Our Roots
Global Works was founded in 1989 by Pam and James “Biff” Houldin. After dedicating more than two decades to enriching the lives of young adults through teaching, providing horseback riding programs for physically challenged youth, and running Stone Mountain Adventures, a summer camp at their family farm in Central Pennsylvania, the Houldins dreamed of something more. Pam and Biff envisioned an international program that combined community service and adventure travel as a way to give back to the world.
Biff chose Puerto Rico as the destination for the first four-week service program. In an unfortunate coincidence, Hurricane Hugo devastated much of Puerto Rico that September. Amidst the devastation, Biff realized that meaningful service and cultural exchange might be achieved through the reconstruction of homes after this terrible storm. In the summer of 1990, 25 students and 5 staff embarked for Puerto Rico under the name Caribbean Adventures.
After two successful summers in Puerto Rico, Biff expanded to British Columbia in 1992, changing the name of his brainchild to Global Works. Since then, Global Works has steadily expanded to other destinations around the globe.
The small office at the Houldin family farm has grown into a close-knit staff based in Boulder, Colorado. We hope to share our passion for travel, teaching, and the search for a real travel experience with you!
