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Puerto Rico

VMS 2023
see info below

Course Details

DATES
February 17-February 24

8DAYS

Departure City
Denver
TUITION
AVAILABILITY
Application Closed

Alongside our partner, Tabonuco, you will learn about food security and the history of Puerto Rico while working side-by-side with community members on an educational farm.

Program Overview

This program will take you to Camp Tabonuco, a farm in the heart of Puerto Rico (Mameyes, Jayuya).

Camp Tabonuco is an off-grid farm set among forests, fields of coffee, and other fruit trees. While at Tabonuco, you will support several projects on the farm, including planting trees to support reforestation efforts, learning about agroecology, and helping with alternative construction projects (wood, bamboo, clay). All your efforts will be focused on empowering people of all ages to cultivate social awareness and ecological responsibility.

*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 working alongside community members.

Experience life on an off-grid farm located in the heart of Puerto Rico, in Mameyes – Jayuya

Support reforestation efforts, learn about agroecology, and help with alternative construction projects

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5
LEARNING SERVICE
You will support several projects on the farm, including planting trees to support reforestation efforts, learning about agroecology, and helping with alternative construction projects
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 be based in Jayuya and have the opportunity to explore various sites around the area on a couple of long day hikes.
3
LIVING CONDITIONS
While at the project site, you will live in rustic cabins. While in San Juan, you will stay in a hostel.
2
ON THE MOVE
After arriving in San Juan, you will take a day trip by van to a National Park and then take a bus to Camp Tabonuco.
3
REMOTENESS
You will spend most of your time in Jayuya, a small town located in the mountainous center region of the island.

Itinerary

1

Depart from Denver at 10:25 AM and begin group orientation in San Juan, Puerto Rico

2

Historical tour of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visit a local nonprofit in San Juan.

3

Visit El Yunque National Forest. The only tropical rainforest in the national forest system

4

Depart for Camp Tabonuco by bus. Farm tour and service project

5

Workshop/Service Project

6

Workshop/Service Project

7

Closing reflection and departure. Evening in San Juan.

8

Land in Denver at 4:50 PM

NOTE

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

Puerto Rico : 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 on and processing your experience. Reflections will appear here during the program.

Important Details

TUITION*

*Vail Mountain School will bill families for this program

 

REGISTRATION

To register for this program and complete all required paperwork, please create a CampSite account with the link below.

Enrollment code: vms-pr

Register

 

group flight

Departing Flight (February 17)

Southwest Airlines # 876 Denver, CO (DEN) 10:25 AM Arrive Orlando, FL ( MCO) 3:50 PM

Southwest Airlines # 3110 Orlando, FL (MCO) at 4:40 PM Arrive San Juan, PR (SJU) at 8:20 PM

Returning Flight (February 24)

Southwest Airlines # 1574 San Juan, PR (SJU) 11:20 AM Arrive Orlando, FL (MCO) 1:35 PM

Southwest Airlines # 962 Orlando, FL (MCO) 2:35 PM Arrive Denver, CO (DEN) 4:50 PM

 

WHAT TO PACK

Download Packing List

 

Immunizations

Download Suggested Immunizations

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please refer to Vail Mountain School’s Terms and Conditions for information on payment dates and refunds.

 

Questions?

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