What Teens Say...
"I know that my life is not indoors, but Outdoors."
Ashton (Washington)
"Yoga feels good! After backpacking, stretching out my sore muscles was all I wanted to do. The poses may be hard, but afterwards you feel great!"
Alex (Oregon)
"I have never experienced the love and affection of total strangers, like I did at Alpengirl."
Mary (California)
"I've changed so much since my first Alpengirl trip. [Now], AIT has taught me so much. I am more confident, I can plan out a whole trip, I can guide seven 11-year-olds, plan their food, and with the Lil' Alpengirls I was so patient! That is just something that Alpengirl does to me. It strengthens my patience a lot. … I see many different sides of me here. Thank you guys so much for these awesome trips!"
Ashly (Idaho)
"One of the joys of Alpengirl is that on every trip, you are with new people. … Everyone has a special story to tell and a special flavor to add to the group, including myself!" I have learned to get along with people and keep a positive attitude. These lessons have been a GREAT benefit."
Stephanie (North Dakota)
"Alpengirl really helped me figure out what I enjoyed. Thank you so much for all the fun. I really had a blast!"
Hannah (Montana)
"When we pulled into Centennial Valley, I was already so amazed at all the wildflowers. We set up our tents while Mel, the most awesome cowboy you'll ever meet, brought and tied up the horses."
Emmy (Washington)
"The entire experience of traveling down a raging river in the middle of the night was A-mazing!! The best part of rafting on the cold rapids of the Matanuska was wearing the incredibly stylish wet suits."
Nora (California)
"I returned home from my GREAT summer [and] on the first day of school, I noticed I was much more confident and felt SO much better about myself. If it wasn't for Alpengirl I would never have felt so great about myself."
Amanda (Washington)
"I powered myself with my own positiveness. I pushed myself and tested my limits and it was amazing. I transformed in to someone… who could do anything. "
Grace (Washington)
"I came back to Alpengirl to make new friends. Coming back to Alpengirl is a big thing to me. I get so close to the guides and campers and always stay in touch. It's important to have good bonds with people and Alpengirl gives you that – every trip. "I came back [to Alpengirl] for the experience. That once-in-a-lifetime experience you get more than once! "
Coconut (Missouri)
"Yesterday we had the hike, it was really hard but I'm proud of myself and others making it to the top. White water rafting is coming up soon and I am really looking forward to that! So far, this trip has been alot of fun and the food is awesome!"
Kaley (Minnesota)
"One of the joys of Alpengirl is that on every trip, you are with new people... Everyone has a special story to tell and a special flavor to add to the group, including myself! I have learned to get along with people and keep a positive attitude. These lessons have been a GREAT benefit."
Stephanie (South Dakota)
"My perception of junk-food has changed. I know now, to eat it in moderation. Vegetables taste fine now; I have a new attitude about eating right, and enjoying myself at the same time. I'm definitely coming back next year!"
Lexi' (Utah)
"What you accomplish makes you who you are. For me, Alpengirl was a step that will help me to discover my true self."
Lindsey (Conneticut)
"I have never experienced the love and affection of total strangers, like I did at Alpengirl."
Mary (California)
"I will no longer feel small and intimidated when I look at the mountains at home. I will be able to say, 'I have climbed taller mountains that.'"
Toni (California)
"I began to let myself fall open like pages from a book. Let everyone read the words written on the page to know about me and the rest of the chapter."
Marisa (Washington)
"I've never been to a camp that is so busy. We have new activities everyday!"
Katie (Georgia)
"Alpengirl will touch girls hearts that join each summer in my opinion in a way they won't be able to explain but will know it is there."
Liz(Washington)
"I have learned so much from this trip, from that dragonskin lichon grows and inch in 10 years to how to compress a sleeping bag."
Alexa (Pennsylvania)
"Over the period of time I spent with Alpengirl I have changed so much and I have learned so many things that I can barely recognize myself."
Skyla (California)
"In my life that I have lived so far, I think of this camp as one of the most exciting and fun trips I have ever gone on."
Melisa (New York)
" Waking up at 3 p.m., taking a shower, and starting the day at 6 p.m. was where my summer was most likely going. This camp gave me a chance to begin thinking clearly. My eyes were opening on problems I now have the confidence to face. I now have the clear mind to do things I could love and never have known."
Darci (Michigan)
"At camp I can just be me. I am able to let it all out and take it all in. In our war torn world today, where else can a group of girls make true bonds that will last with them no matter what happens to our country and world?"
Jackie (California)
"Yoga. When most people hear that word, they think of calm and flexibility. In Alpengirl, we strive for those two qualities, but at the same time try not to fall asleep mid-posture, which I have seen people do. We laugh and have fun."
Sara (NC)
"This trip was tough for me. But, no matter how tough, you always knew if I needed a hug or just a kick in the pants. Your faith in me gave me faith in myself."
From an Alpengirl to her Alpenguide
"I had 8 really good friends here. Looking at it, we were all like sisters - we have our quarrels, we have our friendships."
Katie (Georgia)
"I thought it was really cool how the guides had the campers cooking. It gave me a chance to improve my cooking skills. It was sweet of the guides to get up every morning and make breakfast. I know it helped to start my day better. The meals that were made were really healthy and nourishing, but also had great taste. I was really glad that we weren't fed lots of sweets because I noticed without the sweets I was much less tired and more refreshed. These two weeks I not only learned great physical activities, but also what a great meal can do for you!"
