AT Community Service Projects
Community service is an integral part of every Academic Treks program. Each trip offers between 10-55 hours of service work which complements the program focus. In addition to making a real contribution to the communities we visit, volunteering provides rich opportunities for learning, personal growth, leadership development and cultural understanding. Our students consistently tell us that the service work was the most meaningful and rewarding part of their trip, offering them remarkable perspectives on other people and places, as well as their role in the world.

Academic Treks chooses community service projects that complement and build upon the cultural and academic focus of our adventures, providing engaging and unique experiences that enhance the educational components. Our projects are often well-established, ongoing endeavors done in partnership with globally recognized service and volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, REEF, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation and Peace Corps volunteers.

Many students use their AT experience to satisfy community service requirements at school, and we are happy to provide a letter describing the service work completed. Below is a list of project work completed on our trips:

Marine Science Adventures
Marine Biology Adventure
Students collect data for the REEF Fish Survey Project. Their data is submitted to REEF headquarters in Florida and added to a national database of reef fish abundances. Students also assist with habitat restoration projects with the Bahamas National Trust.
Hours: 10+

Caribbean Marine Reserves
Students work with the Statia and Saba’s Marine Parks to assist with the ongoing management of the reserves. Activities include but are not limited to helping to assess coral diseases, bleaching, algae coverage and biodiversity, contributing to the Reef Check Survey Project, participating in Statia’s turtle monitoring program, conducting conch research, participating in park patrols in the marine park and helping to set and maintain permanent moorings.
Hours: 25+

Sea Turtle Studies
Students tag turtles on the beaches of Tortuguero and assist in the longest continuing sea turtle research program in the world at the John H. Phipps Biological Station. Work includes tagging turtles alongside researchers during night shifts, tracking inventories and conducting surveys. AT students will also work on a service project with local children in the community of Tortuguero.
Hours: 25+

Dolphin Studies
Students contribute to ongoing dolphin conservation efforts as they work with the Oceanic Society on research projects along Belize’s barrier reef at Blackbird Caye. Students collect pertinent data alongside researchers as they spot and classify local dolphin populations in their natural habitat. They also assist the Belize Audubon Society in service projects aimed at the preservation of Half Moon Caye.
Hours: 15+

Marine Mammal Adventure
Students spend several days working as “naturalists in-training”, which includes shadowing and assisting professional naturalists on 60-foot whale watching boats, working at the Whale Interpretive Centre, educating tourists about fragile marine habitats and working alongside marine scientists observing whale behavior in the Johnstone Strait.
Hours: 35+

Shark Studies
Students collect data for the Shark Foundation database and the Reef Check Fish Survey Project. Shark Studies participants also work on an ongoing community outreach project in a local village.
Hours: 10+

Marine Biology Voyage
Students collect data for the REEF Fish Survey Project. Their data is submitted to REEF headquarters in Florida and added to a national database of reef fish abundances. They also assist with marine service projects at STENAPA, Statia’s marine park, and embark on community education projects.
Hours: 15+

Language Immersion Adventures
Immersion Guanajuato
Students work with children at an orphanage in San Miguel Allende, participating in a recreational program for these underprivileged children. Soccer, English and geography lessons, games and general interaction create a cultural exchange for both the AT participants and the children. AT students take on a leadership role as they work with staff to design recreational programs.
Hours: 30+

Immersion Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Students work with the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Orphanage on the island of Ometepe. When not playing and spending time with the children, AT participants may also work on school improvement projects, work alongside locals in the bean fields or attend workshops to learn a new skill.
Hours: 30+

Immersion Ecuador
Students work with Habitat for Humanity of Ecuador building a home for an Ecuadorian family. Students work alongside the home recipients, practicing their Spanish and developing meaningful friendships. The work entails manual labor, from mixing cement to laying bricks to digging out a site. Students are engaged in physical labor for most of the day for one week of the program.
Hours: 40+

Immersion France
Academic Treks students take on community service projects working with the underprivileged, French youth or an environmental organization, giving them perspective on yet another facet of France. Projects vary from year to year.
Hours: Up to 10

Immersion French West Indies
Students work on projects such as helping out at a local summer day camp in Saint Anne or working with an aid organization in Pointe-à-Pitre. They also assist with a restoration project on a coastal reserve on Basse-Terre. 
Hours: 20+

Immersion China
Students work with the children at a Tibetan orphanage in Shangri-La in the Yunaan Province, teaching English, playing and spending time with the children.
Hours: 20+

Community Service and Wilderness Adventures
Windward Island Expedition
On this community service intensive trip, students participate in two on-going community outreach programs. Students initially work with the Ministry of Education’s Youth Development Division, working with children on recreational activities, as well as community enrichment projects such as tree planting and mural painting. The second project is in the village of Castle Bruce where students assist Peace Corps volunteers with ongoing community development efforts which range from environmental, historical and youth development projects to eco-tourism endeavors.
Hours: 55+

Adventure Peru
Students work on community projects in partnership with Peace Corps volunteers in indigenous communities tucked into the hills of the Cordillera Negra. The projects are designed to improve the communities’ quality of life and infrastructure. Students also teach English, assist in organic agricultural projects and educate locals about nutrition and preventive health measures. All work is done alongside local community members.
Hours: 55+

Adventure Brazil
Students work on various projects which contribute to the sustainable development of the Xixuau-Xiparina Reserve. Projects range from assisting local women with jewelry and handicraft making to practicing permaculture and assisting with sustainable agricultural practices.
Hours: 35+

Wilderness and Traditional Medicine
Students do community service work in the realm of public health, participating in outreach programs and working alongside local health workers. Projects change from year to year based on current needs. Past endeavors include conducting health surveys, observing doctors and nurses in clinics, teaching medical skills to youth, conducting educational games at village health fairs and testing for diabetes and AIDS.
Hours: 20+

Primate Studies
Students help sustain New World monkey populations by assisting local organizations with reforestation, habitat renewal, conservation, animal rehabilitation and education efforts. 
Hours: 35+

African Wildlife Conservation
Students assist with efforts to conserve, protect and increase African wildlife populations that are threatened by habitat destruction, development, poaching and hunting. They also collect data on game drives and participate in community outreach and education projects.
Hours: 40+