Teen Community Service Programs in Mexico

Bienvenidos a Baja Sur de México!
Millas de interminables de playas vírgenes, amigables personas y riscos imponentes de la Sierra Sur, te dan la bienvenida a este increíble lugar. Este paraíso será el escenario de esta aventura de surf, servicio comunitario, arena y sol. De pie sobre las peñas repletas de cactus, observaras a los habilidosos pescadores locales franquear el oleaje del Pacifico al igual que lo hicieron sus abuelos. Observaras coyotes y zorros caminando por el desierto hasta los secos causes del rio que provienen de las cimas de la Sierra Sureña. Tomaras el sol con la dorada luz de la mañana mientras remas para atrapar una de las olas más queridas de Baja en los Cerritos o también caminaras a lo largo de la pintoresca Playa de Las Palmas. El pequeño pueblo de Todos Santos se ubica entre estas grandes olas y los poderosos picos. Fundado por misioneros Jesuitas casi 300 años atrás, Todos Santos es una brillante joya rodeada por el enorme desierto de Baja. Hogar de artesanos, ávidos surfeadores, jardines de mangos y amigables personas; Todos Santos ha sido reconocido por el gobierno mexicano como uno de los 15 ‘Pueblos Mágicos’ de México, por su mezcla única de historia, arte y belleza. Detrás de la apariencia tranquila del pueblo y de fachadas de ladrillo y adobe con siglos de antigüedad, habita una comunidad vibrante y unida la cual te dará la bienvenida durante tu estadía.

Haz la diferencia
Como Todos Santos empieza a salir de su aislamiento histórico y existe una necesidad urgente de que sus habitantes hablen el idioma ingles y se realicen proyectos de desarrollo sostenible. La mitad de tu día la utilizaras para trabajar en la comunidad a través de una amplia gama de significativos proyectos de servicio comunitario. Ayudaras a los niños a desarrollarse como futuros líderes al enseñarles ingles en los centros extraescolares locales. Trabajaras junto con los estudiantes de la escuela en jornadas de limpieza del pueblo y de playas locales. Otros días, empacaremos y partiremos a trabajar con los niños de los trabajadores migrantes en sus granjas. Estos trabajadores y sus familias viven muy básicamente y tu presencia y ayuda para que ellos realicen actividades recreativas y de arte son muy apreciadas. Viajar a estos campos es un verdadero placer y las sonrisas conmovedoras de los niños de seguro serán unos de tus mejores recuerdos.

Surf, sol y siestas
Mientras que en las tardes compartirás sonrisas con los locales, en las mañanas disfrutaras de las olas de Los Cerritos. No importa si prefieres las tablas cortas, o te sientes más tranquilo con las tablas largas o no sabes absolutamente nada de surf, Cerritos tiene olas perfecta para todas las habilidades. Tomaras el sol en las aguas de Baja y disfrutaras de fogatas junto al mar. El momento más espectacular llegara cuando nades con leones marinos y peces lora en las azules aguas cristalinas del Mar de Cortés.

Qué vas a hacer este verano?
Te aseguramos que te iras de Todos Santos con un sentimiento de satisfacción por haber perfeccionado tus habilidades de surf y por haber dejado una huella positiva y duradera en una comunidad maravillosa. El programa de “Baja Service and Surf: es una excelente combinación de aventura y servicio comunitario para viajeros sin experiencia que buscan una aventura exótica sorprendentemente cerca de casa. De seguro, también lo será para experimentados trotamundos que buscan un nuevo lugar para explorar.
Para más información acerca de este programa, escríbenos a: mexico@rusticpathways.com

Baja Service & Surf
Trip Itinerary

Day 1 (Tuesday)	Depart United States for Los Cabos, Mexico Upon arrival at the Los Cabos airport you will be greeted by Rustic Pathways Staff and transported to the town of Todos Santos. In the late afternoon and evening get settled into the Villas La Mar, have a brief orientation, and get to know the other students and your guides.

Day 2 (Wednesday)	Service and Surf In the morning we will be starting our Servicio comunitario projects. We work mainly with two different organizations while we are in Todos Santos. Wednesdays are generally set aside to work with Fortalecer, a local non-profit that is working with children living in the migrant agricultural camps outside Todos Santos. You will be part of a “classroom on wheels” that brings toys, games, art supplies and other materials to children with very little access to many of things we take for granted here in the United States. Some days, this project may run in the mornings and we will surf in the afternoons at the Los Cerritos surf break or other nearby spots. The waves are appropriate for surfers of all abilities, from beginners to experienced surfers, so no previous surfing experience is necessary. For those who do not wish to surf the entire time, boogie boards are made available and there is about a mile stretch of beach to explore and relax on. In the evening there will be time to email or call home, or just relax at the villas.

Day3 (Thursday)	More Surfing and Service After a morning surf session and a delicious Mexican lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to working with La Palapa Society on an after school program for local students in Todos Santos. You will focus your time tutoring English to these eager students, though we frequently also do art projects, play sports, paint murals, and facilitate other summer camp-like activities in the local community. Most weeks there will also be the option of participating in a cooking class at the famous Hotel California.

Day 4 (Friday)	Surf and Work with Fortalecer In the morning the group will have breakfast and travel to the migrant worker camp for another morning of service with the children. After lunch head to the beach for an afternoon surf session. In the evening hang out with your friends at the villas and relax.

Day5 (Saturday)	Service, Surfing, and Shopping The Saturday morning service activity can vary depending on the week and the needs of the local community. Potential activities may include a beach clean-up, community beautification projects, or teaching local kids about water safety. Spend the afternoon surfing and shopping for gifts at the local shops in Todos Santos. At night there may be the possibility of having a group campfire and playing games on the beach near the villas.

