Panama Language Immersion Cultural Exchange Program | Panama Travel Camp

High School Students

Cultural Exchange &
Service Programs

Language Immersion,
Cultural Exchange &
Service Programs

Puente de las Américas, Puente de la Amistad

4-Week Language Immersion, Cultural Exchange &
Service Program

Session : June 29th - July 26th (28 days)
Average size of group : 18 - 20 students
Grades for session : 10 - 12
Tuition for 28 day program : $4995 (plus RT airfare from Newark, flight to San Blas Islands)

* This Program Offers Staff Escorted Group Flights

PANAMA, THE SOUTHERNMOST COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA, FORMS A BRIDGE BETWEEN TWO CONTINENTS.
This journey takes us to Mezo America, the land between North and South America, a place touted as one of the earth’s best destinations for eco-tourism. With their solid infrastructure and amazing biodiversity, Panama’s totally unique service and adventure experiences beckon. Our journey begins in the cosmopolitan capital of Panama City, a crossroads of culture and commerce. From Panama City we’ll travel to the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 360 dazzling islands inhabited and governed by the fascinating Kuna culture. From the islands to the inland, we’ll traverse the countryside to the northern province of Chiriquí and the “land of eternal spring” where we’ll share in the life of a rural village; living with friendly families and doing meaningful service projects. Finally, we’ll top off our adventure at some of Central America’s hottest surf beaches and protected marine parks. Whether we’re surfi ng in the Pacific, rafting through the fertile highlands, snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Kuna Yala, or walking through the 17th century ruins of Casco Viejo, historic and modern Panama will dazzle us.

Service Projects*

Earn 50-70 community service hours
Work on the environmental and educational programs of the Kuna Indians
Help construct community facilities in a Panamanian village
Present English Language lessons to local community members

Language Immersion*

Practice your Spanish with Panamanian students
Experience a homestay in a small, rural village
Engage in leader guided homestay language exercises and activities

Adventure and Cultural Activities*

Snorkel around the coral reefs of the San Blas Islands
White-water raft on the Río Chiriquí
Trek across the Sendero de Quetzales and Volcan Baru
Surf on world-class Pacific waves

*Please note that some of the projects and activities will change from year to year. A final itinerary will be printed prior to each trip.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Orientation - Panama City (4 days) – Upon arriving into Panama City, we will settle into the cozy private hotel that will serve as our base for the first portion of the trip. After warming up your Spanish skills exchanging money, we will tour the colonial section of Casco Viejo and visit the artisan and fish markets. We will marvel at the awesome engineering feat that is the Panama Canal and learn about the inner-workings of the canal at the Miraflores locks. We will also spend a day completing our first service project at an orphanage of the edge of the city.

San Blas Islands (5 days) – An early morning transfer brings us to the San Blas Islands. The Kuna people have autonomously governed the islands since the 1920’s and have maintained their distinctive dress, music, dance, and legends. During our stay there will be time for participation in a variety of meaningful service projects with schools and other community organizations. A snorkeling excursion around the coral reefs and time to enjoy the tropical scenery and beaches makes this a not-to-be-missed destination. We’ll leave the community of the San Blas Islands feeling a further connection with the people and the spectacular landscape surrounding them.

Chiriquí Province Homestays (10 days) – Chiriquí Province, in the northern region of Panama, is a mountainous paradise known for its ideal climate, small friendly agricultural communities, and spectacular scenery and wildlife. From Panama City we travel by bus to our small homestay village in the Chirriqui Province. For the next week, we have the opportunity to live, work, and play with the exceptionally hospitable people of this community. Students live two students to a home. The members of the host families do not speak English, so our Spanish language learning curve rises quickly! Upon arrival, we greet our homestay families and head to the welcome fiesta. The evening includes introductions of students and families, dinner, music, and dancing.
During the days we work alongside our host brothers and sisters on service projects that are determined and coordinated with community members prior to the trip. In the past we have worked with rural indigenous communities in the Ngobe-Bugle reserve. Examples of previous community projects have included building the foundation for student dorm rooms, constructing a lunchroom for the school, teaching English at the primary school, and painting a school classroom. In the afternoons we'll play soccer and basketball games, and spend time with the community members. Evenings include cultural activities such as dances or cooking classes, and games with our hosting community.

Boquete and Chiriquí River Rafting (3 days) – Located in the northwestern most province of Panama, Boquete is a mountain paradise known for its variety of birds, flora and fauna. We kick off our stay here with a white-water rafting trip down one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, the Rio Chiriquí Viejo. We then trek across the world famous Sendero de Quetzales. It is a challenge, and if lucky we will have a perfect vista of Volcan Baru, the highest point in all of Panama.

Pacific Eco-Resort and Surf Camp (4 days) – Time to hit the beach! We depart from our homestay community, promising to stay in touch with our new families and friends. We travel to the Pacific Coast, famous for its unique combination of rain forest and ocean settings. We’ll spend a couple days boogie-boarding or challenging ourselves with surf lessons taught by professional surf instructors. The wave conditions on this beach provide the perfect opportunity for all levels to hang ten!

Panama City and Travel Home (2 days) – Departing is sad, but the final trip back to our Bed & Breakfast in Panama City allows us to share our memories before we fly home. A celebratory dinner at a nice restaurant and an ‘awards ceremony’ allows us to reflect upon our last four weeks together. We realize that the Panamanian friends we have made will always be with us!