About Westcoast Connection
42 Years of “Each & Every”
Our Mission is to create life-changing experiences that teens remember as the best of their lives.
Since 1982, our summer programs for high school students, aged 13-17, have brought teens together from around the world to share unforgettable experiences. We focus on creating safe, fun, and socially comfortable environments where teens are encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, explore the world around them, make lasting new friendships, and grow.
Offering three distinct program styles in over 20 countries, we’re able to provide the perfect summer program to fit your individual needs, whether you want to Travel, Learn, or Volunteer. We are confident that one of our 70+ programs will be your summer of a lifetime.
Our Philosophy of “Each & Every”
“Each and Every” expresses the balance between exceptional individual attention and positive group dynamics on all of our programs. This was our philosophy on our very first trip and it has guided us ever since.
“Each” drives us to truly get to know all our participants, from their unique personalities and preferences to their social and health-related needs. We recognize that there is no such thing as “one size fits all”, and we strive daily to make all of our participants feel comfortable at all times.
“Every” is the magic that creates lifelong friendships and lasting memories. In everything we do, from our opening day arrival routines and Social Integration Plan with an emphasis on the first 48 hours to our farewell banquets, we strive to build tight-knit family bonds. The tearful goodbyes at the end of each program are a testament to the unforgettable, lasting connections that are made every summer.
Why Choose Us?
Our Unwavering Commitment to Safety
Safety is our #1 priority. While we know that to travel and be active inherently involves risk that cannot be eliminated, we manage risk by adhering to our well-documented and continuously evolving safety protocols. With the help of international safety experts like Crisis24 security alerts, we seek to consistently stay ahead of potential dangers. Our vendors and suppliers are required to pass a meticulous safety review to partner with us.
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We Give You Outstanding Leaders
It starts with hiring the best people. Our staff are teachers, coaches, camp leaders and other qualified individuals who are passionate mentors and role models. All staff participate in our extensive training program, preparing them to lead a fun, safe, and unforgettable summer. According to our staff, our training program surpasses most other camps, schools and tour operators they’ve encountered.
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We Cultivate Social Connections & Growth
Welcome to your Westcoast family! Feel comfortable being yourself in an inclusive, tight-knit group where our leaders make it easy to make new friends and create lasting memories together. We’ll be there to support and guide you as you step outside your comfort zone and experience unique growth opportunities, from gaining a greater sense of independence to a broader global perspective. Some things just can’t be learned in the classroom alone.
We Value a Safe Space for Everyone
Building on our philosophy of "Each & Every", we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for our participants, leaders, and staff, regardless of their race, color, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
We Come Very Highly Recommended
Over the past 5 summers, over 98% of survey respondents said they would recommend us. We achieve this by driving quality into every aspect of our programs. We invest significantly in scheduled support visits during the summer, helping everything run smoothly in the field. This devotion to operational excellence is unrivaled in teen travel and is a critical element in our distinguished reputation for consistency, safety, and trust.
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Personalized Attention is our Passion
We understand that sending your teen on a summer program is a big decision. Our enrollment specialists are happy to go the extra mile in giving you the personalized attention you deserve. No question is too small! We are experienced in handling a variety of concerns from dietary restrictions and medical needs, to flexible travel dates that accommodate your busy summer schedule - We know it’s not “one size fits all”.
Our Thorough Planning is Second to None
We design programs that balance exciting activities and learning opportunities with time to relax and reflect. Our detailed itineraries map out activities, accommodations, travel routes, and access to medical care so that we are prepared for most anything. Although we encourage spontaneity and exploration, we also limit deviations from our pre-approved activities for both safety and quality reasons. We have worked year after year to make every day just right.
Experienced Full-time Team
Our Westcoast Family is a tight-knit bunch. Combined, we have 665 summers of combined experience working in teen travel, and even more in the summer programming industry. We work together all year to create unforgettable experiences for teens around the world, and we love what we do.
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