Service Learning

serVice LearninG

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

dO sOMethinG reWardinG With YOur students Complement classroom instruction with the most powerful experiences the natural world has to offer. Holbrook’s voluntourism and service learning travel programs place students in the ďŹ eld to volunteer their time, talent and energy toward helping to complete a community-based project.

you get to choose include just one service project or take an entire trip focused on service learning — the choice is yours.

2

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

VOLuntOurisM Voluntourism programs are rewarding because they allow students to use vacation time to make a difference within a community in a short timeframe.

Student volunteers are immersed in a variety of short-term community service projects that support both environmental conservation and direct community interest and need. Each activity offers students the opportunity to gain understanding about the indigenous communities they serve, as well as the environmental and social issues these communities face. The projects are concise and students have the satisfaction of completing them before heading home.

serVice LearninG

Photo By KAthryN eLKINs AND GrAZIANo MAreNGo

We design service learning projects to engage students in scientific research and education in order to promote the understanding and action necessary to achieve a sustainable environment.

Our programs combine in-depth discussions, field explorations and community exchange.

Service learning projects are often long-term projects for which each group contributes to ongoing needs based on community objectives.

Such projects may include reforestation, citizen science, community development, biodiversity inventories and environmental education. All of our educational programs integrate classroom learning with meaningful community service and critical reflective thinking to enhance students’ understanding of cultural and natural responsibility.

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

3

Our destinations We offer voluntourism and service learning expeditions in the following locations:

Americas • Alaska • Argentina • Belize • Brazil • Chile • Costa Rica • Cuba* • Ecuador & Galápagos Islands • Guatemala • Guyana • Hawaii

• Honduras • Mexico • Nicaragua • Panama • Peru

africa • Kenya • Madagascar • Namibia • South Africa • Tanzania • Uganda

asia and pacific • Australia • China • Fiji • India • New Zealand

polar Regions • Antarctica • Iceland * requires license

Photo by Joanna Livingstone

4

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

The Basics who is holbrook travel?

We are a group of dedicated professionals who believe that discovery through travel is the ultimate educational experience. In 1973, founder Giovanna Holbrook pioneered one of the first educational tours to the Galápagos Islands when she gathered a group of scientists to explore the archipelago by boat. Holbrook Travel was officially founded in 1974, and since then we’ve taken thousands of students, teachers, and professors to the far corners of the world.

Today, we continue her mission by offering students the opportunity to “learn by doing.” Our staff travels annually to meet with our expert in-country guides, inspect sites, and evaluate lodgings to ensure that each program meets our benchmarks for safety, academic standards, and value.

what safety precautions does holbrook travel take?

Your well-being is of the utmost importance to us, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for you and your students. We keep abreast of political and national developments in all destinations and exercise great caution in the interests of our travelers.

Before your departure, we’ll provide you with a list of emergency numbers within the country you’re visiting and the number for our 24-hour answering service.

If an emergency occurs at home during your program, your family can contact our office, and we will contact you in-country. In the unlikely event of an emergency, in-country guides are professionally trained and must adhere to strict guidelines. We employ both radio and cell capability in all destinations and track all groups while in the field.

how do I get started?

Photo couretsy of SCLC

We will work directly with you to develop a customized itinerary for you and your students. The first step is to review your program objectives and requirements with one of our educational travel consultants to determine the program that suits your specific needs and desired outcomes.

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com travel@holbrooktravel.com

5

saMPLe PrOGraMs These are just a few samples of what you and your students can do in the field.

Call one of our educational travel consultant to discuss your interests.

beliZe science, service and snorkeling Discover the biodiversity of Belize while delving into local culture and history. Take action to protect wildlife and ecosystems by contributing to meaningful scientific research projects.

•

Participate in bird surveys, observations, and mistnetting.

•

Contribute to ongoing terrestrial mollusk research with a resident biologist.

•

Assist local community members with pruning, harvesting, and planting cacao.

ecuador environmental volunteering

6

•

Experience Ecuador’s cultural diversity through a series of hands-on volunteer projects.

•

Meet with local leaders for authentic community exchange.

•

Work with school leaders on a school beautification project.

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

Photo By DeBBIe sturDIVANt JorDAN

On this 11-day program students will be immersed in a variety of community-based volunteer activities that support both environmental conservation and direct community interest and need.

Costa Rica take action to protect sea turtles From snorkeling to whitewater rafting, students learn through a number of fun and interactive activities.

Multiple community service projects are included in the program.

• Participate in a reforestation project at Punta Leona.

• Assist scientists with collecting valuable population data.

• Assist research biologists at the Sea Turtle Conservancy in monitoring endangered sea turtles.

hawaii island wisdom: environment, culture & service This 7-day itinerary is based in the historic city of Waikiki, a former playground for Hawaiian royalty located directly on the beach. Participate in service projects while learning about Hawaii’s efforts to preserve its natural environment and cultural traditions.

• Spend a day contributing to a service project and discovering local culture in the countryside.

• Work side by side with local community memebers to “huki” or pull and clean the taro in preparation for poi, Hawaii’s staple food.

• Participate in a service project in the Waimea Valley.

• Embark on a canoe outrigger ride on Waikiki Beach.

holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com

7

Our Partners in cOMMunitY deVeLOPMent and cOnserVatiOn Holbrook Travel leads the way in fostering best practices of ethical and eco-friendly travel. We have long participated in sustainable travel by supporting local conservation projects and community-based programs that advance conservation and development.

Our founder, Giovanna Holbrook, opened Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve in 1985 to protect 500 acres of primary and secondary lowland rainforest in Costa Rica. In the 1990s, the Holbrook family helped establish the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center to promote conservation education in the Sarapiquí region.

sarapiQuÍ conservation learning center

Photo By GreG BAsco

The SCLC is a fully independent nonprofit working to achieve a sustainable future for the people and wildlife of the Sarapiquí region. Funded in part by its ecotourism activities, the SCLC offers opportunities for cultural exchange between visitors and local people through activities and service projects. SCLC’s projects, which are run by international volunteers and community members, include environmental education, rural tourism activities, English classes, community outreach, women’s groups, and scholarship funds for high school students.

selva verde lodge and rainforest reserve Once at risk of deforestation, Selva Verde’s 500 acres of primary and secondary rainforest is now a private reserve that is home to hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and tropical plantlife.

The forest plays an important role in the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, and the Costa Rican Bird Route. Located just two hours from San Jose, Selva Verde provides easy access to the many wonders of the rainforest. Since 1985 Selva Verde has been a haven for nature enthusiasts from around the world.

our programs are customizable to meet the needs of your unique curriculum and goals. for more information and program ideas, contact us today! holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | travel@holbrooktravel.com