogues in Budapest to memorials in Krakow—creating space for journaling and group dialogue.
For budding scientists and foodies, programs spotlight bee conservation near Lake Bled, olive-oil tastings along the Istrian Peninsula, and market visits that turn local produce into dinner.
Think eight to ten days of movement: morning treks in Triglav National Park, afternoons kayaking on coastal coves, and nights in family-run hostels swapping stories with peers.
Adventure-minded travelers can hike ancient trade routes between cities, tackle daily challenges, and rotate trip-leader roles that sharpen decision-making and confidence, all while racking up passport stamps.
A loop through Amsterdam, Bruges, Brussels, and Paris blends museums, canal cruises, and legendary landmarks—ideal for first-time teen travel in Europe.
A multi-country cycling quest lets older high-schoolers spin from the flat roads of the Netherlands through Belgium’s rolling farmland, onward to France and the Italian coast—think iconic cities by day, hostel camaraderie by night.
Two-week cultural immersion sessions based in a vibrant Belgian city mix interactive language workshops, leadership challenges, and day-trip excursions. Your teen will practice French or Dutch in the morning, brainstorm solutions to global issues in the afternoon, and sample street waffles at dusk.
Older teens—especially girls craving extra responsibility—can opt for a longer horsepacking journey that layers in backcountry decision-making, route planning, and peer mentorship.Whichever route they choose, certified guides handle the logistics while teens handle the reins.
Stretch to 10–12 days and your teen will traverse multiple campsites, practice Leave No Trace ethics, and help wrangle pack horses deeper into Yellowstone’s hidden meadows.
Perfect for first-timers, a one-week introduction pairs daily rides with campcraft basics—knot-tying, map reading, and marshmallow mastery.
Shorter youth programs weave Swahili lessons, bead-making workshops, and special kid-friendly safaris so tweens can sample Kenya’s magic without marathon hikes.
Got an older teen craving a physical challenge? Multi-week expeditions tackle Mount Kilimanjaro’s 19,341-foot summit before descending into crater country for classic game drives. Expect tents, teamwork, and bragging rights that last forever.
Perfect for first-time travelers: mornings in rural villages installing eco-lighting or tutoring local kids, afternoons tracking elephants and giraffes. Ten to fourteen days is the sweet spot—just long enough to bond with peers and make an impact.
For teens who want “a bit of everything,” itineraries weave service blocks with waterfall hikes, street-art tours, and nights sampling mofongo in local plazas.Trips typically run 7–14 days—long enough for friendships and Spanish phrases to stick, yet short enough to fit summer schedules.
Can’t decide between anime and K-drama? Combo itineraries hit Tokyo’s tech wonderlands before crossing by bullet train and ferry to Busan and Seoul. These three- to four-week journeys highlight the contrasts—and surprising similarities—between two powerhouse cultures. Perfect for teens who want a broader East Asia perspective.
Budding scientists snorkel beside biologists, help restore coral nurseries, and log data that actually matters.
Some programs weave hands-on volunteering into the itinerary—cleaning coastal trails, assisting at youth centers, or supporting environmental projects on Jeju Island—while still leaving space for must-see attractions. Trips range from 14 days to a month, giving teens the chance to give back while exploring.
Spend a week or two teaming up with grassroots groups on youth programs or rebuilding efforts; afternoons might be filled with salsa lessons and sunset swims.
If your student’s schedule is tight, week-long adventures focus exclusively on Seoul. They’ll dive into K-pop dance workshops, explore high-tech districts like Gangnam, and still squeeze in a mountain hike or river cruise. It’s a quick yet comprehensive taste of Korean culture.
For teens ready to unlock Hangul, look for programs based primarily in the capital. Daily Korean classes pair with cooking workshops, palace tours, and even short homestays for full-tilt cultural immersion. Think two to three weeks of city life with optional weekend hikes on Bukhansan or a Han River bike ride.
Living in tight quarters—cabin bunks or shared rainforest dorms—fast-tracks bonding. Group high-fives after a flawless mooring become stories they’ll replay in college orientation halls.
Spotty Wi-Fi and star-littered skies do wonders for mental reset. When the only glowing screen is a bioluminescent wave, teens rediscover curiosity beyond the scroll.
