About

About Evan Elan

Evan Elan is CEO and Managing Director of Ivy Country Adventures, a summer camp and sports recreational company and teen travel program in Ashburn, Virginia. Establishing and running Ivy Country Adventures is an ideal fit for Evan, who has been a lifelong camper and camp counselor growing up in Merrick, New York.

As a high schooler, Evan worked as a tennis instructor at Coleman Country Day Camp in Merrick, New York, and attended Camp Pontiac sleepaway camp in Copake, New York. He also enjoyed his time on a teen tour travel program that involved trips along the East Coast and to Mexico.

As a camp counselor, Evan supervised the campers and ensured their safety, development, growth, skill achievement, and general well-being. Just as with camp counselors all over the country, Evan made the summer experience possible for the kids. He created an environment that makes for a life-changing summer for all of their campers and for himself.

To become a camp counselor, you need first aid and CPR training, previous experience with youth programs or a related field, and the ability to multitask and manage time efficiently. You must also have strong people skills, such as leadership, patience, communication, problem-solving, and organization, and serve as a positive role model to campers. Camp counselors should also be team players, creative, imaginative, and energetic. Evan fits the bill in every category and skill set.

The Genesis of Ivy Country Adventures

Having previously worked as a senior associate with a corporate internal investigations firm in Manhattan and Washington, DC, Evan decided to relocate to Loudoun County, Virginia, after having his daughter Sylvie. It was there that Evan came up with the idea to open an adventure and teen travel program for his daughter and her friends. The focus would be to help kids become comfortable traveling and learn life skills similar to those he was taught as a youngster.

At camp, Evan learned independence, was exposed to new experiences, activities, and routines, and was taught skills to help manage uncomfortable situations and adapt to new environments. He was encouraged to participate in events and skits, fostering his creative side. As a camp counselor, he fostered independence among the campers and helped guide them through different experiences and situations. He passed down these same lessons and experiences to a new generation of kids.

With Ivy Country Adventures, Evan Elan wanted to ensure that other teens gained the travel experience and many other benefits he had as an adolescent growing up in camp environments.

Building a Community

Ivy Country Adventures offers kids an opportunity to make new friends and expand their network, which is critical during their teenage years. With an additional circle of friends and support system, teens can reach out to those beyond their friends at home during difficult times.

Fostering Emotional Growth

At Ivy Country Adventures, Evan encourages participation in team-building activities, trying new things, and problem-solving. This provides teens with a unique opportunity to enhance their communication, social, and emotional skills. It also allows them to learn how to respect one another and build confidence, which they will take with them throughout their lives.

Staying Active

In addition, with all the activities available at summer camp, teens learn to develop good habits and live long, healthy lives. The summer camp offers plenty of opportunities for teens to spend time outside and have fun with their friends by playing games, swimming, participating in organized sports, and more. More importantly, it ensures that kids are not spending all day on their phones staring at screens.

Awakening New Passions

Evan Elan’s Ivy Country Adventures also offers teens the opportunity to expand their horizons in a safe environment. Thanks to being exposed to new hobbies, they can explore new passions, interests, and talents that they never knew they had.

The Teen Travel Program

Evan’s teen travel program is designed to build confidence and provide invaluable experiences that contribute to an individual’s personal growth and development. Travel can broaden teenagers’ horizons, allow for new perspectives, and enhance their confidence in navigating life. This can help lead to more opportunities and resilience throughout their social and professional futures.

Evan’s teen travel program at Ivy Country Adventures also promotes problem-solving abilities. Travel exposes teenagers to unfamiliar experiences, which increases their cognitive flexibility. Troubleshooting and negotiating unknown situations promotes confidence and creativity. Many parents report that when their children return from excursions, they appear more mature, responsible, and capable.

The program also aims to improve important abilities like planning, organization, time management, and attention. Furthermore, it promotes resilience. Travel enables teens to improve each of these skill sets as they learn to adjust to change.

Furthermore, one of Evan Elan’s key goals for the teen travel program is to help teens develop a sense of purpose by igniting their interest and enthusiasm and showcasing how they can make a difference. Travel experiences frequently provide direction and have a significant impact on children’s lives. The outings help children to discover something valuable or become excited about it.

Evan graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, and George Washington University Law School.