​Trek for Teens 2024: A Recap of Our Grand Canyon Adventure

Each year, we have the honor of being Title Sponsors for Trek for Teens, an annual fundraiser organized by The Launch Pad Teen Center in Prescott, AZ. This event not only supports an incredible cause but also gives us the chance to combine our love for adventure with giving back to the community. This trek takes place at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, where we joined forces with The Launch Pad to make the weekend a memorable and impactful one.

Thursday: Setting the Stage
The Tern Team hits the road Thursday mid-morning, heading towards the North Rim. After arriving at our campsite, we set up, said hello to everybody, made our dinner and called it a night, gearing up for the busy days ahead.

Friday: Prepping, Hiking, and Some Much-Needed Hammock Time
Friday was a day of preparation and adventure. We organized the kitchen for dinner later that day, and then it was time to explore. While some of the Tern team went hiking and mountain biking, others took the opportunity to relax and nap in hammocks, soaking in the beauty of the Grand Canyon. As dinner approached, the smell of brisket filled the air. On the menu were brisket and chicken sandwiches, served with a variety of salads and sides. I smoked the brisket for a solid 15-16 hours before we arrived, then rested it for another 6-8 hours before slicing it and packing it, so all we had to do was reheat it before serving. The evening went smoothly, and we had a great time serving the meal to everybody.

Saturday: The Big Day
Saturday started early—really early. We were up at 1:30 a.m. to prep breakfast for the hikers. With coffee and tea brewing, we set out individually wrapped breakfast burritos (bacon, sausage, and veggie-based) along with plenty of snacks. The first wave of hikers, including my girlfriend Denise, who took on the challenging Rim-to-Rim hike, left around 2:30–3:00 a.m. The second, smaller group left soon after, and we saw them off without a hitch. Afterward, we cleaned up the kitchen and began packing up our personal setups. Our crew included Janice with her motorhome, Aimee and her Aterra trailer hitched to her Suburban, Lindsay camping simply with a bedroll and her Tundra, and Denise and I with our Gazelle tent and trusty 1st Gen 4Runner. Once everything was packed, we went our separate ways.

South Rim Pickup and the Journey Home
After leaving camp, I drove down to the South Rim to meet up with Denise, who completed the extremely demanding 26-mile hike. It was my first time entering the park through the East Gate (Thanks Lindsay!), and it was a refreshing change from the more crowded entrances I’d been through in the past. I waited about two hours before Denise and her new hiking friend, Dawn, finished their trek. We said our goodbyes to the amazing team from The Launch Pad and headed home. The drive was smooth and uneventful, with a quick stop for gas and caffeine in Williams before arriving home, tired but fulfilled.

A Huge Success for the Launch Pad
This year’s Trek for Teens was a huge success, raising a total of $105,000.00 for The Launch Pad and the teens they support. It’s always a privilege for us at Tern Overland to be part of this meaningful event. From the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly, to the hikers who took on the physical challenge and raised the funds, a big thank you to everyone involved.

We look forward to supporting this incredible cause again next year and helping fuel the journeys of those who are making a difference. Stay tuned for next year's event and in case you've been debating about doing this hike, take this as your sign to go ahead and sign up for it! 

[ GALLERY ]