TCTW History

Teens' Camping Tour of the West Inc was born from the dream of C. Peter Cole to take teenagers to see the wonders of the West and use the adventure of travel to guide young people down the path of self-discovery. TCTW took its first trips West in 1967 in VW Busses. From the success of that summer, and years of labors of love by Peter Cole, Doug Gill, and current director Sassy Smyth, TCTW has expanded to the age of mini-busses, customized trailers and an informative websites. TCTW has accepted participants from all over the world, but finds its main draw from Virginia and the Carolinas.

In 2013 TCTW inducted its third director, Sassy Smyth. Through the years TCTW has molded its program to embody six significant principles: love yourself, love others, appreciate nature, realize that you have been given unique gifts, recognize that it is your responsibility to use those gifts to make your corner of the world a better place, all while giving praises to our maker. It is these six principles that we hope all participants will come to embrace and practice throughout their lives.

Our goal is leadership and spiritual development for teenagers with the notion that raising up spiritually strong leaders is part of building a better world. TCTW with over 4,000 past participants has proudly been engaged in this mission for 47 years.

 

Summer 2019 

DATES:
Trip 1: June 10th through July 2nd, 2019
Trip 2: July 8th through July 30th, 2019
Both trips will depart and return to McClure Park in Statesville, NC.
Schedule changes are not anticipated. Should they arise changes will be made in the best interest of the participants.

COST: The cost of the trip is $2990 if paid with check. This includes a trip depsoit and a deposit towards the September Stockholders meeting that occurs in the fall. The cost includes transportation, camping fees, Disneyland admission, Snake River float trip, Archway to the West admission, Cody Night Rodeo admission, T-shirt, and most meals (with the exception of lunch in San Diego, Disneyland day meals, dinner in San Francisco, and Salt Lake City, and Breakfast at Wall Drug and Chicago). A $500 deposit will be required at the time of acceptance. $50 will be refunded once the following conditions have been met following the trip. Post tour participant and parent evaluations submitted by April 1st, 2020, a minimum of 10 people recommended for future trips, with one of those recommended becoming a participant. All trip fees are due May 30, 2019. Financial assistance (typically a payment plan- scholarships are limited) is available- additonal paperwork and evidence of financial need is required for this.  No financial aid is guaranteed until an invitation has been extended to the applicant.

How to Apply to Go West with TCTW: To apply for TCTW, click on the apply now button below.  Applications will be submitted through Active.com. If the participant is under 18, a parent will need to create an Active count to complete the application. Please be sure to enter the teen's information and not the parent on the application (It will be referered to as registrant on the website).  All components of the application (“Who am I” paper, favorite inspirational quote, recent photograph, letter of recommendation from a peer and letter of recommendation from an adult) should be uploaded to the Active account. Recommendations may be emailed directly to [email protected] if that is preferred.  Applications should be completed by March 1, 2019.  An application is not considered complete until all the components have been received, and preference will be given to applications completed by the March 1 deadline.  If you have problems with the application website at any point, contact Sassy at [email protected], so we can get it sorted out.  Please write down your login and password and read and retain your confirmation email once registering (there are important instructions in there on logging back in to upload documents) to aid in getting back in and not creating duplicate applications.

 

  • Apply Now!
by ACTIVE Network

 

 The staff for summer 2019 will meet mid to late March to review applications, and invitations to travel will be mailed by March 31st at the latest.  

For the packing list, click HERE.

 

 

**authorized Permittee of the National Park Service**