AAVE Trip BLOG » Australia

Australia Trip

July 14, 2008
Australia 1 Group picture on beach

Posted by tyson hale in : Australia , add a comment

Australia 1 Group on Beach

July 11, 2008
Australia #1 - 2008

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Hello again to Abbott and our families!

I think it is now fair to say that everywhere we go we seem to have an absolute blast! For example, we had a driving day today and we ended up discovering a waterfall to enjoy while Callum video tapped Andrew sneaking through the bushes like a tribal man and then Pierre, Kyle, Tyson and Nick tried to do two person cart wheels (don’t ask how we did it, we still don’t know. When we get home we will share the video, maybe post it on YouTube.)

During our drive yesterday, all of our stomachs are hurting with our new veggiemight buckle up rule. We decided we needed to make sure everyone was buckling up, so we took the most nasty tasting Australian bread topping - veggiemight, and whoever is not buckled during the drive has to take a big scoop of it. Let me tell you, the faces everyone makes when they put it in their mouth is to die for, we were all laugh so hard during the drive “buckled up”!

Another great thing about this trip is every day we are all trying out new things, like when Nick, Carey, Erica, Sam and many other campers did rafting for the first time. Or the scuba diving that Matt, Sam, Andrew, Callum, Renato, Hayley, Kyle, Pierre, experienced for the first time. Then there was the first time Erica, Sofia, Kyle, Andrew, Pierre, Callum, Tyson, and Renato played football with a watermelon with oil all over it. Can’t forget the time when Sam, Hayley, Steve, Mike, Kat, Liza, Carey, Nick and Jorge hopped on a boat and walked on the squeaky white sand of the Whitsuday Islands. Oh, and then there was the first and last time many of us will try veggiemight, hahahah!

We are only half way, so let the good times and new experiences come!!!

Take Care everyone,

Love, AAVE Australia Family, loving the AAVE life!

July 10, 2008
Australia #1!!!

Posted by tyson hale in : Australia , add a comment

What’s up everyone!!

Australia has been amazing, we have started this trip off on the right foot and we are still walking on that foot. The group is awesome!!! Without time to waist we hit diving full on and we experienced the wonders of the great barrier reef, by far the night diving with the sharks was an experience we won’t forget, although we did have to pull pretty hard to get a few to do it (we will let you guess who those campers were.) After that we rafted on the Tully River and boy was that intense, I think we are all going to think that every river after that river is going to be a piece of cake. Just yesterday we finally got to have a chill day on the beach, which ended up turning into a bunch of beach games and a bonfire bonanza…. we have really meshed well together and we are turning into one big family. Cheers MATES!!!!!

Love ty, kat, kyle, sam, cal, sofia, nick, jorge, mike, andrew, hayley, liza, erica, pierre, matt, renato, cari, steven

July 2, 2008
AUS1 - Cheers Mate!

Posted by AAVE Leader in : Australia , add a comment

G’day!
After a pretty crazy airport pick up day - everyone arrived safe and sound!! We are together at last and enjoying every minute of meeting one another and learning more about each other - the laughs have already occurred!
Our leader Tyson is a hoot! He is so funny and made us feel comfortable right away.
After getting acquainted with Cairns - so beautiful!!! - We are beginning our dive classes today - (that’s why this is a bit short). There is so much to know about diving - but we’re all learning quickly and all can’t wait to get into the water and see what’s in it!!!

Hopefully we’ll have some underwater pictures to show you - not sure though. The stories will be flowing though - can’t wait to share with you.
Check back soon!

