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Z. Panama: Spring Break

Education & Conservation
see info below

Course Details

DATES
March 9-March 16, 2024

8DAYS

Departure City
Houston (IAH)
TUITION
$3199 (Plus airfare)

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY
Available

Alongside our partner, Give and Surf, you will learn about marine conservation, sustainable tourism, climate change, and community development.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Immerse yourself in the incredible archipelago of Bocas del Toro, where you’ll explore coral reefs, mangroves, and rainforests while supporting afterschool centers run by Give and Surf.

Spend your mornings learning about eco-tourism initiatives, waste management solutions, and efforts to restore the area’s endangered coral reefs from local sustainability leaders. In the afternoons, you’ll work with local teachers to engage students in play-based learning activities and connect with the Afro-Caribbean and indigenous Ngöbe communities.

You’ll also spend two nights at a locally-run hostel on Cristóbal Island while learning from the Ngöbe indigenous community. Along the way, you will be immersed in the Spanish language, connect with local residents, hike to empty beaches, and snorkel coral reefs.

This open enrollment program is available to any student with a spring break from March 9-16, 2024. Priority is given to students from SStS partner schools who have spring break at this time.

*Please note that programs are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Practice speaking Spanish while meeting with residents and nonprofit leaders.

Experience the rich biodiversity of the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Support afterschool centers by running workshops for local children.

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5
LEARNING SERVICE
You will learn about biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable community development and deliver enrichment activities at local community centers.
5
CURRICULUM
Prior to your travels, you will complete an online curriculum to gain background knowledge for your experience. While traveling, you will learn through engaging articles, cultural experiences, and group reflections.
2
TREKKING
You will primarily walk or take boats to local sites. You will also have the opportunity to explore various sites on the island on a couple of long day hikes.
3
LIVING CONDITIONS
In Panama City, the group will stay in a hostel. In Bocas, you will stay in simple dorm rooms at a local hostel in Bastimentos, with two nights at a more rural hostel on the island of Cristobal.
2
ON THE MOVE
After arriving in Panama City, you will take a short flight to the islands of Bocas del Toro. Once in Bocas, you will be based on the island of Bastimentos.
3
REMOTENESS
You will spend the majority of your time on Bastimentos Island, a small island without cars, that is a 10-minute boat ride from the main town of Bocas del Toro.

Itinerary

1

Depart from Houston, begin group orientation in Panama City.

2

Morning flight to Bocas. Give and Surf orientation. Spend the evening in Cristobal.

3

Cristobal Cacao & Farm tour followed by volunteering at community centers. Spend the evening in Cristobal.

4

Lesson planning and guest speaker. Volunteering at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

5

Recycle Center & Bocas Town. Volunteering at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

6

Bahía Honda community visit. Volunteering at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

7

Coral restoration project. Volunteering at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

8

Morning flight to Panama City. Late Afternoon flight to U.S.

NOTE

Itineraries are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

Z. Panama: Spring Break : In Three Phases

1

PRE-COURSE CURRICULUM

Prior to your departure, you will be guided by your course instructors through a series of interactive, online lessons designed to help you engage with other members of your group while gaining important context for your experience.

2

FIELD STUDY

The majority of the days at each site are spent learning from our local partners and serving alongside them shoulder-to-shoulder. You will learn through service and experiences designed to help you understand the local context, culture, and history.

3

LIFELONG NETWORK

Ethical leadership is a lifelong journey. After your experience, you will become a part of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder network. This network of past alumni and partners is designed to inspire and support your journey in ethical leadership.

Travel Journal

During the travel phase of each SStS course, you will spend time reflecting and processing your experience. The posts below are from past programs.

How Do You Say, "I Have A Gift For You?"

Everyday that we have been in Bocas Del Toro, two of my group members and I have spent an hour at a local restaurant in Cristobol teaching the moms who own the restaurant English. We spent our time teaching them common restaurant phrases such as what would you like to eat, my name is, and how are yo...

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Pure Joy

Today was our last day at San Cristóbal. Two of our leaders let us have a last hurrah with the kids. They provided us with a piñata. The second we got off the boat with the piñata all of the kids started rushing to the community center. It was a really special moment being able to see how happy all...

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A Different Perspective

Working in the community center for the past couple of days has definitely been a change from the active soccer games, piggy back rides and tag that were ever present in the first week of working with the kids. It has taken some getting used to, but having my leg contained in a cast has enabled me t...

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Polo Beach

The past few days we've had the chance to explore the local sites on Bocas. In the midst of our journey we came upon a man by the name of Polo. An eccentric man, Polo has lived on “Polo beach” for 55 years, aptly named after him. Once a millionaire, he blew all his money very quickly and now is supp...

Read More

Important Details

TUITION*

Tuition: $3199

Please note that tuition does not include airfare.

AIRFARE*

Estimated Flight Cost: $1100

*All students travel to their program destination on a group flight booked by Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder. Participants are responsible for any increase in airfares imposed by the airlines. All participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the departure city. SStS will confirm airfare and connecting travel information approximately 60 days before travel.  

WHAT TO PACK

Download Packing List

 

Immunizations

Download Suggested Immunizations

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full description of our Terms and Conditions please CLICK HERE. Refer to Spring Break program policy dates for information about deposit and payment.

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