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. Soak up the West Coast sunshine with visits to Honolulu, the Big Island and SoCal . 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 & Big Island
- Start & End Program in SoCal
- Upscale Hotel Accomodations
- 8:1 Student-to-Staff Ratio
- Group Flight out of LAX
2024 Dates & Tuition
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June 29 - July 19
$7895$73953 Weeks
Big Island + Honolulu + SoCal
Transportation is not included in tuition.
Weekday Schedule
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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*
Our program starts and ends in Malibu which allows our students not only to give back to SoCal, but also the safety and security of a chaperoned group flight from LAX to Hawaii. We recommend that students fly nonstop to Los Angeles (LAX) International Airport. There they will be met by ACA staff members, who will escort them to comfortable, air-conditioned shuttles for the brief drive to Malibu.
After a two exciting days in Malibu, students will fly on an ACA-staffed group flight from the LAX to Kona. Students will fly on an ACA-staffed group flight from Honolulu to LAX for the final 2 days of the program.
Of course, parents are also welcome to drive students to ACA directly. Contact our office for further information on any of these travel options.
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 & SoCal 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.
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3 Week Program
Earn 45 hours
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.
Malibu
Environmental Sustainability
- Organic Farming at GrowGood Inc.
- Tree Replanting at the Santa Monica Mountains Fund & Tree People
- Farm help and animal care at Big Heart Ranch Malibu
- Beach Clean Up
Hawaii Life
You’ll be spending your summer in some of Hawaii’s coolest destinations – Honolulu and Kona and SoCal’s picturesque coastal town of Malibu . 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 – 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 in Hawaii located near major attractions and cultural areas. Rooms feature in-suite bathrooms, housekeeping and air conditioning. In Malibu, you’ll stay at Pepperdine University in clean and comfortable dorms with in-suite bathrooms. 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.
Malibu– A striking coastal town just in Los Angeles, Malibu is home to countless celebrities, and now you can call it home, too! Southern California is famous for its warm sandy beaches and bustling city, the perfect setting for your ultimate summer experience!
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.
Weekly Adventures
Malibu (start program)
Spend your first two days in this striking coastal town, Malibu is home to countless celebrities, and now you can call it home, too! Southern California is famous for its warm sandy beaches and bustling city, the perfect setting for your ultimate summer experience!
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.
Malibu (end program)
Spend your final days volunteering and soaking in the Cali sun. Dynamic, culturally diverse and breathtakingly beautiful, SoCal combines the finest the California coast has to offer.
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