Summer Teen Community Service Trips with Bold Earth Teen AdventuresCommunity Service is one of Bold Earth Teen Adventures' core values. On any of our 23 summer camp programs you will make a difference. EVERY Bold Earth teen summer camp program includes community service and the opportunity to make a positive impact in our global village.
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
-- Anne Frank
All Bold Earth programs combine exploration, fun and community service. Projects are dedicated to improving the communities we visit. Whether we are teaching English at a local school, building a community playground, learning about native customs or participating in environmental conservation work, Bold Earth campers leave something behind to be proud of. Our goal is to enrich the lives of our campers by meeting the needs of local communities and the places we visit.
YES, all participants receive a certificate from Bold Earth recognizing their community service work upon completion of their program. Hours stated are minimums. Groups with initiative will have the opportunity to give back on a daily basis. Below are descriptions of the community service projects for each Bold Earth program. |
| SERVICE + ADVENTURE | The most community service: 40+ hours |
|---|---|
Ecuador GalapagosService Organization: a. Ninos de la Calle Service Credits:40 hours |
a. In Quito, we work and interact with Ninos de la Calle, (Children of the Street), to develop solutions to a wide range of social problems facing these under-privileged youth (3-5 hours). b. The village of Rio Muchacho is surrounded by lush tropical palm forest. Inhabited by the Montubio people (coastal farmers), the community maintains a progressive organic farm which has become a model for sustainable agriculture in the area through the practices of reforestation, permaculture and alternative technologies. The farming community also coordinates a local primary school where sustainable agricultural education is at the forefront of the curriculum. The school has become a center for the community, and serves as a site for meetings, courses and social gatherings. |
Amazon Machu PicchuService Organization: a. Amazon Conservation Project Service Credits:35 hours |
a. Amazon Conservation Project: Spend five days volunteering at a center for the rehabilitation and conservation of wild animals. Work alongside staff to feed and take care of animals so they can be successfully released back to their natural habitats. Other activities may include assisting with maintenance of an interpretive trail, construction of animal enclosures and interaction with the local community. Amazon Shelter is a group of professionals and volunteers devoted to promote the protection and welfare of wild animals, free or captive, and the conservation of their natural environment. We will spend 5 days volunteering with Amazon Shelter’s Center for Rehabilitation and Conservation of Wild Animals which acts as a rescue, educational and research center devoted to the protection of wildlife and the environment. Their mission is to conserve and protect Peruvian Amazon wildlife by working on the rehabilitation of wild animals that arrive at the Center, with an emphasis on species threatened by the destruction of their habitat and illegal trade. b. We travel across the vast and magical Lake Titicaca to the shores of Amantani Island with specially constructed chimneys from the mainland. After meeting with the local villagers, we spend a day working side-by-side with our host families installing the chimneys into the mud walls of their kitchens (6-8 hours). By properly ventilating their living structures, the project helps prevent respiratory disorders and allows the local people much healthier living conditions while saving fuel and reducing pollution. c. In Cuzco, we work with a children's organization to develop solutions to a wide range of social problems facing these under privileged children. |
Fiji Dive serviceService Organization: a. Nabu Village Service Credits:40 hours |
We will contribute forty hours on a variety of community development projects selected by the village at Nabua Village Tabiang, Rabi Island, Kioa Island, Bouma National Heritage Park, Taveuni Island, Lavena Village, Taveuni Island.
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| CULTURE ADVENTURES | Culture + Adventure in a more exotic location |
Epic AfricaService Organization: a. Community Center Project- 2 days (Zululand) Service Credits:40 hours |
 a. Our first community project is situated in the heart of Zululand where we will spend 2 days working in a local village. Upon arrival we will attend a local church service, translated into English by a local guide. After the service we will assist in serving juice to the community while interacting with the local people on a personal level. We then head to the community center where we will work side-by-side with local villagers on various projects, including painting, fencing, planting trees and general maintenance. In between our hard work, we will have the opportunity to play with the local children as they will be very curious about our endeavors. Our first service project experience culminates with a cultural evening of Zulu dances and songs and a traditional meal prepared by the women in the village. b. Our third day of service takes place in northern Swaziland. Here we will take a walk through the village where we will assist in many projects that the community needs. The projects may involve fencing an area in which to release small wildlife, refurbishing a nearby school, planting vegetables on the school property and much more. During our stay in Swaziland we will also participate in a cultural exchange as the kids from the local village will teach us some Swazi dances and songs. This will be a great opportunity to interact with the local people of Swaziland. c. Our final day of community service work takes place in South Africa's Greater Kruger Area. We will design, run and oversee safe and fun activities for the local orphanage. We will also be responsible for making and distributing lunch and a party pack for each child. During this time we will have the opportunity to donate anything we brought from home! After a fun-filled morning in the community we participate in conservation work in world-renowned Kruger National Park. We will have the opportunity to learn from another African culture, the Shangaans, and enjoy a local meal under the starry African sky. |
