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See the top 160 photos from the trip!

In conjunction with Planting Hope, 14 teens and adults were immersed in the nature and culture of NICARAGUA!

Nature abounds in this mountainous region of Nicaragua. Participants experienced first-hand the wonderful biodiversity of the tropics, interacted with friendly Nicaraguans and participated in volunteer service projects.

Highlights of our 2010 trip were:

• 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

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 preliminary itinerary is not 100% accurate, but captures the spirit of the trip):

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!

2010 TRIP REPORTS & ESSAYS
From Youth Participants

Cummulative Bird List
Riley's Trip Report
Sierra's Trip Report

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