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The Challenge:

An 18 day trip by a small group of independent school youth leaders during the March spring break, the early summer, or the Christmas holidays. The trip consists of an intensive six-day trek around the Mt Cotopaxi area, plentiful cultural immersion both in Quito and while on the trek, a few days working with disadvantaged children in Quito as well a memorable trip to the Galapagos Islands.

The Galápagos Islands are a fascinating microcosm of natural life and home to some of the most astonishing creatures found anywhere on Earth. With spectacular cinematography from land, sea and air, and blending rugged volcanic landscapes with intimate animal behavior, the BBC’s Natural History Unit brings this remarkable archipelago to captivating life in a series of videos.

The Galápagos are no ordinary islands. They sit astride the equator, almost a thousand kilometers off the coast of South America, and are connected directly to the heart of the planet. The product of a volcanic hot spot, from the moment they are born, the islands are carried on a remarkable millenia-long journey before sinking back beneath the waves.

The opening episode below chronicles the many fascinating stages of the island chain’s existence, and reveals how creatures have developed enterprising ways of dealing with life on this restless Pacific outpost.

Witness the dramatic eruption of the largest of all the Galapagos volcanoes, Sierra Negra, blowing smoke and ash seven miles into the sky; marine iguanas, the worlds only seagoing lizards, leaping off lava cliffs into treacherous surf; Galapagos giant tortoises, the largest on Earth, being groomed by Darwin’s finches, and the magical courtship display of the waved albatross.

The rest of the episodes are equally stunning! If you can watch them in HD mode (with a fast Internet connection), you will see amazing footage from this BBC series. Relax, enjoy!

>>>>>>> To view the rest of the videos produced by the BBC on the Galapagos Islands, please click here. <<<<<<<

Funds raised will support the exceptional work CENIT – El Centro de la Niña Trabajadora (or the Center for the Working Girl as it is known in English), a non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to helping working children and their families overcome grinding poverty and impact the lives of hundreds of children and their futures. To learn more about CENIT, please review the video at the top of this page.

Goals:

1. To raise funds to provide educational support to young children, so that they may break the endemic cycle of poverty and become tomorrow’s leaders.
2. To allow the independent school community to better understand development issues, including education, poverty, human rights issues, and HIV/AIDS, through talks, group sessions, etc. by student participants before and after the trip.
3. To enhance the leadership qualities of North American student leaders, arming them with an enormous sense of accomplishment that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
4. To empower students with a world view that they can take into account when considering their career choices.

Benefits:

1. Improved physical fitness through pre-trip preparation.
2. The opportunity to make new friends and network.
3. An appreciation for the incredible beauty of Ecuador’s Cotopaxi area through a tough but spectacular trek, spending time in the Galapagos Islands, in-depth exposure to the culture and people of Ecuador during the trek as well as the community service project, and lots of fun and learning.
4. The opportunity to experience the local people and culture in an authentic manner.
5. A far better appreciation of the development challenges in the world, and how participants can find their own ways to help communities solve some of these issues.
6. Being an inspiration to others: family members, friends and local community.
7. A far better appreciation of the development challenges in the world, and how participants can find their own ways to help communities solve some of these issues.
8. Opportunity to fulfill Duke of Edinburgh Gold Level residential and expedition requirements.
9. Contribute to the local economy wherever possible by working with local suppliers.
10. Select one environmental project in the host country to which 5% of funds will be channeled.

NOTE: Schools that are part of Round Square will notice the similarities in the overall philosophy and service components. However, the physical training, tough trekking and fund-raising challenges differentiate the Climb for Leaders program from the highly regarded Round Square projects.

Trip supervision:

Besides two staff/faculty escorting the small group as responsible seconds for the whole trip, the trek will also include two experienced local Head Guides. An English speaking tour guide will accompany the group at all times.

For the service component, the group will be accompanied by facilitators of the project.

Requirements:

1. Students must be in the final two years of high school. Exceptions may be made for Grade 10 students on a case by case basis. Students must be 16 years or older at the time of the trip.
2. Students must be in good overall health.
3. Students must complete application forms and waivers per deadlines.
4. Students are required to submit a 1,000-word essay entitled “What are the top three development challenges facing the Galapagos, and how would I find permanent solutions to these challenges?”
5. Students must be willing to participate in learning sessions before the climb, and to share climb and travel experiences after the climb.
6. Participants must meet the minimum fund-raising requirement each, except for faculty/staff who are participating as “responsible seconds”.
7. Participants must pay for all costs by the deadlines outlined.

Travel agency:

The travel portion will be fulfilled by Gala Travels, a family owned and operated travel agency/consolidator, serving the travel industry since 1979. Affiliations include IATA, ACTA, TICO, VACATION.COM, RBC/AIG Insurance, and Sandals. Gala has received numerous top awards for highest national sales for many international carriers. Their low price guarantee is always in effect to ensure that their customers are getting the absolute best price for the travel being purchased.

Some of their strengths include:

• Discount airline contracts to all domestic and international destinations with over 100 airlines
• Over 30 reservation specialists to offer the highest level of service and knowledge of products.
• Leading edge technology focus

Gala Travels is located in Ontario, Canada, which has extremely stringent travel legislation and regulation. Therefore, funds paid to Gala Travels are protected through the Travel Industry Compensation Fund.  Gala Travels is registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), registration number # 01906454 (retail) and #01947036 (wholesale).

Detailed program:

To obtain a detailed program including detailed itinerary and costs, please contact us.

To apply:

Complete the online form at http://www.climbforleaders.com/apply-now. Space is limited and will be available on a first come first serve basis, so long as each applicant meets the application requirements above.