Thailand's bestService Organization:Mae Hong Son Commmunity Service Credits:8 hours |
 North of Chiang Mai lie the lush limestone mountains and our base camp in the Mae Hong Son region. This pristine region is filled with caves that contain rivers, waterfalls and an abundance of greenery. Our hill tribe trek will take us into the remote countryside where we stay in hill tribe villages. We will bring along paper, pencils and school books and materials and spend two half-days working with local children teaching them English. |
China's BestService Organization: a. Huiling Performance Service Credits:8 hours |
a. Huiling Performance, an Bold Earth supported local charity for Chinese with learning disabilities, gives us a valued glimpse into the social network of China. We spend time in Beijing working with underprivileged youth to gain knowledge and experience of the local children's living conditions (2 hours). b. In Chengdu, we spend time at the Giant Panda Breeding Center observing these magnificent creatures up close. We also learn about the efforts being made to save this endangered species from extinction (2 hours). c. Finally, we visit the Yi minority village in Dali. We provide school supplies for the village, teach English to the local youth and spend time working in the fields (4 hours). |
| Language & Adventure | PROJECT DESCRIPTION |
Costa Rica AdventureService Organization: a. Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation Service Credits:20 hours |
a. We live with host families for four days while working with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (15-18 hours). Our project is to assist a low income neighborhood by building a children's park. We create a playground, plant trees, paint murals and spend time with the local children. For more information on the C.R.H.F. check out: Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation b. With the Asociacion Ostional, we spend two evenings working at a wildlife refuge to protect nesting sea turtles (6-7 hours). We volunteer by patrolling beaches, looking for nesting sea turtles and translocating nests to protective hatcheries. We also volunteer in the hatchery monitoring success rates and releasing baby turtles into the ocean. For more information visit: Ostional Wildlife Refuge |
Costa Rica ImmersionService Organization: a. Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation Service Credits:8 hours |
a. We spend the day working with the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation (6-8 hours). We share and learn from cultural differences as we help construct and beautify a day care center with Costa Rican "tico" families, and spend time with the local children. b. The mystical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the site of our project with Finca Ecologica. After learning about forest systems and the role the Reserve plays in global ecological awareness, we plant trees to enhance wildlife habitats and the natural experience for future generations (3-5 hours). |
Spain AdventureService Organization: Roc Roi Rafting Company - Service Credits:4 hours |
The rivers of Europe are magnificent with secluded, wild stretches. We give back to our white water rafting environment by participating in conservation efforts along the river. Projects include maintaining hiking trails and restoring sections of the Noguera Pallaresa river sides. |
| USA Programs | Project Description |
Ultimate AlaskaService Organization: a. Chugach State Park Service Credits:8 hours |
 a.The site of our first group backpack, the majestic Chugach State Park, is the perfect place to give back to the areas in which we travel. Our day of service begins with Rangers teaching us the essentials of building and maintaining trails. We put in a hard day's work with the goal of improving the Alaskan wilderness. Projects vary depending on the current needs of the park, but may include trail building, trail maintenance, fire suppression projects and other environmental conservation work. To learn more about the park visit: Chugach State Park b. We also "give back" to Alaska by volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club in Anchorage. The Club allows youth to have a safe place to learn and grow, to develop ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals and to participate in life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. Boys & Girls Clubhouses are open before and after school, when kids have free time and need positive, productive activities. As volunteers, we provide key supplementary support in the areas of club maintenance, administrative support and active participation with club members. Visit the Club at: |
Ultimate HawaiiService Organization: a. Waipio Cultural Exchange Service Credits:20+ hours |
a. We work and stay with a local family in the legendary Waipio Valley, famous for its mystical beauty and the traditional lifestyle. During this cultural exchange, we gather ingredients, such as coconuts and Ti leaves, for our traditional Hawaiian feast of lau lau. We also plant coconut trees as a gesture of good will for future generations to enjoy. (4 hours) b. Our second project takes us to the unique and incomparable Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The past and present lava flows throughout the park creating a moonscape where the life cycle is forced to repeat itself time and again. We help the park regain its natural state by participating in environmental conservation projects such as collecting seeds, removing invasive species and planting indigenous trees (4 hours). To learn more about the park go to: Volcanoes National Park c. The Kohala Center is our home for three days of experiential learning and community service. Working closely with Cornell marine biologists, we spend our days in the water, collecting ocean data and learning hands-on about reef ecology. By day three of our training, we are licensed reef teachers, certified to educate visitors about human impact on marine environments across the globe (15 hours). To learn more about the project go to: Kahalu'u Bay Education Center |
Bold WestService Organization: a. Golden Gate National Service Credits:6 hours |
