Greens Farms Academy World Perspective Program Past Trips
St. Croix trip (2012)
Students flew to St. Croix from New York and boarded the Roseway, a 137 foot, Grand Bank Schooner. Participants were immersed in community building, leadership development, and exploration of the marine environment surrounding St. Croix and the neighboring islands. During the trip students were immersed in team activities, maritimefocused lessons, participation as a crew member, community service, snorkeling, and ocean studies. World Ocean School's Roseway Caribbean Exploration allowed for a varied schedule dependent on particular weather during the voyage. Students met the people of St. Croix, worked with school age children and engaged in community service projects. On the Roseway, students sailed daily, with some night sailing from St. Croix, USVI to other Caribbean islands. World Ocean School programming included empowering students to be members of a tall-ship crew participating in the daily tasks of operating the historical landmark schooner Roseway. The history of sailing in the establishment of these islands, a nautical book club, and ships log writing are some of the additional components included in the programming aboard Roseway. The focus of the trip includes: Getting to know the people and culture of St. Croix while making positive contributions through community service, day and night time sails, and the experience of learning the ins and outs of sailing one of only 6 remaining Grand Banks Schooners; living and working aboard Roseway.
South Africa (2012)
For the first time GFA offered a trip to South Africa, both for parents and their Upper School sons and daughters. For six days we worked in and near Durban with Whizzkids United, an organization whose mission is "To deliver effective HIV prevention, care, treatment and support to youth worldwide through the medium of football." (Soccer) Our students also worked with some of the older students and members of the Whizzkids United staff teaching computer skills. We stayed in a local guest house and had an opportunity to experience typical South African braaie (barbecues) and met a cross section of South Africans. After our time with Whizzkids, we traveled to a game reserve spending two to three days on safari. From the safari, we flew to Cape Town and spent three days visiting important local sites such as Table Mountain and Robben Island. The goal of this trip was to visit, explore, and learn about a beautiful country, work with a world famous organization that educates about and combats HIV. Preparation for this trip included a reading list of articles and novels to be discussed in the evening during the trip. Prerequisites: Any current 9th, 10th or 11th grade student who is committed to learning about global health the context of service learning.
Peru (2012)
In the summer of 2012, GFA offered a special service learning opportunity to Peru, with the World Leadership School. A small group of students traveled to the heartland of Incan Empire, a group of communities near Cusco which is known as the Sacred Valley. They stayed with host families in the town of Ollantaytambo, raft the Urubamba River, completed an overnight hike in the Andes and learned indigenous cooking and weaving techniques. Students also spent an entire day exploring the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu. Like the program in Costa Rica, this trip had three main focuses: community service, development of leadership skills and exploration of a global problem in a local context (in this case, access to education). While there will be no formal language classes offered during the program, the expectation is that the students on the trip will speak only Spanish for the duration of the program. Prerequisites: Any current 9th, 10th or 11th grade Spanish who is committed to language immersion and service learning.
Costa Rica (Grades 8-12) (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Spanish students traveled to the SarapiquĂ Valley in Costa Rica for a 10-day language immersion and community service experience with the World Leadership School. While there were no formal language classes, students practiced their Spanish constantly as they learned to cook traditional foods and as they played card games and soccer with the local children. A mix of service learning, adventure and cultural exchange, the trip provided students with the opportunity to raft the RĂo SarapiquĂ, ride a zip-line 200 meters above the jungle and bathe in a tropical swimming hole. Living with local families in Linda Vista (a community so rural that it has only had electricity for about ten years), students learned to milk cows and make fresh cheese in the morning before joining the group at the school for a day of community service (last year's students built a playground). As part of their Spanish curriculum many GFA students were in contact with young people in the Sarapiqui. Prerequisites: Any current 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade Spanish student who is committed to language immersion and service learning.
China (2010, 2012, 2013)
This trip began as a successful Suzhou student visit in summer of 2011. After forming a relationship with their school, last summer we were able to offer our first student exchange in China. Participants experienced China though the eyes of their host siblings for the first part of the trip: attending classes, interacting with their families etc. This experience was priceless and allowed real insight into everyday life in a Chinese household and school. After the stay, students went on a short tour of Xi'an and Beijing, exploring both the ancient Chinese past at the Terra Cotta Museum and the Forbidden Palace, and visiting the very modern China represented by Olympic structures built for the Olympics. China is a study in contrasts, and there is no better way to study it than by just being there. Students not only gained a better idea of what China is like today, but also came away from the trip more enlightened about the Chinese people, its culture and its place in the world. In addition to exposing students to Chinese language and culture, this program was developed with a particular focus on international relations and on China's increasing importance in the international system. Prerequisites: 1 year of Mandarin or future and present International Relations students with a strong desire to learn more about China.
