ADVENTURE, SERVICE, AND SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM
JUNE 18 - JULY 1, 2024
(Limited Space Available)
LENGTH 14 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 6-8
ARRIVE/DEPART San Juan (SJU)
SERVICE HOURS 10 - 15
TUITION $5,150
We are returning again to Puerto Rico for two weeks of adventure, service and cultural immersion. Middle schoolers can explore the pristine beaches, dense rainforests and unique culture as we immerse ourselves in island life. Participants can try bioluminescent kayaking at night, snorkeling alongside turtles, making authentic Mofongo, and exploring the unique waterfalls, pools, and ecosystems of the El Yunque National Park! Join us for the adventure!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE!
TRIP OVERVIEW
Activities
Snorkel Alongside Turtles: Learn about turtles in their natural environment.
Hike: Through the trails of El Yunque Rainforest National Park
Go Caving Underground: To discover the subterranean caverns carved out by the Camuy River
Bioluminescent Kayaking: A kayaking trip like no other!
Paddle Boarding: SUP on the Condado Lagoon
Coffee Farm Tour: Learn about the local plantations on a family farm
Zip line: Through the woodland canopy of Orocovis
Explore: Wander the streets of the historical town of San Juan and Ponce
Authentic local cooking class: Make and taste traditional Mofongo
Visit: the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial site to learn about its inhabitatnts from 400 through 1000 AD
SWIMMING ABILITY
Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.
SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Immersion within community and country
No previous Spanish speaking experience is necessary
Service
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:
Our service work in Puerto Rico will include a variety of environmental service work, as well as some community-based projects. All the projects are inspired by ongoing efforts to revitalize and restore ecologically important parts of the island following Hurricane Maria, and to contribute to rebuilding efforts within communities. Our aim is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding about the wide and long-lasting impact of natural disasters that hit communities, and for them to gain an understanding about the various ways they can contribute to recovery efforts. In a place that still feels the impact of Hurricane Maria, our students will participate in replanting native species, assisting in school repairs, and more! These volunteer experiences will also include speaking with local community members to learn about their experience during and following Hurricane Maria.
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING
Participants will stay in a private housing (Airbnb-style) accommodation during the trip. Bedrooms will be divided by gender and participants will sleep slumber party-style – in sleeping bags, rotating between available beds, cots, and sleeping mats nightly, and sharing beds as needed.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic, so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 3-4 days even when showers are readily available in private housing accommodations. On days with ocean-based activities, participants will be able to rinse off with fresh water.
food
Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.
Meals are prepared in the kitchen of our Airbnb-style accommodations with access to a full kitchen. The nature of cooking for a large group sometimes requires a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow. While students and staff plan and prepare the meals, an effort is made to incorporate local ingredients and cuisine from the local culture.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
TRAVEL
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their participant from home to Puerto Rico's San Juan Airport (SJU) on the first day of the trip, and from San Juan Airport (SJU) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all participants to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available from a major US city (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.
TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance nor do we require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, travel insurance can protect your investment in your participant's trip from the risk of unexpected expenses from last-minute cancellations or early trip departure. If you are interested in more details regarding travel insurance, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“My child enjoyed his RLT experience more than any camp or trip he's taken so far, our only regret was not sending him for longer!”
— SUMMER 2023 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Travel to San Juan (Day 1)
Our chaperoned flight leaves in the morning and we land in San Juan (SJU) later that day. Once the whole group is together, we take the short transfer to our first accommodation near San Juan. We settle in, play games as a group, and get to know each other.
hike EL Yunque National Rainforest (day 2)
We start the trip off strong with a hike through El Yunque National Rainforest. This lush, green rainforest has various trails, pools, and waterfalls to explore. Along the way we keep our eyes and ears alert for the native Coqui Tree Frog. We learn about the flora and fauna of the rainforest, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Following the hike, we cool off by taking our first dip in the beautiful ocean, and relax on the beach.
