Upper School Trips 2026-2027

• Immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture while putting your Chinese language skills into action. Open to students in Honors Chinese 4 and above, this immersive program offers meaningful opportunities to interact with native Mandarin speakers and engage with Taiwanese culture in authentic, real-world settings. Through a visit to Nankan High School, language exchanges with local students, conversations with street vendors, hands-on cooking workshops, and exploration of traditional markets and arts, students will take their Mandarin learning beyond the classroom. Cultural experiences include the Lantern Festival, a traditional tea ceremony, cooking workshops, and visits to iconic sites such as Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, and the National Center for Traditional Arts. Students will return home with meaningful experiences using Mandarin in authentic settings and a deeper appreciation for Taiwan’s culture, history, traditions, and everyday life.

• 9th-12th grade students

• 12-20 students

Trip Prerequisites:

Students must be enrolled in Honors Chinese 4 or above. This ensures that participants have the necessary Mandarin language foundation to meaningfully engage in immersion activities, communicate with local people, and fully benefit from the cultural and language experiences throughout the trip.

• A human made paradise in the heart of South East Asia, Singapore is one of the smallest and yet most influential countries in the world.  A bustling urban city that is the center of international trade and commerce as well as ecological hotspot, a visit to Singapore is a must-do for those looking to expand their perspective and palate.  

  During our 10 day trip to Singapore, students will explore the historical and cultural significance of Singapore with a focus on the diversity of the people and their palate.  Students will alternate between learning about the city-state itself as well as the biodiversity of the island with its many nature-focused areas.  From bumboats, to Botanical Gardens, to a Night Safari and a reclaimed land island, Singapore has much to offer for all those who brave the heat, humidity and mosquitoes.  

• Current 9th-12th grade students

• 16-28 students

Trip Prerequisites:

• Able to walk and travel in hot and humid weather.  Interested students should be eager to try different foods and different cultures.
• Must have valid passport to travel internationally.

• Come with us to America’s newest national park, the New River Gorge, where the rugged beauty of West Virginia meets world-class adventure. This trip kicks off with four days of premier rock climbing on the gorge’s legendary sandstone cliffs, offering vertical challenges and breathtaking views for every skill level. Once we’ve conquered the cliffs, we’ll trade our harnesses for paddles to spend a heart-pounding day navigating the famous whitewater rapids of the New River. In between the highs of the ascent and the thrills of the river, we’ll explore the park’s hidden gems, from the iconic New River Gorge Bridge overlooks to the lush, historic trails that wind through this ancient Appalachian landscape. It’s the ultimate multi-sport getaway designed for those who want to experience the "New" from every spectacular angle.

• Current 9th-12th grade students

• 9-12 students

Trip Prerequisites:

• Climbing experience is preferred, but not required. All students must pass a swim test prior to the trip.

• Spend two weeks immersed in Spanish language and culture in Salamanca, a historic university city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Students attend daily Spanish classes at Instituto Hispano Continental, then put that language to work exploring the city, from historic and cultural sites to the University of Salamanca and local museums, and by navigating Salamanca independently with a partner using real-world Spanish. Students also dive into local culture through hands-on cooking and dance classes, and take day trips beyond Salamanca to see the ancient Roman aqueduct in Segovia and the famous medieval walls of Ávila. Our accommodations will place students at the heart of the city, creating opportunities to navigate, explore, and experience everyday life in Spanish.

• Current 9th -12th grade students

• 10-16 Students 

Trip Prerequisites:

• At least 1 year of Spanish taken with the intent to learn more! 

• The New Orleans (NOLA) trip provides a meaningful service-learning experience through volunteer work, integrated cultural tourism, and daily reflective discussion. We spend the first week volunteering in the greater New Orleans area, rebuilding homes and assisting with community projects. Week two is spent volunteering in the rural communities along the Southwest Louisiana coast, restoring wetlands. We visit a variety of historical and cultural museums, the French Quarter, and kayak down the Mississippi River while eating delicious, authentic southern food. 

• Current 10th-11th grade students

• 12-24 Students 

• This seven-day guided expedition to Iceland is designed as an experiential learning journey centered on student independence, environmental literacy, and collective responsibility. Iceland’s dramatic landscapes provide a powerful outdoor classroom where students engage directly with geology, ecology, climate systems, and human-environment relationships while developing resilience and adaptability.