The Bahamas (2010, 2012, 2013)
Experience a journey that will immerse the traveler in the environment and culture of The Island School and the ocean, while introducing them to the Bahamian lifestyle. This trip has made it possible for students to confront authentic challenges while exploring the island of Eleuthera. SCUBA diving, an overnight kayaking/camping trip in conjunction with island exploration and place based workshops complement daily exercise, research projects and campus work designed to encourage each student to develop their leadership and teamwork abilities. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a servicelearning project aimed at benefiting the Deep Creek community. This trip is designed to allow first-hand engagement with the environment and people of The Bahamas and is a wonderful opportunity to discover The Island School. Upon their return, students model a more responsible, sustainable lifestyle, recognizing that individuals can make a difference and effect positive change by the way they live. Prerequisites: All students must complete SCUBA certification before the trip. Â
UK Trip (2011) After two successful trips to England and Ireland in the summers of 2008 and 2009, we returned to the United Kingdom in our continued exploration of what Shakespeare calls “this sceptred isle…this little world, this precious stone set in the silver sea.” Our travels took us to the great cities of London, Bath, Stratford and Oxford for both their literary and theatrical riches. Later in the journey, we expanded our trip west into Wales to explore Wordsworth’s Wye Valley and Dylan Thomas’ inspiration for his great poem “Fern Hill”. Our trip ended in the capital city of Edinburgh, Scotland, home to Scott, Stevenson and Burns, a city of ancient castles, modern theatre, and beautiful vistas where literature and theatre converge. Prerequisites: 9-11 grade students and graduating seniors at the discretion of the chaperones
Sénégal (2011)
Students had the opportunity to travel to the capital, Dakar, to immerse themselves in local language and culture. The trip began with a cultural orientation: students studied French and Wolof as well as cultural aspects such as history, education, the role of women, music and food through lectures and visits with the NGO ACI Baobab. Once prepared, students spent three or four nights in pairs with a family, known to ACI Baobab for full cultural and linguistic immersion. Our service work inivolved working with a local lycée. We traveled to the beach resort of Toubab Dialao and learned tam-tam drumming, batik and a local dance. We also had the chance to visit Bandia Reserve and see ostrich, rhinoceros, zebra, giraffe, antelope, monkeys, crocodiles, etc. We also headed north to the Lac Rose and observed salt harvest, the dunes and the magnificent beaches of la Grande Côte. Prerequisites: Successful completion of French 1 or higher; an adventurous spirit committed to service, study and discovery even though this sometimes means being out of his or her comfort zone.
France (2010) In the summer of 2010, GFA students were able to experience a home stay and immersion trip to France. The group visited the bustling port of Marseille, among the world’s best preserved Roman temples and amphitheatres in the town of Nîmes, the town of Arles with its Celtic, Greek, Roman and Christian history, Avignon and its Palace of the Popes and famous bridge, the charms of Aix en Provence, the white cliffs of the pretty fishing port of Cassis followed by St. Tropez, and finally they reached their destination: Antibes. Here, the students stayed with host families for six nights. In the morning the students followed classes at their French level at the Centre International d’Antibes, and in the afternoons they were guided through Antibes itself, Nice, Cannes, St. Paul de Vence, and, of course, the local beaches, perfume and candied sweet factories. Prerequisties: 1 year of US French; Application; Good academic standing and citizenship
Bermuda (2010, spring break) This trip offered an opportunity for students enrolled in GFA’s research class to go to the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS). The students stayed at the BIOS compound in St. George’s, Bermuda for seven days and six nights. While in Bermuda, student researchers were afforded plenty of time to begin or resume previously designed research projects at various sites around the island. We were able to visit the local aquarium, zoo, and the natural history museum. We were also able to explore the caves, mangroves and inverted jellies of Walsingham Pond, the beaches of Whalebone Bay, and (weather permitting) a boat trip to Nonsuch Island for some snorkeling. Prerequisites: Previous or current enrollment in GFA’s research class; Application
Honduras (2010) Roatan Honduras was GFA’s scuba club first diving adventure. The club spent eight days and seven nights diving and exploring the beautiful reefs and walls of the east end of the island. The reefs there are the most pristine on all of Roatan. They also had the opportunity to enjoy many beautiful drift dives past walls, corals, and colorful fish. The divers stayed at the Royal Playa Resort in Port Royal, Honduras. As guests of the resort, they enjoyed the Caribbean style accommodations in cabanas that were built with Caribbean architecture and include modern amenities. All of the cabanas at Royal Playa are situated along their natural beach facing the ocean, catching the eastern trade winds. Prerequisites: Minimum 10 dives past PADI/NAUI open water SCUBA certification requirements; Application
Ireland (2009)
Ireland is a magical country of Druids and dreamers, saints and scholars. Throughout our journey the students explored Ireland's past and reveled in its bright future. Designed for the lover of the past with a passion for new adventure, this trip was for those who love words and music and don't mind walking in a bit of rain under a rainbow. Enjoy reading about the adventures
Cambodia (2008) Seven dedicated members of the community service club, The Sharing Foundation (TSF), traveled to Camboda for two weeks, primarily to spend time in Roteang, the village in which the larger TSF organization has developed multiple education, agriculture, and health projects for over a decade. In small groups, we engaged in short-term service projects, including volunteer teaching at the orphanage's Montessori-style preschool, which Ms Jean and her mother helped to begin in 2004. We had opportunities to interact with leaders in the community, such as teachers and farmers, and even spent an evening getting to know some of the first students from Roteang ever to attend university! Other highlights of the trip included a long weekend exploring the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat and sampling the sweet, spicy foods of the region. The students and chaperones kept an ongoing blog of our adventures and discoveries, which we continue to love sharing with the GF.