We are thrilled to have launched our VIP program this month: "Very Important Adventurers"! This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the loyal travelers of Adventures in Good Company.
Becoming a ✨Very Important Adventurer✨ signifies a remarkable milestone: completing eight or more awe-inspiring adventures with AGC. We cannot express enough gratitude for the trust and confidence these travelers have bestowed upon us. Their continued investment in AGC has allowed us to be the strong company that we are today and has inspired us to create something truly exceptional to thank them.
As a seasoned explorer, VIAs are an integral thread woven into the vibrant tapestry of our community. Some of the benefits available to members of the VIA program include:
- Double referral credits: $300 for every new traveler referred to AGC
- An increased discount cap of 20% instead of 15%
- Early access to trips and new offerings
- Customized AGC gifts & exclusive offerings
- Other special recognitions and rewards
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Meet Maxie
Traveling with AGC since 2009 and has completed 26 trips.
Maxie embarked on her first AGC trip back in 2009, exploring the breathtaking Utah National Parks. Since then, she has embarked on numerous exciting journeys, making unforgettable memories along the way.
Among the many incredible trips Maxie has experienced, a few stand out prominently in her mind. The Utah National Parks adventure holds a special place in her heart as it was her inaugural hiking experience, led by the fantastic Marian. “This trip ignited my love for hiking,” Maxie told us, setting the stage for many more thrilling expeditions.
Magical Maine was another trip that left an indelible mark on Maxie's travel repertoire. It was her first kayaking escapade, shared with her best and oldest friend, and she fulfilled a lifelong dream of exploring the beautiful state of Maine. Cinque Terre also holds cherished memories, as it was on this journey that Maxie met her invaluable traveling companion, Deb Conrad.
An International Jet-Setter
Maxie's explorations have taken her to enchanting destinations around the globe. She fell head over heels in love with Belize, having embarked on two spectacular trips to this fascinating country. The allure of Chile beckoned, and Maxie enthusiastically traversed its vast expanse, relishing every moment of this grand adventure. Reuniting with her AGC hiking buddies in Greece brought immense joy and camaraderie. Croatia held a special place in her heart as it marked the inaugural AGC trip, an experience she described as truly magical. From zip-lining in Costa Rica to hang gliding in Switzerland, Maxie's thirst for new experiences and challenges knows no bounds.
As an avid traveler, Maxie gravitates towards Level 2 and 3 trips, seeking the perfect balance between adventure and comfort. She is currently on a quest to visit all 50 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa, and Nebraska remaining on her checklist.
What Keeps Maxie Coming Back to AGC
As a traveler who embraces the unknown and enjoys pushing her boundaries, “AGC gives me an opportunity to challenge myself and acquire new skills in a supportive environment,” she told us. “The packing lists are helpful,” she said, “and so are the pre-trip calls and emails.”
Maxie's passion for exploration and thirst for new experiences continue to inspire us at AGC. Her unwavering spirit and zest for life embody the essence of being a Very Important Adventurer. We look forward to crafting more unforgettable journeys alongside Maxie, and we are committed to making her travels with AGC as exceptional as her adventurous spirit.
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Meet Mary Ann
Traveling with AGC since 2001 and has completed 20 trips.
Mary Ann Hoyt has been traveling with us since 2001, when she went llama trekking in the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon. On that trip, she met Marian, the founder of AGC. “Meeting Marian changed my life with my kids transitioning out of college and moving to the west coast,” she said. “She was my tent mate on that trip and helped me realize it’s never too late for an adventure.”
After her trip, she interned and assisted on many trips with Marian and other guides, apprentice guiding Havasu and Boundary Waters before completing an AGC guide workshop on the East Coast. She completed the Joshua Tree climbing trip six times before bringing her daughter along to experience the desert's magic and celebrate her 30th birthday. “There are so many trips that AGC runs that break through misconceptions,” she said about those early climbing trips. “You don’t have to be young or buff to do these outdoor activities.”
Having traveled with AGC for over 22 years, many trips stand out. Mary Ann took her two daughters on an AGC trip to Scotland with Marian as their guide. “It rained the entire time!” she laughed, “But that didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.” Later, she and her daughters traveled to Turkey together with AGC.
In 2016, Mary Ann thought she'd have to take a break from travel due to scheduled surgery. Instead, she ended up on four AGC trips that year, taking a friend’s place last minute on the Rogue River trip, traveling to Nova Scotia, Alaska, and finally joining the Superior Hiking Trail with Deb Malmon!
Where to Next, Mary?
“There’s no shortage of places I want to go to!” Recently, she’s taken family and friends on trips to New Mexico and Costa Rica and, after meeting someone on a trip to Alaska, joined them on a trip to the San Juans.
When she’s not traveling with AGC, she enjoys cycling trips with her husband in Vermont and participating in hiking events sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club.
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Meet Maya
Traveling with AGC since 2011 and has completed 11 trips.
What is your favorite memory from an AGC trip?
"I don't have one favorite memory. The best part is, most often, the other women I meet on the trip. They are always women whom I find very interesting and touching in their life stories, and they often break stereotypes I have. I have met women from so many states and so many stages of life! I remember some of them years later."
Which trips you've taken with AGC stand out to you and why?
"Shenandoah, Slackpacking Georgia, Dog sledding and winter fun, The North Cascades (you should offer it again!!!), the Smokies, the Adirondacks."
Where would you like to go next?
"Too many to list!"
What do you like most about AGC?
"The guides and the participants."
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Have you taken eight trips with AGC, yet haven't heard from us?
Ah, the perils of being human! 😵💫 Our records from the early years of AGC are incomplete. Who still remembers the days of signing up via phone or fax!?
Some travelers may qualify as a member of the VIA program but are not on our list. If that's you, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing [email protected], or scheduling a phone call with our Adventure Specialist, Julie Fast, and we'll make sure to update our records. 💖
