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Peru

Surf & Ocean Conservation
see info below

Program Details

DATES
June 11-June 22, 2026

12DAYS

SERVICE HOURS
80
TUITION
$5190* (Plus Airfare)

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY
Available

Alongside our partner, Coast 2 Coast Movement, you will learn about ocean conservation, rural education, surf therapy, and photography while living in the small-scale fishing village of Lobitos, Peru.

Note: This is a co-ed program. No prior surf experience is required.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program will take you to the coast of Northern Peru, where you will experience how surfing and ocean-based activities can transform lives and strengthen communities. Your days will be spent working directly with Coast 2 Coast Movement to deliver educational surf programs that help local youth build confidence, develop leadership skills, and strengthen community connections. You will co-facilitate surf therapy sessions designed to improve mental health outcomes for young people in the community. Between sessions, you will develop your own surfing abilities while learning how the ocean can serve as a powerful tool for personal growth and healing.

Outside of the ocean, you will collaborate with local students in their school to create and produce the Festival Somos Mar (We are the Sea Festival) – a community-wide celebration of marine conservation and cultural heritage. Through hands-on photography projects, stop-motion animation workshops, collaborative mural creation, and interactive educational activities, you will work alongside local youth to explore the connections between human and ocean health and promote sustainable fishing practices. Through each of these activities, you will discover how art and education can inspire communities to protect their marine environment.

Throughout these creative projects, you will help young community members document and share their stories through film and photography while developing your own storytelling skills. You will also participate in beach clean-ups and engage in discussions with local fishermen about the importance of small-scale fisheries and sustainable ocean practices.

This program is designed to help you discover your inner strength, build meaningful cross-cultural relationships, and experience firsthand how the ocean can be a source of healing and transformation. You will leave Peru with new surfing skills, photography experience, and a deep understanding of how ocean conservation and community development work together to create positive change.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Learn about ocean conservation and the importance of small-scale fisheries.

Experience surfing as a tool for personal growth and healing. No prior surf experience is required.

Support local youth through creative arts workshops and the Festival Somos Mar.

Practice speaking Spanish while working alongside local residents and youth.

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5
LEARNING SERVICE
You will learn about ocean conservation, rural education, surf therapy, and photography.
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
In Lobitos, you will be walking to local sites around town as well as participating in beach walks and beach clean-ups.
2
LIVING CONDITIONS
In Lobitos, you will be staying at a local hotel in dorm rooms.
2
ON THE MOVE
You will be based in Lobitos for the majority of your time on the program, with an occasional short van ride (30 minutes) to visit local sites.
3
REMOTENESS
You will be based in the small fishing town of Lobitos, Peru. Lobitos is a quiet fishing town that has some surf tourism but maintains its small-town feel.

Itinerary

1

Depart from Miami at 11 PM on an overnight flight to Lima, Peru

2

Arrive in Lima, Peru. Depart by plane for Piura, Peru. Arrive to Lobitos for orientation and dinner. Evening at local hotel.

3

Surf therapy with local students + beach activities. Local tour of Lobitos. Evening at local hotel.

4

Fishing with Artisanal Fishermen. Surf class. Evening at local hotel.

5

Festival Somos Mar at the local school (Photography workshops, Mural workshops, Interactive classes). Visit “Las Cupullanas” Sea Caves. Evening at local hotel.

6

Festival Somos Mar at the local school (Photography workshops, Mural workshops, Interactive classes). Surf class. Evening at local hotel.

7

Festival Somos Mar at the local school (Photography workshops, Mural workshops, Interactive classes). Surf class. Evening at local hotel.

8

Festival Somos Mar at the local school (Photography workshops, Mural workshops, Interactive classes). Surf class. Evening at local hotel.

9

Festival Somos Mar at the local school (Photography workshops, Mural workshops, Interactive classes). Community exhibition of Festival Somos Mar. Evening at local hotel.

10

Surf therapy session with local students. Final reflection. Evening at local hotel.

11

Depart by plane for Lima, Peru. Depart Lima, Peru for Miami.

12

Arrival in Miami, Fl (MIA)

Peru : In Three Phases

1

PRE-TRAVEL 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. This is a new program, so there are currently no posts.

Important Details

TUITION*

Tuition (students from partner schools): $4990
Tuition (students from non-partner schools): $5190

*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: $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.  

FINANCIAL AID

SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do everything possible financially to support 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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