Hawaii Spring Break – “Mauka to Makai”
Kauai Island, Hawaii, USA
March 6 – 14, 2026
Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Kauai, Hawaii. This spring break is all about exploring breathtaking landscapes, building new friendships and taking on exciting challenges together. We’ll hike through the stunning vistas of Kōke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon, camp on incredible beaches, snorkel in clear waters, and experience a traditional Hawaiian Luau.
This trip is designed to help you connect with nature, with community, and with yourself. We’ll be camping in tents at state parks and local campsites, cooking our meals over portable stoves, and hiking through the harsh, rugged, stunning landscapes of the island. If you’re looking to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, meet new people, and watch the sunrise over the ocean, then join us on this epic spring break adventure!
Location
We’ll leave from our Basecamp on Bucknell’s campus. From there we will drive to Philadelphia Airport, and fly to Lihue, Kauai with a brief layover in Los Angeles, CA.
Pre-Trip Meetings
There will be two pre-trip meetings for this extended break trip that are mandatory. During this meetings we will go over trip logistics, packing lists, and expectations:
Wednesday, February 11, 7pm-8:30pm at Basecamp
Mandatory
This will be a chance for trip leaders and participants to get to know each other and review the trip logistics. Dinner will be provided.
Wednesday, March 4th, 7pm-8:30pm at Basecamp
Mandatory
This will be our final meeting where we will make sure everyone has everything on the packing list and go through personal items before packing them away for the trip! Dinner will be provided.
Logistics
Please read the sections below for detailed information about the schedule, registration process, trip cost, and more!
Day 1: Friday, March 6
Friday afternoon, we’ll gather at OEL Basecamp to prepare for our exciting adventure ahead! We’ll organize and pack all necessary gear, ensuring everyone has what they need for the trip. We’ll drive to the Philadelphia airport, and stay at a nearby hotel. We’ll go to bed early in preparation for the long travel day ahead.
Day 2: Saturday, March 7
We will wake up early for a 6:00am flight! The flight has a brief layover in Los Angeles, CA. We’ll land in Lihue, Kauaii at 5:00pm local time. We’ll grab some dinner and head to our campsite for the night!
Day 3: Sunday, March 8
Waking up well rested, refreshed, and in beautiful Hawaii, we’ll enjoy a slow morning on the beach. We’ll visit the town to grocery shop and pick up supplies for the week. Once we have everything we need, we’ll enjoy a hike along the iconic Napali Coast before returning to camp for the night.
Day 4: Monday, March 9
Today we’ll pack up our beach campsite and head to the mountains. We’ll drive about 2 hours, meandering along the coast before making our way up and into the center of the island. We’ll set up camp in Kōkeʻe State Park. From there we’ll take a sunset hike through the lush forests to see the sun set over the ocean, far below. We’ll return to camp for dinner and conversation under the stars.
Day 5: Tuesday, March 10
Early wake up! Today we’ll go on a challenging and rewarding hike down into (and then out of) Waimea Canyon. Hiking through this ancient and incredible landscape will surely be a highlight of the trip. In the evening we’ll return to our campsite for dinner and rest!
Day 6: Wednesday, March 11
Another early morning – we’ll rise and shine with the sun to have breakfast, pack up camp, and head to the coast! We’ll board a zodiac raft and spend the rest of the day exploring the island by boat. We’ll visit secluded beaches, snorkel in the clear water, and have a picnic. At the end of the day we’ll head to a new campsite on the coast to set up and settle in for the night.
Day 7: Thursday, March 12
This is our last full day in Hawaii! We’ll spend the morning swimming in the ocean next to our campsite, exploring tide pools, and enjoying nature. In the afternoon we’ll pack up camp and head to a hotel, where we’ll enjoy a comfortable final night on the island, and our first night sleeping indoors all week! Our evening will consist of a traditional Hawaiian Luau and dinner. This final evening will be a celebration of our week; the experiences we’ve had, challenges faced, and friendships made.