Service and bioluminescent kayaking (Day 3)
We start our environmental service projects in the morning. We assist local organizations in their restorative work following the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria. In the evening, we take to the water for a kayaking trip like no other. We paddle through a canal inside a nature reserve on the northeast of the island, which is surrounded by various types of mangroves. The peaceful waters then open up into the incredible glittering water of the Bio Lagoon. Tiny bioluminescent organisms called pyrodiniums bahamenses are responsible for this wonder of nature. They produce blue-green light from the top to the bottom of this bay every time you touch or move the water with your kayak, hand, or paddle!
service day (day 4)
Today, we continue the environmental service project to assist with ongoing local conservation efforts following the impact of Hurricane Maria. Following this service work, we spend time with community members to learn about the impact the storm has had on their lives. This deeper understanding of how the environment, climate change, and the community are all interconnected helps bridge the gap from the environmental service of the past two days with the upcoming community-based service tomorrow.
SERVICE AND SUP’ING (Day 5)
We wrap up our service project in the morning, but this time work within a community that was directly impacted by Hurricane Maria. In the afternoon, we test our balance as we stand up paddle board on Condado Lagoon. From pirate games, to paddle-board yoga, it’s an afternoon of fun and swimming in the clear warm water.
HIKING AND LOCAL CUISINE (Day 6)
We head back to the rainforest to take in more waterfalls and beautiful sights. From within this rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, we are able to see far and wide to the Atlantic Ocean. Following this beautiful hike, we sample some of the local culinary treats of Puerto Rico.
Old San Juan and El Escambron Beach (Day 7)
We head into the bustling city of Old San Juan, where we tour the exciting and colorful historic city center. While touring the area, we take in the exciting smells and sounds of the vibrant, culture-filled city. Following a morning of exploring, we head to El Escambaron beach where we cool down with swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. The clear, warm waters are perfect to cool off in, and spot local marine life will coral reefs not far away.
Snorkeling Excursion (Day 8)
Continuing our excursions in the water, we head to the eastern coast of the island to endeavor on a snorkeling excursion! We hope to see sea turtles, fish, marine plant life, and more! Guided by local experts, we visit the beautiful reefs of Puerto Rico that are teeming with aquatic wildlife.
RIO CAMUY CAVE and INDIGENOUS HISTORY (Day 9)
Today, we head west to explore another part of the island. Rio Camuy Cave system is the third largest underground river cavern system in the world. We explore the caves with our local guide, learning about the formation of the caves, the rivers’ impact, and the million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites. Following this excursion, we visit one of the largest and most important ceremonial sites in Puerto Rico. Archeological investigations indicate that the site's major period of occupation was from 400 through 1000 AD! The site consists of several stone-lined courts and plazas shaded by native trees. We learn about how the ancient indigenous tribes of the Igneri and Taínos lived during and before the arrival of Colonialists.
zip lining and mufungo tasting (Day 10)
We start this day with an adrenaline-filled Zipline experience high above the tree-line canopy in the rainforest. Zip through eight lines, between trees and over the canopy level of the trees, witnessing the stunning rainforest scenery. Following this exciting morning, we will have a chance to taste the classic Puerto Rican dish, Mufungo.
EXPLORE CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO (Day 11)
We head back into Old San Juan for one more visit to the vibrant city. We will explore Castillo San Felipe del Morro to learn about its historical importance, and take in the incredible views. We finish off the day with a fun salsa class to get our feet moving and learn more about the exciting Puerto Rican Culture.
Coffee Farm Tour and Forest Hike (Day 12)
Next is a trip to the southeastern part of the island. We visit a family-owned coffee farm, where we will learn about the history of the coffee plants on the island. Following this tour, we will visit a unique swamp forest, with its towering Pterocarpus trees. We will keep our eyes open for mollusks, arthropods, crustaceans, insects, amphibians (including the renowned Puerto Rican coquí), lizards, fungi, and birds for whom the Forest is home.
Hike, Beach, and Final Banquet Dinner (Day 13)
During our last full day in Puerto Rico, we do a final round of the best of the best of Puerto Rico - the reefs and rainforests! We go on one final hike to soak in the sounds and sights of the rainforest, followed by a final beach trip to relax in and around the warm Carribean waters. We end our 2-week adventure with our traditional RLT banquet. We take time to reflect on our experiences and enjoy our last full evening together on the beach as a group.
Farewell (Day 14)
We say our final farewells and return home from San Juan, and our Puerto Rican adventure.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out #puertoricorlt and follow @therlt on Instagram for trip updates this summer!