Community Service Teen Summer Program in Brazil

Brazil is a land of extremes — overpopulated cities and untouched land, tremendous wealth and devastating poverty, vast natural resources and threatened rainforests. It is a country at the forefront of sustainable development, ecological conservation and the fight to preserve one of the world’s most critical environments, the Amazon Rainforest. Immerse yourselves in the colorful Brazilian cultures of Rio, Salvador and the Northern Bahia, and travel to the wild expanses of Manaus and the Amazon. Learn survival Portuguese and put it to the test as you assist with sustainable development projects and eco-tourism efforts. Our journey takes us 300 miles up the Rio Negro into the depths of the Amazon jungle to the indigenous tribes of the Jauaperi. Explore the crucial link of the Amazon to our global environment. This cultural and community service program will leave you with a lasting impression of Brazil’s ecological treasures, warm people and vast beauty that both captivates and invigorates its guests. Brazil never leaves the hearts of those who visit.

Day 1–4
Our experience begins on the idyllic island of Itaparica. Located in the Bay of All Saints, just off the coast of Salvador, it is the highlight of any visit to Northern Bahia. In Barra Grande, a picturesque town with white sand beaches and turquoise water, we learn the basic techniques and philosophy of sustainable living. Together we build an earthen oven, a fun project that incorporates the basic techniques and philosophy of natural building. Early risers are treated to lessons in Capoeira, a martial arts dance brought to Brazil during the days of slavery. A hike over to the other coast of the island takes us through untouched, undeveloped wild tropical woodlands, up and down hills with spectacular views of both sides of the island, and into a tiny village populated by fishermen and their families who live off the land and the fruit of the saltwater mangroves.
Day 5–8
We head to Salvador, a vibrant and historical city that is the cultural hub of Bahia. Cobblestone streets lined with brightly painted colonial buildings welcome us. The region’s gracious people make this the ideal spot to pick up basic language skills and soak up the rich Brazilian culture. When not studying survival Portuguese, we’re exploring community festivals and participating in cultural workshops including cooking, history and Capoeira training. Join in an Olodum style percussion workshop and give samba dancing a try. Wander the World Heritage UNESCO neighborhood of Pelourinho and take in a Bahia folklore show.
Day 9–15
After a quick flight to Manaus, we climb aboard our riverboat and head to the remote reaches of the Amazon Rainforest. String up your hammock and settle in for a two-day journey up the Rio Negro. Along the way, spy pink and gray river dolphins, listen to the sounds of the jungle and keep an eye out for macaws, parrots and otters. Disembarking in Sao Pedro, we meet the Jauperi tribe and settle into our maloca, a traditional lodge. The Xixuau-Xiparina Reserve covers 172,000 hectares and focuses on the preservation and sustainable use of its awesome biological diversity. We spend the next week as a part of this community, studying the culture, the environment and sustainable development while living in the village and working side-by-side with its members. Learn and practice permaculture and sustainable agriculture techniques. Find out how to fish for piranha. In the evenings, take part in a pick-up soccer match or play games with the village children.
Day 16–20
We head upstream in dugout canoes and hike deep into spectacular jungle for an overnight adventure. Spend the night in your hammock under the rainforest canopy. We reflect on our experience thus far and discuss how we can make the most our final days with the Jauperi. We return to the village to continue our community service endeavors, including teaching English to our new friends. We end each day knowing we are making a real difference to the people who call this exotic jungle home.
Day 21–23
Our adventures end in Rio de Jainero, one of the world’s most colorful cities. Sample the local food, cool off on sandy white beaches and peruse local markets. Head to Pão de Açúcar and take a tram across jagged mountain peaks to a lookout that reveals a bird’s eye view of the city. Watch your last Brazilian sunset over the Christ the Redeemer statue, a must for any visitor to Rio. See the city flicker to life as day turns to night, painting the sky yellow, orange and red… It’s the perfect setting to reflect on this remarkable country, its spell-binding culture, good friends made and how much we’ve contributed to their efforts to protect and make the most of their extraordinary resources.