Hawaii & Socal
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Join ACA the Summer-of-a-Lifetime!
Aloha Hawaii!
On the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is a lush tropical retreat. It has the excitement of many villages, towns, spectacular seaside islands and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Visit Honolulu, Kona, and Maui. Whether you crave adventure, are looking for fulfilling community-service opportunities or want to relax under the sun, Hawaii offers something for everyone!
Tropical rainforests host an incredible variety of wildlife. Clear ocean waters beckon snorkelers, swimmers and sun-worshippers. From active volcanoes and rainforest zip-line tours to the many incredible beaches, Hawaii is a country rich in natural wonder, inviting culture and endless activity.
- Half Day Community Service Projects
- Half Day Outdoor Adventures
- Honolulu, Maui & Big Island
- Upscale Hotel Accomodations
- 8:1 Student-to-Staff Ratio
- Optional SoCal Extension
2023 Dates & Tuition
Transportation is not included in tuition.
Weekday Schedule
-
8:30 am - 9:15 am
Breakfast -
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Community Service -
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch -
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Outdoor Adventures -
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Siesta -
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dinner -
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Evening Activities -
11:00 pm - 12:00 am
Residence Hall (Social Time) -
12:00 am
Goodnight (Individual Suites)
Community Service runs Monday through Friday.
Safety
At ACA, we believe safety comes first. That’s why we maintain an eight-to-one student-to-staff ratio – one of the lowest in the industry! This lets us offer unmatched attention and unique personalized programs.
As part of our commitment to student safety, ACA staff members live on every student-occupied floor and accompany students on all activities and excursions. ACA also uses chartered coach and taxi services to get around town, never public transportation. All ACA staff members are always equipped with cellphones.
For additional safety, ACA provides all students with local cellphones, allowing them to maintain easy contact with directors and staff!
The hotel adds an additional element of security, as well. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day with trained personnel for your comfort and convenience.
Parents will appreciate knowing that ACA destinations are always safe, community oriented and selected with special attention to ensuring accessibility to the best medical care in case of any emergency.
Travel to Hawaii*
For our 3 week program, students travel to Hawaii fly on ACA-staffed group flights from the New York area to Honolulu. From there, they will fly with our group and staff to Kona for the start of the program. Students will return from Maui.
For our 2 week program, students travel to Hawaii fly on ACA-staffed group flights from the New York area to Honolulu. From there, they will be escorted on private motorcoaches by our personal Hawaiian guides to our hotel. Students will return from Maui.
Students enrolled in the SoCal Extension will also fly on ACA-staffed group flights from Maui to San Diego, then return to the New York area from Los Angeles.
We are always happy to help make arrangements for students who need to first fly to New York or directly to Hawaii from other parts of the country in order to meet get to the program. Please contact the ACA office for additional assistance.
*Transportation is not included in tuition.
Community Service
New Opportunities to Help Others and Enrich Your Personal Experience!
Make your a summer of personal growth and community giving! ACA makes it possible with a host of rewarding service opportunities that engage students and local populations on an incredibly fulfilling level.
American Collegiate Adventures is committed to helping students participate in social and personal transformation. Our goal is to encourage them to realize the power they have to grow as individuals while contributing to an environment of cultural understanding and mutual respect, whether they work within their communities or take their service-learning around the world.
With ACA, it’s more than community service – it’s cultural service. That means students not only get fulfilling opportunities to better the lives of less fortunate people, but they also get incredible exposure to a new culture and lifestyle. This expands their worldview, helping to develop a sincere appreciation of how other people live. Many students find it an incredibly humbling experience that helps them realize the contributions they can make to improve the world around them.
When in Hawaii with ACA, there will certainly be plenty of chances for classic summer fun and incredible adventure. Now imagine adding the memory of having made a significant impact and achieving an empowering sense of cultural contribution. It all adds up to an unforgettable summer experience!
Getting Involved, Giving Back
Upon completion, every participant receives an official certificate highlighting the total number of hours volunteered and projects completed.
Past ACA service-learning projects include:
Big Island
Special Olympics for children and teens in Kona
Getting involved with children could not be more rewarding as we open our hearts to a very special experience focusing on kids with disabilities, assisting with opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, the Big Island community and our ACA peers and staff.
Volunteer with animals
ACA partners with a center that houses animals that have been rescued from neglectful households and inhumane captivity or injured in hunting incidents. You’ll participate in cleaning and grooming the animals, help build and repair kennels, walk, play, and cuddle the animals, and even help plant trees to restore their habitats.
Honolulu
Marine life & Sea turtles
Help protect the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. Native to Hawaii, they are the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world, reaching lengths of four feet and weighing over 300 pounds. Learn about the importance and history the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. You will help clean the beaches, provide education outreach to visitors of the island, and spread public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation.
Volunteer with Children
ACA students will make an impact on the life of a child while in Honolulu. We will become a part of the village when visiting the children’s shelter and we will spend time lending a hand with these at-risk kids. Our mission is to come with a sense of kindness towards others and to depart having made a positive and memorable impression.
Maui
Environmental Sustainability
Protect the Environment at Haleakala National Park. Hike into Haleakala, home to the dormant Haleakalā Volcano, and help maintain the sites, remove invasive plants, and other projects to protect the area’s unique eco-system. Learn from our guide about environmental sustainability with efforts to lessen our impact on the fragile ecosystems and environment of Maui.
Clean Ocean Reef
Jump in and clean an ocean reef! Coral reefs are vanishing worldwide at an alarming rate. Not only do coral reefs provide a critical economic resource, but coral reefs are also essential sources of food for a variety of animals while protecting coastlines from catastrophic weather events! Hop in the water and help remove hundreds of pounds of debris from Maui’s fragile reefs.