  Traveling primarily by vans and staying at established campsites, students will take an active role in daily logistics such as camp setup, meal preparation, navigation, and time management.

  Highlights of the trip include glacier lagoons and icebergs at Jökulsárlón, puffin observation at Dyrhólaey, waterfalls along the South Coast, black sand beaches, geothermal landscapes, the Blue Lagoon, and the volcanic and coastal features of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The journey culminates in Reykjavík, where students reflect on how modern Iceland balances tourism, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

• Current 9th-11th grade students

• 10-13 Students 

Trip Prerequisites:

• No prior camping, international travel experience, technical skill, or specific academic course is required to participate in this trip. The itinerary and camping model are intentionally designed to be accessible to students with a wide range of experience levels.

  Students should, however, be prepared for moderate daily walking and hiking on uneven terrain, variable weather conditions including wind, rain, and cooler temperatures, and living communally outdoors while contributing to shared responsibilities.

  Pre-trip meetings will prepare students academically, logistically, and socially. Sessions will cover trip expectations, group norms and communication strategies, along with essential camping and travel skills such as tent setup, organization, outdoor hygiene, and Leave No Trace principles. Students will also be introduced to safety protocols including weather awareness, hiking expectations, and emergency procedures.

  Students will receive an introduction to Iceland's geography, geology, ecology, culture, and sustainability practices through short readings, videos, and discussions. They will also be introduced to the trip's inquiry and reflection practices, including field observation, journaling, asking questions, and collecting evidence from the landscapes and communities they encounter. Logistical preparation will include packing, travel documentation, health considerations, and communication plans.

Trip Prerequisites:

• Must have valid passport to travel internationally.

• Have you ever wanted to harness the power of the wind to glide across the water? Wakeboard for hours without the need of a noisy boat? Or just want to learn a new skill that pushes you to work with the wind and water rather than against it? Then this is your trip.  We will utilize Urban Surf's Internationally Certified & insured kiteboarder training program to safely and systematically train our students to navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of kiteboarding.  We will participate in a single day "Ground School" where students will leave with their own 2 line Trainer kite and the knowledge to begin to harness the wind.  Students will use their trainer kite, to continue to hone their skills in preparation of the on water training days.  This summer, we will meet in Everett to complete on water training where students can progress towards becoming an independent rider (3 days on water).  

• 9th-11th grade students

• 6-12 students

Trip Prerequisites:

• A General base line fitness (ability to carry heavy/awkward equipment and walking long distances in Sand/Water) Comfort in water (swim test required) as well as the willingness to endure wet/cold/windy environments (particularly for the ground school.) 

• Embark on a high-altitude wilderness journey through one of the most iconic mountain landscapes in the world. Over two weeks, students will trek roughly 80 to 100 miles through the heart of the Bernese Oberland along sections of the historic Via Alpina (Green Trail). Towering beneath world-famous 13,000-foot peaks—including the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—students will experience the raw challenge of big-mountain trekking alongside the unique cultural tradition of Swiss mountain hut life. This is a true self-sustained mountain expedition. Students will hike 5 to 12 miles daily over high-alpine mountain passes, tackling steep vertical ascents and descents each day. Because we will be staying in mountain huts that provide hot dinners, breakfasts, and cozy bedding, students will only need to carry lightweight packs (roughly 15-25 lbs) containing their clothing, water, lunch, and personal gear—no tents, sleeping bags, or heavy stoves required. The Swiss Alps demand physical resilience and mental stamina. 

• Current 9th-11th grade students

• 10-20 Students 

Trip Prerequisites:

• To ensure team safety and success on back-to-back mountain days, all participants must commit to a mandatory spring and early-summer training program consisting of progressive endurance conditioning and loaded-pack hikes. We will offer 10 training hikes, including an overnight training camp in Leavenworth when school lets out for the summer. 
• Swim test required
• Passport required (must be up to date)

• Ridges to Reefs: Learning alongside active scientists in Puerto Rico. This 10-day immersive field program guides participants through Puerto Rico's complete ridge-to-reef ecosystem — beginning in our local marine reserve to anchor the curriculum, and tracing ecological connections through coastal systems and up river to inland farms. Every session is led by working marine scientists with over a decade of field experience in Puerto Rico.

  The trip is guided through the lens of a naturalist and engages students' critical thinking, observation and notetaking skills, and presents a perspective of experiencing nature as being interconnected rather than having humans set apart from the whole.

