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Panama

Education & Community Development
see info below

Program Details

DATES
June 8-June 19, 2026

12DAYS

SERVICE HOURS
80
TUITION
$4990 (Plus airfare)

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY
Available

Alongside our partner, Give and Surf, you will learn about ecotourism, sustainable community development, and education in rural communities.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program will take you to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, where you will experience how Give and Surf is providing educational opportunities to over 1,000 youth in remote island communities. Your mornings will be spent learning about ecotourism, waste management, and coral reef restoration from local leaders, while your afternoons will be dedicated to volunteering at Give and Surf’s community centers. Through each of these activities, you will discover how Give and Surf empowers communities through education and locally-driven development that honors indigenous culture.

While based in Bocas del Toro, you will have the opportunity to work alongside local teachers, engaging children aged 5 to 12 in play-based learning activities that include arts and crafts, sports, English classes, music, and STEM. You will spend two nights staying in the Ngöbe indigenous community on Cristóbal Island, experiencing daily life in a remote island setting. Additionally, you will tour an organic cacao farm, visit a recycling center to learn about waste management initiatives, and snorkel at coral regeneration sites while learning from local conservation groups.

Outside of after-school programming, you will explore the unique environment of Bocas del Toro through jungle hikes, snorkeling tours, and visits to remote beaches. You will practice speaking Spanish with local residents and community leaders while staying at locally owned hostels. Through these experiences, you will see how Give and Surf focuses on creating deep, lasting impact within small communities.

This program is designed to help you understand the connections between education, environmental conservation, and community development while learning directly from local leaders. You will leave Panama with hands-on teaching experience and a new perspective on how locally-embedded organizations can create sustainable change by respecting local culture and empowering communities.

*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.

Support after-school centers by leading play-based activities, including arts, sports, and English classes.

Explore coral reefs, mangroves, and rainforests in the Bocas del Toro archipelago.

Stay overnight in a Ngöbe indigenous community on Cristóbal Island.

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.
3
TREKKING
In Bocas, you will primarily walk or take boats to local sites. You will participate in several easy to intermediate level 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.
3
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 first part of your program 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 Miami, begin group orientation in Panama City.

2

Morning flight to Bocas. Give and Surf orientation. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

3

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

4

Coral reef talk and snorkeling. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

5

English exchange with a local vocational program. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

6

Local organic farm tour. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

7

Cristobal Cacao tour. Field day with students on Cristobal. Spend the evening on Cristobal.

8

Morning activity with local indigenous leaders on Cristobal. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

9

Interpretive hike on Solarte or Carenero. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

10

Take a boat tour to learn about local marine conservation efforts. Volunteer at community centers. Spend the evening on Bastimentos.

11

Final reflection in Bocas.Late afternoon flight to Panama City. Evening in Panama City

12

Depart Panama City for Miami.

NOTE

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

Panama : 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...

Read More

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 (students from partner schools): $4790
Tuition (students from non-partner schools): $4990

*Students attending a partner school receive a tuition discount. Click HERE to see partner schools. Please note that tuition does not include airfare.

AIRFARE*

Estimated Flight Cost: $1000

*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.  

FINANCIAL AID

SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do everything possible to provide financial support to students who require assistance. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please indicate this on the application.  Resources are limited and tend to be less than 50% of tuition.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full description of our Terms and Conditions, please CLICK HERE.

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