PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this trip is restricted to St. Mark's Church youth and adults.

Sustainable Harvest International-Panama welcomes the St. Mark’s youth and adults from St. Mark’s Church in Washington, DC to their programs this summer.  The group will take part in sustainable farming projects, which protect Panama’s natural resources while improving quality of living in rural communities.  This educational service trip will provide opportunities for cultural exchange, service learning and seeing some of the world's most diverse tropical ecosystems. Trip participants will work alongside local staff and families to help in sustainable agriculture projects and activities such as planting crops, establishing tree nurseries, building wood-conserving stoves and more!

SHI families are excited to welcome St. Mark’s volunteers into their homes and share their community and farms. Homestays in the community will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the students are up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.  In addition to experiencing day-to-day life in the rural communities, the group will visit Panama’s beautiful coast, tour the Panama Canal and hike through the tropical forests that SHI is working so hard to protect and rebuild.  Additional interactions with SHI-Panama staff will help the group further reflect on the impacts and role of sustainable international development in today's world. Get ready for meaningful service projects and the tropical adventure of a lifetime!

READY TO TRAVEL?

• Flll out the Online Registration Form.
• Download the Info Packet for this trip.
• Contact us for more information.

Road Scholar Chocolate and the Maya: A Service Adventure in Belize

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this trip is restricted to families who have enrolled through the Road Scholar website.

Calling all grandparents and grandkids looking for a summer adventure! Join Sustainable Harvest International and Road Scholar for a service learning program in the jungles of Belize.

In addition to complex religious and political systems and a fully developed written language, the ancient Maya also mastered the cultivation of cacao, the source of our beloved chocolate. Grandparents and grandchildren taking part in this program will lend a hand to modern Mayans who are working on sustainable farming projects including growing organic cacao. The group will learn how cacao plays a big part in preserving the culture and environment of southern Belize and get the see the production of chocolate from bean to bar. Trip participants will also get to explore ancient ruins, kayak a jungle river and marvel at monkeys, iguanas and exotic plants.

Program intended for grandchildren from 10 - 13 years of age.

TRAVEL COSTS
Payment for this trip is handled by Road Scholar.

READY TO TRAVEL?

•  Register online now.
• Download the Info Packet for this trip.
• Contact us for more information.

SHI-Panama welcomes volunteers from Hancock United Church of Christ! The group will take part in sustainable farming projects which protect Panama's natural resources while improving quality of living in rural communities. This educational trip will provide opportunities for cultural exchange, service learning and seeing some of the world's most diverse tropical ecosystems. Trip participants will work alongside local staff and families to plant vegetable gardens, establish tree nurseries, build wood-conserving stoves and more.

SHI families are excited to welcome volunteers into their homes and share their community and farms. Homestays in the rural village will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the group is up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living. In addition to experiencing day-to-day life in the rural communities, the group will get to visit Panama City, enjoy Santa Clara Beach, hike in the jungle and tour Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal.

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays and volunteer projects with SHI participant families and excursions to Panama City, beautiful beaches and cloud forests of Central Panama. Get ready for meaningful service projects and the tropical adventure of a lifetime!

TRAVEL COSTS
$1,500 per Adult

These costs include project materials and supplies, liability insurance, rustic dorm accommodations at the work site and double occupancy hotel accommodations when we visit tourist areas, meals, in-country transportation and guide / translation service. In addition, 20% of your program fee supports the local projects you'll be working on in the field. This total DOES NOT INCLUDE airfare, medicine, phone calls, souvenirs, or any additional costs not mentioned.

A deposit of $500 should be sent in with your registration form. The balance $1,000 is due to be paid 60 days prior to the trip departure date.

READY TO TRAVEL?

•  Register online now.
•  Make a Deposit, Balance or Full payment for your trip.
• Download the Info Packet for this trip.
• Contact us for more information.