 a.We participate in a day of service at one of the world's largest urban parks, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The park covers 75,398 acres of land and water, and 24 federally threatened and endangered species exist within its boundaries. We will assist with environmental conservation efforts in San Francisco or the redwood forest, including restoration of impacted areas and removal of invasive plant species. To find out more about the parks and forests included in this recreation area go to: Golden Gate NRA b. We work to maintain trails in the Sequoia National Forest in cooperation with the Hume Lake Ranger District. Our goal is to help provide access to the natural world and provide a beautiful hiking experience in this stunning Sierra setting. We learn how to maintain a sustainable trail system and also assist in removing exotic plant species to promote the health of the native plants. For more information visit: Sequoia National Forest |
Epic DiscoveryService Organization: Tuba City Boys & Girls Club Service Credits:6 hours |
We "give back" to the local community by volunteering for the day at the Boys & Girls Club in Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The Club allows local youth to have a safe place to learn and grow, to develop ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals and to participate in life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. The Tuba City Boys & Girls Club accommodates 45-120 kids per day between the |
kayak climb coloradoService Organization:Colorado Fourteeners Initiative Service Credits:5 hours |
The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) is a partnership among nonprofit organizations, individual volunteers and public agencies to protect and preserve the natural integrity of Colorado's Fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 ft.) and the quality of the recreational opportunities they provide. |
| USA Younger | Project Description |
Colorado DiscoveryService Organization: Crested Butte Mountain Guides Service Credits:6 hours |
After Spending an epic day of mountain biking outside of Crested Butte, we are provided the opportunity to give back to this amazing place by helping to improve biking and hiking trails, and reduce invasive species growth along the trails. Crested Butte Mountain guides is a respected guiding service which will teach us about the ecology of the beautiful mountain ranges we are visiting, while teaching us new skills. |
Wild Coast DiscoveryService Organization:Moran State Park Service Credits:6 hours |
We camp and volunteer for a day in Moran State Park on Orcas Island in |
| Europe | Europe trips include the lowest number of service hours |
Ultimate AlpsService Organization: Von Gunten farm - Service Credits:4 hours |
Our group will help out on a Swiss family farm with various beautification efforts throughout the property. We also gather local plants from the Alpine meadows to make traditional tea with the family. |
Bike Amsterdam-ParisService Organization:Coastline Restoration Service Credits:6 hours |
Our ride along the Belgium coast will include a stop to give back to the natural North Sea dune environment. Conservation tasks include |
Bold EuropeService Organization: Roc Roi Rafting Company - Service Credits:6 hours |
 The rivers of Europe are magnificent with secluded, wild stretches. We give back to our white water rafting environment by participating in conservation efforts along the river. Projects include maintaining hiking trails and restoring sections of the Noguera Pallaresa river sides. |
Epic EnglandService Organization:Tipperary Horse Farm, England Service Credits:5 hours |
The lush countryside of England provides us the privilege of getting our hands dirty while we lend our time and energy at a traditional horse farm. We will assist with farm duties, including feeding and grooming the horses and land conservation efforts. |
Italy GreeceService Organization:Island Coast Restoration Service Credits:5 hours |
 Our adventures on the Greek Island coast will include conservation work by land and sea. In Peloponnese our group will lend a hand constructing stairs and foot bridges along local hiking trails near our camp. In addition, following our last set of dive exercises, we give back to the marine environment and future divers by picking up trash from the sea floor. |
We spend one week volunteering in the community. We worked alongside the villagers planting trees, harvesting crops, maintaining vegetable gardens, refurbishing buildings and homes, building a playground, and assisting in the primary school teaching English and facilitating a cross-cultural exchange through games and activities. Volunteering at the farm, the school and with community development projects gave us the opportunity to learn, share and contribute to the unique culture of rural Ecuador.
Amazon Shelter also interacts with local communities and visitors in general, promoting the conservation of the rainforest and the sustainable management of natural resources. During our stay we may see bird species typical of the river or forest edge such as: Black Skimmer, Pied Lapwing, Capped Heron, Jabiru Stork, Roadside Hawk, and several species of kingfishers, swallows and flycatchers and local wildlife such as tapir, monkey, etc. abound.
ages of 6 and 18. As volunteers, Bold Earth campers interact with Club members as we participate in community events, basketball camps, arts & crafts and/or peer mentoring activities. Bold Earth's day of service at the Boys & Girls Club is an eye-opening glimpse into the lives of youth in Navajo Nation, and offers us the valuable opportunity to give back to the areas and communities in which we travel.
As members of CFI's "Adopt-a-Peak" program, we put in two days of conservation work on one of these mammoth peaks. Work includes maintaining the standard hiking routes, repairing structures that have deteriorated, and restoring new impacts as they develop. We will also be camping on the mountain, with a dramatic culmination on the third day when we summit our peak as a group! To learn more go to: 
We help restore trails and give back to the community. For more information visit:
trash removal, maintaining hiking trails and restoring sections of natives plants and grasses.