Bold Earth Teen Adventures

Bold Earth Adventure Camps is a teen adventure travel company based in Denver, Colorado that offers summer adventure programs for participants ages 12-18. Bold Earth offers 26 trips to locations around the world.^[1]

History

Our adventures started in the summer of 1976 when Bold Earth owner and founder Abbott Wallis led 12 teens on an epic eight-week expedition from Florida to California – and everywhere in between. As a city-born New Yorker, who gained his own love for adventure through summer camps, Abbott’s dream was to empower young people with a thirst for the kind of wisdom that can only be reached through the experience of travel. And by remaining a family-run company, Bold Earth Adventure Camps has never lost sight of Abbott’s vision. More than 40 years and 17,000 adventures later, the values that powered that maiden voyage – passion for experiencing new places, small close-knit group dynamics and, most importantly, summer fun – still inspire every Bold Earth trip.^[2]

Accreditation

Bold Earth is accredited by the American Camp Association.^[3]

Bold Earth Philosophy

Most teen travel companies think teens need to be changed into something better. That’s not our style. We believe every teen already has a greatness inside of them, just waiting to come alive. All it takes is a little walk on the wild side. Let’s journey somewhere incredible you’ve never been, where you’ll accomplish amazing things with new friends you’ll never forget. This isn’t just an awesome vacation or a next-level camping trip. It’s a place where adventurers are born.

Summer is your time to dream big, live large, and laugh even harder. Whether you’re hiking to see the sunrise, surfing in California, busting out moves during a backcountry dance party in Alaska, scuba diving among world-class coral reefs in Fiji, or speaking Spanish with vendors at a street market in Spain, Bold Earth is your passport for a summer of adventure, exploration, discovery, and unbelievable amounts of fun.

A summer with Bold Earth is all about friendship + adventure! With an average size of 13 campers, every Bold Earth group promises a team-oriented experience that is simultaneously diverse, inclusive, fun and bonded. Our small-group formula means you’ll start your trip alongside strangers and end it with 12 new best friends from every corner of the globe.

Bold Earth Campers come from all 50 U.S. states and over 55 countries. Their one similarity? Each teenager brings an open mind, a positive attitude, and a genuine curiosity about the world around them. Bold Earth campers range from seasoned globetrotters to first-time travelers. Regardless of your experience level, Bold Earth has a trip and a group for you! No experience is required!

Community Service

Engaging, meaningful, authentic, and fun community service is a Bold Earth core value. Community service is an essential part of all Bold Earth trips. Bold Earth families value community service and the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact with the people and places we visit.

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” — Anne Frank

All Bold Earth programs combine exploration, fun and community service. Whether they are teaching English at a local school, building a community playground, learning about native customs, or participating in environmental conservation work, Bold Earth campers make a difference! Our goal is to enrich the lives of our campers by meeting the needs of local communities and the places we visit.

All participants receive a certificate from Bold Earth recognizing their community service work upon completion of their program. Hours stated for each trip are minimums. Groups with initiative will have the opportunity to give back on a daily basis. Below are descriptions of the community service projects for each Bold Earth program.

Interview Process

The Bold Earth team takes planning and creating each Bold Earth adventure very seriously. We know that combining the most incredible Trip Leaders with truly amazing adventures is only the first step. Your trip will only be as good as the people who share Bold Earth with you. That’s why, since 1976, parent and camper interviews have been the centerpiece of our enrollment process.

Our interviews consist of 10 questions over the phone. This allows Bold Earth to get to know each camper and their family while sharing more about what a Bold Earth summer is really like. By interviewing every camper that travels with Bold Earth, we ensure that our groups are composed of motivated students who share many of the same goals for teamwork, responsibility, positivity, respect, and fun. No other organization is more committed to putting together compatible groups of students who are enthusiastic and fully engaged in their adventure ahead.

No appointment is necessary to complete a Bold Earth interview. Call and take the next step towards summer! Our team of Trip Advisors can’t wait to hear from you!

Controversy

Bold Earth was scrutinized in 2012 when two of its tour group members were swept out to sea while hiking in a tide pool area in Hawaii. One boy was rescued, while the other was never recovered.^[4] It was later discovered that the kayak company subcontracted by Bold Earth and leading the excursion was outside the bounds of their permit when the accident occurred.^[5] The parents of the missing teen also said that the main tour leader had previously been charged with drug use, although there was no evidence that drugs were involved in the incident.^[6]

References