2020 Prairie High School Puerto Rico Cultural Journey

Accommodations

Conturce Hotel

The hotel is designed for travelers from different places and cultures to share in common spaces, in an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie. Located in the heart of urban San Juan, hostel guests have easy access to many cultural places of interest. Free Wi-Fi keeps guests feeling connected at all times. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender.

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Parador y Area Recreativa Adrian Heriberto Acevedo Cruz

This location boasts a beautiful and relaxing stay among nature in Las Marias community.  This recreational center counts with several cabins with two rooms equipped with several beds and bunk beds perfects for hosting groups. Each cabin is also equipped with a kitchen and  showers.  The cabins do NOT include beddings or pillows so student must bring their own.  The center is surrounded by nature and has several outdoor spaces, a river and rest areas. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.

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Group Flight

Once your flight schedule has been confirmed, the itinerary will appear here.

Walking Tree will secure a seat on the group flight for each participant unless otherwise instructed.

Travelers are responsible for checked baggage fees. Please visit the airline’s baggage webpage to learn if you should expect to pay anything.

We will provide a group manifest – complete with reservation codes and ticket numbers – to the Group Organizer/s before departure, and travelers will need to check in at the airport in order to receive their boarding pass and have documents verified. We recommend arriving no later than three hours prior to the scheduled departure, but contact your Group Organizer for specific details on exactly where and when to meet on the day of departure.

FLIGHT INTERRUPTION, DELAY OR CANCELLATION 
Air travel can be unpredictable.  Regardless of proper planning, there may still be instances when a flight is delayed or cancelled due to staffing shortages, weather, mechanical problems, etc.  Please note that in such an event, Walking Tree Travel (WTT) is not financially responsible for unanticipated costs incurred by travelers en route.  Our programs officially begin and end in the destination country, and because our staff doesn’t fly with the group, Group Organizers (the traveling faculty member/s) become the front-line advocate for the group in the event of a delay. In most cases of cancellations or delays, the airline will be the one who re-books travel or possibly arranges a hotel and food the night.  Our primary role will be to  keep families updated and provide support to the Group Organizer to reach a  quick and effective resolution.

Host Community and Project Details

Bucarabones is a small neighborhood located in Las Marías City in the west mountains of Puerto Rico Island. It’s far from the cities with the larger population and is one of the neighborhoods with families of scarce resources. Additional, it is in a mountain town, where people with older age have lived for many years. For this reason, most of the houses are very old and are built with the most economical materials that existed; the wood and the zinc. The most abundant population is elderly couples. On the other hand, it is identified by its friendly and helpful people. The main occupation in Bucarabones and in Las Marías City is the agriculture.  The main crop is coffee and oranges.  There are also other farms around the town that grow a variety of crops.  Farmers grow crops such as coriander, banana, plantain, cilantro, lime etc. and will sell their crops at local groceries and places. There you will be able to find most of the food and other basic things. There are a few bakeries and small tienditas where you can grab snacks and other kind of local food.  Finally, there are many cafeterias to eat arroz con pollo (a good common plate from the Island). About entertainment, the neighborhood Bucarabones have a basketball and volleyball court for the community, where easily you can play a game with the community people. The neighborhood is very small and is a very united community that is always open to receive Walking Tree groups.

The Centro de Apoyo Mutuo Bucarabones Unido (CAMBU) was born after the disaster caused by Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017 in Puerto Rico. It is located in Bucarabones neighborhood of the town of Las Marias, PR. CAMBU arises to meet the needs of different sectors in this town. The Bucarabones neighborhood builds solidarity from within and from below. The center is an integral and self-managed space for the development of educational, recreational and cultural experiences that promote the individual and collective wellbeing of the community in general. Their vision, as a reference for community unity, seeks to build and develop a space to heal and collectively create opportunities to support the present and future generations in the face of eventual challenges. In addition, it organizes its future from work based on values of social, economic, cultural and environmental justice. After the natural disaster, CAMBU has received different groups from different parts of the United States, including groups of volunteers from Walking Tree Travel, and have managed to do a lot for the community. But there is still a lot to do. Among the tasks that do not stop are to continue installing rainwater collection systems in different homes in the neighborhood, continue to enable the structure (the center) that includes painting, organize areas such as the community kitchen space, among other tasks of habilitation, work in planting areas for agriculture, and many other tasks that arise over time. Groups not only have the opportunity to serve CAMBU, but they have the opportunity to share with the community and the duty to smile to make everyone happy there. For the community, CAMBU is not a center, it is a family.

