Teen Travel Blog

We want to say congrats to Kelly Tausk for winning our 2010 Summer of a Lifetime Essay Contest.  We were so impressed with her submission that we wanted to share it with the world!  See for yourself why Kelly was a clear choice for expressing the essence of an ARCC adventure:

“Always Do What You’re Afraid to Do”    
by Kelly Tausk, Costa Rica Service Adventure

During my junior year of high school, I did something most teenage girls have probably never done: I fell in love with a man 187 years my senior. It started in my English class with an assignment to make a greeting card using an aphorism by a Transcendentalist writer. While assembling the project, I connected with Ralph Waldo Emerson – through his words, thoughts, and beliefs – and chose one of his aphorisms, “Always do what you are afraid to do,” for my card. I have always had a passion for inspirational quotes, so Emerson’s words were constantly in my mind; I was just waiting for a chance to apply them.  

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Name: Sarah Byron

Position: Regional Director

How long with ARCC: Trip leader from 2006, 2007;  full time office staff since 2009

Favorite ARCC Adventure: While leading the Hawaii Blue trip in the summer of 2006, our group stumbled upon a lively ‘Save the Whales’ rally on the pier in Hanalei Bay. We ran around in circles singing, dancing, making new friends, and laughing as the sun set… just loving life!

Fun Facts you might not know:

1. Played in a field with elephants in South Africa
2. Went skydiving into the cornfields in my home state of Indiana
3. Has moved around the world/country every 8 months in the last 4 years

Taking a trip this summer or interested in learning about more of our leaders? Visit http://adventurescrosscountry.com/ourleaders.

We just posted a page on our web site at ARCC about our leaders.  Well, we wanted to get a little more personal and give you a peek into what makes the ARCC team tick!  Our first profile is of Piper Christian, Senior Regional Director at ARCC.

ARCC Employee: 8 years

Favorite ARCC Adventure: Costa Rica trip visit summer 2008 – I got to hang out with 5 different ARCC groups doing the Costa Rica Service, Costa Rica Language and Costa Rica/Belize Bl…ue Water programs.

Fun Facts About Piper: She has lived in Spain and Brazil. She dreams of being a contestant on the Price is Right. She plans to one day have a pet pig!

Adventures Cross-Country sends its outreach and support to Haiti.  We honor those who have contributed to helping this nation begin its recovery from the devastating earthquake sustained on January 12, 2010.

ARCC is inspired by seven-year-old Charlie Simpson from London, England who has raised over $160,000 for the Haiti earthquake.  We would love to hear your stories too!  Please let us know if you, your school, or any organization you are involved in has lent a helping hand.    Post on our Facebook page and tell us your story.  Here is Charlie’s story. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are a few students who took what they learned on their ARCC journey and continued their dedication to positively impact the lives of others.

Katie Pilot- Back2Back- Sending backpacks to African Schools   

Katie Pilot volunteered in schools on the Adventures Cross-Country Africa Community Service Program.  “After spending a few days with the students it became very evident that their situation is dire.  Pencils, pens, notebooks, and backpacks are all a scarcity.”  Katie returned home with a mission to bring these children school supplies.  She started a non-profit, “Back2Back”, which organizes the donation of school supplies and backpacks for needy schools all over the world.  This past summer, Katie traveled to Rwanda and brought school supplies to orphanages and the kids she worked with.  “Today, I am continuing my dream by extending my surplus of donations to any organization that is travelling to a foreign country to work in the local schools.” 
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We want to make 2010 the best year ever for Adventures Cross-Country!  As we draw closer to the end of 2009, it is our hope that everyone will start spreading the word about how great our teen travel adventures are, how it enriches lives and why it really is the experience of a lifetime! 

If you are following our blog, we want you to also become a fan on our Facebook fan page.  At ARCC we want everyone to know about the gift of adventure and fun.
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