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 Biology 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 Conservation

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, doing beach clean ups and maintaining permanent moorings for the marine park.
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 work on conservation projects including initiatives to protect the watershed that flows into the sea around Vancouver Island. Projects vary from year to year and may include beach cleanups, tree planting, assisting naturalists, removal of invasive species from estuaries and stream restoration. 
Hours: 10+

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 assist with nature trail development in Saba’s National Park.
Hours: 15+

Language Immersion Adventures

Immersion Oaxaca

Students work with children at the Pimpollo orphanage, 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 Guanajuato

Students work at a mountain-top community doing reforestation and erosion prevention projects. They also work with children at an orphanage in Salamanca, participating in fun and meaningful recreational activities with these underprivileged children. Playing games and soccer, giving English lessons and general interaction create a cultural exchange for both the AT participants and the children.
Hours: 20+

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 corn fields or attend workshops to learn a new skill.
Hours: 30+

Immersion Ecuador

Students work with the Maquipucuna Ecological Reserve, helping with organic gardening projects, trail maintenance, local cottage industry efforts and educating local youth about conservation and sustainable development practices. Students work alongside local volunteers and conservationists, practicing their Spanish and developing meaningful friendships. Students are engaged in service work 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 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

Island Service 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 do community service work in partnership with environmental education volunteers along the banks of the beautiful and winding Amazon River Basin. Projects are designed to improve communities’ quality of life and infrastructure as well as encourage environmental stewardship. Students also assist in organic agricultural projects, species identification and building projects. All work is done alongside local community members.
Hours: 55+

Energy and Climate Change

Students in remote Aymara communities in the Atacama Desert. Projects include organic agriculture work and educating local schoolchildren on environmental issues related to energy and local resources.
Hours: 30+

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: 25+

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+