GUATEMALA
CHILDREN OF THE MAYA
With its stunning landscapes and vibrant, welcoming Maya culture, Guatemala promises adventure and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for local children and your host community.
Highlights
FOR THE GUATEMALA: CHILDREN OF THE MAYA™ PROGRAM
- Support education initiatives at a local Maya School
- Journey across world-famous Lake Atitlán and take in the sweeping views
- Attend a traditional ceremony with a Maya shaman
- Explore ancient archaeological ruins at Iximche
- Stroll through the largest indigenous craft market in the hemisphere
- Zipline through the mountains of Guatemala
Program Menu For
Children of the Maya
GUATEMALA
CHILDREN OF THE MAYA
Program Overview
On this program you will be immersed in indigenous culture, Maya heritage and epic, mountainous landscapes. You’ll find warm local residents who are proud to share their ancient traditions. This program is based in Xela (pronounced “shay-lah”) —a local nickname for the vibrant town of Quetzaltenango— which is a hub for volunteer opportunities in education and children’s issues. With very little English spoken throughout the city, residents of Xela welcome student volunteers to assist in their classrooms on projects that support their education initiatives and infrastructure improvements. You will also zipline through the mountains of Guatemala and journey across the expansive, sacred Lake Atitlán during your time here in Central America.
Featured Theme
Featured Destinations
GUATEMALA
CHILDREN OF THE MAYA
Community Service
Spend your days in Xela becoming fully plugged in to the local primary school and surrounding community. You and your peers will volunteer on community-led initiatives that support English language learning or helping refurbish the library, classrooms or other school facilities. You’ll also have the opportunity to creatively develop and engage with language lesson plans, play games with children during recess and work with organizations committed to improving school grounds. As you spend time volunteering on these meaningful community service projects, you’ll also learn about social issues that affect Maya youth today.
Immersive Learning
Learn about key issues facing communities in Guatemala, such as access to quality education and the challenge of preserving indigenous culture in a modernizing world. You’ll hear from a guerilla fighter and an army officer who fought in the Civil War, who will give you different perspectives of Guatemala’s rich history. To truly be immersed in the culture here, you will also meet a local shaman who will teach you about cosmology. Learn from master artisans about traditional arts such as weaving, and visit a chocolate museum and organic coffee plantation — complete with samples for you to enjoy!
Adventure
No GLA program is complete without adventure! You’ll explore the famous archaeological ruins at Iximche, where you’ll take in its rich history and natural surroundings. Hike to Laguna Chicabal, situated at the base of a volcano, as you journey through a bit of the Central American wilderness. Zipline with your new friends against the backdrop of the region’s lush, mountainous landscape. To get a taste of city life, you’ll also venture to the small city of Antigua, a colonial masterpiece that boasts gorgeous architecture, pastel alleys and cobblestone streets. For a weekend excursion, you’ll spend a night at sacred Lake Atitlán and visit the bustling Chichicastenango market, the largest Maya craft market in the world.
Lodging
Your GLA Home Base is an enclosed compound in the heart of of Xela. This comfortable lodge offers students and staff alike a peaceful escape from the bustling town and community service sites. Students live in gender-segregated rooms with 2-4 bunk beds per room, depending on the size of the rooms. Bathrooms are shared and showers have hot water. The Home Base is quaint and provides groups with a strong sense of community.
GUATEMALA
CHILDREN OF THE MAYA
Dates & Tuition
Everything you need to know before you apply.
14-Day Program
| 2023 Dates |
|---|
| JUN 27 – JUL 10, 2023 |
| JUL 14 – JUL 27, 2023 |
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- In-country transportation
- Lodging
- 3 meals per day
- Professional full-time staff and experts
- 24/7 parent support hotline during the program
- Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
- Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
- Pre-departure materials and support
- Educational materials
To save your spot, an application fee and $600 deposit are required.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Speak with the GLA Admissions Team
Admissions
Phone Number
1-858-771-0645
USA Toll-Free
Phone Number
1-888-358-4321
Admissions
Email Address
info@experienceGLA.com
GUATEMALA
CHILDREN OF THE MAYA
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