Experience an unforgettable 22-day journey across two of America's most iconic destinations, combining meaningful conservation work with thrilling outdoor adventures. This program is designed specifically for middle school students (grades 7-8) and blends hands-on environmental service with cultural exploration and adventure activities.

Your adventure begins in Maui, where you'll spend seven days as a sea turtle conservation volunteer. Working with a local organization dedicated to protecting endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles, you'll participate in multiple conservation projects including beach cleanups, monitoring basking turtles, and—in a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience—working directly with injured sea turtle patients at a rehabilitation center. You'll tend to wounds, administer fluids, and care for these gentle creatures on their road to recovery. Beyond service work, you'll snorkel in the biodiverse Molokini Crater, kayak in turquoise waters, and optionally catch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala Volcano. Your hotel sits directly across from pristine beaches where you can play volleyball and swim during free time.

From Maui, you'll travel to Oahu for four days of island exploration and water sports. Take a surf lesson on the famous shores of Waikiki Beach with professional instructors, hike through a lava tunnel to the summit of Diamond Head Crater for breathtaking coastal views, and pay respects at the USS Arizona Memorial and Pearl Harbor Memorials. Your stay includes a traditional Hawaiian luau with hula dancers and authentic local cuisine, providing cultural immersion that connects you to Hawaii's living heritage.

The second half of your program shifts to California's spectacular coast. You'll spend three days in San Diego exploring Balboa Park, watching seals in La Jolla, and volunteering with Urban Surf 4 Kids to give back to the local community. Los Angeles comes next, where you'll experience Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and the views from Griffith Observatory—with an optional day trip to Disneyland. Then comes the road trip highlight: driving one of the world's most beautiful coastal roads, Highway 1, stopping at Big Sur's postcard-perfect McWay Falls, the purple sand beaches of Pfeiffer Beach, and charming towns like Santa Barbara and Morro Bay.

Your final days in San Francisco immerse you in California's cultural epicenter. You'll ride historic cable cars, explore diverse neighborhoods from Chinatown to Haight Ashbury, sample seafood at Pier 39, enjoy a sundae at iconic Ghirardelli Square, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, hike through giant redwoods at Muir Woods, and tour the infamous Alcatraz prison. Throughout all 22 days, you'll earn up to 15 hours of service credit, stay in small, family-run hotels in centrally located neighborhoods, eat authentic local cuisine at independent restaurants, and travel with experienced chaperones who prioritize your safety and growth. This program is ideal for younger teens seeking meaningful environmental engagement combined with adventure, cultural discovery, and the chance to make a real difference in sea turtle conservation.