Seeing how island communities protect reefs while relying on them for livelihood sparks eco-mindfulness that sticks. Many teens come home ready to spearhead sustainability clubs or even nix single-use plastics at family BBQs.
If your teen dreams of hoisting sails and navigating by stars, crew-based expeditions are the headline act. Picture 40–60-foot monohulls or catamarans where students rotate through skipper, navigator, and chef roles—learning teamwork at every tack. Routes range from 12-day island loops to immersive three-week odysseys that weave through St. Lucia, Martinique, and the Grenadines. Daily rhythms blend sail training, marine science projects, and shore excursions for freshly baked baguettes or waterfall treks.
Labeling plankton under a microscope or logging dive data for regional reef-health databases transforms “Will this be on the test?” into “I can’t believe this counts as learning.”
Whether steering a helm through a channel crossing or negotiating market prices in Castries, teens practice decision-making without parents calling the shots. They return home taller—figuratively and sometimes literally (hello, rope-swing workouts).
Not every traveler wants to sleep on deck. Land-and-sea itineraries split time between boutique hostels, community homestays, and day-sailing catamarans. One day might feature a Creole cooking lesson; the next, a zip-line canopy tour or volcanic mud bath. These hybrids run 10 to 21 days, balancing creature comforts with plenty of ocean sparkle.
For budding biologists, St. Lucia’s marine reserves double as outdoor labs. Programs base either on a boat or a beachside eco-lodge, where PADI dive courses, reef surveys, and turtle conservation push classroom lessons into real life. Expect small research teams, underwater slates, and the thrill of spotting parrotfish rehab a coral head you just measured.
Designed for older high-schoolers, this summer adventure for high schoolers layers tougher mileage, brisk kayak crossings, and structured leadership workshops. Teens cook group meals, rotate navigator duties, and debrief wins and stumbles during sunset chats. The finale might be a timed wilderness challenge followed by a celebratory lobster roll in town—because hard work tastes better with butter.
Empowerment meets ocean spray on this supportive, all-female itinerary. The first half focuses on hiking Maine’s iconic seaside paths; the back half shifts to kayak skills and playful “raft-up” games in sheltered coves. A community-service component—think coastal clean-up or trail work—adds purpose, and nightly reflection circles spark confidence that lasts long after the final campfire.
Ready to trade daypacks for full packs? Head Downeast. Participants set up base camp near tidal inlets, learn backcountry cooking, and tackle multi-day loop trails that thread through Acadia’s lesser-traveled corners. Campsites range from fern-filled forests to ocean-view bluffs—perfect for stargazing once the headlamps click off.
Built for middle-schoolers and new campers, these gentle intros keep mileage low and scenery high. Teens meet in Portland, hike cliff-lined trails, comb hidden beaches for sand dollars, and end most evenings with a seaside picnic. Expect day packs instead of heavy backpacks, plenty of teamwork games, and counselors who turn knot-tying into a craft project.
Shared blister stories and late-night teahouse card games forge tight bonds. Graduates of Nepal teen travel programs often stick together through college applications and beyond, cheering each other’s next adventures.
From spinning prayer wheels to sunset yoga in the foothills, Nepal slows the tempo. Teens often describe a newfound appreciation for stillness and gratitude—habits that linger long after the passport is stamped.
Participating in community-driven projects opens travelers’ eyes to development done right—collaborative, respectful, and sustainable. They’ll return with a sharper lens on privilege and a passion for problem-solving.
Altitude, new foods, group living—Nepal dishes out just-right challenges that nudge teens past comfort zones. When your teen reaches that last ridge or nails a basic Nepali phrase, their confidence skyrockets.
Older teens hungry for continuous action can opt for programs that string together rafting the Trishuli River, canyon swings outside Pokhara, and a condensed but challenging trek. Add market visits and sunset viewpoints for a highlight reel-worthy schedule.
For the teen seeking mindfulness alongside mileage, some summer adventures for high schoolers weave in several days living at a Buddhist monastery. Meditation sessions, philosophy chats with resident monks, and communal meals prep bodies and minds for the trek that follows.
