Calling All Teen Artists! You Can Be Featured In An Upcoming Guide!
Westcoast Connection offers teen tours, pre-college programs, career experiences, and volunteer programs for high school students around the world. With 70+ programs available for high school and middle school students completing grades 7-12, we've had the pleasure of providing over 41,000 teen travelers with their summer of a lifetime...(more)
Westcoast Connection has a new STEM Explorations program in Montreal on the Campus of McGill University, often referred to as the "Harvard of the North". This hands-on educational program combines engaging class and lab time with sessions led by industry guest speakers and site visits. By the end, you will have a better idea of what you can do with a STEM education and what career path you would like to pursue!..(more)
Study in Montreal this summer and prepare for college with engaging courses on the campus of McGill University, often referred to as the “Harvard of the North”. This pre-college summer program for high school students balances academic enrichment and growth with fun group excursions and free time to explore one of the top student cities in the world! Students will enjoy the independence that they desire balanced with the structure, guidance and supervision that parents expect...(more)
Turn your Cali dreams into reality on this teen tour that packs in a week of SoCal glamour, palm trees and beaches with NorCal excitement and action-packed fun. Take in the sights and sounds of San Francisco as you visit Alcatraz, the “seal-ebrities” at Pier 39 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Waterski or wakeboard on Lake Tahoe, before soaking up the sun on the beautiful beaches of Santa Barbara. Search for celebrities in Los Angeles and then ride the waves in San Diego...(more)
We have collaborated with the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) to provide high school students with an unparalleled financial educational experience in New York City. Learn the ins and outs of the financial sector and be inspired by industry professionals through engaging sessions and collaborative projects, all while surrounded by the excitement of New York City! You’ll leave NY with lifelong friendships, memories, and practical knowledge of the careers available in finance...(more)
This is truly the ultimate west coast teenage road trip! This program begins in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe in Northern California. Then cruise down the coast and fall in love with the beaches of Santa Barbara and the most famous hotspots in LA & San Diego. Next, this summer adventure takes you into the American Southwest exploring the majesty of dramatically changing scenery with a stay in Vegas and grand finale in beautiful Scottsdale. ..(more)
On this student community service and environmental stewardship program in the Florida Keys, teens have the opportunity to make a difference by helping restore coral nurseries, preserving the marine environment, learning about proper dolphin care, and much more! You’ll also learn how to protect biodiversity and ocean life through partnerships with the scientific community. ..(more)
Travel to Costa Rica this summer for an unforgettable teen community service program, where you’ll volunteer alongside our long-standing service partners and support a variety of impactful projects. As part of the service-learning framework, our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program. When not volunteering, you’ll be on amazing adventures like learning to surf, rappelling down a waterfall and zip-lining over the rainforest!..(more)
Experience this pre-college program for high school students on the campus of UCLA and get a sneak peek at college life! Explore your interests with a wide selection of enriching and engaging courses, and discover the best sights and activities in Los Angeles with your new friends. This high school summer program balances academic preparation, fun group excursions, and structured independence to help prepare teens for college and make new, lasting connections...(more)
Travel through some of Europe’s greatest cities across England, France, Switzerland and Italy, hitting all the major attractions and taking in all the incredible sites. This student program also offers adventures like whitewater rafting, skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy quaint museums and cafes in the daytime, and theater shows and dance clubs at night. ..(more)
Westcoast Connection takes special care in assigning age-compatible, co-ed groups for those in middle school resulting in the best possible social dynamics for that age group. There are 22 different programs to choose from. Are you looking for a global adventure outside of the US, a teen tour in the US, or even a community service? We offer it all...(more)
This is the perfect program for teens who want to learn about and help with conservation efforts! You will travel to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica while working with like-minded peers in an effort to protect the country’s sea turtle population...(more)
This tour offers off-the-charts fun in one student trip to Australia. Included is a visit to the world’s largest sand bar on Fraser Island, take a once-in-a-lifetime journey diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo and their koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, and enjoy a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. Each day is better than the last on this fantastic high school adventure...(more)
