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Girls Adventure Camps in Hawaii         Hawaii Girls Summer Camps
Camp Hawaii! Hawaii's big island summer camp will engulf you in excitement! This is the Hawaii summer camp for girls adventure you've been waiting for! This session is perfect for Alpengirls who are ready for a physically challenging off-the-beaten path backpack trip and cultural experience. Waipi'o Valley and the Kohala Coast, afford breathless beauty, while the mysterious wonders of the Waimea jungle and Kilauea volcano embellish this super action-packed adventure itinerary. Beyond beaches and swimming, you will marvel at the unexpected offerings of this island paradise and become emboldened with 'Aloha Spirit'. From desert to rainforest and elevations that climb from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet, Hawaii boasts 5 of the world's 7 ecosystems and a full gamut of vegetation. From glimpsing the dolphins of Kealakekua Bay to snorkeling with turtles and lava gazing at Volcanoes National Park, you will circumnavigate the island, and go home a true Hawaiian Adventuress, with melodic sounds of the native language ringing in your ears and words like Pu'uhonua O Honaunau rolling off your tongue!! Sign up early! This has been full early every summer and only available to 9 girls.

Backpacking: The view from Waipio Valley lookout will astound you with looming cliffs that define this amphitheatre valley that is a fertile tangle of jungle, flowering plants, taro patches and waterfalls. Not far from the tiny village of Kukuihaele, we'll descend 1-mile with our backpacks into the Waipio Valley viewing Hi'ilawe Falls - Hawaii's highest free-fall waterfall, and Kaluahine Falls. After a good nights rest, our one-way backpacking journey of 9 miles begins before dawn on what the locals call a "z-trail" or switchback - here we climb out of the Waipio Valley, continue along the ancient Hawaiian footpath crossing streams while continuing up and down through misty pine forest and lush rainforest, to eventually descend to the pristine Waimanu Valley where we will spend a full rest day exploring the area. On the third and final day of our backpacking trip, we triumphantly return to Waipio for a wood-fired outdoor shower.

Girls attending this camp session, don't need backpacking experience to join, they do however need to be in above average physical shape and excited for the backpacking trip. On our backpacking trip we'll hike pace that allows our group to enjoy each step into the great unknown as we gain a sense of stewardship by connecting with the natural world on the road less traveled. Outdoor camping skill basics that minimize the impact on our natural environment are taught right from the beginning on all Alpengirl trips and are relied upon throughout this teen girls camp session. Campers will learn how to properly pack and carry a backpack with a limited and select number of items (sleeping bag, pad, clothing, and a portion of tent and food). We'll leave all extra gear, worries and conveniences behind as we rise above our own expectations!

Hawaiian Culture: "Visible, Yet Invisible" is the Alpengirl motto in Hawaii and has extended beyond Hawaii to our other adventures in Montana, Washington, Norway and Alaska as well. This idea or way of being comes to us directly from our camp host family in the Waipio Valley. We have created a family in Hawaii. Our Hawaiian Family is made up of local individuals, families and outfitters who share with us land, activities, and stories throughout our adventures on the Big Island. They are the heart of our Alpengirl Hawaii trip. From them we are able to understand and gain a deeper appreciation and respect for Hawaiian people and culture. Without our Hawaiian Family our adventures in Hawaii would be far less meaningful.

Sunset Horseback Riding: As the day transitions to night, a magical moment occurs, a Hawaiian sunset and perhaps seeing the mysterious Green Flash! In traditional Paniolo style of the Hawaiian cowboys we'll savor every moment of our ride with Paniolo Adventures as we experience open range horseback riding in the unspoiled upcountry Hawai'i at the Ponoholo Ranch on historic Kohala Mountain. This 11,000 acre working cattle ranch, stretching from the rain forest to the ocean, offers the most spectacular scenery on the Big Island. Awe inspiring views of the Kona and Kohala coastline, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai Volcanoes on the Big Island and Haleakala Volcano on Maui.

Swimming, Snorkeling & Beaches: We'll fit in as much time at the beach as possible without forgetting to eat and sleep during our action-packed 15-day itinerary. Luckily there is a beach very close to the airport and also one at our first campsite, so, there's really no excuse to go for a dip as soon as everyone arrives! Camp orientation on the second day in Hawaii is also on the beach where we spend most of the day boogie boarding and getting to know each other better without getting sun burned. Then, of course we have beach time during surfing and snorkeling days and also at the end of camp on the other side of the island near Hilo. You'll find this trip to be just the right mix of environments. Girls attending should swim comfortably in deep water (water depth of 5 ft. or more).

Surfing: Learn to surf where surfing was born! At a beginner surf spot in Kona, surf lessons will introduce us to 'pop-ups', ocean safety, tides and currents. We'll practice paddling and pushes to instill balance. On the easiest waves, lessons continue with duck/turtle diving, 'how to catch a wave' and wave riding technique. You will be comfortable on the board before paddling into the waves, where you will be encouraged to discriminately choose your waves, paddle efficiently enough to catch them and ride the base of the wave with a certain degree of awareness and confidence. The experience you take away with you can be greatly rewarding. Lessons are designed to help you become a competent surfer, even if you are not successful in riding a big wave.

Volcanoes National Park: Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park is unique among national parks. Encompassing about a quarter million acres of land, and two active volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kilauea), it is still growing. (Flowing lava has added over 500 acres to the island in the last 15 years). Active volcanism and biological diversity await you in the form of craters, cinder cones, pumice hills and oceans of frozen rock solid lava where tenacious plant life like ohia, ohelo and sword fern endure. Hiking the Halina Pali trail, and Puu Puia Overlook, or hiking to Kilauea Iki Crater, or to the home of Madame Pele - Halema'uma'u Crater - the ominous landscape will astonish and humble you.

Final Celebration: The Hawaiian luau has become an Alpengirl tradition - a feast to celebrate accomplishments, honor people and commemorate great events. Our luau menu may include local ingredients and dishes such as Poi (pounded taro root), Toss Green Salad, Fresh Fruit Plate with Lychee, and Huli Huli Chicken. After our feast, a garland of fragrant flowers is placed over the neck; the lei, a show of honor and love and is given as a gift. Given to you by your Alpenguides on our final day together in Hawaii it also signifies our family and the connections we've made to each other and to Hawaii. As you will come to understand after our time together in Hawaii, the lei is more than a string of flowers, it is a deep and lasting part of Hawaiian culture that Alpengirls connect with.

The best thing about this trip - besides the fact that All Alpengirl trips ROCK is... "Alpengirl's most challenging and spectacular backpacking trip! Our Hawaiian camp host families and our Hawaiian outfitters make this far and away the best way to truly experience the real and awesome Hawaii beyond the resort walls."