Note: This page is being frequently updated. To be added to our
list of interested participants and receive email updates when new
trip info becomes available, please send us an email. Thanks!

Join us for the experience of a lifetime!

In conjunction with Planting Hope, get ready to be immersed in the nature and culture of NICARAGUA!

Our annual teen trip for 2010 highlights the very best of Nicaragua. Nature abounds in this mountainous region of Nicaragua. You’ll experience first-hand the wonderful biodiversity of the tropics, interact with friendly Nicaraguans and participate in volunteer service projects.

Highlights of our 2010 trip:

• Homestays with Nicaraguan families in San Ramon
• Extensive birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities
• Natural history service learning projects with Nicaraguan schools
• Outdoor adventure: hiking, swimming, kayaking, boat trip
• Vacation at Nicaragua's Crater Lake and Granada's Lake Nicaragua

COST
Price: $1050, plus airfare (inquire about fundraising opportunities) We are asking people to register by (date TBA) if not sooner, so please request your application now! A $100 deposit is due with your application. For more info please email us or call 802-229-6206. Some scholarships may be available.

AGE REQUIREMENTS
This trip is open to teens ages 13 and up and chaperones (parent, teacher, etc.) who will be accompanying a teen. For younger participants (below age 15) a chaperone may be required.

GUIDES
Beth Merrill: Founder and director of Planting Hope, Beth will be in Nicaragua prior to our arrival.
Chip Darmstadt: Director of NBNC, Chip has lived in Central America and led numerous trips.
Sandal Cate: Educator at NBNC, Sandal visited Nicaragua several times with Planting Hope.
Larry Clarfeld: Educator at NBNC, Larry coordinates the Center's Youth Birding Program.

TRIP ITINERARY (This is a preliminary itinerary. Subject to some modification):

Friday, April 16: Depart form Burlington International Airport at around 10 am. Arrive in Managua at 7:30 pm. Bus to San Ramon. Arrive in San Ramon at 11pm - 12 am. Sleep at host families.

Saturday, April 17: Breakfast in San Ramon with host families. Brief orientation. Guided tour of San Ramon with walk to waterfall (we will also help look for seeds to assist in local jewelry-making). Lunch with families, followed by informal soccer in the streets. Birdwatching with elementary/high school students (to teach about tourism potential). Swimming. Welcome campfire with host families.

Sunday, April 18: Early morning nature walk in San Ramon followed by breakfast with host families. Day trip to Selva Negra, the first of several eco-reserves and coffee plantations we will visit. Leave Selva Negra mid-afternoon and continue towards El Jaguar, the second eco-reserve and coffee plantation we will visit. Dinner and nighttime activity upon arrival and 1st overnight at El Jaguar.

Monday, April 19: Early morning birdwatching hike followed by breakfast. Bird banding project followed by other natural history activities (TBD) at El Jaguar. Tour of coffee process. Dinner and 2nd overnight at El Jaguar.

Tuesday, April 20: Early morning birdwatching hike followed by breakfast. Finish natural history projects (TBD) followed by lunch. Depart El Jaguar, return to Matagalpa. Stop at La Chispa Library for afternoon visit. Return to San Ramon and dinner with host families.

Wednesday, April 21: Early breakfast in San Ramon, then depart for Pueblo Viejo (we will be visiting a small school in this small, rural community). Service learning natural history project with kids at Pueblo Viejo school followed by lunch in Pueblo Viejo at a family's home. Visit a waterfall before returning to San Ramon for dinner with host families. Seed jewelry workshop following dinner.

Thursday, April 22: Breakfast in San Ramon, then depart for Finca Esperanza Verde, the third and final eco-reserve & coffee plantation we will visit. After lunch at Finca, we will return to San Ramon for service learning activities in San Ramon schools. La Pita recycled paper project demonstration (chance to buy paintings/crafts). Good-bye Party / Dinner / Performance in San Ramon (host families invited).

Friday, April 23: Early breakfast followed by saying good-byes to host families. Leave for Masaya. Visit Mombacho Volcanic Reserve. Arrive at Laguna de Apoyo for dinner.

Saturday, April 24: Early morning guided bird walk with Pablo from Escuela de Espanol. Breakfast (time TBD). Spend the whole day at Laguna de Apoyo, a large lake which sits within a volcanic crater. We may spend the day swimming, kayaking, birding, hiking to Mirador de Catalina (a scenic viewpoint). Dinner and trip reflection

Sunday, April 25: Early morning bird walk. Travel to Masaya for shopping at artisan market. Lunch in Masaya, followed by travel to Granada. Free afternoon OR boat rides through Lake Nicaragua's Isletas (TBD). Pizza dinner and final night in Granada hotel.

Monday, April 26: Leave for airport at 5 am. Arrive at airport at 6 am. Flight to Vermont at 8 am.

Please call 229-6206, if you have any questions!

To be added to our list of interested participants and receive email updates when new trip info becomes available, please send us an email. Thanks!

EVENTS

Naturally Nicaragua Benefit Dinner
Saturday, March 13, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Fee: $10 adult or take-out, $5 child
at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier (130 Main St.)

Come join local youth for a dinner to benefit their trip to Nicaragua. This evening will be a wonderful celebration of the Nicaraguan culture! Teens will create a wonderful
meal of enchiladas, rice and beans, salad, and dessert. Join us throughout the night for entertainment including Jairo Sequeira, playing traditional Latin American music, a fabulous band from Northfield HS and Planting Hope, presenting about their February trip. Also, don’t miss out on the silent auction, with unique items from generous area businesses!

FORMS & FLIERS

Pre-trip Application Form
Homestay and Service Questionnaire
Permission and Release Form: (youth) (adult)
Medical Care & Treatment Form: (youth) (adult)
Registration and Release Liability Form

Trip Flier size 8.5 X 11 in. (please distribute)
Trip Flier size 8.5 X 14 in. (please distribute)

Benefit Dinner Flier (please distribute)
Benefit Dinner - Silent Auction Donation Forms

FUNDRAISERS

"Bird Friendly" Coffee Sales
   Before beginning your bird-friendly coffee sale fund    raiser, please read the info packet for instructions.
       Coffee Info Packet: (.pdf) (.doc)
       Coffee Individual-Order Form: (.pdf) (.doc)
       Coffee Master-Order Form: (.pdf) (.doc)

Fair Trade Chocolate Sales
   Order form coming soon

Bottle Drive
   Bring returnables to Montpelier Beverage (formerly
   M & M Beverage) and tell them it is for the North
   Branch Nature Center Nicaragua fundraiser. They'll
   take care of the rest!

Benefit Dinner
   See the "events" section above for more information
   about our March 13th dinner fund raising event.

NICARAGUA WILDLIFE

Bird List for El Jaguar reserve
Butterfy List and photo gallery for El Jaguar
Mammal List for El Jaguar

SPANISH PREPARATIONS

Spanish Alphabet
Simple Introductions
Simple Phrases
Verbs & Conjugation (beginners)
"Lightning" Spanish Course

North Branch Nature Center
713 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602