---

DRAFT ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival by 2pm at the Panama City Airport (PTY)

SHI Trip Leader meets group at airport and travel by private minibus to Penonome

Stop en route at Miraflores visitor center, Panama Canal tour

Orientation activities en route

Check-in at hotel in Penonme

Dinner in Penonome

Day 2: Travel to Cocle Work Site

Group breakfast in Penonome

Spanish Crash Course

Discussion of trip schedule

Group departs for rural village working with SHI in the area

Lunch with SHI field staff and SHI participant families, introductions

Meet your host families (2+ volunteers per family)

Afternoon tour family farms

Dinner with host families

Day 3: Community Projects

Breakfast with host families

Morning work project: school garden and tree nursery

Lunch in the community

Afternoon family visits, trip to swimming hole

Dinner in the community

Reflection and discussion

Group will stay with host families

Day 4: Community Projects

Breakfast with host families

Morning work project: wood-conserving stoves

Lunch in the community

Afternoon continuation of work projects

Dinner in the community

Reflection and discussion

Group will stay with host families

Day 5: Community Projects

Breakfast with host families

Morning work project: family gardens and erosion control

Lunch in the community

Afternoon continuation of work projects, trip to swimming hole

Dinner in the community

Reflection and discussion

Group will stay with host families

Day 6: Community Projects/Depart for Santa Clara Beach

Breakfast with host families

Morning work project: rice paddy and fish pond system

Lunch in the community

Recognition of participants, afternoon farewell ceremony

Depart for Penonome

Group dinner at restaurant in Penonome

Group will stay at hotel in Penonome

Day 7: Beach Day!

Breakfast at restaurant in Penonome

R&R Day at the beach

Afternoon departure to El Valle de Anton

Group will stay at B&B

Day 8: El Valle de Anton

Visit local artisan market

Waterfall hike

Group dinner and reflection

Group will stay at B&B in el Valle de Anton, or if early morning departure, return to Panama City

Day 9: Departure

Depart from Panama City airport, or continue traveling independently

¡Feliz Viaje!

SHI families are excited to welcome volunteers into their homes and share their community and farms. Homestays in the community will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the students are up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.  In addition to experiencing day-to-day life in the rural communities, the group will visit national parks, tour ancient Mayan ruins and make delicious chocolate.  Get ready for meaningful service projects and the tropical adventure of a lifetime!

Sustainable Harvest International-Belize welcomes students and educators from Vermont Academy to their programs this spring.  The group will take part in sustainable farming projects which protect Belize's natural resources while improving quality of living in rural communities.  This educational trip will provide opportunities for cultural exchange, service learning and seeing some of the world's most diverse tropical ecosystems. Trip participants will work alongside local staff and families to plant vegetable gardens, establish tree nurseries, build wood-conserving stoves and more.

READY TO TRAVEL?

• Complete the REGISTRATION FORM.
• Download an INFORMATION PACKET (pdf) for this trip to learn more.
• Contact us for more information.

Visit our Belize program page to learn much more about this country program.

We are excited to welcome students and faculty from The Pingree School to work with SHI's sustainable farming projects in Panama.  This year's program will include a hands-on look at SHI's work with families growing trees and crops in Panama's Cocle District.  Students will work alongside SHI participant families and staff on a variety of volunteer projects related to sustainable food production while learning about the impact of farming practices on local families and ecosystems.

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays, volunteer projects, farm tours and excursions to Central Panama's beautiful beaches, waterfalls and rainforest.  There will also be opportunities to visit artisan markets and tour the Panama Canal. The group will be staying with host families during their time in the village and have many opportunities to put their Spanish skills to work.  Accommodations while the group is in rural villages will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the group is up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.

Get ready for service learning, meaningful exchanges and plenty of fun and adventure!

TRIP FEE: $1,500 per person

These costs include project materials and supplies, liability insurance, rustic dorm accommodations at the work site and double occupancy hotel accommodations when we visit tourist areas, meals, in-country transportation and guide / translation service. In addition, 20% of your program fee supports the local projects you'll be working on in the field. This total DOES NOT INCLUDE airfare, medicine, phone calls, souvenirs, or any additional costs not mentioned.

A deposit of $500 should be sent in with your registration form. The balance $1,000 is due to be paid 60 days prior to the trip departure date. If travel funding is an issue for you, don't hesitate to fundraise for your trip expenses. Visit our fundraising idea page or contact our office for more information.

READY TO TRAVEL?

•  Register online now.
•  Make a Deposit, Balance or Full payment for your trip.
• Download this trip's Info Packet.
• Contact us for more information.