Day6 (Sunday)	Visit to La Paz Sunday is a day of rest and relaxation. The group will travel to La Paz where students may choose to take an amazing optional boat trip to the Island of Espiritu Santo. This full day tour visits deserted beaches, views interesting rock formations and stops at a local sea lion colony to go snorkeling. Truly a once in a lifetime experience! Those who do not opt for the boat trip may spend the day visiting the local town of La Paz, its beaches, and its souvenir shops. This is an optional activity that comes at an additional cost.

Day7 (Monday)	Las Day of Surf and Service On your last day in Todos Santos wake up for one last morning surf in the refreshing waves of Baja Mexico. After lunch finish the week of service at La Palapa Society by wrapping up the projects that you have been working with the children during the past week. After a final group dinner pack your bags and clean the villas in preparation for the next day’s departure.

Day8 (Tuesday)	Heading back Home After breakfast depart from the villas to the San Jose del Cabo airport and board your flight back home.

*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 the Baja Service & Surf program. This packing list provides a general guideline to make your packing easier, though please make sure to bring all essential items!

Baja Climate: Packing for Baja programs is made easy by the fact that the climate there is mostly sunny and warm. Students should expect to deal with a day of rain or two, though this is not very common. Daytime temps can get quite warm, with average daytime highs in the 90s.

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 *Baja is a dessert environment, and much time will be spent at the beach. 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
    * A nice outfit for working in the migrant worker camps

*All women must wear long pants or dress below the knees and a long sleeve shirt. All men should wear a collared shirt

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 Todos Santos
    * Rain Jacket (1) *A lightweight breathable shell (Gore-Tex etc) works well
    * 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
    * Surf Board (optional) – Rustic Pathways boards are available however experienced surfers may prefer to surf on their own boards. Airlines typically charge extra to transport surfboards. Please make sure to check with your airline regarding excess baggage restrictions and make sure that it is well padded!
    * Rash Guard Top for surfing
    * 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)

Donations:
Both the Servicio comunitario projects that we work with in Baja 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 ESL Textbooks/CDs for Spanish Speakers
          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, children, babies
          o Cleats, Soccer balls, and other soccer gear
          o Frisbees, Basketballs, Volleyballs and/or other sports gear
          o Coloring books, Children’s toys, stuffed animals and Games

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
SERVICE & SURF PROGRAM

1 - How long is the flight to this country?
1A – Direct flight from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Direct flight from Houston to San Jose del Cabo takes approximately 2 hours 45 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 San Jose del Cabo 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 Baja Service and Surf program students will be in the state of Baja California Sur. They will arrive in San Jose del Cabo and travel to Todos Santos, where they will spend the majority of their time.

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 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 – If connecting with a Mainland program, Tuesday morning students will depart from Todos Santos for the San Jose del Cabo airport and take an internal flight to Guadalajara (if connecting to the Service in El Pueblo program) or Mazatlan (if connecting to the Copper Canyon Train Journey) in order to meet up with the group that will be traveling to the student’s respective program.
If connecting with another Baja program, students will travel from Todos Santos to the San Jose del Cabo airport and wait with Rustic Pathways staff for the arrival of the other students.

7 – How long is the drive from the San Jose del Cabo airport to this program?
7A—The drive from the San Jose del Cabo airport to Todos Santos is approximately 2 hours, depending on weather and other driving conditions.

8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place?
8A—The Baja Service and Surf program takes place in the community of Todos Santos, a small desert town located an hour north of the popular tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas. Students should be prepared for hot, dry weather with daytime highs in the 90s. There is also the possibility of rain once or twice a week during the afternoon.

9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish?
9A—The Service and Surf program does not include formal Spanish language instruction; however Rustic Pathways students will have multiple opportunities to practice their Spanish with the children and community members they will be working with during the Servicio comunitario activities.

10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- Students will be dedicating their time to working on two primary projects: English tutoring, painting and water safety activities with La Palapa Society, a non-profit in Todos Santos; and working with the non-profit Fortalecer to facilitate activities with children of migrant workers. Other projects, such as a beach clean-up and community beautification, are also possibilities depending on the community’s needs. These projects have been identified as beneficial for the local community by our community partners in the area.

11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Service and Surf program is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for light physical activity during the Servicio comunitario activities and a higher physical output during the surf sessions.

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 of their stay in Todos Santos. Students should also bring extra money if they wish to use the internet, call home, or purchase additional snacks or drinks.

13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A-Optional activities may include but are not limited to a boat and snorkeling trip to the island of Espiritu Santo (USD$65), and an optional cooking class at the Hotel California (USD$50). 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 local women. Breakfast may include cereal, fruit, yogurt, and toast. Lunch and dinner will vary between Mexican dishes such as enchiladas and tacos. On occasion students may also eat out at a typical Mexican restaurant.

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. Rustic Pathways will provide purified drinking water to the students and bottled water is also available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores.

17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
17A—During their time on the Service and Surf program, students will stay at the Villas La Mar, which are located on the outskirts of the town. Students will sleep three to four in a room; boys and girls will sleep in different rooms. The villas have a spacious communal dining area which is a great space for students to hang out, not to mention take in the spectacular ocean view from the villas.

18. What are the bathroom facilities?
18A- Each room has a private bathroom with running water, American style toilets and showers. Hot water is available most of the time.

19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
19A – We expect a good mix of 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 and Surf program. If students are arriving to the Service and Surf program from another Rustic Pathways program, they will 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 the option of accessing the internet at internet cafes in Todos Santos on two separate occasions during their week on the program. 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 town.