Academic Treks: Marine Biology Voyage Program Overview & Recommendation

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Academic Treks: Marine Biology Voyage

Backed by sixteen years of experience in running educational programs for thousands of teenagers, Academic Treks combines the finest elements of experiential learning, traditional classroom learning, and service learning with wilderness adventure, international travel, and cultural exchange to create extraordinary college-accredited expeditions. Each course includes an important community service component, and the themes of teamwork, leadership, and personal growth are interwoven in each AT experience.

Academic Treks students are fully immersed in an educational experience in a real world setting, gaining a global perspective and hands-on understanding of the topics studied. They also get a head start on college by earning college and/or community service credit and by building a host of skills they will use both in school and beyond. For students looking for an educational and exciting summer experience, Academic Treks may be the perfect choice.

Trip Description

Discover the wonders of the fascinating underwater realm on an unforgettable tropical marine biology voyage. Adventure Trek’s catamaran yacht is your home, classroom, lab and transportation as you explore world renowned marine parks and amazing coral reefs. Learning is hands-on, challenging and fun. Living aboard a yacht gives travelers the freedom and flexibility to discover the unparalleled diversity of ecosystems found in the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, from fringing and artificial reefs to dramatic pinnacles and sheer walls. Under the guidance of marine biologists, learn everything from oceanography to marine ecology and animal behavior. How do fish sleep? Why do they school? What is a cleaning station? How does coral grow? Through active, experiential learning complemented by field surveys, REEF data collection and marine service projects, students investigate the magical underwater world — the ultimate real world classroom!

Staff Overview

Academic Treks leaders bring a wealth of experience to every program. They share a love for working with young people, as well as a passion for experiential learning and teaching. The average age of AT staff members is typically around 26.

The Academic Treks course design requires the use of several instructors for each program. Two AT staff members lead the trip, providing focus and continuity to the program. In-country outfitters are used to provide the local knowledge and expertise for expedition phases. These additional teachers and outfitters provide a perspective, depth of knowledge and access to resources that could not be obtained otherwise. Formal instruction is given by professional educators with experience teaching young adults through experiential and project-based learning.

Setting & Accommodations

Academic Trek’s Marine Biology Voyage uses 45-50 ft catamaran yachts. These yachts have lots of room to store gear, provide a comfortable living and learning space, and are great for diving right off the boat. Each yacht has either four or five "heads," as bathrooms are called on boats. Students are in the ocean all the time, so most showers will be quick "boat showers" off the back of the yacht to conserve the limited supply of fresh water.

There are four to six cabins on the yacht, but everyone prefers to sleep out on deck each night to enjoy the cool trade winds under brilliant Caribbean skies. There's lots of deck space and plenty of room up top for everyone.

Safety Standards

Academic Treks Course Lead Instructors complete intensive staff training before the program, which includes a focus on risk management, in-country logistics, emergency protocols, leadership training, and teaching students how to integrate experiences learned on program into their everyday lives when they return home. At least one of the course leaders is a certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with a minimum of 80 hours of emergency medical training.

Academic Treks: Marine Biology Voyage Session Dates

Session Name	Dates	Ages	Tuition	Get Info
Trip One	6/15/10-7/5/10	15-17	$5,280
Trip Two	7/8/10-7/28/10	16-18	$5,280

Trip Overview

Program Overview

Theme: Study Abroad
This Trip has Multiple Themes:
- Sailing and SCUBA
- Community Service
Trip Gender: Co-ed
Group Size : 12
Camper-to-Counselor Ratio: 6:1
Religious Affiliation: None