Hawaii Aloha Camp

Hawaii Aloha Camp - Teen Adventure Camp

Alpengirl’s Hawaii summer adventure camp for teen girls take place all around Hawaii’s “Big Island.”

This 2 week multi-adventure camp session offers outdoor adventure activities that you won’t find on other Alpengirl trips - surfing and snorkeling.

This camp session is perfect for Alpengirls who are ready for a physically challenging off-the-beaten path backpack trip and cultural experience.

Big Island Hawaii Camp is one of Alpengirl’s most coveted trips by campers as is typically full every summer.

The Camp Itinerary

Hawaii Aloha & Beauty

Day 1: Aloha! Arriving at Kona International Airport in Kona, Hawaii, your Alpenguides will greet you and introduce you to the rest of your group for general camp introductions before hopping in the van for a drive to our first private campsite surrounded by mango and papaya trees.  Once there we'll continue getting to know each other and enjoy the first of many delicious and fresh camp gourmet meals before our first night of tent camping with new friends. Camping near Hawi, HI.

Note: “Aloha” is used to say both hello and goodbye and a person can be said to show their “aloha spirit” in the way they treat others. The meaning of the word “aloha” is comparable to the meaning of the word “namaste”, which is a word we say almost daily at all Alpengirl camps at the end of our daily yoga practice.

Day 2: This morning, after a quick introduction to yoga, we’ll be headed to the beach for some fun in the sun and boogie boarding.  After we get all dried off and changed, we’ll have an introduction to backpacking, which includes learning how to properly pack, adjust and carry your backpack. We’ll lighten our load and only pack essential clothing, food and gear. Then we’ll jump in the van and head to Waipio Valley Lookout where we will park our van and with our packed backpacks, walk down a steep 1-mile road into Waipio Valley and learn how to set up our tents to camp at our host family’s taro farm.

Note: Yoga is an integral part of all Alpengirl camp itineraries and the start to most days.

Hawaii Big Island Sunset

Day 3-5: After a good night’s rest, our one-way backpacking journey of about 8 miles begins before dawn on what locals call a “z-trail” or switchback.  Here we climb 1,200 feet out of 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 camp and spend a full rest day exploring the area and hanging out at the beach. The third day we pack up and head back up and over the way we came in and arrive back at Waipio Valley to our host family.  Alpenolympic bucket hair washing competition this evening!

Note: Girls attending this Hawaii camp session, don't need backpacking experience to join, however, they do need to be in above average physical shape and excited for the backpacking trip.

Day 6: Today we are happily enjoying the company of our host family and other adult and teen adventure travelers who may also be lucky enough to be in the capable hands of our hosts today and tonight. We may plant a banana tree, or catch fish in the stream, or collect coconuts and make bowls, or cook traditional Hawaiian foods or make leis, or visit and bring gifts to neighbors. If time allows we might make it to the black sand beach for some swimming. Camping same.

Hawaiian Hillsides

Day 7: “Mahalo” (thank you) and “a hui hou” (until we meet again) to our hosts and we’ll pack up and hike out of Waipio Valley with one last look at the beautiful valley below. Then we’ll drive to camp where we will take nice, refreshing showers.  Camping near Hilo, HI. 

Day 8: Laundry and food re-supply in Hilo. At sunset tonight we’ll grab our headlamps and walk across hardened lava to the observation area where you can see bright red lava flowing into the ocean – new land being formed right in front of your eyes! It’s a sight everyone should see. Camping near the Park.

Day 9: Day hiking to volcanic craters, through lava tubes, and past huge sword ferns in Volcanoes National Park! Camping same.

Day 10: Snorkeling off the black lava flats of the Kona Coast at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau.  This area preserves aspects of traditional Hawaiian life and is a sacred place, a place of refuge for the royal chiefs, the ali’l.  The area provides excellent snorkeling of the reefs to see schools of bright fish and honu, Hawaiian sea turtle!  Camping near Captain Cook, HI.

Day 11: Surf lesson #1 this morning!  After meeting our outstanding surf instructors, we’ll get geared up and practice jumping to a stand on our surf boards before hitting the water and catching some waves.  After surfing we’ll have more hang-out beach time and snorkeling.  Camping same.

Day 12:  Surf lesson #2 this morning and a fabulous repeat of yesterday. Alpenolympic talent show entertainment around the campfire tonight. Camping near Hawi, HI.

Day 13: Early morning farmer’s market to buy fresh local food supplies for our final luau celebration this evening.  Then, we’ll saddle up paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) style and go horseback riding across the bright green hills of Kohala Mountain. We’ll celebrate our final day of camp with our end of session awards ceremony and luau feast.  Camping same.

Day 14: Departing from Kona International Airport in Kona, Hawaii.  A hui hoi!  See you next summer!

Itinerary Campsites & Amenities:

Girls Horseback Riding ~ Hawaii

5 nights are spent in tents in public “front country” campgrounds where we have pre-assigned campsites with neighbors and campground hosts nearby, running potable water, and private outhouses or flushing toilets.

6 nights are spent in tents on land that is privately owned where we have access to running potable water and private outhouses.

2 nights are spent in tents in wilderness “back country” areas where we will purify our water before drinking and learn and practice basic Leave No Trace camping skills such as how to select a campsite and how to go to the bathroom and keep clean outdoors.  There is an outhouse on these nights.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a sample itinerary. Alpengirl reserves the right to cancel or alter any aspect of our program, including program itinerary, trip dates, activities or location, as a result of unforeseen circumstances, including weather, environment, or health hazards. To the best of our ability, substitutions of activities will be comparable to, or better than the original activity.

Why This Camp ROCKS!

The Hawaiian people and culture that we are able to experience off the beaten path and beyond the resort walls makes this girls camp trip unique and meaningful. Alpengirl’s Hawaii camp combines an action packed itinerary with cultural experiences, wet and lush rainforest backpacking and sunny beach time!