Hawaii Summer Camps

Hawaii Summer Camp - Alpengirl Camps Locations in HI

What’s it like on the Big Island of Hawaii?

Hawaii is diverse!

It’s where you can enjoy a sunny beach in the morning, walk in the rainforest in the afternoon, explore a lava tube in the evening and star gaze from the top of a snow-capped volcano at night.
It’s where you can literally watch new land being formed as molten lava flows into the ocean.
It’s where some of the world’s youngest coral reefs are and where 11 of the world’s 13 climatic zones are found.
It’s where you can soak up the sun on a black, white or green sand beach.
It’s where you can snorkel and see octopus, butterfly fish, glowing manta rays, and green sea turtles.
It’s where you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty of 800 foot tall waterfalls, ocean sunsets, and exotic flowers.
It’s where people, culture and nature unite to create one unique voice that resonates with strength, depth, appreciation and endless aloha.
It’s where you can see the wonders of active volcanoes at the islands’ largest national park – Volcanoes National Park.

Why go to summer camp in Hawaii?

If you’d like to be a part of a different culture, speak a new language, and eat fruits you’ve never heard of… join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii!
If you’d like to be able to correctly pronounce “Pu'uhonua o Honaunau”… join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii!
If you want to get off the beaten path, stay with local people, and prepare and eat traditional foods … join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii
If you like to challenge yourself in backpacking to discover your true abilities and be rewarded by taking a refreshing dip in a waterfall pool. … join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii!
If you want to understand what it means to “live aloha” and learn about Polynesian culture, history and myth. . . join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii!
If you like the beach, surfing and swimming in a blue blue ocean and can’t wait to experience more of what Hawaii is beyond the beach … join Alpengirl Camp in Hawaii!
After a couple weeks of outdoor adventure at summer camp with Alpengirl in Hawaii, you will forever hold a special place in your heart for this “Aloha State.”

Hawaii Summer Weather, Temperatures & Elevation

Hawaii’s summers maintain a consistent, pleasant, warm temperature average of 85 F at sea level occasionally accompanied by light, misting rain. Nights are generally 10 F cooler as well as when you rise in elevation or travel south towards Volcanoes National Park. Traveling from the sunny beaches to the cool uplands, to the tropical rainforests, and volcanic deserts can give you a variety of temperatures and humidity.

You’ll arrive at sea level at Kona International Airport, which will be the general elevation for the majority of camp. Although Hawaii’s tallest point is Mauna Kea at 13,796 feet (over 32,000 feet from its base on the ocean floor), we will only be reaching elevations of 4000 feet, in Volcanoes National Park. Our backpacking trip from Waipio Valley to Waimanu Valley reaches 1,200 feet in elevation.

Alpengirl’s Hawaii Camp Travel Routes

Alpengirl has been operating girls overnight adventure camp trips on the Big Island of Hawaii since 2004.

The adventure travel routes we take during our girls camp trips in HI start and end in Kona.

In pursuit of outdoor adventure we’ll be on a loop all around the island that includes enjoying adventure sports and cultural activities in diverse outdoor environments near towns like Hawi, Waimea, Waipio, Honoka’a, Hilo, and Kailua-Kona.

These small towns are quick stops along the way that provide us with an opportunity to buy fresh groceries, take showers and do laundry and sometimes enjoy a festival, cultural event or farmer’s market.

Featured Hawaii Towns Along Our Camp Travel Routes

Alpengirl camp is a trip and travel teen adventure camp for girls where most of our time is spent camping in tents outdoors and in pursuit of outdoor adventure in various wild places along a pre-determined adventure travel route in a diverse local area.

The towns featured here are commonly passed through on our way to adventure and the information that follows may serve as a travel planning resource for camp parents who may be seeking to plan a similar adventure for the rest of the family while their Alpengirl is at camp with us this summer.

Kailua-Kona, HI was once home to King Kamehameha and is now a bustling place full of history, shops, restaurants, and hotels. Some of the island’s calmest snorkeling waters are found here and all along the “gold coast” which is known for sun and beach activities.

Hawi, HI was once a thriving sugar town but is now a quiet, quaint town with a population of under 1,000 people. Fruit trees and tree-tunneled roads are abundant here. As the northernmost town on the Big Island, you can hike to the edge and watch the sunrise over the island of Maui which is located about 30 miles away across the ocean.

Waimea, HI is a ranching town and home to the ‘paniolo’ (Hawaiian cowboy) culture. As the largest town on the interior of the island, it hosts over 10,000 residents and holds a few prominent annual events. On July 4th Hawaii’s largest cattle ranch, in Waimea, organizes a large paniolo rodeo. Alpengirls will horseback ride just outside of town on Kohala Mountain.

Honoka’a, HI is a cute town just 10 miles from the northeast coast. Take a walk through the town on a Saturday and explore art galleries and souvenir shops and buy some poi from the farmer’s market held there. Just a 15 minute drive from Honoka’a is the Waipio Valley Lookout. This is where the girls commence their backpacking trip, heading down into the beautiful valley.

Hilo, HI is a university town on the east coast in rainforest region. This climate provides the area with many botanical gardens, rainforest walks, and waterfalls. Hilo’s historical downtown hosts many museums and art galleries and provides a glimpse into Hawaiian history and culture. Every Wednesday and Saturday, downtown becomes busy with Hilo’s famous farmers market that attracts locals and visitors from all over the island. Hilo is a great camp food re-supply stop and is the last town before the campers enter Volcanoes National Park just 45 miles south.