Are you ready for an adventure learning experience of a lifetime? Asylum, a local non-profit has prepared a project class for students to spend the year learning: Spanish, business planning a non-profit humanitarian project, organizing and carrying out fundraising, and cultural immersion through a culminating 2 week humanitarian trip to Ecuador.
Located in the coastal mountains, deep in the rainforest lies a series of villages that are in much need of clean water, sanitation and education. Throughout this class you will work with your peers to develop a business plan for the non-profit service project determined by the class in one of the villages in the Mache-Chindul region of Ecuador.
A large part of the class will be to plan and carry out fundraising activities, study the Spanish language as well as Ecuadorian Culture, in addition to creating a business plan for a non-profit humanitarian project and learning Spanish.
In addition to our service project in the jungle village we will also spend time traveling and experience different regions of Ecuador. During the trip we will spend time in the capital city of Quito which is located high in the Andes mountains. Visit a research station working to re-plant the rain-forest cut down do to oil development. We will also spend time exploring the rain-forest, play in waterfalls, watch monkeys, look for frogs and other animals unique to the rain forest. We may go visit native Ecuadorians in the Andes or spend time exploring the cloud forest depending on what the class decides.
It is impossible to adequately describe the jungle and it's impact on people. So I won't try, what I will say is that it will change your life. You will gain increased appreciation for what you have. You will see a simpler and often better way to live. You will develop relationships with people that will last forever and you will finally get to see why everyone makes such a big deal about the rainforest.
Located in the coastal mountains, deep in the rainforest lies a series of villages that are in much need of clean water, sanitation and education. Throughout this class you will work with your peers to develop a business plan for the non-profit service project determined by the class in one of the villages in the Mache-Chindul region of Ecuador.
A large part of the class will be to plan and carry out fundraising activities, study the Spanish language as well as Ecuadorian Culture, in addition to creating a business plan for a non-profit humanitarian project and learning Spanish.
In addition to our service project in the jungle village we will also spend time traveling and experience different regions of Ecuador. During the trip we will spend time in the capital city of Quito which is located high in the Andes mountains. Visit a research station working to re-plant the rain-forest cut down do to oil development. We will also spend time exploring the rain-forest, play in waterfalls, watch monkeys, look for frogs and other animals unique to the rain forest. We may go visit native Ecuadorians in the Andes or spend time exploring the cloud forest depending on what the class decides.
It is impossible to adequately describe the jungle and it's impact on people. So I won't try, what I will say is that it will change your life. You will gain increased appreciation for what you have. You will see a simpler and often better way to live. You will develop relationships with people that will last forever and you will finally get to see why everyone makes such a big deal about the rainforest.
Year Long Class: August - May
The Ecuador Project Format: Held weekly in the evening (typically in person format, but with COVID format TBD; day and time TBD).
Ecuador Adventure Learning Add-On: In the Spring the Scholar may choose to participate in a Field Trip to the villages in the Mache-Chindul region of Ecuador to complete a humanitarian service project. Scholars will also spend time explorer the Capital City of Ecuador, Quito, they will hike in the Andes Mountains, they will visit a research station to learn about reforestation, they will play in waterfalls, observe native wildlife (like monkeys), and many other incredible experiences. (Enrollment in The Ecuador Project Class is required for the Adventure Learning Add-on. There is an additional cost to participate in the Adventure Learning Add-on).
Topics Covered in The Ecuador Project Class Content:
The Ecuador Project and Ecuador Adventure Learning Goals:
The Ecuador Project Format: Held weekly in the evening (typically in person format, but with COVID format TBD; day and time TBD).
Ecuador Adventure Learning Add-On: In the Spring the Scholar may choose to participate in a Field Trip to the villages in the Mache-Chindul region of Ecuador to complete a humanitarian service project. Scholars will also spend time explorer the Capital City of Ecuador, Quito, they will hike in the Andes Mountains, they will visit a research station to learn about reforestation, they will play in waterfalls, observe native wildlife (like monkeys), and many other incredible experiences. (Enrollment in The Ecuador Project Class is required for the Adventure Learning Add-on. There is an additional cost to participate in the Adventure Learning Add-on).
Topics Covered in The Ecuador Project Class Content:
- Business planning for a non-profit organization
- Learn fundraising for a non-profit
- Marketing and advertising techniques
- Plan and carry out a humanitarian project
- Learn conversational Spanish
The Ecuador Project and Ecuador Adventure Learning Goals:
- Spanish and Cultural Immersion
- Business planning and coordination for non-profit humanitarian project
- Develop communication and planning skills as you plan and carry-out fundraisers
- Gain confidence as we travel internationally
- Grow in empathy as we work along side others in a country less prosperous than our own
- Develop a strong work ethic by service others
Class Structure:
Weekly meetings will be held Thursday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 throughout the school year and the class will culminate with a 2 week immersion trip to the Machu-Chindul region in Ecuador in May. Students need to be dedicated to learning Spanish and participating in fundraisers outside of class.
Expectations of the class:
* There will be extra times outside of classes that you will need to attend where the class will be running a fundraiser or event.
Weekly meetings will be held Thursday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 throughout the school year and the class will culminate with a 2 week immersion trip to the Machu-Chindul region in Ecuador in May. Students need to be dedicated to learning Spanish and participating in fundraisers outside of class.
Expectations of the class:
- Spanish and Cultural Immersion
- Actively learning Spanish both during class as well as on your own time
- Help coordinate and carry out fundraisers (you should be able to raise the money for your trip if you plan and participate in the fundraising activities)
- Sign a contract committing to the class rules and trip expectations
- Must be 16 by the first day of the trip.
- We want to have people on the trip who are passionate about helping others and are willing to put in the hard work needed to prepare for the trip as well as the hard work that will be needed to carryout the service project in country.
* There will be extra times outside of classes that you will need to attend where the class will be running a fundraiser or event.
Costs for The Ecuador Project Class and Trip
Costs for the Class and Adventure Learning Add-On:
Other Expenses not included in tuition or trip costs that will need to paid for in conjunction with the trip:
- Tuition for the Weekly Class: Tuition is $300 and will be paid to Asylum LL
- Estimated trip cost is $2,800 which should be able to be raised as you participate in the fundraisers throughout the year.
- The Equador Project Class enrollment is required for enrollment in the Adventure Learning Add-On.
Other Expenses not included in tuition or trip costs that will need to paid for in conjunction with the trip:
- Passport
- Vaccinations – Hep A and B as well as being current on standard vaccinations
- In country preventative medications such as anti-malaria and antibiotics
Important Class Dates
Important Class Dates:
(All dates are subject to change based on COVID concerns and restrictions.)
- End of July: Parent and Student Information Meeting
- Mid August: Backpacking Trip Prep Class
- End of August: Backpacking Trip
- September: Beginning of weekly Classes
- May 2021: Ecuador Humanitarian Trip (14 days)
(All dates are subject to change based on COVID concerns and restrictions.)