DRAFT ITINERARY
Day 1:  Arrival

• Arrival by 2pm at the Panama City Airport (PTY)
• SHI Trip Leader meets group at airport and travel by private minibus to Penonome
• Stop en route at Miraflores visitor center, Panama Canal tour
• Orientation activities en route
• Check-in at hotel in Penonme
• Dinner in Penonome

Day 2:  Travel to Cocle Work Site

• Group breakfast in Penonome
• Spanish Crash Course
• Discussion of trip schedule
• Group departs for rural village working with SHI in the area
• Lunch with SHI field staff and SHI participant families, introductions
• Meet your host families (2+ volunteers per family)
• Afternoon tour family farms
• Dinner with host families

Day 3:  Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning service project: school garden and tree nursery
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon family visits, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 4: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning service project: wood-conserving stoves
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 5: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning service project: family gardens and erosion control
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects, visits with host families, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 6:  Community Projects/Depart for Santa Clara Beach

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning service project: rice paddy and fish pond system
• Lunch in the community
• Recognition of participants, afternoon farewell ceremony
• Depart for Penonome
• Group dinner at restaurant in Penonome
• Group will stay at hotel in Penonome

Day 7:  Beach Day!

• Breakfast at restaurant in Penonome
• R&R Day at the beach
• Afternoon departure to El Valle de Anton
• Group will stay at B&B

Day 8:  El Valle de Anton

• Visit local artisan market
• Waterfall hike
• Group dinner and reflection
• Group will stay at B&B in el Valle de Anton, or if early morning departure, return to Panama City

Day 9:  Departure

• Departs from Panama City airport, or continue traveling independently

We are excited to welcome students and faculty from the Center for Ecological Living and Learning back to work with SHI in Honduras!   This year's program will include a hands-on look at SHI's work with families growing coffee in the northern highlands.  Coffee is an important crop in the region and students will work alongside SHI participant families and staff on a variety of volunteer projects related to sustainable coffee production while learning about the impact of coffee on local families and ecosystems.

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays, volunteer projects and farm tours. The group will be staying with host families during their visit to Buena Visa and Brisas del Mar and have many opportunities to put their Spanish skills to work.  Accommodations in the rural villages will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the group is up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.

Get ready for service learning, meaningful exchanges and plenty of fun, adventure and coffee!

READY TO TRAVEL?

•  Register online now.
•  Contact us for more information.

Sustainable Coffee Workshop - HONDURAS
Center for Ecological Living and Learning

January 27 – February 3, 2012

Friday, January 27:  Arrival

• SHI Trip Leaders meet group in Copan
• Group travels to Quimistan in mini bus, lunch en route
• Group checks into hotel
• Dinner at hotel
• Discussion of trip schedule, expectations
• Group stays at hotel

Saturday, January 28: Travel to Brisas del Mar

• Breakfast at Hotel San Miguel
• Spanish crash course and introduction to SHI-Honduras staff
• Group travels to community Brisas del Mar
• Lunch in Brisas del Mar
• Afternoon family visits and distribution of home stay (at least two trip participants per household)
• Dinner, lodging with host families Brisas del Mar

Sunday, January 29: Community Projects - Brisas del Mar

• Breakfast in Brisas del Mar
• Morning work projects: Natural fertilizers for plantain, bocashi compost and cardamom with Javier Rivera
• Lunch in Tierra Amarilla
• Afternoon reflection/course activities
• Group returns to Brisas del Mar
• Group stays with host families in Brisas del Mar

Monday, January 30: Community Projects- Buena Vista

• Breakfast in Brisas del Mar
• Morning work project: Irrigation systems with Jose Tavola
• Lunch in Brisas del Mar
• Afternoon visit to local waterfall and reflection activities
• Dinner in Brisas del Mar
• Group stays with host families in Brisas del Mar

Tuesday, January 31: Community Projects – Brisas del Mar

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning work project: Coffee Harvest with Francisco Garcia
• Lunch in Brisas del Mar
• Coffee depulping demonstration
• Group stays with home stays

Wednesday, February 1: Community Projects – Brisas del Mar

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning work project: Wood-conserving stoves
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon coffee roasting and reflection activities
• Group stays with host families

Thursday, February 2: Departing Community

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning termination of group work projects/workshops
• Lunch in the community
• Farewell ceremony, recognition of participants
• Group travels to Quimistan
• Dinner and reflection
• Group stays at Hotel

Friday, February 3: Depart for Tegucigalpa

• Breakfast
• Travel to bus station in San Pedro Sula in private minibus

Special thanks to the Trinidad Conservation Project for their ongoing support of SHI's work in Honduras' Santa Barbara District. The SHI-Honduras team welcomes the Trinidad Conservation Project back to Santa Barbara! During this exciting trip, we will travel to rural communities in the central highlands of Honduras to work side by side with families on sustainable farming and reforestation projects.

SHI families and our local staff are excited to welcome TCP volunteers back to their communities and share the progress that has been made in the past year. Homestays in the villages will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the group is up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.  In addition to homestays in the rural communities, we'll also visit the charming town of Trinidad and end the trip with a relaxing visit to beaches, rainforest or historic sites within Honduras (exact location to be determined).

