Personalize Your Ideal Adventure

Customized
Travel Programs

for Schools & Private Groups

About ARCC Custom Programs

Our Custom programs are one-of-a-kind adventures we run year-round for schools, universities, and private groups looking for immersive and educational travel experiences. While our Summer and Gap programs are open to any teenagers interested in enrolling, our Custom Programs are designed and facilitated specifically for your individual group. Let us take the stress out of planning travel programs by designing a unique journey customized to your goals, interests, curriculum, group size, travel dates, and budget.

Make the World Your Classroom

Travel programs expand the walls of your classroom—through immersive hands-on projects and experiences, students are able to enrich lessons learned at school while stepping out of their comfort zones and broadening their perspectives. Whether it’s working alongside biologists to protect marine habitats in Belize, immersing in village life living with a local family in Perú, or installing biosand water filters in a rural community in Cambodia, travel programs help cultivate global citizenship in students, our core mission at ARCC and an essential attribute for today’s youth.

Get started by requesting a proposal

Partnership Approach

We don’t see our schools or other private groups as clients but instead as collaborative partners working alongside each other to deliver the highest quality program filled with impactful learning and experiences. We get to know each partner (their mission, ethos, staff, curriculum, etc.), so we can deliver programs highly customized to each individual school or group.

We welcome the following groups (or any others interested in customized group travel!) to contact us to begin a collaborative partnership today: K-12 Schools (U.S. domestic or international), Colleges and Universities, Summer Camps, Homeschool Networks, Clubs and Organizations, Youth Groups, and Families.

Learn more about our Custom process

Program Locations

We offer a wide range of program locations, themes, and activities, and are one of the few travel providers that is equally skilled at running domestic wilderness and international cultural immersion programs. Choose one or more of the following locations:

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, Panama
South America: Chile (Patagonia), Ecuador (mainland & Galápagos), Perú
Europe: Portugal, Spain
Africa: Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
Asia Pacific: Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia (Bali & Sumatra), Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam

Download our brochure

Transformational Experiences

Intentional Program Design

Working backwards, our design process begins with understanding overall partner goals and identifying meaningful learning outcomes. With these in mind, we collaborate with all stakeholders (we love when students are involved in the process!) to design highly customized itineraries aligned to group interests, needs, and budget. Our programs are grounded in global education best practice and designed to complement school curricula, learner profiles, and co-curricular programming. Part of our approach involves not overly filling itineraries, intentionally leaving space for groups to decide on the ground what they want to see and do. Our programs are never cookie-cutter, with no two programs being the same.

Program Components

We have 8 core program components integral to who we are at ARCC and present on each and every program.

ARCC Core Program Components (present on all programs)
Hands-on Learning & Projects, Local & Global Issues Education, Adventure, Leadership Roles, Group Bonding & Community, Nature & Hiking, and Fun

We offer 8 additional components, included in some programs based on location and overall program goals. We love collaborating with each partner to carefully select components aligned with individual needs and interests, customizing the perfect itinerary.

ARCC Additional Program Components (present on some programs)
Cultural Immersion, Homestays, Language Studies, Service Learning, Wildlife Conservation, Environment & Sustainability, Backpacking, and Wilderness Medicine

Student Learning

Although different programs focus on some more than others, all of our programs are designed to develop four areas of learning: social emotional, leadership, global competence, and travel and outdoor knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes. Through our ARCC core components and customized additional components, participants immerse themselves in hands-on activities and projects, “learning by doing” through a facilitated cycle of experience, reflection, and application. We deepen on-program learning through pre and post program resources (reading and viewing lists, lesson plans, etc.) and measure overall impact through sophisticated assessment and evaluation practices.

Facilitated Group Experience

Whether we are running a multi-group (e.g. whole-grade) or single group program, we keep each individual group small in order to facilitate an intimate experience with a strong group bond. Our leaders are much more than tour guides; they are education professionals highly skilled at helping participants learn to live in community through fostering teamwork, group bonding, and collaboration. Our skilled leaders, group focus, and fun and effective ARCC traditions all work together to make a truly facilitated group experience, bonding each ARCC group for life!

The ARCC Difference

Exceptional Leaders

We hire mature and experienced leaders who are all Wilderness First Responders (80 hour medical certificate) and have vast experience working with youth. Our leaders are highly skilled at mentoring students while balancing program safety, learning, and fun.

Dedicated Point Person

Collaborate closely with one staff member throughout your entire experience, from the initial proposal to post-program evaluation. Our Custom Director will get to know your individual needs and circumstances, visiting school campuses and partner headquarters in person whenever possible.

Personalized Support

When you partner with ARCC for a Custom program, you’ll receive personalized customer service and support, whenever you need it! As a small company, we create unique adventures by customizing each and every program, and as happily noted by our partners, can easily be reached by phone.

History & Expertise

With nearly 45 years in the outdoor travel industry and long-standing partnerships all across the globe, we have vast insider knowledge and experience, as well as thoroughly vetted expert outfitters and local contacts.

Small Groups

Group bonding and community is core to the ARCC experience, so whether we are running a single group or whole grade program, we keep each individual group small in order to facilitate an intimate experience with lasting connections.

All-Encompassing Logistics

Whether pre, during, or post program, we handle all program logistics. Our Custom team can book your flights and organize visas, while our program leaders will meet your group at the airport, handling all logistics throughout your adventure.

Testimonials

“At MKA we have been working with ARCC Programs for a decade and this relationship has meant so much to our community. We have come to appreciate the care and detail that they put into trip design, customizing programs to simultaneously live up to their mission and align with our own learning goals and experiential objectives. The ARCC staff has been incredibly gracious with their time, supporting us during the trip preparation process both in person at school events and online whenever questions arise."

“I learned that life is 10x better disconnected. I have gained an interest in scuba diving and marine life. I really bonded with the group and got along well with everyone. Do an ARCC Program; they’re the best thing ever!”

“I think the students learned about the unique experience of adventure travel as opposed to going on vacation. Many have said it was their favorite trip and many travel frequently. I have been on four ARCC programs over the years as a chaperone and continue to be impressed with your programs. Keep it up!”

“I really loved the homestay and the opportunity and perspective it provided me with. It was absolutely amazing! I learned I’m a lot more capable than I thought, especially in terms of Spanish speaking. It also reaffirmed my love of connection and helping. The Costa Rica program is absolutely amazing in terms of building connection and skills. I recommend it to anyone!”

“I learned so much on this program both about myself and Costa Rica. All the ARCC adventures I have been on have been incredible and I look forward to my trips each year with emphasis on the amazing ARCC leaders.”

“I learned that I can do the impossible. I can be away from the real/normal world and embrace it. I was being me; I didn't feel the need to act or behave.”

“Our students learned ownership and agency, that they can do hard things, and that their contributions matter. I loved working with ARCC!”

“I loved the partnership with ARCC from trip conception to execution. I think our students learned to develop new friendships and forge new connections. Some learned to “cut the cord” and separate from their families…a life skill. Some learned about ways to be self-sufficient, and they all learned how to work closely with a variety of team members.”

“I will gladly and enthusiastically serve as a spokesperson for ARCC. I've taught for 42 years, been a scoutmaster for 10+ years, and I am so appreciative of ARCC and the guides we worked with. All of our students have been changed in deep and positive ways.”

“I wasn't totally sure how I'd do on this program, but I went for it and grew so much as a person during my time here.”