“I had just completed ninth grade and decided that I wanted to do something with my summer. Teen tours looked intriguing, with their brochures containing pictures of smiling teenagers, but it just seemed too easy. One day I stumbled upon the website for SHP. Their brochure was also illustrated by pictures of smiling teenagers posing together, but these seemingly cheerful teens were dirty, sweaty, and most probably smelly.

So here I was, having minimal biking experience, a past record of severe homesickness and picky eating, and having camped out once prior to this trip, setting out for two weeks of biking and camping with a group of teenagers, none of whom I knew. This group of teenagers soon became a small family. I became so wrapped up in my newfound friends and sense of accomplishment and independence that I didn’t write to my parents or call home until the last days.

At the end of the trip, we gave hugs and promised to keep in touch. It was at that moment that I realized how much that trip had been worth. I cried to stay with the people who made me feel at home. We didn’t need a roof, we sheltered each other. You can’t do anything about the length of your summer, but you can do something about its width and depth.”

Simone Burke, tripper

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