Florida High School in Iceland
Resilience, Connection & Weather-Fueled Adventures
Duration
7 Days
Grades
9-11
Location
Iceland
our custom adventure
The forecast looked perfect back home when eight Florida high school students boarded their flight to Iceland. Prep days had been filled with sunshine and warm weather, the kind that makes you forget you’re heading to a completely different landscape and climate.
Iceland had its own welcoming committee ready — kind of authentic weather that makes the experience feel genuinely Icelandic and creates the perfect backdrop for adventure.
“Iceland showed us its true personality,” recalls Leah, the Bold Earth leader who guided this Bolles School group through what would become their third successful Bold Earth adventure. “The students embraced it all; that’s when you know you’re working with something special. They found ways to laugh together and connect in every moment.”
This wasn’t just any group of students. The teacher had opened applications to the entire school, creating a competitive process that attracted two distinct types of adventurers: the go-with-the-flow students and those who thrived on cultural exploration. Each applicant had to present something related to Iceland as part of their curriculum, already setting the stage for deeper engagement than your typical school trip.
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suddenly our students were exchanging icelandic phrases, creating these genuine cultural connections that no planned activity could have orchestrated.
Bold Earth leader
When Challenge Becomes Cohesion
These weren’t the easiest conditions they’d ever encountered as students in Florida. Many students had never camped before, and the challenging weather pushed everyone beyond their comfort zones. But that’s exactly what created the transformation.
“They came into it very guarded,” Leah observes, “but by the end, they were way more cohesive and sharing deeply during our evening meetings. They left feeling accomplished. It was definitely ‘type two fun’ because of the weather curveballs, but that’s what made it meaningful.”
The group’s teacher and chaperones took notice. Their feedback centered on one key observation: Bold Earth’s leaders never stopped showing up, even when social traction was difficult and conditions were challenging. The willingness to continuously adapt and rearrange activities on the fly, while maintaining both emotional and logistical support, set Bold Earth apart.
Why Schools Return Again and Again
For the Bolles School, this marked their third Bold Earth adventure, a partnership that speaks to something deeper than successful logistics. “Anyone can hypothetically bring you to Iceland,” Leah reflects, “but it’s the true desire to be flexible and provide a good program that meets logistical and emotional needs while having fun. That culture is much more palpable here than any other company I’ve worked for.”
The value extends far beyond the adventure itself. Being together in a completely different environment gave these students a greater sense of place outside their familiar school walls. It opened their eyes to different perspectives and created meaningful interactions that teachers would observe continuing throughout the following school year.
“It’s about them becoming more cohesive as a group,” Leah explains, “and giving them experiences that allow for learning in the most non-traditional way possible.
This is what sets Bold Earth’s custom programs apart: an ingrained culture of care that goes beyond professional obligation. When hurricane force winds threaten to derail carefully laid plans, Bold Earth leaders don’t just adapt, they transform challenges into the very experiences that create growth, connection, and memories that last long after students return to Florida’s sunshine.
Ready to design your trip?
Tell us about your group — we’ll build a custom Bold Earth experience for you.
request your
program proposal
The custom group program process is a collaboration from start to finish. We love hearing about what you hope to get out of the Bold Earth experience.
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Success Stories from Group Leaders
I made the best friends ever—people I wouldn't have met otherwise.
Success Stories from Group Leaders
I did things I never thought I'd do, and I actually loved it.
Success Stories from Group Leaders
Almost everyone comes alone, and that's actually what makes the friendships so strong.
Success Stories from Group Leaders
I feel so much more confident. It was an adventure that pushed me, but it was also really fun.