Perfect for teens who crave purpose and panorama. Split your days between hands-on volunteer work in Pokhara’s surrounding villages and a multi-day Himalayan trek. Nights are spent in cozy teahouses where hot chai, stargazing, and new friendships flow freely.
Start in buzzing Kathmandu, where Durbar Square, spinning prayer wheels, and incense-filled temples set the scene. After acclimatizing, head to a rural village home-stay for deeper cultural exchange—think traditional farming demos and Nepali language basics—before tackling a scenic trail in the Everest or Annapurna region.
Got a globetrotter who wants to collect stamps? Combination itineraries (two to four weeks) start in Norway then hop to neighboring Iceland and Denmark—sometimes even onward to Greece. One day they’re ziplining over Oslo’s ski jump, the next they’re soaking in Icelandic hot springs or cycling Copenhagen’s canals. Norway serves as the adrenaline anchor, while the broader route gives teens a panoramic taste of Europe.
Some teens crave variety. Hybrid programs (15–21 days) weave in four-day treks through Jotunheimen National Park, urban digs in Oslo, and ferry rides to the colorful Lofoten Islands. Along the way they’ll meet Sámi guides, sample brown cheese, and practice Leave No Trace ethics while kayaking beneath waterfalls. Perfect for students who want equal parts heart-pumping action and cultural immersion.
If your teen can’t get enough horsepower out of their hiking boots, look for 12- to 16-day summer adventures for high schoolers that string together glacier trekking, sea kayaking, and a via ferrata ascent of Hornelen—the highest sea cliff in Europe. Expect nights in cozy mountain lodges, lunches on rock outcrops above emerald water, and a final summit of Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s tallest peak at 8,100 feet.
Have a teen itching to roam farther? Some itineraries launch in Portland, roll north to Seattle and snowy British Columbia, dip into Alaska’s glaciers, then finish with Hawaiian surf—Oregon serving as the high-energy kickoff. Ideal for teens chasing bucket-list bragging rights across multiple ecosystems, all under one trusted umbrella of supervision.
If your teen’s happy place is water, this is the splashy answer. Mornings start with river safety drills; afternoons unleash waves, eddies, and cliff-side campouts. Guides empower participants to read rapids, steer rafts, and even guide a leg of the trip. Off-river hours feature knot-tying challenges, leadership games, and star-gazing that’ll rival any screen.
For students ready to press pause on classroom walls, Oregon’s extended outdoor leadership semesters are transformative. Days blend academic credit in environmental science with expedition blocks—longer treks, service projects with forest rangers, and a capstone “solo” reflection (supervised, of course). College applications love it; personal growth skyrockets.
Perfect for first-time overnighters who want a little of everything. The group hikes alpine lake loops, learns camp-craft under the pines, then migrates west for beach bonfires, tide-pool biology, and a finale of rafting or sea kayaking. Expect supportive small-group vibes and hands-on lessons in map reading, meal planning, and teamwork.
Designed for older teens hungry for bigger mileage and bigger voice. Backcountry routes dive deeper into wilderness zones—think multi-day treks on the Pacific Crest Trail or summit bids on lesser-known peaks. Leadership workshops are woven into daily goals; each teen rotates roles like navigator, chef, or morale captain. Evening debriefs foster reflection and next-level confidence.
If your high-schooler prefers boots to books, hiking-heavy itineraries spend multiple days on the Wicklow Way, the Wild Atlantic Way, or even a multi-peak challenge in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. Campsites overlook glassy lakes, and group-led meal planning teaches backcountry basics.
For teens who devour fantasy series, Ireland’s stone circles and castle ruins feel like stepping onto a movie set. Expect guided storytelling hikes on the Aran Islands, hands-on craft sessions in wool weaving, and time to explore charming villages like Dingle and Cong.
Got a budding novelist? Writing workshops in historic Georgian townhouses and seaside cottages tap into Ireland’s literary legacy. Daily feedback sessions, visits to Yeats’ tower or Trinity College’s Book of Kells, and a final public reading build both craft and confidence.
Perfect for the “do-everything” teen. Programs hopscotch from Dublin’s urban buzz to the trails of Killarney National Park, stopping for surf lessons on Achill Island and kayaking in Dingle Bay. Evenings might include a ghost tour through medieval alleyways or a céilí (Irish dance party) led by locals.