Day 8: Friday, March 13
We’ll enjoy the morning in the hotel, exploring the beach and swimming in the pool. We’ll return our gear, pack up all of our items one final time, and explore Lihue before checking in for our flight in the evening.
Day 9: Saturday, March 14
After departing Lihue on Friday night, we’ll have a brief layover in Los Angeles, CA and arrive back to the Philadelphia Airport at 4:00pm local time. We’ll drive back to campus, and pick up dinner on the way. After arriving back to Bucknell around 9pm, everyone will return to their Residence Halls for a much needed night of sleep after a long travel day. and an amazing week!
*This is a rough schedule with estimated times and locations that are subject to change.
Full Cost: $3,500 per person
The cost associated with this trip helps offset the cost of meals, airfare, lodging, guiding services, and equipment for this trip. Once notified that you are selected for participation you will be asked to commit to following payment schedule:
- Deposit 1: $1,000 (due December 10th)
- Deposit 2: $1,000 (Due January 24th)
- Final Payment: $1,500 (Due February 28th)
We can accept cash or check only. Alternative payment plans may be available upon request.
Deposits are non refundable and non transferable.
Inclusions
- Transportation to and from Kauai, Hawaii
- Meals and snacks from dinner on Friday (3/06) through dinner on Saturday (3/14)
- A night in a hotel in Philadelphia and six nights of camping and lodging on Kauai
- All group camping gear, including but not limited to tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, all kitchen items, canoes, and more.
- Guided 1-day boating and snorkeling experience through off the Nāpali Coast.
- Some clothing as needed (rain jacket and rain pants, baselayers and mid layers)
Exclusions
- Personal gear and items
- Any food purchased separately from group meals (e.g. gas station snacks, airport snacks, additional meals beyond pre-planned group meals, etc.)
- Any souvenirs, shopping, or optional, non-predetermined experiences
- All expenses incurred in the event of early or late departure not related to an emergency (transportation, extra hotel night, etc.)
Registration for this trip will open on Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 12:00pm Eastern. Application materials are due within three days of registration. Spaces for this trip are limited and will be filled through an application selection process.
This trip is open enrollment to all current Bucknell students. A Bucknell ID number is required to register.
Applications will be reviewed on the following dates:
- Monday, November 3rd (Priority Deadline)
- Monday, November 17
- Monday, December 1
Registration closes December 1st. Applicants will be notified if they are selected within 1 business day after the reviewed date (as listed above). Deposits are due within 1 week of acceptance. Depending on the number and strength of applications, the trip may be filled prior to December 1st. If you would like to increase your chances of being selected, please apply prior to November 1st.
Those not selected will remain on the waitlist in the case that a spot opens up later on.
OEL Adventure Trips, including Extended Break Trips, provided to Bucknell students have limited capacity. If a student signs up and doesn’t show for the program, it’s disruptive for everyone involved and takes away from other student’s experience.
We understand that things come up and life happens. We get it. We simply ask that you notify us as soon as possible and let us know of your cancellation. You can do this by emailing oelinfo@bucknell.edu.
Cancellation Policy*
Trip payment, including deposits, are non refundable (except by the Payment Transferability Policy – see below).
Payment Transferability Policy*
All payments received specific to this trip are subject to the cancellation policy listed above in this section. In the event that a trip participant is no longer able to attend, all non-refundable fees paid can be transferred to another non-enrolled participant and yield a full refund. In simple terms, if someone is able to fill the spot of an already enrolled participant, non-refundable fees paid become refundable in full. The OEL professional staff will make attempts to fill any vacant spots by servicing an associated waitlist, marketing the availability, etc. There is no guarantee that a vacancy will be filled. If a participant cancels their spot on this trip, and it cannot be replaced by another participant, all non-refundable fees remain non-refundable.
No Show Policy*
Students who miss a trip’s preplanned departure from campus will not be allowed to join the trip at a later time. Students who miss a trip’s preplanned departure will forfeit all fees paid associated with this trip (no refund of any amount provided).
*Exceptions to above expectations and/or policies may be considered for adjustment on a case by case basis as determined by the OEL professional staff.