Community Service Programs in Mexico for Teenagers

Rustic Service in Mainland Mexico
Located at the southern edge of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, where the mangroves meet the mountains, the village of El Cora sits overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Located in the Mexican state of Nayarit, El Cora will be your humble home for the coming week of service, cultural immersion, and exploration. The town’s name is taken from one of Nayarit’s indigenous groups (the Coras), and the region is home to rich indigenous culture as well as immense natural beauty. You’ll support eco-tourism initiatives, hike to a nearby waterfall, explore the intricate mangrove ecosystem, and learn to make handmade tortillas from local women during an exciting week you’ll never forget!

Sustainable Service Projects,Real Benefits to Communities
You’ll contribute to several rewarding service projects that will introduce you to the local people and give you a chance to brush up on your Spanish. Help community members as they build and improve the path to a waterfall, construct a rustic, open-air kitchen, or perhaps plant trees with local kids as part of a reforestation effort. You may also help out on one of the nearby sustainable tourism initiatives that promote eco-friendly construction, or visit the Port of San Blas and learn about local conservation efforts. Team up with local youth on an environmental education campaign that could include working on a beach cleanup or a recycling program. When the time comes to leave, you’ll know you made a lasting contribution to
a deserving community.

A little Rest and Relaxation
El Cora’s local waterfall is the perfect place to relax and cool off after a hard day’s work. Jump in the refreshing waters with a few of your new friends and chill out in the midst of the area’s awesome natural beauty. Experience a piece of Mexican history during a visit to the Spanish colonial ruins at the Port of San Blas. Just below El Cora is an intricate mangrove system, and you’ll hop aboard a jungle boat and ride through a network of mangrove channels to a freshwater spring. Keep a keen eye out for the crocodiles, turtles, and birds that make their home here. Those looking for pure relaxation can go for a swim and soak
up the sun on the beautiful beach of Las Islitas.

Who Should Come?
Life in a Mexican pueblo is simple and laid back. This program is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in a small community and truly become a part of village life. You will also be amazed at how quickly your Spanish language skills progress. Even if you’ve never studied formally, you will find yourself getting around the town just fine in no time. You should also expect to learn about different cultures, working outdoors, and what it means to participate in rewarding Servicio comunitario projects. Come prepared to live like a local and spend a significant amount of time working on a variety of worthwhile projects.

Questions? Please email us at mexico@rusticpathways.com.

Service in El Pueblo Trip Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday)	Depart United States for Guadalajara, Mexico Upon arrival at the Guadalajara airport you will be greeted by Rustic Pathways Staff and transported to the village of El Cora. Spend the evening meeting other students on the trip and getting settled into the base camp.

Day 2 (Sunday)	Getting to know the area of El Cora During the morning tour the village and get to know the area that will be your home for the next week. Then hike down to the waterfall for a refreshing swim and some lunch. Your group will have time to get to know your guides and each other by playing team building games along the way. Meet members of the community and learn about the service projects you will be participating in during your week in the village. You will have dinner at the base camp and afterwards, do as the locals do and take a stroll to the town square.

Day3 (Monday)	Rewarding Service in El Cora Wake up for an early breakfast and head over to the Servicio comunitario project site to begin working alongside community members. Service projects in El Cora may include helping the community’s Ecotourism group renovate their rustic kitchen or improve the path to the community’s waterfall. During lunch the local women will show you how to make tortillas, which you will then enjoy with some tasty Mexican food. After lunch, continue working on the different service projects and getting to know the rest of your group. In the evening, take some time to play games and relax as a group.

Day4 (Tuesday)	Another Day of Service & Fun Wake up fairly early once again for another full day of rewarding service in the village of El Cora. Additional service projects could include working with a local school or with local youth to improve the school grounds, the town square, or other communal areas. By dinner time you will surely have worked up an appetite that the local cooks will satisfy with a typical Mexican dish. After dinner there will be some down time to reflect on the work that the group was able to accomplish in the two full-days of service.

Day5 (Wednesday)	Jungle Boat Rides and Fun in the Sun After two days of Servicio comunitario it will be time for some fun and relaxation. Start your day by taking a Jungle Boat ride to “La Tobara”, a freshwater spring in a complex network of mangrove channels. At “La Tobara” you will have time to relax, swim, and have some laughs with your new friends. After lunch, head into the town of San Blas to visit the Spanish colonial ruins, known as “La Contaduria”. Here you will have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, San Blas, and the surrounding area. Then head to the local beach in San Blas where you’ll have time relax, swim, or take an optional surf lesson. Have a nice group dinner in San Blas and then visit the local souvenir stands at the town square before heading back to El Cora.

Day6 (Thursday)	Final day of Service in El Cora The last day of service in El Cora will be spent wrapping up service projects that the group worked on during the week. In the late afternoon take one last hike to a look-out point near the waterfall to enjoy the sunset, and then spend the evening having dinner with the friends you have made during your week in El Cora.