Karen (MT)
"The leaders at camp were also vital, considering the fact that they taught us various things, from yoga to setting up a tent to branching out our friendships. Most importantly, the Alpenguides had a very big passion for helping each of us out. If one of us had a problem, they would talk to us to optimize our camp experience. They noticed the things that were important. I had a great time backpacking, hiking, and camping at Alpengirl and I couldn't have enjoyed myself nearly as much without any of the 13 others at camp."
Eliza (IL)
"Leader. It can be a noun, but the leader of the day at Alpengirl takes action, and makes leader a verb. I think that Alpengirl has given everyone an opportunity to be an exceptional leader and show qualities they don't normally project or put out."
Marla (OR)
"Backpacking is like the dinner you thought you wouldn't like but did. You have to finish the dinner to get the dessert of great views and more fun activities"
Liz (MT)
"Looking out to the snow capped glaciers trapped in the mist of clouds we momentarily forgot the weight of our packs and took in the beauty of the mountains knowing few people would have the opportunity to witness nature in such a pure and powerful way. The 4 day backpacking trip taught me so much about myself and what I was capable of achieving while helping me form a strong bond with other campers here at Alpengirl. Although it was difficult, when I think back on the trip I'm reminded of wonderful images of seclusion and peace from the High Divide and in the forest."
Holly (IL)
"Going away from home is something that scared me for my whole life until now. Camp is where you get more fit, make new friends, and have fun. All I cared about was what if I get homesick. When I came to this camp everyone got along. Being away from home for the first time, I was surprised what I accomplished. The most successful of these goals was me getting over my homesickness. You would be surprised if you had the same problem also. Missing my mom and dad and my home faded away. You are so active during the day, you forget about those things and concentrate on others, although you don't want to. "
Digit (CO)
"I've never been on a tour of any kind where the head of the camp cares enough to come on every tour. In doing so, we are able to change the daily activities at a moments notice. These changes are always welcome. In other companies the owners have no idea what the trips are like, and the counselors never care. Alpengirl has restored my confidence in summer camps. I look forward to another summer of fun, peace and challenges. It is fitting that Alpengirl calls itself an adventure camp because it has certainly been an adventure I'll never forget."
Sara (NY)
"From the time I stepped off the airplane at gate 43 terminal 2 to now, I have changed in so many ways I can't exactly categorize it. I have noticed things I usually don't notice, thought things I have never thought, and felt things, although felt before, that I could share."
Katie (Georgia)
"But, in the smaller, more realistic view of life, leadership plays not a role in survival but happiness. At Alpengirl the campers learn that small leadership roles can mean big decisions and big learning."
Ali (OR)
"Living at home and living at Alpengirl are very different lifestyles. All girls are different and adapt to this in different ways. The physical Fitness at Alpengirl is an adjustment for all girls, whether it is big or small. Everyday the Alpengirls are exercising whether it's backpacking up mountains, rock climbing real rocks, hiking to caves, horseback riding to beautiful lakes and fields, white-water rafting down the Gallatin, doing yoga at breathtaking views, canoeing on Henry's Fork, swimming and soaking at hot springs, walking around Yellowstone, and floating down rivers. Even laughter and crazy fun games become exercise. At the end of camp lots of girls even see physical results in their fitness. Alpengirls are tough and determined. Personally my time at Alpengirl has been great. I love the exercise activities and more at Alpengirl!"
Courtney (PA)
"I noticed that now I actually have arm muscles. No more flimsy bones!" I think it was the yoga and rock climbing."
Izzy (California)
"As one stretches to the left, they do the right. My heart changed as the weather from cloudy and dark to the feeling of soaring in a perfect blue sky. I am so grateful for that."
Carly (California)
"At the beginning of the trip if I couldn't do something I would get really down and upset. But now, if I can't do something I would keep trying until I do."
Ellen (Oklahoma)
"The best part of my whole camp experience was finding out who I am and what the important things in life are."
Meghan (Missouri)
"I will think about life differently from this time on. In two weeks these girls have become like sisters to me. I love you guys!"
Calla (Idaho)
"I gained more respect for wildlife and more self confidence."
Heather (Maine)
"I've changed dramatically during my time at Alpengirl. I've become more outgoing, not so quiet, and a lot less shy. It's easier for me to loosen up, have fun, and meet new people. I have definitely come out from behind my mom's skirt. Finally."
Adara (Georgia)
"This was the most fun camp I have ever been to in my life, it was challenging yet exhilarating at the same time. I loved it!"
Kaley (Minnesota)
"This past summer was a good experience for me, I met friends that I will have for the rest of my life, and I did things I never thought I could do. So, thank you for showing me that things that look impossible are only impossible in your mind, that I can do anything."
Erika (Florida)
"This camp helped me learn to camp outside and understand it too"
Lindsey (Michigan)
"The food was awesome!"
Robin (Montana)
"This camp really helped me get over my homesickness."
Caroline (Montana)
"I feel good and I got a 6-pack (stomach muscles) and I am in shape, it made me feel good."
RayAnne (Idaho)
"My self-confidence is much higher. After this I feel like I can do anything and nothing can stop me."
Jessica (Nevada)
"I developed friendships-really strong ones. This experience also helped me to cut my soda drinking by drinking more water. The girls here are really great!"
Lauren (California)