Ideal for budding zoologists, this option bases teens on private reserves bordering Kruger. Days start with guided game drives, followed by data collection on endangered species and habitat restoration projects. Expect plenty of hands-on science—think camera-trap checks, elephant dung analysis (yes, really!), and GPS mapping. Most run 12–21 days, balancing fieldwork with downtime around the campfire.
Can’t choose? Hybrid adventures split time between game reserves and community projects, often adding epic side trips to Blyde River Canyon or the coastal Garden Route. With lengths from two to four weeks, these journeys let teens test out multiple passions—STEM, leadership, photography—while forging tight bonds with peers from around the globe.
If your high-schooler thrives on community connection, look to itineraries centered in Cape Town or nearby townships. Mornings might include building school gardens, leading sports clinics, or helping with literacy programs; afternoons swing to museum visits, Table Mountain hikes, and beach clean-ups. Programs average 10–14 days and weave in a short safari so no one misses out on the big-five magic.
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Clear answers to common questions about our services, ensuring you have all the information needed for a successful camp experience.
Since 1987 we’ve been the “cool-mom concierge” for teen adventures. Our 60-plus trip coaches track 600+ vetted programs in 50+ countries, covering everything. We get to know your teen’s interests, budget, comfort level, and school calendar, then hand you a short list so you can save time and book with confidence.
Nothing. Families never pay us a fee. The programs we recommend give a thank you referral (think: marketing dollars they’d rather spend on qualified families than google ads), and we only partner with organizations that agree your tuition stays exactly what it would be if you’d found them on your own. Don’t worry - it’s almost everyone.
Here’s what that means in practice:
No. Teen Summers curates teen travel experiences on both sides of the passport line. We place teens on domestic adventures such as national park expeditions, college-campus intensives, and service trips in U.S. communities too. Whether your teen wants hostels and hiking boots or boutique hotels and museum passes, we’ve got options that fit their comfort level, budget, and goals.
If you’re really looking for a traditional sleepaway camp (canoes, color war, cabins), head to our sister company Camp Experts. Looking for education-focused overnight programs such as boarding schools, semester-away academies, or pre-college residential terms? That’s what School Experts is for.
Teen Summers = travel programs for teens.
Camp Experts = camps.
School Experts = school-year and academic residencies. We’ll point you to the right door.
Ideally 5–10 months before the trip. That gives us enough space to:
We’ve helped families pull off amazing last-minute plans, but planning early means more control over where, when, and how your teen travels, plus time for them to get comfortable with the idea.
Some families reach out as early as September or October for the next summer. Others contact us after winter break with a rough idea. Either way, we guide you through a smooth decision process.
We start by asking two key questions:
Then we dive deeper:
Understanding how your teen connects with others helps us recommend programs where they'll feel comfortable, supported, and seen.
From there, we sort through 600+ vetted programs to:
From homebodies to global explorers, we help each teen find a program that clicks and helps them feel confident on their travels.
If it’s designed for teens and has real-world growth at the core, it’s in our world. We cover:
Your teen’s interest is our starting line, we’ll show you what’s out there and break it down clearly.
Every provider we recommend:
We’ve reviewed dozens of safety handbooks and spoken to directors directly. If it’s not a program we’d send our own teens on, we won’t send yours.
Groups range from:
We’ll flag group size and age ranges in every option we present and make sure the social vibe fits your teen, too.
Safety is foundational. Many of our advisors are moms, and we only recommend trips we would send our own kids on.
As a result, we ask that programs:
We’ll walk you through what to ask, how to vet a program, and which red flags to avoid. Have a teen with food allergies, asthma, anxiety, or a recent health event? We’ve seen it all and we’ll guide you to the right support structure.
Yes. Gap years are one of our favorite placements.
We refer students to structured programs that combine:
Some teens piece together 2–3 experiences across different continents. Others do one long stretch with a single provider. We help you think through timeline, visa logistics, insurance, and budget.
That’s more common than you think, and totally normal.
We regularly place first-time travelers into:
We’ll help your teen build confidence, one step at a time. And if they’re hesitant? We’ve got techniques to ease the nerves and options that balance adventure with comfort.