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays and volunteer projects with SHI participant families as well as an R&R excursion.  Get ready for service learning, meaningful exchanges and plenty of fun and adventure!

For people who would like to take intensive Spanish language classes before the trip, a smaller group will travel to Copan Ruinas for a week before the work trip begins. This group will stay with local families and study at the Ixbalanque Spanish Language School. Classes are one-on-one and go from Monday through Friday, with a relaxation break Wednesday. Participants can visit the Mayan ruins, enjoy the hot springs, or engage in myriad other activities.

TRAVEL COSTS
$1,500 per Adult

These costs include project materials and supplies, liability insurance, rustic dorm accommodations at the work site and double occupancy hotel accommodations when we visit tourist areas, meals, in-country transportation and guide / translation service. In addition, 20% of your program fee supports the local projects you'll be working on in the field. This total DOES NOT INCLUDE airfare, medicine, phone calls, souvenirs, or any additional costs not mentioned.

A deposit of $500 should be sent in with your registration form. The balance $1,000 is due to be paid 60 days prior to the trip departure date.

READY TO TRAVEL?

•  Register online now.
•  Make a Deposit, Balance or Full payment for your trip.
•  Contact us for more information.

DRAFT ITINERARY

Saturday, March 10:  Arrival

• SHI Trip Leaders meets group at San Pedro Sula (SAP) airport
  • flight arriving before 2pm
• Group travel to Trinidad in private minibus
• Check-in to hotel
• Dinner at Dona Lourdes’
• Introduction to field staff

Sunday, March 11: Orientation

• Breakfast at Dona Lourdes’
• Orientation, discussion of trip schedule and expectations
• Free time
• Lunch at Dona Lourdes’
• Spanish Crash Course/Local Terminology
• Depart for El Tule by 2pm
• Presentation of participant families
• Dinner
• Evening reflection
• Group will stay with host families (at least 2 volunteers per household)

Monday, March 12: Community Projects

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning service projects: Family gardens
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon walking tour of El Tule and La Majada
• Dinner in the community
• Evening reflection

Tuesday, March 13: Community Projects

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning service projects: tree nurseries, erosion control and reforestation
• Lunch
• Afternoon visit with Dona Miriam
• Dinner in the community
• Evening reflection

Wednesday, March 14: Community Projects

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning service projects: wood-conserving stoves
• Lunch in the community
• School Program:  Activity organized at community center or school
• Dinner in the community, evening cultural presentation

Thursday, March 15: Departing El Tule

• Breakfast in the community
• Morning termination of group work projects/workshops
• Lunch in the community
• Farewell ceremony, recognition of participants
• Group departs for Trinidad
• Check-in at hotel
• Optional visit to coffee coop
• Dinner and reflection at Dona Lourdes’

Friday, March 16: Depart for R&R

• Breakfast at Dona Lourdes’
• Group travels to R&R site (TBA)
• Dinner and reflection
• Group stays at Hotel

Saturday, March 17: R&R

• R&R Activities (TBA)
• Farewell dinner, final reflection session
• Evaluations
• Packing for next day’s flight

Sunday, March 18: Departure

• Morning departure for San Pedro Sula airport in microbus
  • Arrive at SAP by 11am for 1pm flight

Sustainable Harvest International welcomes student volunteers and friends from Phoenix, AZ to Panama in June 2012!  The group will take part in sustainable farming projects that protect Panama's natural resources while improving quality of living in rural communities.  This educational trip will provide opportunities for cultural exchange, service learning and give participants a chance to practice their Spanish while contributing to important projects. Trip participants will work alongside local staff and families to plant vegetable gardens, establish tree nurseries, build wood-conserving stoves and more.

SHI families are excited to welcome volunteers into their homes and share their community and farms. Homestays in the community will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the students are up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.  In addition to experiencing day-to-day life in the rural communities, the group will get to visit Panama City, enjoy Santa Clara Beach, hike in the jungle and tour the Panama Canal.

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays and volunteer projects with SHI participant families and excursions to Panama City, beautiful beaches and cloud forests of Central Panama.  Get ready for meaningful service projects and the tropical adventure of a lifetime!

READY TO TRAVEL? Fill out the online REGISTRATION FORM or contact us for more information. Download an INFORMATION PACKET (pdf) for this trip to learn more.
ALREADY REGISTERED? Click here to make a Deposit, Balance or Full payment for your trip.

