for over 30 years, lifeworks and parent programs actionquest and sea|mester have offered extraordinary adventure travel and service-learning programs for teens around the world. when we first developed our programs, our model was innovative and unique. as a result of our success and growing reputation through the years, many other programs have followed in our footsteps.
Today, we remain the most trusted name in teen travel and service-learning programming. There are many reasons why we outperform every other summer experience. Here are just a few examples of what sets us apart...
our statistics
The numbers speak for themselves - 7 out of 10 students join us because of a personal recommendation or are returning for a second summer. 75% of our professional staff return each year and over half were once students themselves.
experience
Lifeworks is backed by over 30 years of experience in the field of experiential education. Combined with ActionQuest and Sea|mester we are one of the oldest and largest organizations of our type, delivering educational programs to over 600 students a year. Our safety record, combined staff experience, and long history of both student and parent satisfaction make us the natural choice for teens looking beyond traditional summer programs.
leadership
We take great pride in the knowledge that our full-time staff are some of the most highly qualified and experienced in the industry. Directors Mike Meighan and Jim Stoll sail with our larger program in the British Virgin Islands every summer, preferring to keep an active role in the program that they created at the grassroots level.
For our summer staff, we are proud to attract and recruit the best in the field. Our staff consists of avid world travelers, highly qualified professionals, and fun and experienced facilitators and educators. All members of our team are dynamic, multi-talented, and passionate individuals with an unending devotion and commitment to the safety and experience of our students.
Click HERE to learn more about our staff
program philosophy & design
At Lifeworks, we strive for positive change in the world and transformational experiences for all those involved. Students are guaranteed to grow during our programs and have a lot of fun in the process. Our programs are non-competitive, service-based, and grounded in experiential education. All involve international travel, culture, and adventure.
To ensure Lifeworks is living out its vision and mission, we limit our programs to small, co-ed groups of 8 to 26 teenagers. This encourages close friendships to form while fostering unique, hands-on experiences. Students have a greater feeling of accomplishment from having completed things themselves, and their self-reliance and confidence soar as a result. Volunteering, living, and learning as part of a small team provides a perfect environment to develop these soft skills as well as leadership, compassion, and communication.
open to all
No previous experience is necessary for any Lifeworks program.
affiliate organizations
Lifeworks commitment to professional excellence requires partnerships with organizations equally as committed to environmental and humanitarian work. We are proud to partner with multiple local, national, and international service organizations where the need is authentic, and our results are long-lasting. Please see the "Affiliates" page of your particular program for more information on the organizations we work with.
program variety
Unique to Lifeworks is that in addition to our wide variety of service adventure programs, we also offer three other distinct paths for those who wish to experience and learn more with us. No other program offers this level of diverse instruction and experience.
ActionQuest
is the teen summer adventure arm of Lifeworks and offers programs in
the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Galapagos & Ecuador, Tahiti and Australia. ActionQuest
combines international adventure with cultural immersion and
travel. Most programs are run aboard sailing vessels and include scuba
diving certifications and tropical marine biology. Visit www.actionquest.com for
more information.
Arc Academic Expeditions offers diverse educational and academic summer experiences for mature teenagers aged 15 - 19. all arc expeditions are international, designed around a core academic, real-time curriculum, one that truly utilizes our world and our environment to bring the subject to life and ignite a passion for learning. Visit
www.ArcAcademicExpeditions.com for more information.
Living full-time aboard our traditional schooners and sailing through
extraordinary destinations that span the globe, Sea|mester teaches accredited
academics unconfined by the four walls of a traditional classroom. Visit
www.seamester.com for more information.
the lifeworks forum
This is a unique and fundamental element of all of our programs. Held at intervals throughout the trip, the forum is designed to complement the experiential learning that takes place throughout the day. Students have the opportunity to participate in – and lead – discussions and reflections on a variety of topics related to their experience.
Of all of the skills that students take from their programs, it is the
life skills that can carry them the farthest. At Lifeworks, we feel
that while building one’s life, it is important to base it on a foundation of compassion and personal integrity. For many of our teens,
it is the Lifeworks Forum that helps them examine and strengthen this
foundation.
the college advantage
In an increasingly competitive world, where colleges and employers look beyond the grades of students to the experiences that shape them, Lifeworks offers a unique and extraordinary experience that stands out on college applications and resumes. As an inspiration for school essays, video projects and more, many alumni give Lifeworks credit for giving them the "leg up" in application processes.
As a dedicated educational and community service program, the opportunities
for personal and academic growth are limitless. Upon completion of a
Lifeworks program, most students earn an impressive 100 hours of community
service and are automatically awarded the President's Volunteer Service
Award (PVSA). Read more about the PVSA by clicking
here, and learn more about how Lifeworks helps its students achieve
college and employment goals at Our
Results page.