January 26, 2008
Australian Teen Summer Camp THE BEST

Posted by AAVE Parent in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , 2 comments

really nice chill zen surf silhouette_ocean_07_adam martin.jpg

We feel it was a very successful trip for Will. He returned after an all-day flight full of enthusiasm and positive. We haven’t heard anything described negatively. He immediately went on your website to pick a trip for next year so that has to be the best recommendation. Our daughter is interested in going on an AAVE trip as well.
-Parent, Joel Ulster, AUS

The kids and activities were fun….I really enjoyed scuba diving. There was nothing I didn’t like!
-Camper, Will Hertzman, AUS

David had a great time. As soon as he got off the plane he thanked us for letting him go to Australia. He loved seeing the animals and the scenery. He is doing a presentation of his summer experience for his Boy Scout Court of Honor in September.
-Parent, Sandra Daniel, AUS

Olusina had a memorable time in Australia. Olusina expressed that it was great to have an Australian guide and the AAVE counselor combination. He felt that driving through Australia was a great way to see more remote parts. I was surprised that he felt the highlight of the trip was the outback ranch. The mixture of activities was excellent.
-Parent, Oluseyi Senu-Oke, AUS

group unity stretching before surf_ocean_07_adam martin.jpg

AAVE was successful at getting me a better image of the world around me, and helping me build my self confidence!
-Camper, Olusina Senu-Oke, AUS

I thought the whole trip was really amazing! I loved the freedom we got when we could just walk around and go shoppping! I thought that all the activiities were really awesome as well. Our leader Jenny was entirely wonderful in every way. She was just a cool person to hang out with and she made the trip really great. If we needed something done, Jenny took care of it. She provided the perfect balance of leadership and fun.
-Camper, Cori Storb, AUS

teen summer surf camp australia

I had a vacation to remember. I was able to have my dream come true by traveling and exploring Australia. Not to mention I made some really great friends! AAVE made it possible for me to not only do what I wanted like scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef or visit Australia Zoo, but try things I had never done before like surfing!
-Camper, Page Potter, AUS

The trip was amazing, and the people were fun, however the bus rides were long, but with the people on board it made the time fly by.
-Camper, Dan Kalinowski, AUS

teen summer camp australia

Dan enjoyed himself very much, last year he went to Peru with AAVE , the experience was great, that is why he went to Australia, and next year maybe somewhere else. Your teen programs are first class.
-Grandparent, John Kalinowski, AUS

August 4, 2007
Australia #2A - Fun Down Under!

Posted by Jenny at AAVE in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

scuba dive great barrier reef

Whoo HOO!! What a trip on the water! We had some rough seas and helped out a fellow ship that had caught fire but after our assistance (and by our I mean the crew, we were safely below), all is well.

The dives were awesome, the food great and the kids are FANTASTIC!!! I am really excited to enjoy our time here in Australia together and know we are all going to have a blast down under!

I am sure glad the rough weather and some sea sick kids are behind us. We will be heading out of Airlie beach to the Outback very soon. I am excited to share this adventure! Thanks for sending such a great group!

G’day,

Jenny and Fish

teen summer camp scuba great barrier reef

November 6, 2006
Australia Teen Summer Camp Feedback!

Posted by Chris in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

“I feel AAVE gave me the best summer of my life. I learned so many new things while I was in Australia. I made new friends, discovered a new culture and achieved goals I didn’t know I could achieve. I want to thanks you so much for this opportunity that has changed my life!”
-Becca Prasse, camper

australia surf camp


Teen Summer Camp Surfs & Dives in Australia!

Posted by Chris in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

“AAVE did an excellent job with my daughter Becca this past summer. It’s mid-October and she still has stories to tell about her summer in Australia. This trip has helped her in the long-run, aiding her to make the decision to study in Australia for her senior year in high school. Thank you so much this trip has opened her eyes!”
The Prasse Family


Down Under Outback Summer Camp!

Posted by Chris in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

“The AAVE program was very organized. I like how we had stuff planned everyday but we still had some time to do whatever we wanted in terms of other activities. All of the adventure sports were really fun. There wasn’t a single thing that I didn’t like about the Australia trip!”
- Beth Bradley, camper

surf camp for teenagers


Australia Teen Summer Camp Feedback!

Posted by Chris in : Australia, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

“I am always amazed by the growth and development in just three weeks. I see Beth coming back more confident, self-assured and ready to tackle the world. She carries her experience with her for the whole year. This was an especially good trip for her this year. She had a great group and great leaders. Thank you AAVE team for helping develop our children in ways that are just not possible as parents. They will carry their experience with them for a lifetime.”
-Karen Bradley, parent