SHI Smaller World Service Trip: June 6 – 14, 2012

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival

• Arrival by 2pm at the Panama City Airport (PTY)
• SHI Trip Leader meets group at airport and travel by private minibus to Penonome
• Stop en route at Miraflores visitor center, Panama Canal tour
• Orientation activities en route
• Check-in at hotel in Penonme
• Dinner in Penonome

Day 2:  Travel to Cocle Work Site

• Group breakfast in Penonome
• Spanish Crash Course
• Discussion of trip schedule
• Group departs for rural village working with SHI in the area
• Lunch with SHI field staff and SHI participant families, introductions
• Meet your host families (2+ volunteers per family)
• Afternoon tour family farms
• Dinner with host families

Day 3:  Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: school garden and tree nursery
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon family visits, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 4: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: wood-conserving stoves
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 5: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: family gardens and erosion control
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 6:  Community Projects/Depart for Santa Clara Beach

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: rice paddy and fish pond system
• Lunch in the community
• Recognition of participants, afternoon farewell ceremony
• Depart for Penonome
• Group dinner at restaurant in Penonome
• Group will stay at hotel in Penonome

Day 7:  Beach Day!

• Breakfast at restaurant in Penonome
• R&R Day at the beach
• Afternoon departure to El Valle de Anton
• Group will stay at B&B

Day 8:  El Valle de Anton

• Visit local artisan market
• Waterfall hike
• Group dinner and reflection
• Group will stay at B&B in el Valle de Anton, or if early morning departure, return to Panama City

Day 9:  Departure

• Depart from Panama City airport, or continue traveling independently

¡Feliz Viaje!

Engage in dialogue about community-based service-learning that involves concepts of sustainability, organic agriculture and environmental restoration.

Through activities in our schools, at our training center and afternoon visits to SHI family farms, participants will develop and share curriculum ideas that can be brought back to their home schools.  All participants will be able to shape the service-learning curriculum guide that will be produced at the end of the trip. Participants will be exposed to rural culture through homestays and other cultural activities - and even relax a bit in the subtropical sunshine!

This trip will be somewhat strenuous.  Trip participants will be far away from the usual comforts of the city for several days, and will stay with host families.  Not all of the trip will be work, as we also plan on either a couple of days on the beaches of a tropical island or a hike to the summit of a Nicaraguan volcano.

Click here to see a list of travel grants available for educators.

READY TO TRAVEL? Contact us to register for an upcoming tour or to plan one for your group! On Facebook? RSVP to this trip.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY*

Saturday, July 7:  Arrival

• Group arrives at Managua airport
• Tour of monumental center
• Group dinner at Casa de Felipe Godoy Mejia
• Orientation, discussion of trip schedule and objectives
• Group will stay at Hotel Las Mercedes

Sunday, July 8:  Move to Bluefields

• Breakfast at hotel
• Morning flight to Bluefields on La Costena (~ 1 hr)
• Group checks in to Oasis Hotel
• Introduction of SHI-Nicargua field staff, tour of Bluefields demo farm
• Lunch at the demo farm
• Afternoon workshop themes:  mapping exercise, “what is stewardship?”
• Group dinner and reflection
• Group will stay at Oasis Hotel

Monday, July 9:  Move to Kukra Hill Work Site

• Breakfast at hotel
• Group moves to Kukra Hill work site by boat (~ 5 hrs)
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon family visits:  SHI overview, “defining place”
• Evening reflection
• Dinner and lodging with host families (2 persons + per family)

Tuesday, July 10:  Kukra Hill

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project:  reforestation, tree maintenance
• Lunch in the community
• Walk through community forest reserve
• Afternoon workshop theme:  nurturing a connection to local resources
• Evening reflection
• Dinner and lodging with host families

Wednesday, July 11:  Kukra Hill

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning school activity:  vegetable production, elaboration of organic fertilizers
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon workshop theme:  integrated, sustainable production
• Evening reflection
• Dinner and lodging with host families

Thursday, July 12:  Kukra Hill

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project:  wood-conserving stoves, biodigesters
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon workshop theme:  community well-being
• Visit to local natural feature or cane press
• Evening reflection and cultural exchange
• Dinner and lodging with host families

Friday, July 13:  Kukra Hill to the Corn Islands

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning workshop theme: taking action
• Recognition of participants
• Departure for Bluefield by boat (~ 5 hrs), flight to Big Corn Island
• Group dinner and reflection
• Group will stay at hotel (TBD)