Hawaii Life
You’ll be spending your summer in some of Hawaii’s coolest destinations – Honolulu, Maui and Kauai. You will be surrounded by incredible wildlife, world wonders and the inspiring energy of a culture rich in flavor and bursting with gratitude for the many visitors that have left their mark of service in these lands. ACA’s accommodations are unmatched, providing a perfect retreat after a full day of service, learning and adventure. We want you to have a spectacular stay in Hawaii – so your comfort, safety and satisfaction are always our priorities.
You can count on outstanding accommodations – this is ACA!
Our students live and learn together, enjoying deluxe hotel accommodations located near major attractions and cultural areas. Rooms feature in-suite bathrooms, housekeeping and air conditioning. Of course, ACA’s experienced staff live on-site, ensuring a stay that’s as safe as it is comfortable.
Excellent Eats
ACA serves up amazing meals throughout your stay in Hawaii! Start your days at the hotel breakfast buffet, a serious spread of eggs, cereal, pastries, baked treats, and fresh juices and fruits. It’s a great way to fuel up for a full day of fun.
For lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, you’ll enjoy ACA’s exclusive Dining-on-the-Town Plan, which lets you choose from a variety of ACA-selected restaurants – and it’s included in your tuition! Whether you’re interested in sampling local dishes, including sweet plantains, fresh corn tortillas, scrumptious tamales and empanadas, or would rather stick with American-style favorites, you’re sure to find a restaurant that suits your taste. Need help translating the menu? Don’t worry, ACA staff are always at the restaurant ready to make a recommendation.
Being in the midst of a rainforest means plenty of exotic tropical fruits. Indulge in the freshest mango, papaya, guava, passion fruit, pineapples and bananas you have ever tasted! Either way, ACA makes sure you have plenty of options. The choice is always yours!
Outdoor Adventures & Around Town
Hawaii offers a world of opportunity for adventure. The excitement and energy is yours to enjoy. Stroll quaint boulevards, sample tropical delights and browse traditional markets. Want to pick up the pace? Sign up for a soccer match, participate in a traditional Hawaiian Luau, visit lava flows from an active volcano, catch the waves at Waikiki Beach during our thrilling surf lessons, or race through the rainforest on a zip-line canopy tour! When you’re ready to unwind, there are plenty of art galleries and cafés perfect for quiet downtime. And don’t forget, if you join us in Southern California, the adventure continues with trips to see San Diego, Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara and much more!
Spend some time along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue at Waikiki Beach, once a playground for Hawaiian royalty, and you’ll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts. Check out the stunning sunsets from Haleakala. Hike along the Napali Coast or relax on the beach and take in the view.
You’ll spend one week in:
Kona on the Big Island– Soak up the sun and the incredible views on the Southern Kohala coast. Swim or snorkel with tropical fish and rare green sea turtles in a salt-water lagoon. Visit Volcanoes National Park, where we will see one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea, and the world’s largest volcano Mauna Loa.
Honolulu– On the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii. Waikiki is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance.
Maui– “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest Hawaiian island. The island beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ʻĪao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales, farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakalā.
Staying in Shape
Worried you’ll miss a workout when you’re down in Hawaii? Don’t sweat it. There’s plenty of outdoor activity to keep you moving, but if the “jungle gym” isn’t enough, you’ll have access to a swimming pool, weight room, treadmills and exercise equipment. If you’re up for team sports, get with fellow ACA students for a game of soccer, tennis or basketball. If you’d like a little sightseeing with your workout, meet up with ACA staff for early evening jogs through the surrounding countryside.
WEEKEND ADVENTURES
Complete your ACA Hawaii experience with exciting adventures.
Kona on the Big Island (WEEK 1)
Soak up the sun and the incredible views on the Southern Kohala coast. Swim or snorkel with tropical fish and rare green sea turtles in a salt-water lagoon. We will tour the Big Island by visiting Volcanoes National Park, where we will see one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea, and the world’s largest volcano Mauna Loa. Hike through the giant Lava Tubes, marvel at the waterfalls in the rainforest, explore Old Kailua town, the Kings’ Shops and Queen’s Marketplace, and relax on the unique black sand beaches.
THE CAPITAL CITY – HONOLULU (WEEK2)
Spend five days in a beautiful, safe area of Honolulu, the state’s capital. Thanks to Hawaii’s booming reputation as a premier tourism destination, this diverse, contemporary part of Honolulu has all the comfort and convenience of a modern city, yet is rich in history. Being near so many natural wonders and eye-opening cultural attractions makes this the perfect headquarters for your unforgettable Hawaiian experience.
MAUI (Week 3)
Spend a week in Maui, the second largest Hawaiian island. “The Valley Isle” beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ʻĪao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales, farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakalā. Visit Lahaina, a Maui Hotspot, and explore this historic whaling village which boasts top-notch art galleries, shops, eateries, and live entertainment.
The SoCal Extension
Add 5 days to your Hawaii Adventure
You’ll remain in the secure company of trusted ACA staff members, as well as many of the friends you’ve made on your ACA program. Of course, you’ll also enjoy the comfortable accommodations and superior guidance you’ve come to expect from ACA.
Southern California is famous for its warm sandy beaches and bustling city, the perfect setting for your ultimate summer experience! Dynamic, culturally diverse and breathtakingly beautiful, Southern California combines the finest the West Coast has to offer. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, the fame of Hollywood, the picturesque mountains and the perfect sunsets!
During your stay in SoCal you will visit:
- San Diego
- Los Angeles
- Malibu
- Santa Barbara
- Community Service – Continue leaving your mark on and earn an additional 15 hours of service.
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your Summer!