Packing List

What follows is a sample packing list but you know yourself better than we do so please adjust accordingly. We recommend you bring a larger piece of luggage like a roller, duffel bag, or backpack, as well as a smaller backpack that you can bring on daily outings, weekend excursions and shorter activities.

“Less is more” is a packing tip we encourage for all our travelers. The list below should cover everything you would need, but know yourself and what you are comfortable traveling with.  We suggest bringing only as much as you would be able to carry on your own.

Finally, we recommend consulting a weather forecast for your destination. 

Most importantly, be sure to remember your PASSPORT!

CLOTHES: (quantities depend on your trip length)

• Underwear
• Socks
• T-shirts, tank tops or work shirts
• Long sleeve shirts
• Light sweater/sweatshirt
• Shorts
• Jeans/pants
• Swimsuit/s
• Light rain jacket
• Sturdy shoes (appropriate for lots of walking/athletic activity)
• Sports sandals ie Chacos/Tevas etc. (optional)
• Flip flops
• Sun hat

TOILETRIES (in addition to the basic toiletries):

• Two rapid COVID tests. Program Leaders will carry additional tests and will also administer the one to be verified by a medical professional within 24hrs of return to the US.
• Face masks
• Reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen
• Deet-free mosquito repellent
• Band Aids and Neosporin, other 1st aid
• Anti-itch cream
• Hand Sanitizer
• Medications (any prescription meds should travel in the original bottle with patient’s name)

MISCELLANEOUS:

The cabins at the host community DO NOT provide beddings or pillows. Students MUST bring a bed sheet, a light blanket and a small pillow. 

• Sunglasses
• Journal and pen
• Book/s
• Camera (digital, disposable, waterproof)
• Universal adapter
• Debit card/US Dollars (we recommend about $100-$200, depending on amount of desired souvenirs, extra items etc.)
• Durable water bottle (optional personal water filtration system – Walking Tree will always provide drinking water)
• 1 quick-dry towel
• Soap for washing your own clothes during community time
• Flashlight/headlamp
• Batteries, if needed
• Deck of cards or other portable games
• Student ID
• Spanish/English Dictionary

Support Team

At a minimum, one experienced Program Leader will travel on every trip. In addition to this full time leadership presence, Walking Tree has additional staff in all destinations and 24/7 support from our headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Below you’ll find the the team members involved in the preparation, planning and execution of your program.

Antonio Moreno Ortiz

Puerto Rico Country Director

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Universidad de Puerto Rico – Bachelor’s in Animal Science

Antonio was born and raised in the west side of Puerto Rico. During his bachelor degree in Animal Science, he got community experiences that opened his mind in different ways. One of his hobbies is taking care of small ruminants, like sheep, and growing his own plants in addition to his love for video games. He made a personal promise of travel a minimum of one time a year to appreciate different places around the world, and he is doing so. He is also passionate for helping youth achieve their goals, both short and long term ones, by giving them advice and helping them along the way whenever he can. He really loves his island and also loves to show people around his beautiful Puerto Rico, including Walking Tree Travel groups! 

Gabriel Duncan

Co-Founder of Walking Tree Travel and Business Lead - Denver, CO

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Colby College – B.A. International Relations and Government

While at Colby, Gabriel spent a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca studying contemporary Spanish politics and Spanish language. He also lettered for four-years on Colby’s lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. After graduating, Gabriel hit the road. He fished commercially in Alaska, taught in Chile and China, led programs for students in Spain and Costa Rica, and traveled to over 50 countries and all 50 states in the USA. Regardless of where Gabriel is located, he is constantly haunted by his naive faith and unconditional love for Denver sports teams.

