Adventure Travel Program - Discover Classroom Earth

Canada

All Other Areas in Canada:

Costa Rica

San Jose:
North Western Region:
Monteverde:

Mexico

Yucatan Peninsula:
Baja:

Peru

Cusco:
All Other Areas in Peru:

Tanzania

Arusha, Serengeti

United States

Phoenix
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Dates: Year Round

Description: Global Explorers is a nonprofit organization that offers middle and high school students and teachers the educational travel experience of a lifetime. All workshops include a comprehensive preparatory curriculum that focuses on science, culture, service and leadership, a 1-3 week travel experience, and a follow-up service project. Teachers use a Global Explorers curriculum to prepare groups of students from their schools for these unique, life-changing experiences. Global Explorers participants complete their workshops with a better understanding of our world and how they can fit into is as a responsible Global Citizen.

Through hands-on science explorations, meaningful visits to local communities and time to soak in the beauty and magic of the rainforest, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the many characteristics that make this region so unique as well as those that make conservation such a vital on-going challenge here. Preparatory curriculum explores the cultures of the Peruvian Amazon, the remarkable biodiversity of this region and the importance and challenges of tropical rainforest conservation.

This program offers participants the opportunity to experience the rich cultural and natural diversity of the Andes. We begin by experiencing the magical city of Cusco and the cultural riches of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After acclimating to the altitude, we head out on a four-day hike through the highlands. Along the way, we'll pass spectacular vistas and ancient Inca ruins before we finally arrive at the highlight of the trip: the spectacular ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. We cap the experience by spending a day engaged in a meaningful service project in Cusco. This program can be offered as an extension to our Amazon Program for the discounted rate of $1,795 or as a stand-alone destination. If you are interested in a 4-day extension to Cuzco and Machu Picchu that does not involve hiking the Inca Trail, please contact Global Explorers for details.

Countless explorers have come to the Arctic regions, many attracted by the rich and unusual web of life that makes life in the Far North so unique. It is home to thousands of beluga whales, giant herds of caribou, tundra wildflowers, great boreal forests and a fascinating mix of cultures. This workshop offers you the opportunity to become an Arctic scientist as you use cutting-edge research techniques to research and discover the incredible diversity of this remote region. Journeying by train, boat, van and on foot, you learn about what makes the Arctic so special and important to protect.

On this Arctic excursion, you'll explore the science of winter ecology as you study the frozen tundra, the great boreal forests and the Hudson Bay. You'll learn about the traditions and heritage of indigenous cultures of the region (including a chance to sleep overnight in an igloo!). And, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis. Journeying by train, bus and even snowshoe, you'll appreciate what makes the Arctic so special and important to protect. Preparatory curriculum explores the cultures of northern Manitoba and the winter ecology of the boreal forest and tundra ecosystems.

Few places in the world can boast such beauty and diversity as Baja California in Northwestern Mexico. From organ pipe cacti to gray whales, ancient rock paintings to small fishing villages, and desert mountains to the diverse sea of Cortez, Baja provides an unforgettable international travel experience. Exploring by kayak, snorkel, and foot, students on this workshop learn about the social, environmental, and economic challenges of conservation and sustainable development. Preparatory curriculum explores everything from the rich cultural history of the region to the biodiveristy of two of the most unique ecosystems in the world: the Sea of Cortez and the lower Sonoran Desert. This trip is NOT AVAILABLE June, July or August due to excessive heat.

From dense tropical rain forests to barrier reefs, ancient Mayan civilizations to modern day Mexican villages, the Yucatan is a celebration of ecological and cultural diversity. Join us in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world and one of the few large tracts of lowland tropical rain forest left in Central America. Jaguars, crocodiles, spider monkeys, tapirs, leatherback turtles, more than 330 species of birds, hundreds of species of fish, and approximately 1,000 human beings call Sian Ka'an home. The Yucatan: The Mayan Jungle workshop brings conservation and sustainable development to life as we explore the social, ecological, and environmental issues facing this incredible region. Preparatory curriculum studies everything from Mayan culture and history to tropical ecology and conservation.

Costa Rica is one of the best examples of sustainable development in the world. On this educational workshop, students will study conservation and sustainable development as they visit tropical montane forests, cloud forests and tropical dry forests. Along the way, students will see some of Costa Rica's amazing diversity, from parrots to howler monkeys and poison dart frogs to vampire bats. Students learn field science techniques, delve into cultural studies and work hand-in-hand with Costa Rican students on a service project. They study ecotourism and learn about sustainable and fair trade issues. Preparatory curriculum explores Costa Rican culture, biodiversity, fair trade and current issues in conservation.

Few wildlife experiences can compare to a safari in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Common wildlife sightings include lions, cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest, leopards, gazelles, elephants and hundreds of birds! Join us as we explore conservation biology in this spectacular region of the world. We'll conduct scientific field research, examine the important role that local communities play in conservation efforts, and work side by side with local students on a service project. Along the way, we'll hike beside Mount Kiliminjaro, visit with Masai warriors and dig into the 'Cradle of Life' of human civilization: Olduvai Gorge. In preparation for the experience, students research African plant and animal biodiversity and explore interdependencies between species. In the process, they learn some of the common techniques that wildlife biologists use to study in the field. We also delve into the cultures of the region and the critical role that people play in crafting sustainable solutions to conservation issues. Along the way, students learn research strategies used by anthropologists. Finally, students explore the role that they can play in making a positive difference in the conservation of biodiversity. Upon returning from Tanzania, student-designed follow-up service projects bring local community meaning to their life-changing experiences.

Global Explorers offers a unique program called Leading the Way that pairs sighted students with students who are blind or visually impaired. Sighted students will participate as partners/guides. Erik Weihenmayer will attend the mandatory student retreat in Colorado to help provide training for each field workshop. Erik will not be a guide on the actual international expedition. These competitive programs require that you submit an application (see below for details).

Leading the Way programs cover the core Global Explorers educational components including science, culture, leadership and service. Not only an amazing experience for the participants themselves, each Leading the Way expedition is paired with a social awareness and media campaign which we use to educate a much broader constituency. These campaigns provide a message of hope and inspiration while helping to break down barriers, misconceptions and prejudices that the public has about people with disabilities. Our 2006 Leading the Way expedition, for example, reached millions via featured segments on CBS Sunday Morning, the Travel Channel, ABC Nightline and ABC World News.

Travel through the land of the Incas as you hike in the Andes Mountains of Peru! Course content emphasizes leadership, community service, the cultures of the Andes and conservation biology. Open to high school students (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating in 2008).

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Global Explorers's Mission Statement: Global Explorers is a non profit organization committed to sharing educational, fun, transformative international immersion experiences with students and teachers. The Global Explorers experience is a holistic educational program designed to inspire students to become responsible, tolerant global citizens.