• Current 7th-8th and 9th-11th grade students

• 24-26 students

Trip Prerequisites:

• Students need to be confident swimmers and able to swim in the ocean. 

SAAS is proposing an unforgettable river expedition through the remote wilderness of Canada’s Yukon & Northwest Territories. The Wind and the Peel Rivers are some of the North’s great wild rivers, flowing through vast mountain landscapes and deep canyons where roads, towns, and modern technology give way to true wilderness.

The trip begins with a flight from Seattle to Whitehorse, Yukon, where students will spend three days camping along the Takhini River, developing tandem canoeing fundamentals and learning essential swiftwater rescue skills. 

The expedition begins in Mayo, Yukon, where the group will board a chartered float plane with their canoes and provisions for the flight to McClusky Lake, the starting point of the Wind River journey. From McClusky Lake, students will paddle downstream through approximately 275 kilometers (170 miles) of remote wilderness, following the Wind River as it winds through the Wernecke Mountains before joining the Peel River. 

The group will then continue on the Peel River to Taco Bar, a remote gravel-bar landing near the mouth of the Bonnet Plume River and just south of the Arctic Circle. Taco Bar is the endpoint of the expedition, where the group will be met by a float plane for the return journey. There are no roads or communities along the route, making this a truly remote, self-supported wilderness expedition. 

Days will be spent paddling clear northern rivers, navigating moving water, carrying boats and gear, setting up and breaking down camp, preparing meals, and working together as a team. Along the way, students will have opportunities to hike into the surrounding mountains, explore the landscape, fish, observe wildlife, and experience what it means to live for an extended period far from modern conveniences. By the end of the expedition, students will have traveled hundreds of kilometers under their own power and shared an experience few people ever have the opportunity to experience

• Current 9 - 11 

• 10-14 students

Trip Prerequisites:

Prerequisites, Remoteness & Expedition Demands

Previous camping and paddling experience is preferred but not required. Students must be comfortable with sustained physical activity, and should come prepared to participate fully in all aspects of expedition life, including paddling, loading and unloading canoes, carrying gear, setting up and breaking down camp, preparing meals, and contributing to group decision-making and problem-solving.

This is a physically and mentally demanding expedition in a highly remote environment. Students should expect approximately 6–10 hours of activity on most days, with some days potentially longer or more strenuous depending on weather, river conditions, group needs, and the demands of the route.

The Wind and Peel Rivers are among the most remote rivers in North America. There are no roads, communities, or reliable cell service along the route, and the group may go many days without seeing another person or evidence of human activity. Students will be far from immediate outside assistance, and in the event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation would require float-plane extraction and could be delayed by weather, aircraft availability, location, or other conditions. Risk cannot be eliminated in a remote wilderness environment, so students must be prepared to respond to challenges with the resources available to the group. SAAS will carry satellite communication devices and enroll all students in a mandatory rescue insurance plan.

Students should expect cold, rain, bugs, fatigue, frustration, uncertainty, changing plans, and periods of physical and emotional discomfort. There is no easy way to step away when things become difficult. Students will need to manage their own needs, communicate clearly, make decisions together, solve problems, support teammates, and continue contributing to the group even when they are tired or uncomfortable.

Success on this trip is not about being the strongest paddler or having the most wilderness experience. It is about resilience, adaptability, sound judgment, teamwork, and a willingness to keep going when things are difficult. Students should be ready to embrace the realities of isolation and remote expedition travel and understand that their choices and actions directly affect the safety and success of the group. 

This is a trip for students who are ready to paddle hard, live simply, accept the realities and risks of remote wilderness travel, embrace uncertainty, and discover what they are capable of.

Pre-Trip Requirements:

Pre-trip preparation is an important part of this expedition. Students will be expected to participate in scheduled pre-trip meetings, training sessions, and/or local outings before departure. These sessions will help students build paddling, camping, teamwork, and expedition skills and give the trip leaders an opportunity to assess readiness and prepare the group for the demands of the expedition.

If your student is interested in this trip, please email trips@seattleacademy.org directly with your student’s three trip preferences, listed in order of preference (1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice). If your student has already registered for trips, their existing registration and placement will not be negatively impacted by expressing interest in this additional trip.

At this stage, we are gathering general interest in the trip to help us determine student interest and next steps. Expressing interest does not guarantee a place on the trip.

Informational sessions and pre-trip information will be posted in the near future. Inquiries can be directed to trips@seattleacademy.org.