For 2025 the cost of the Maui trip is $2875. Class will be held during the entire January Term and the trip is scheduled for January 9-16.
The only things you'll have to pay for on Maui are your souvenirs and food! The condos include a fully equipped kitchen and we make regular stops at the supermarket so you can prepare your own meals to keep food costs down.
This class does the best it can to follow sustainable practices. Some things like air and ground transportation can't be avoided. In other instances we will do everything we can to support local products and agencies. We also follow the principles of "Leave No Trace" in our outdoor activities to minimize environmental impact. Also, we purchase carbon offsets when we rent vans in Maui to offset their emissions. Lastly, to reduce impact the group size is limited.
This trip will require you to be fairly active each day. If you get winded getting up off the couch this trip probably isn't for you. On the other hand, if you are in average shape, can hike a few miles and have a real desire to experience all that Maui has to offer you'll do fine. Dr. Kennedy works with the group each year to insure that everyone is getting plenty of opportunity for rest to prepare for each day's activities. If you have any concerns he'll be glad to discuss them with you.
NO! Your money is better spent sitting around Virginia Beach. This trip is for people who love the outdoors, want to explore Maui every day, and are open to new experiences.
The condos where we stay are very nice. We use two bedroom OCEANFRONT condos that feature one or two balconies, fully equipped kitchens, two bathrooms; and include access to a barbecue area, pool, spa, tennis courts, and other amenities.
No. All you need are normal outdoor wear. If you don’t have snorkeling equipment we’ll take care of renting it for $10 when we get to Maui.
Yes. The days are busy but just about every day you’ll have time during the day or at night to do as you wish.
NO! There's no guarantee from one year to the next that the class will be offered. When the class was not offered in 2012 there were many graduating seniors who wished they had taken it earlier.
Contact Dr. Kennedy ASAP at dkennedy@vwu.edu
Dr. Kennedy will ask each person who he/she wants to share the condo with and try to make the best possible arrangements. If you sign-up with one or more other people and want to stay together it won't be a problem at all. So, talk to your friends and get them to sign up asap if they are interested.
Days will usually be in the 80's and nights around 70. Dr. Kennedy will brief everyone before departure so you pack correctly.
No! Dr. Kennedy has taught a "Travel and Tourism" class at VWU for the past 32 years and arranged school trips to Maui and Mexico for over two decades. In order to take full advantage of winter session he created this unique class that pulls from the best parts of past Maui experiences to provide an intensive course that includes memorable travel experiences. To date, over 300 students have participated in the Maui experience with several returning for the trip the following year to repeat the activities.