For 40 years ARCC has offered extraordinary programs for teenagers in some of the world’s most spectacular locations. Our mission is to provide unique, life changing educational experiences for teenagers in places rarely visited and seldom experienced.
ARCC Programs are the standard for delivering quality, fulfilling and enriching programs for our participants. We are extremely proud of the lasting impact that generations of ARCC students have had on the people and the communities they’ve visited throughout the world. What we have learned over the decades is that successfully operating these types of programs, year after year, is not an accident:
Superb Program Design
Superbly planned programs are a hallmark of ARCC Programs. Almost every minute of every ARCC program is planned in detail including important "downtime." Some ARCC programs are planned years in advance of their departures — a monumental challenge — but one that pays off immensely for our students.
Unique and Unforgettable Experiences
ARCC is committed to providing unique and life-changing experiences that resonate deep within our students. On our programs, our students venture far off the beaten path, go to places and do things that most people can only dream about. We’ve spent over thirty-five years building close relationships with organizations and communities around the world to ensure our students engage in truly intimate, authentic encounters with the people, the cultures and the lands they visit.
Rich Educational Programming
Education is an essential part of the ARCC experience. Lessons throughout the program may be academic, in the form of the trip curriculum, or may be experiential, delivered through immersion in new ideas and situations.
Exceptional Trip Leaders
ARCC Summer Program Leaders average 24-25 years old, while ARCC Gap Instructors average 26-27 years old. Our leaders and instructors are exceptional individuals of extraordinary character and experience. Selected from many hundreds of highly qualified applicants, ARCC leaders are enthusiastic about serving others, and most importantly, working with teenagers and helping our students thrive.
Impeccable Safety Record
Our commitment to safety is the envy of the industry. We are very proud of our impeccable safety record and with great pride can state: No ARCC student has ever suffered an injury requiring an overnight hospital stay. Considering we have been operating programs for 40 years, this is a remarkable record.
Quality Participants
ARCC students want to be on our programs and arrive ready to immerse themselves in this extraordinary experience. We screen references from every prospective student and only accept those we believe will be positive and enthusiastic group members.
Small Group Size
ARCC groups consist of no more than eighteen students for summer programs and no more than thirteen during Gap semesters. This makes them the perfec size for programs of this nature. So much of our programming suggests we make a small imprint on the areas and communities we visit. By limiting the size of our groups, each student gets a much more personal experience during the program. In addition, our leaders cherish the time they have getting to know each student so well, which helps them better tailor the program to meet individual needs.
Cost and Session Dates vary on the type of program you want to participate in. Whether it's a domestic gap program or exploring the Pacific Northwest, check out our website for more information.
My daughter went on this trip and it turned into a trip of a lifetime for her. What I liked about ARCC as an organization is that from the first communication, it seemed like they were dealing with a very small group. You would never know they had so many trips going at the same time. I was connected to Whitney who was my main contact throughout the process and she was always immediately responsive to any question I had. I received lots of information about the trip. Because they have been doing this for so long, they have the process down. They also have all of these contacts in these other countries so there is comfort in knowing that they are not leaving anything to chance. They are extremely organized in their pre-trip information and the counselors are well trained and phenomenal with the kids. The only suggestion I would have is to not bother getting the trip insurance (which is a separate company) unless you have an impending death in the family. After all the red tape, that's about the only reason they will refund money for a trip.