SPRING 2017
GLOBAL OUTREACH is the newest product to come from The SA Way s educational brand. It is part study abroad, part ecoadventure, focusing on Spanish language, ethical service learning, environmental education, extreme-sport programing and a Mayan Cultural immersion all wrapped up into a Latin American getaway for the whole family! The SA Way is partnering up with Mexico s world-renowned UNAM University, service learning organization, Vena-Cava, and adventure company Fish Out Of Water to provide the educational, service-based, and adventure sport components of the program. While the kids study, the rest of the family engages with their cultural surroundings in a fun, educational, and athletic immersion that takes the SA community abroad on an experience they will never forget!
MAP KEY BLACK CIRCLES: Our 3 trip destinations of Tulum, Progreso, and Hacienda Temozon in Merida. RED CIRCLES: The Mayan archeological ruins that we will visit as part of our cultural exploration curriculum.
GLOBAL OUTREACH s curriculum is made up of 5 core pillars. Serving as a through line for each segment of the trip s journey as we travel from Tulum, to Progreso, and finish at Hacienda Temozon they will allow us to discover the individual geographical + cultural wonders of each unique destination. LANGUAGE IN ACTION SERVICE LEARNING DIGITAL STORY TELLING ENVIRONMENTALISM EXTREME SPORTS Embark on a 12-day adventure to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, with Seven Arrows Global Outreach Program for a critical blend of language acquisition and cultural immersion with your whole family.
LANGUAGE IN ACTION Spanish lessons will be held everyday for three hours and will be taught in accordance with the daily excursions and activities on site not in a classroom. This hands-on, integrated teaching method will make the lessons feel vital, relevant, and enjoyable. Our six native speaking Spanish instructors will accompany students on excursions, shaping lesson plans with activities, in order to enhance engagement and reinforce understanding. Our partnership with UNAM s will combine intensive and interactive Spanish language lessons with authentic cultural experiences.
Cultural Immersion
EXCURSIONS Visit the archeological monuments of the great Mayan civilization, including the staggering ruins of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ex Balam and Tulum. Visit the beautiful Spanish colonial city of Mérida, the vibrant cultural center of Yucatan.
Botanical Gardens at Ek Balam Work in the Botanical Garden of the Mayan people to learn about their medicinal practices and agricultural techniques.
Learn the traditional crafts and techniques of the Mayan community at Ek Balam, including the weaving of beautiful textiles.
Vena Cava: Learning the Language of Service With Vena Cava, you will immerse yourself in the lifestyles, traditions and activities of the indigenous Mayan community in Ek Balam. By engaging one on one with families in an authentic Mayan village, you will help rescue their indigenous practices, including traditional medicine, farming, weaving, cooking, sports and language. You will contribute to their botanical garden, explore local fauna, dance and tell stories with the local peoples.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION In order to gain a deeper awareness of the global issues facing this region, you will learn about the environment and ecology surrounding you. By studying the diverse and endangered species and ecosystems in this beautiful region, and the ways that industrial development impacts them, students will become motivated to respect nature, and to become stewards of the oceans and tropical forests. Visit the Reserva de la Biosfera Ria Celestun a large coastal wetland reserve and wildlife refuse, comprising one of the largest areas of mangroves in the Gulf of Mexico. The reserve is dotted with lagoons, salt flats and cenotes (underground sinkholes). It is part of a fragile ecosystem, where freshwater from the ria (estuary) mixes with the saltwater from the gulf.
Venture into the natural landscape of the Yucatan explore the rainforests and jungles while watching for exotic birds and wild animals. Learn about conservation efforts to protect its wildlife and climate. ECOTURISM
EXTREME SPORTS Enjoy the beautiful oceans of the Yucatán Peninsula through outdoor adventure sports! Experience the amazing reefs via snorkeling and sea treks. Take kite surfing lessons from Fish Out of Water s certified instructors, practice yoga on the beach, paddle board in the waves, or scuba dive deep in the ocean.
ENVIRONMENTALISM While surfing the waves and snorkeling through reefs, learn about oceanography, marine biology, and efforts to save the ocean.
CENOTES Repel down into the breathtaking Cenote Xcanche a natural waterhole used by the Mayans in ancient rituals.
SCUBA DIVING
TULUM A tranquil beach on the Caribbean coast, a tropical style village, Tulum is the home to some of world s most famous Mayan ruins. During this portion of the trip, we will engage with all the Vena Cava Service Learning programming and have an immersive experience with the Mayan people while engaging in service and sustainability efforts.
AMANSALA HOTEL, TULUM
PROGRESO In Progreso, we will focus on the extreme sport portion of this trip and will engage in exciting activities like: Kite Surfing + Surfing Yoga Paddle boarding Cycling Soccer + Volleyball to provide an authentic experience in eco-tourism so as to connect with and enjoy the ocean in a profound way.
TECHNOTEL, PROGRESO
Merida Mérida Visit the beautiful Spanish colonial city of Mérida, the vibrant cultural center of the Yucatán. Founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1652, the city s rich history is evident in the colonial era architecture that still remains in the Centro Historico. It was built on the Mayan city of T ho, and is still home to a large population of indigenous persons of Mayan ethnicity.
This beautiful hacienda is the last stop on our journey and the most luxurious. Here we will enjoy pampering spa visits and the beautiful colonial backdrop Merida has to offer. HACIENDA TEMOZON
TRIP DATES MARCH 27 APRIL 8 March 27: Arrival at Cancun International Airport; transportation to Tulum. March 31: Travel to Progreso. April 3: Travel to Hacienda Temozon. April 8: Departure from Mérida. PRICES Family costs: 4 person occupancy: $3850 pp* 3 person occupancy: $3990 pp* 2 person occupancy: $4275 pp* 1 person (age 12+): $4275 pp* Costs include all excursions & language courses, all hotel accommodations, breakfast & some meals, as well as transportation to sites and R/T transport to the airport. Max. 2 adults per family. *Subject to increase. Additional Costs: Kite Surfing Scuba Diving Zip lining Hotel room upgrades