Day7 (Friday)	Visit to Singayta Friday morning the group will travel to the village of Singayta, known as a bird-watchers paradise. Here you will walk through the town learning about its history, its importance as a habitat for many migratory birds, and the efforts of community members to protect their natural resources. Local women will prepare lunch for the group, and then you will participate in a Servicio comunitario activity that could include working on a recycling project with children or helping restore the local crocodile farm. On the way back to El Cora stop at Las Islitas beach for one last refreshing swim off Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Day8 (Saturday)	Heading back Home Wake up bright and early for your last breakfast at the base house, then pack up and head out for the Guadalajara airport in order to catch your flight back home to the States.

*PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary above is not set in stone and may be changed by the staff running this program as they see fit. It is designed to give you a good idea of the day to day schedule and activities that the students will be participating in.*

Below you will find a general packing list for both the Spring Break and Summer Service in El Pueblo programs. This packing list provides a general guideline to make your packing easier, though please make sure to bring all essential items!

Climate in El Cora: Packing for the Service in El Pueblo programs is made easy by the fact that the climate there is mostly sunny and warm. Daytime temps can get quite warm, with average daytime highs in the 90s. The evenings during the Spring Break sessions can get cool, and while rain is not likely during the Spring Break sessions students should expect to deal with rain in the afternoons during the Summer sessions.

PLEASE DO NOT OVER PACK OR FORGET TO BRING ITEMS THAT WE HAVE DEEMED TO BE ESSENTIAL! ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO CARRY WHAT THEY BRING!

Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag

Essential Items:

    * Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet or safety wallet is a good idea.
    * Photo Copy of Passport
    * Medications
    * Emergency Contact numbers for Rustic Pathways

Recommended Items:
• Sunglasses
• 35mm camera, digital camera, and/or disposable camera *Please don’t bring an extremely expensive camera that can easily get broken, lost, or stolen.
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Toiletries

* Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/ai rtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large back pack work best - wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

Essential Items:

    * 2 Photo Copies of Passport
  * Sunscreen (enough for your entire stay) Pack in PLASTIC BAG
    * Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia. Pack in PLASTIC BAG
    * Mosquito or Insect Repellent (enough for your entire stay) Pack in PLASTIC BAG

Recommended Items:

* Long Pants (1 or 2, suggested to have 1 lightweight and 1 jeans or heavier)

*Non-cotton pants that zip off into shorts work well

    * Underwear (5 to 7)
    * Socks (5 to 7)
    * T-Shirts and tank tops (4 to 5) *having a couple of quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropilene is very nice.
    * One nice casual outfit for going to San Blas
    * Rain Jacket (1) *A lightweight breathable shell (Gore-Tex etc) works well
    * Long-sleeve shirt
    * Light sweater (for Spring Break sessions)
    * Shorts (2 or 3)
    * Swim Suit (1 or 2)
    * Athletic Shoes *Shoes that dry quickly and are suitable for light hiking work best
    * Sandals and/or Flip-Flops *it is recommended to have a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water (Teva or Chaco brand sandals work great)
    * Toiletries:
          o Non-Fragrance Shampoo and Soap in a Plastic Dish
          o Non-Fragrance Deodorant,
          o Toothpaste and Toothbrush PLASTIC BAG
    * Beach towel
    * Extra bathing suit

    * Personal First Aid Kit (suggested)
          o Band aids
          o Triple Antibiotic Ointment
          o Medical Tape
          o Moleskin or preferred blister care
          o Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
          o Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
          o 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
          o 2 Gauze dressing
          o Swimmers ear

*Note: See the following link for ideas on small, personal first aid kits:
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail. asp?series=300&seriesNav=Dom&kit=302&kitNO=0125-0292

    * Insect Repellant (1 small bottle) pack in PLASTIC BAG
    * Hat for sun
    * Hand Sanitizer (1 bottle per week) pack in PLASTIC BAG
    * Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries
    * Watch or Clock with an Alarm
    * 32 oz. Water Bottle *Nalgene© bottle works well
    * Heavy Duty Garbage Bags (2)
    * Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (2) to keep camera, ipod or other items dry

Other Optional Items:

    * Spanish/English dictionary
    * Travel Pillow *a pillowcase can be a great dirty laundry bag or a comfortable pillow if you stuff it with a sweatshirt. So you could bring two pillowcases, one for each purpose.
    * Deck of Cards
    * Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, to share with local students
    * Frisbee, Aerobee, Hackysack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball
    * Musical Instrument (Guitars and Harmonicas - smaller is better)
    * Rash Guard Top (this is recommended as additional sun protection)

Donations:
The community of El Cora can benefit greatly from donations that we are able to bring from the U.S. Many of these items may be things that you or friends already have and there is no need to go and buy donations unless you choose to.