Saturday, July 14:  R&R in the Corn Islands

• Free time: snorkeling, souvenir shopping, hiking, relaxing
• Group dinner and reflection
• Evaluations
• Group will stay at hotel (TBD)

Sunday, July 15:  Departure for Managua (and Beyond)

• Morning departure for Managua by plane on La Costena (~ 1.5 hrs)

* Smaller World Tour itineraries are shaped by the requests of SHI's Central American field trainers and the farming communities we serve.  Trip participants work alongside local staff and families and we do our best to match groups with activities that fit their interests, skills and schedules. Each Smaller World Tour is accompanied by an SHI trip leader who coordinates the group's activities on the ground.  Specific projects and plans may change and we request that volunteers keep an open mind and remain flexible during their trip.

TRAVEL COSTS
The cost for this trip is $1,500 per person.  This total includes project materials and supplies, flights between Managua and Bluefields and all other in-country transportation, rustic accommodations with a host family, and double occupancy hotel accommodations when we visit tourist areas, meals and guide / translation service.  In addition, 20% of your program fee supports the local projects you'll be working on in the field.

A deposit of $300 should be sent in with your registration form.  The balance $1,200 is due to be paid 60 days prior to the trip departure date.  If travel funding is an issue for you, don't hesitate to fundraise for your trip expenses. Visit our fundraising idea page or contact our office for more information.

READY TO TRAVEL? Contact us to register for an upcoming tour or to plan one for your group!

Visit our Nicaragua program page to learn much more about this country program.

Belize Rainforest Service Adventure!

(Please note: This trip is only open to Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth families. If your group would like to schedule a trip like this, please contact us.)

Does your family want to make a difference during winter break?  Join CTY Family Academic Programs for an exciting service-learning adventure in the rainforests of Belize!

Join CTY as we travel to Belize, a country that boasts a lush tropical landscape, untouched rainforests, ancient Mayan history, and modern Mayan culture. However, southern Belize’s natural treasures are quickly disappearing under pressures of slash and burn farming, rapid development, and growing populations.

Sustainable Harvest International (SHI)*, a locally-run, non-profit organization, is working with families in Belize to combat these problems. SHI provides farming families in Central America with the training and tools to preserve our planet's tropical forests while overcoming poverty. During this exciting program, CTY participants will contribute to this mission by working alongside Belizean families and SHI staff to complete hands-on, meaningful projects such as building wood-conserving stoves, reforesting burned fields, or establishing school gardens.

In this itinerary, we will also visit Lubaantun Mayan ruins and learn about ancient Mayan civilizations in southern Belize. As we study the connection between agriculture and society, we will get a hands-on experience to learn how cacao is grown, roasted, and made into traditional Mayan hot chocolate. You will also get to visit waterfalls, swimmable caves, and a modern chocolate factory! Families will leave with a deeper understanding of the intertwined economic, environmental, and social challenges facing the people of Belize and other developing countries.

Our accommodations will be fully-furnished, private, thatched cabanas in the eco-hotel Cotton Tree Lodge, which is nestled between unspoiled rainforest and the banks of the Moho River. We will have time to take advantage of their on-site activities, such as kayaking, garden tours, and horseback riding. An optional trip extension will send you snorkeling on the Belize Barrier Reef!

Sign up early for special pricing!

Register on or before August 1, 2011:

$4,970 per family (includes one student and one parent):

$1,980 per additional adult (age 18+) $1,440 per additional student (age 8-17)

Register between August 2 and October 26, 2011:

$5,170 per family (includes one student and one parent)

$2,080 per additional adult (age 18+) $1,540 per additional student (age 8-17)

Cost includes...

• Fully-furnished accommodations in private en-suite cabanas at jungle eco-hotel, Cotton Tree Lodge

• Round-trip flights between Belize International Airport and Punta Gorda

• All meals during length of the program, including soft drinks and juices

• Transfers between Punta Gorda and Cotton Tree Lodge

• Tax-deductible donation to Sustainable Harvest International of $150 per person

• On-site activities, including kayaking, horseback riding, bicycling, garden tours

• Tour guide, all activities and tours as listed in the itinerary (see below)

• All taxes and gratuities

Cost does not include...

• Airfare to and from Belize International Airport

• Travel/Evacuation insurance • Passport, baggage, laundry, medical,

or other personal expenses • Optional activities, optional trip extension to Belize Barrier Reef

(Please note: This trip is only open to Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth families. If your group would like to schedule a trip like this, please contact us.)