TWB June 16th 2025 Experience: 2025-05-25

Teens Westward Bound 2025: TRIP 2!

Hey there, America! Get ready to meet your 2025 Trip 2 counselors and directors! We're beyond thrilled to embark on this journey across America with you this summer, soaking up every bit of what makes this country amazing. Here's a quick intro about us for now. Counting down the days until June 16th when we hit the road westward together!

LET'S DO THIS THING!!!

Grant Deaton- Program Director

HELLO AMERICA! My name is Grant Deaton and this is my 25th year traveling across this amazing country with TWB. I started going out west in 1996 and 1997 as a participant. In 2001, I began traveling as a counselor and became the tour director in 2003. It was such an honor and privilege to take on the role of Program Director in 2016. Words cannot express how excited I am about traveling out west again this summer with such an incredible group of young people. We are going to have a blast!
I have worked as a Marketing teacher for 13 years in North Carolina. I enjoy golfing, mountain biking, backpacking, as well as hanging out with my family and dogs. My wife, Kitch, and I are extremely blessed to have four wonderful little boys in our lives. Connor (14 years old), Brandon (12 years old), Samuel (10 year old) and Grayson (6 years old) bring so much joy to our family. I will miss them so much this summer.

Enjoying every minute of life is so important to me. Going out west every year with the best young people God has to offer is the best way to spend a summer in my mind. I can't wait to see you soon!!

Vickie Wilkins (TWB 1906)-Trip Director

Site Managers

Hey hey, it’s the V and I am so excited to meet you on this unbelievable adventure that will be unlike anything that you have ever experienced!! I am a blessed woman to have traveled with the Deaton clan over 35+ years across this beautiful nation of ours!! Some of you may know Dennis Deaton, , aka The Big D, who had the dream of sharing the USA with young people and his dream continues to make a difference in the lives of all of us who travel with TWB!! TWB has continued to grow and prosper with one of Dennis’s sons becoming the next Program Director and that would be the one, thr only Grant Deaton!! Grant sleeps, eats, and breathes TWB 365 days a year, 24/7 and he is Putting the finishing touches on our 23 days as you read this.

The V, aka Ms Beautiful teachers at Southern Lee High school in SANFORD, and I Coach, girls and boys, tennis, girls, and boys, bowling, and I work with SGA. I am extremely proud of my Bowling team who won the Boys State Championship last year. They were determined to work hard this year and see if they could repeat and they did exactly that.

If you have an extra bag of Fritos around, I suggest that you hide them because they are my favorite snack. I love peppermint gum, and if you see me eating a salad on the side, there is nothing wrong with me!! I Love salad, fruits, and veggies and if you do not want lettuce on your sandwich, please give it to me!! I’ll look forward to meeting you and your family soon, it’s going to be the summer of your life that you will never ever forget!!

Ashley Beaty (TWB 2016-2) - Cooks

Helloooo TWB Trip 2! My name is Ashley and I can't WAIT to go out west with you. This will be my fourth time on TWB and my fourth time traveling with The One and Only Ms. V!!! 9 years ago I went as a participant in 2016 (with Maddi and V!) and it changed my life forever. I went as a counselor for the first time in 2022 after I graduated nursing school from Queen's University. In 2024 I was lucky enough to go out west again! I currently work on an Oncology/Medical-Surgical unit in Charlotte and I became a Clinical Nurse Supervisor two winters ago on the same unit. Needless to say, my job is a big part of my life and I LOVE it. Some things about me - I love being with my friends and family, I love to run, and I loveeeee Reese's cups! June 16th can't come soon enough because I can't WAIT to travel out west with you all. God has blessed us abundantly to have this kind of opportunity so soak up every moment. (P.S. Pack a journal and make a note after EACH day. Something funny. Something special. A note about a good conversation with a new friend or a weird meal you ate. You won't regret having that in years to come.) Can't wait to meet y'all, so pack up your bags and let's get to Mallard Creek!

Gage Adcock (TWB 2019-1)

Bus Cleaners- Bus Packers

My name is Gage Adcock, and this will be my second time heading west with TWB. I was a participant on Trip One back in 2019… feels like forever ago… but also yesterday!

I’m from Belmont, NC, but for the past four years, I’ve called the greatest town on earth home, Oxford, Mississippi. I just recently graduated from the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss. Hotty Toddy! After TWB I am hoping to move to DC as an Intern while working towards Law School! When I am not watching Ole Miss sports I enjoy catching a Braves game, running, fishing or spending time on the lake.

TWB is a great opportunity that opened my eyes to the wonders of Traveling. I recently spent a summer in Cape Town, South Africa, gaining experiences I never could have dreamed of like surfing on the tip of Africa, going on a safari, and meeting tons of amazing people. I can honestly say my desire to explore and seek out those kinds of adventures began with my time on TWB.

I can’t wait to meet you all and spend 23 Awesome days exploring and learning about the Greatest Country in the World!

P.S. Always pick the gas station chicken over the gas station burrito

Maddi Hatfield (TWB 2016-2)- Bloggers/Research (That's ME!!)

HEY TWB TRIP TWO!! First off- CONGRATULATIONS! You have no idea how lucky you are that you get to travel the great U.S.A this summer and get to participate in what will be the trip of a lifetime. I’m Maddi Hatfield and I am from Denver, NC! I went out west for the first time back in 2016, and have returned the past 2 years as a counselor (shout out 2023 & 2024 Trip 2). I am SO excited to be going out west for a 4th time this summer with you guys!! A little about me-I graduated from Francis Marion University in 2021 and have now been a nurse for 4 years (now you know who to call if you need a band aid). I have worked in the ICU, been travel nursing, and now working in the cath lab in Charlotte, NC! Fun facts about me- I am a beach bum at heart, I never say no to taking a road trip or any trip for that matter, I am a foodie, live music is my favorite (looking forward to our nightly sing a longs), and I love a good book! Get ready TWB…You don’t know it yet, but your life is about to change forever for the better. P.S- get a journal, be yourself, be open to making new friends, and seeing new places. This trip will be what you make it! Here is to having the best summer EVER!! I can’t wait to meet you all!

Ethan Balkum (TWB 2018-1)- Dishwashers-Bus Packers-

I'm Ethan Balkum and I am from Union, South Carolina! I went out West in 2018 (Trip 1) and was forever changed by the experience. This will be my first summer as a counselor and I am super pumped for this year's trip and to get to meet all of you! 

I graduated this spring from the REAL Carolina, South Carolina, majoring in Criminal Justice, History, and Political Science. I am currently employed at the SC state house, working for both the Senate members and House of Reps, handling everything from policy research, fundraising, and making sure members are caffeinated.

Personally, I'm extremely passionate about Gamecock athletics, the Carolina Panthers, Braves, the outdoors, History, movies, cooking, among many other things. 

I'm super excited to go out West with all of y'all and can't wait to help y'all build friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime.  

*Word to the wise, try not to over pack. Less is more.*

Here’s a little secret: Trip 2 is ALWAYS the best :)

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