          o Easy games like Go Fish and Uno to learn basic English, colors and numbers
          o Children’s books
          o School Supplies – paints, markers, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks
          o Clothing – for men, women, boys, girls, young children
          o Coloring books, Children’s toys, stuffed animals and Games

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
SERVICE IN EL PUEBLO - Spring & Summer Sessions

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Los Angeles to Guadalajara takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. Direct flight from Houston to Guadalajara takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
2A – No. All students traveling to Mexico programs must make their own travel arrangements to meet the group at the airport within the specified time. Likewise, students must make their departure flights within the specified time that the group will be at the airport. A Rustic Pathways staff member will have each student’s itinerary and will be waiting at the Guadalajara airport for each student’s arrival.

3 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a 180 day tourist card upon entry into Mexico.

4 – What Mexican state(s) does this program pass through?
4A- During the Service in El Pueblo Program students will fly into the state of Jalisco and drive northwest to the state of Nayarit, where the town of El Cora is located.

5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
5A – Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Mexico if you have traveled to some international destinations including Peru prior to your trip to Mexico. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.

6 - How does this program connect to other programs?
6A – For Spring Break Sessions: Saturday morning students will depart from El Cora for the Guadalajara airport and take an internal flight to San Jose del Cabo in order to meet up with the group that will be traveling to the Smiling Faces Service Project.
For Summer Sessions:
If connecting to Baja programs, Tuesday morning students will depart from El Cora for the Guadalajara airport and take an internal flight to San Jose del Cabo in order to meet up with the student’s respective Baja program.
If connecting to the Copper Canyon Train Journey, students will be escorted by bus from El Cora to the Mazatlan airport where they will meet up with the Copper Canyon group.

7 – How long is the drive from the Guadalajara airport to this program?
7A—The drive from the Guadalajara airport to El Cora is approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on weather and other driving conditions.

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—The Service in El Pueblo program takes place in El Cora, a small village located 20 minutes away from the Pacific coastline. During the spring the temperature during the day is in the high 80s and humid. At night the temperature can drop into the low-70s or high-60s, as the village is in the mountains. The chance of rain is unlikely.
During the summer the temperature can be in the mid 90s and humid, and there is a high probability of rain during the afternoons as it is the rainy season.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A—The Service in El Pueblo does not include formal Spanish language instruction; however Rustic Pathways students will have ample opportunities to practice their Spanish while participating in service activities alongside community members, while relaxing in town, as well as during their recreational activities.

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- Rustic Pathways students will be dedicating their time to working in the village of El Cora, helping the community at-large, the local schools, as well as a local Ecotourism group. The projects may include improving the town square, the school grounds, or helping build an open-air kitchen. The projects may vary by week depending on the community’s needs and weather conditions, so students should be prepared to work on a variety of projects.

11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Service in El Pueblo program is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for physical activity during the service activities, as well as hiking to a waterfall located on the outskirts of the village.

12- What costs are not included on this trip?
12A—The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy souvenirs from local artisans in the town of San Blas, or other gifts to take back home. Students should also bring extra money if they wish to purchase additional snacks or drinks, as well as for internet use or calling cards.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-Optional activities may include but are not limited to surf lessons (USD$20) or surfboard rental (USD$15) at one of the local beaches near San Blas, either Las Islitas or Borrego beach. Please note that these optional activities are subject to change. Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience. Optional activities may also be canceled.

14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Students will be eating traditional Mexican food prepared by women of El Cora. Breakfast may include cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast, and occasionally a typical Mexican breakfast of eggs and beans. Lunch and dinner may include traditional Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, fried fish, ceviche, or others local dishes.

15 - Can we cater to specific diets?
15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be ample access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and grains for those who are vegetarian. Vegan diets can be accommodated, but with a little more foresight and planning as this is not a diet commonly encountered in Mexico. Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met. Please contact mexico@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.

16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
16A—Water in Mexico is NOT potable, so students should not drink tap water. Bottled water is available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores, and large water jugs with drinking water will be made available at the house where students will be staying.

17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
17A—During their time on the Service in El Pueblo program, students will stay in very modest accommodations within the village of El Cora. Boys will sleep in one room and girls in another. Students will sleep on bunk beds within the two spacious rooms in the house.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Each room has a private bathroom with running water and American style toilets and showers. Hot water is not available.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix between boys and girls however the exact numbers vary from week to week.

20- What is the ratio of guides to students?
20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.

21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A- Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.

22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Students should pack enough clothes and personal items to last through the end of the Service in El Pueblo program. If students are arriving to the Service in El Pueblo program from another Rustic Pathways program, they may have the opportunity to do laundry during the week. Laundry is approximately $8.00 USD per load, this includes wash and dry.

23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have limited access to internet at internet cafes when they visit San Blas. They will be able to purchase international phone cards from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones in the village.