Immerse yourself in the community and authentic culture of a small rainforest town in Costa Rica as you plan and run a day camp for local children in Arenal. This Costa Rica Community Service trip for teens focuses on opportunities to develop and execute your leadership skills while working with children in a formalized role. As a counselor-in-training on this Costa Rica student trip, you will act as both a camp counselor and activity specialist. ..(more)
Work on a diverse set of community service projects alongside locals in Quito, Riobamba, the Amazon Rainforest and the spectacular Galapagos Islands. This teen community service program in Ecuador and the Galapagos uses a service-learning framework tailored for high school students, where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity...(more)
This East Coast teen tour in the USA and Canada shows you the best of what the Northeast has to offer. On this summer road trip, get ready for the non-stop thrills like whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, waterskiing or wakeboarding, experiencing Niagara Falls and jet boating. The adventure doesn’t stop on the water though with stops in Boston, Montreal, and Toronto coupled with the scenic playgrounds of Acadia and Mont-Tremblant National Park...(more)
Do you enjoy white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and lush green rainforests? Then this Fiji Adventure Tour for Teens is the perfect adventure-travel program for you. You will sail, hike, zip-line, and snorkel in the South Pacific while bonding with your fellow participants in a small, tight-knit group...(more)
Bienvenidos! Come experience a fascinating visit in South America where you can visit the equatorial line in Quito, snorkel in the Galapagos Islands, zipline in the jungle, and hike on beautiful beaches. This summer program is designed for high school students and led by outstanding staff. This small-group adventure tour is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience...(more)
Get your adrenaline flowing in Costa Rica! Zipline through the Cloud Forest, whitewater raft the Pacuare River, rappel down waterfalls and surf at world-famous Tamarindo Beach on this Costa Rica adventure travel tour for teens. Led by outstanding summer program leaders, this is a truly unforgettable small-group experience in a beautiful country. After this incredible experience, you’ll bring home the “Pura Vida” lifestyle along with memories that will last a lifetime!..(more)
From the big city excitement of Madrid and Barcelona to the small-town charm of Toledo and Granada, you will have a blast exploring Western Europe on this Spain trip for high schoolers. You and your fellow travelers will sample authentic Spanish cuisine, explore ancient cities and snorkel in a marine reserve!..(more)
This student travel program takes you on a loop from the Rockies in Colorado, down the coast of California, then into Nevada, and Utah/Arizona Canyon Country. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to raft the Snake River, surf the Pacific and so much more!..(more)
Study abroad in Florence, one of Europe’s most beautiful and historically rich cities. Filled with amazing art, world-class restaurants, and breathtaking scenery, it’s no wonder Florence is such a preeminent student travel destination. This Italy Pre-College Program is designed to prepare high school students for the academic and personal challenges that come with the transition to college while also experiencing an unforgettable summer discovering Italy. ..(more)
From the big city excitement of Lisbon to the small-town charm of Lagos, you will have a blast exploring Portugal on this trip for high schoolers. You and your fellow travelers will enjoy thrilling canyoning, kayaking, and surfing! Led by amazing leaders, since this is a summer program for a smaller travel group, it allows you to occasionally go off the beaten path to explore charming towns and discover local treasures...(more)
Breathtaking describes the sites on this teen travel adventure visiting the natural wonders of the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper, Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks. Adrenaline-pumping describes the activities – whitewater rafting, water skiing or wakeboarding, downhill karting, professional surf lessons, dune buggy adventure, canoeing, and alpine sliding...(more)
Journey to the lands down under and immerse yourself in all that New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji have to offer: incredible beauty, friendly culture, and thrilling adventure. Try a wide variety of activities that you won’t see anywhere else, like Zorbing, waterfall rafting and alpine trekking in New Zealand followed by SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef, boomerang throwing lessons and bridge climbing in Australia. ..(more)
This summer program for high school students offers the rare combination of academic enrichment, cultural immersion, and college preparation, all while living in a Mediterranean beach town. Attend engaging summer courses for teens at internationally renowned schools while living in the heart of the city. Get a true taste of the college experience on this summer program in Spain, which offers a unique balance of independence and structure for high school students...(more)
Teens will get to explore the public markets, pristine beaches and traditional villages of these beautiful countries. Marvel at the waters of Ha Long Bay, care for elephants for a day in Chiang Mai, SCUBA dive in Koh Phi Phi, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An and so much more...(more)
Give your time in a variety of rewarding volunteer projects, ranging from caring for elephants at a sanctuary to teaching English to Thai children and organizing activities for them. This Thailand community service program is led by our amazing staff, who are there to provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. ..(more)