Group Roster

Below is a list of the travelers enrolled on the program.

Blog and Communication

During travel we work hard to keep families updated as frequently as possible with blog posts and photos, giving you peace of mind that your traveler is safe and thriving on their program.  Students regularly contribute to these posts, providing families back home a great way to vicariously track the progress of the trip. You will be notified when the first update is posted, after which we recommend checking in regularly via the black “Program Blog” button at the top of this webpage.

Assuming your school allows the use of cell phones, most destinations are wired enough to allow participants access WiFi at different moments in the program, allowing them to communicate directly with home. Ask your Walking Tree representative about the degree of connectivity on your program.

GLC Curriculum

Standards of Behavior

In order to run a safe and successful program, it is vital that travelers are prepared to be on their best behavior and bring enthusiasm and interest to each and every day. A communal atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is the foundational.  As such, all individuals participating on a Walking Tree program are required to take responsibility for their actions and adhere to a high standard of personal conduct.

IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

1. Possessing, consuming or distributing alcohol or illegal drugs.
2. Associating with participants while they are in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs.
3. Behaving in a way that consistently damages the group dynamic or jeopardizes personal or group safety. This includes consistently displaying a negative attitude, intimidating or excluding other participants, sneaking out, disobeying group leaders, and any other behavior that is not conducive to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR IN-COUNTRY CONSEQUENCE

1. Getting a piercing or tattoo.
2. Stealing, or deliberately damaging or defacing any personal property, buildings or materials.
3. Threatening physical or emotional harm, or brandishing a weapon.
4. Possessing, consuming, or distributing tobacco or nicotine, including vape pens.
5. Riding mopeds, motorcycles, or any other type of unauthorized vehicle.
6. Being out of designated area or accommodations after curfew.
7. Breaking group rules.

These standards of behavior are essential for the successful completion of your program. Please take the time to review these as a family and make sure everyone understands and agrees to them.

Health and Safety

We strongly recommend visiting the CDC Puerto Rico website to get the most updated information on health and vaccination considerations in your destination country. In addition, we encourage you to consult your personal family physician so you can be as informed as possible when making important decisions about vaccinations and other necessary health-related preparations before traveling.

Our in-country staff meticulously prepare for all programs. Walking Tree receives regular updates from the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to proactively stay ahead of any potential security concerns. Our in-country staff also verify the safety records of our partner organizations, vendors, and transportation providers, thoroughly vet homestay families through in-depth interviews and visits, and stay informed about important current events in the region.

Program Leaders are seasoned travelers who are CPR and First Aid certified, undergo thorough training in crisis management, and participate in comprehensive leadership training. We do our best to prepare for any eventuality and have detailed emergency protocols for our leaders, in-country staff, and U.S.-based staff.

We collect medical disclosures from all participants to ensure we can meet every student’s needs during the program. Please inform us immediately of any additional health issues not listed during your initial registration process. Leaders and in-country staff are prepared to respond promptly to any mental, physical, or emotional health concerns and follow comprehensive emergency protocols.

Insurance

While we work hard to ensure the safest experience possible for our travelers on program, experience teaches that travel can be unpredictable. For this reason, we recommend that all travelers consider a travel insurance policy with a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) provision. Detailed explanations of plan options can be found via the link below.

To provide travelers and families with a quality option, Walking Tree has partnered with Travel Insured International, one of the most respected providers in the industry.  Begin by getting a quote here.

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order to secure coverage that includes CFAR, you must purchase the plan within 14-21 days of your first payment to Walking Tree. Be careful when you read the tenets of the policy to ensure you understand the required timeframe for purchase. You must also insure 100% of your trip cost, so program tuition + flight. Please reach out to us with questions.