Bridge Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a proud island nation rich with cultural traditions, abundant wildlife, stunning beaches and the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Park system. Rhythm and music, Caribbean Spanish, and delicious traditional cooking make Puerto Rico an exciting summer travel destination. Windsor Mountain has created a unique program that offers students the perfect combination of adventure, education, and fun in the sun!

Bridge Puerto Rico Students will:

• Have tons of outdoor fun kayaking, swimming, canyoneering, snorkeling, hiking, and surfing.
• Help the environment through service projects at an environmental research center in a pristine 1,000 acre rainforest preserve.
• Improve their Spanish.
• Learn about the history, geography, ecology, and culture of Puerto Rico.
• Learn about the complex relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico.
• Get a taste of "real life in Puerto Rico" during a week-long family home stay.

Who Should Participate?

This program is designed for students interested in traveling to an exciting destination to share in cross-cultural experiences, community service learning, and language opportunities. Students should join this program ready to immerse themselves in Puerto Rican culture as they live with Spanish-speaking families, work on community service projects, and discover the natural beauty of the island. Students should arrive with an open mind, prepared to meet new people, experience new cultures, try new foods, and dance Salsa! 

2009 Proposed Itinerary:

click here to view 2009 Proposed Calendar

Days 1-2: Arrive into San Juan. Meet your group and leaders and review learning goals for the trip. Explore Old San Juan.

Days 3-6: Service and Adventure on Vieques. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming and kayaking on a bioluminescent bay, gain knowledge about the history and current events of Vieques, and learn about Puerto Rican culture by spending time with an elderly community.

Day 7: Travel to Arecibo. Visit the Observatory. Prepare for the upcoming Adventure Days.

Days 8-9: Adventure on the Organic Tanama River. Enjoy hiking and caving in amazing underground rivers and caverns with Raymond at ACAMPA.

Days 10-11: Service in the Toro Negro Rainforest. Learn about organic farming with Jose.

Days 12-16: Live with Puerto Rican families in Boquerón.  Spend quality time with your hosts. Visit beaches, coastal cliffs, lighthouses, a dry forest reserve and various villages. Learn about day to day family life in Puerto Rico. Activities may include snorkeling, scavenger hunts, service learning projects, and beach days.

Days 17-18: Travel to Aguadilla. Spend two days surfing the friendly waves of Puerto Rico with Tupi, our long-time professional surf instructor.

Day 19-22: Service Learning at Las Casas de La Selva Rainforest preserve. Help restore ecosystems, plant cacao trees, build trails and refurbish facilities with the guidance of environmental scientists from Tropic Ventures Education and Research Foundation.

Days 23-25: Travel to San Juan for program wrap-up. Reflect on the entire Bridge Puerto Rico experience in Old San Juan, a preserved 16th century Spanish city with cobblestone streets and traditional Spanish architecture. Practice new language skills one last time, have fun sightseeing, and enjoy a delicious final banquet. Get on the plane and fly home!

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2009 details for this program are subject to change as new developments and opportunities arise. If you would like more information or have specific questions please contact Angus Whyte, Summer Travel Program Director, directly by email  or phone at   603-478-3166.