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Hawaii Service & Adventure 20 Days
With relief efforts ongoing in the Lahaina region of Maui, please note that we have modified our itinerary and will adjust as needed for summer 2024.
As breathtaking as Hawaii’s paradise might be, it faces its own environmental and economic challenges. On this student community service program in Hawaii, teens have the opportunity to make a difference through volunteer work with organizations like Project Hawaii, Maui Cultural Lands, and Eco Maui. You’ll also learn about Hawaiian culture and gain an appreciation of the Hawaiian people and their way of life. This Hawaii student tour uses a service-learning framework where our staff provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. Whether it’s enjoying the spectacular scenery while surfing a wave or ziplining from above, this program highlights Hawaii’s beauty and adventurous nature from all points of view. By the time of your final banquet dinner, you will be a close-knit ohana and wishing you could prolong your stay to help and explore even more!
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects and unforgettable adventures.
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
Hotels.
Includes breakfast and dinner daily, plus 7 lunches.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Travel in passenger vans driven by our staff.
Up to 24 participants.
You will have the opportunity to use your creativity to either plan and implement day camp activities for these children or help paint and beautify the clubhouse. Regardless of which volunteer project the club is in need of, you will serve as a role model for youth who come to the center for guidance and recreation.
About Project Hawaii
Project Hawaii is a non-profit organization that provides services to over 1,600 individual homeless children annually across the state. They strive to change the lives of children by providing a sense of stability through interactive programs, supplying children with healthy meals, personal hygiene care, and emergency services.
Spend a day learning about marine ecosystems and coral ecology. Have fun getting into the ocean to do your part to help the reefs heal and ensure a healthy marine ecosystem for the future. Then head inland to the Honokowai Valley to visit one of the richest archeological sites of the Hawaiian people. Here you will help maintain the sites to keep them clean of invasive species. You'll also learn about Hawaiian medicinal plants and applications, and assist with their primary goal to reforest the Honokowai Valley with native and endemic Hawaiian plant species.
About Maui Cultural Lands
Maui Cultural Lands is a non-profit grassroots land trust organization. Their mission is to stabilize, protect, and restore Hawaiian cultural resources, and is founded on the principles of traditional Hawaiian values.
Did you know that 90% of Hawaii’s plant and animal species aren’t found anywhere else on Earth? We learn from our expert guide about environmental stewardship – to lessen our impact on the delicate environment of Maui and other fragile ecosystems. Be part of local preservation projects allowing you to give back to your host island. Past groups have planted taro in the ‘Iao Valley, restored ruins of coastal lands dating back a thousand years, built barriers and boardwalks to protect vulnerable land from human devastation, and cleared invasive plants at environmental restoration sites.
About ECO Maui
ECO Maui’s mission seeks to foster awareness, appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Hawaii’s environment by educating with an interactive and immersive approach.
Take an evening catamaran ride to the world-famous Manta Ray Village where you will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel alongside these majestic creatures. Experience Hawaiian culture while watching an authentic luau at sunset. Soak in the sun as you spend your day at one of Kona’s black sand beaches.
Take in the natural beauty of Hilo while exploring this picturesque town. Hike Volcanoes National Park and zipline above the Honomu Coast for extraordinary views of the island and up-close views of roaring waterfalls.
Master the waves on the beaches of Kihei, Maui. Professional instructors will have you up and surfing with confidence in no time! Learn to make your own grass lei and dance your way through a traditional Hula lesson. Sail and snorkel among 250 species of tropical fish, most of which can only be found in the Hawaiian waters!
Big Island, Hawaii - Kona
Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the Royal Kona Resort features an outdoor swimming pool, views of the famous Kailua Bay & Pier, and comfortable accommodations. The perfect place to relax after a day of exciting adventures.
Big Island, Hawaii - Hilo
SCP Hilo has an ideal location on the eastern side of The Big Island. It features air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor pool, exercise spaces and a large koi pond. SCP is known for offering authentic and genuine experiences; participants will leave with a deeper appreciation of the Hawaiian Islands.
Maui, Hawaii
Situated on the shores of picturesque Kahului Bay, the Maui Seaside Hotel is just minutes from Kahului the beach. Enjoy the ‘island style’ room decorations and chill at the pool with new friends in your free time.
Flight to Kona, Hawaii
For participants on this program, we help you coordinate your flight times and greet you upon arrival in Kona.
Internal Flight
Separate from the airfare to and from this program, there is an additional $195 USD fee for an internal flight from Hilo to Maui.
Return Flight Home from Maui, Hawaii
For your return flight from Maui, our leaders help you to check-in and remain at the airport until flights at designated times have departed. Depending on the number of students from the New York area we may offer a chaperoned flight home.
Where We Stay
We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.
Meals
We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality and quantity of food and variety of options. On this program in Hawaii, breakfasts are at restaurants (either the hotel’s or out) and lunches and dinners are out at restaurants.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need to bring one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. We visit local laundromats weekly and we will supply the detergent and dryer sheets. Don’t worry if you’ve never done laundry before, we’ll show you the ropes. Parents, we know the thought of your children doing laundry is making you smile!
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, 7 lunches, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, internal flights, and personal spending money for snacks, souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!
On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.
Important notes:
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