Vacationing alone without feeling alone, for a teenager Best answer on the web
Posted in: darrelrussell.com edit
07 Jan 2009
What I want is some kind of camp/program that has the following properties:
0) For older teens (18-20?) [as opposed to the 20-something group].
1) It is fairly structured [e.g. not just randomly wandering around Europe].
2) Participants typically do not come with other people.
3) People are fairly social.
4) Is neither formally nor implicitly religious.
5) Is neither formally nor implicitly dating-centric.
6) Participants are perhaps a little more introverted than extroverted (not the party-going type). This explicitly excludes the type of people typically found in American hostels [buff european fratboys?]. 7) Must be fun. I am open to most anything, as long as it does not require prior experience. 8) Fairly long. At least 2 weeks or so.
9) Not primarily marketed towards hippies, or other alternative types. I simply am not one of them.
Financial cost is not really a concern.
If I was Taiwanese, I could probably do the "love boat" program. If I was Christian, I could probably go to some kind of retreat. Unfortunately, I am neither, and so do not know where to look.
I have seen the Green Tortoise bus trips, and they seem nice, except that it would involve being without toilets and showers, and I would imagine that the people there are likely to be significantly different from me in ways that would lead to conflict. I am not a hippy.
Example of something that would be "ideal": A month-long structured vacation in Hawaii where people my age go learn how to surf, and don't bring friends.
Why not consider a rafting trip, which requires socialization with a broader group. Though not limited to young people, you'll find that it attracts young and often single people: Snake River (Idaho -- with high personal recommendation)
http://www.rowinc.com/snake_hells.htm
Grand Canyon
http://www.westernriver.com/
Alaska
http://www.wildernesstrips.com/copper.htm
Stikine River in Alaska (which comes personally recommended by this researcher)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/080300/raft03.html
Google search strategy:
rafting + wherever
Best regards,
Omnivorous-GA
Your interests seem very broad. My preliminary research shows that the types of summer camps you?re looking for tend to fall into two categories. I?ve found lots of educational programs (especially language immersion) that focus mostly on learning and many adventure travel programs that offer physically challenging activities. I?ve also found a few community service type programs. Which of these appeal to you and which do you want to avoid?
I look forward to your clarification.
~ czh ~