Get ready for a summer like you never imagined on this European teen tour! You will visit some of Europe’s greatest cities across England, France, Switzerland, and Italy, with charming little villages in between. Enjoy museums, cafés, theater and dance clubs on this student tour. Then, work off all of those croissants and gelatos by getting active with whitewater rafting, skiing, snowboarding and more...(more)
Get ready to explore France, Switzerland and Italy on this small group adventure travel program for high school students. As you tour Europe, of course you’ll see some of its great masterpieces and monuments, but you’ll also have time to stop at charming cafés, browse the local art galleries, taste the authentic cuisine and interact with the locals...(more)
Somewhere on this student trip to Greece, between SCUBA diving in Naxos, kayaking around Santorini and touring Athens, you’ll fall in love with this gorgeous Mediterranean country. Sure, you’ll see the famous monuments and highlights but don’t be surprised when the warmth of the local people you meet makes you want to stay in this island paradise forever...(more)
The American Voyageur summer travel program is our original itinerary and is still as popular as ever! If “life is a highway,” then it had better pass through every stop on this incredible teenage road trip. So much more exciting than summer camp, this trip loops through the Western USA and Canada in 40 action-packed days. ..(more)
On this Peru summer program for high school students, come experience it all – whitewater rafting and biking in the Sacred Valley, a unique visit to the archaeological mysteries of Machu Picchu, and even a sandboarding and dune buggy adventure in the desert oasis of Huacachina. Before you go, pay a visit to the llamas and take a moment to watch the friendly locals hand weave a traditional Peruvian blanket in a bright rainbow of colors. ..(more)
Explore the beauty, culture and warm, friendly people of Peru on this teen community service trip. From working to improve schools to leading activities for local children, this promises to be a meaningful experience. As part of the service-learning framework of this program, our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity...(more)
This Hawaii teen tour visits the islands of Maui, the Big Island, and Oahu where you can surf, snorkel and explore this lush, tropical paradise. Continue by jetting to Portland to start nine days in the Pacific Northwest to see everything from the natural beauty of Seattle and the vast sand dunes on the Oregon coast. This teen tour is led by our amazing staff who create a fun, inclusive, family-like group. ..(more)
Learn what it takes to run a mobile clinic in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador on this medical Career Experience program for high school students. Under the guidance of MEDLIFE doctors and other medical professionals, you will help provide free healthcare to indigenous locals. Teens will walk away not only with hands-on medical support experience but also with a greater understanding of the complexities of public health and a greater appreciation for cultures not like their own...(more)
This travel program for high schoolers takes you on an adventure across many unique cultures throughout Central Europe. Get your adrenaline pumping in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, immerse yourself in the rich history of Prague’s monuments, see why Vienna is considered one of the most livable cities in the world, and experience firsthand Croatia’s best-kept secret: the Adriatic Coast and its pristine beaches...(more)
On this student community service program in Hawaii, teens have the opportunity to make a difference by preserving the environment. You’ll also learn about Hawaiian culture and gain an appreciation of the Hawaiian people and their way of life. This Hawaii student tour uses a service-learning framework where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity...(more)
This Vietnam summer service trip to Southeast Asia is your chance to discover the unique and elegant beauty of Vietnam. Rewarding volunteer projects with children and an organic farming community will help deepen your understanding of our host nation. This high school trip to Vietnam is led by our amazing staff, who are there to provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity...(more)
Join an unforgettable summer trip, where high school students travel across Italy with a small group of fellow adventurers! With rail pass and maps in hand, this trip allows teens to tour Italy’s monuments, take in its artistic masterpieces, enjoy that perfect gelato, and discover just how good authentic pizza and pasta really is...(more)
It’s so easy to become an explorer and adventurer in the tropical beauty of Hawaii. You’ll come to realize just how diverse, but equally stunning the islands actually are. Experience this paradise through surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, river tubing and so much more on this Hawaii adventure tour for teens! You’ll experience Hawaiian culture while surrounded by your friendly and close-knit Ohana!..(more)
ALOHA! This Hawaii teen tour capped off with an Alaskan adventure is an introduction to new experiences, people and places. As if visiting three Hawaiian islands is not incredible enough, jet to the Pacific Northwest for an action-packed stay. Then, head to awe-inspiring Alaska, with visits to Anchorage, Alyeska, Fairbanks, and Denali National Park. This teen tour with your new OHANA is without a doubt, going to be a summer of a lifetime!..(more)
