About Hawaii & Alaska Service Trip for Teens Program
Join Travel For Teens on an unforgettable 22-day summer adventure that takes you from the tropical islands of Hawaii to the rugged wilderness of Alaska. This service-learning program combines meaningful wildlife conservation work with thrilling outdoor adventures, perfect for high school students seeking both impact and exploration.
In Hawaii, you'll spend six days across Oahu and Maui engaging in hands-on sea turtle conservation. Working with a local organization dedicated to protecting endangered hawksbill sea turtles, you'll participate in snorkeling and reef surveys to collect ocean data, conduct beach cleanups to preserve natural habitats, and care for injured turtle patients at a rehabilitation center—tending to wounds, administering fluids, and supporting their recovery. Beyond service work, you'll surf Waikiki's famous breaks with professional instructors, hike through lava tunnels to Diamond Head's summit, pay respects at Pearl Harbor, enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau, and relax on pristine beaches. Optional excursions include watching the sunrise from Haleakala Volcano's peak and trying scuba diving.
The adventure shifts dramatically when you fly to Alaska, where you'll earn additional service hours while experiencing glaciers, wildlife, and remote wilderness. In Seward, you'll whitewater raft Class IV rapids and sea kayak in Resurrection Bay. From Homer, you'll venture to Peterson Bay Field Station—an isolated research facility accessible only by boat and featuring a unique yurt village stay. Here, you'll participate in tidal pool studies, oceanography cruises, and habitat maintenance projects while surrounded by pristine Alaskan nature. In Girdwood, you'll visit a sled dog training camp, ride with the dogs, and hear Iditarod stories. You'll wrap up by volunteering at Alaska's Wildlife Conservation Center, where you'll work alongside expert naturalists to feed moose, create enrichment toys for wolves and bear cubs, and observe 13 native Alaskan species in their natural habitats. Your final glacier trek involves literally walking across the Matanuska Glacier with expert guides.
Throughout the program, you'll earn up to 30 hours of service credit, stay in centrally located, family-run hotels and unique accommodations, enjoy authentic local cuisine (all breakfasts and dinners included), and travel with experienced chaperones who prioritize your safety and growth. This is ideal for grades 9–11 students from around the world who want to make a real difference while pushing their boundaries in some of North America's most spectacular landscapes.