Choice Camps Recommendation of Academic Treks: Primate Studies

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

Join Academic Treks on an eye-opening expedition to the wilds of Costa Rica and Panama to learn about New World monkeys and how students can help protect them from extinction. Among the many endangered creatures, few are more intriguing than monkeys of Central America. White-faced capuchins, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys and mantled howler monkeys steal your hearts as they gaze at you from the trees. Travel to El Zota Biological Field Station in the heart of Costa Rica to learn about primate behavior in a spectacular rainforest setting. Journey to a tropical island on Panama’s Caribbean coast to continue your studies by examining primate ecology and threats to their survival in a biodiversity hotspot that has been called the Galapagos of Panama. Returning to Costa Rica, work alongside local organizations and scientists on animal rehabilitation, reforestation, conservation and education efforts on the Pacific coast, using your newfound knowledge to teach others about monkeys and the importance of preserving their endangered habitats.

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

For most of the program students stay in simple but comfortable hotel or dormitory style accommodations with shared bathrooms. During the rafting portion of the program travelers camp alongside the river at a permanent tent camp under the stars.

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.

• Top Summer Camp Destinations
  • Northeast Summer Camps
    Connecticut Summer CampsDelaware Summer CampsMaine Summer CampsMassachusetts Summer CampsNew Hampshire Summer CampsNew Jersey Summer CampsNew York Summer CampsPennsylvania Summer CampsRhode Island Summer CampsVermont Summer Camps
    
    Mid-Atlantic Summer Camps
    Delaware Summer CampsDistrict of Columbia Summer CampsMaryland Summer CampsNew Jersey Summer CampsNew York Summer CampsPennsylvania Summer CampsVirginia Summer CampsWest Virginia Summer Camps
  • Great Lake Summer Camps
    Illinois Summer CampsIndiana Summer CampsMichigan Summer CampsMinnesota Summer CampsOhio Summer CampsWisconsin Summer Camps
    
    Southeast Summer Camps
    Alabama Summer CampsFlorida Summer CampsGeorgia Summer CampsKentucky Summer CampsLouisiana Summer CampsMississippi Summer CampsNorth Carolina Summer CampsSouth Carolina Summer CampsTennessee Summer CampsVirginia Summer Camps
  • Midwest Summer Camps
    Arkansas Summer CampsColorado Summer CampsIdaho Summer CampsIllinois Summer CampsIndiana Summer CampsIowa Summer CampsKansas Summer CampsMichigan Summer CampsMinnesota Summer CampsMissouri Summer CampsMontana Summer CampsNebraska Summer CampsNorth Dakota Summer CampsOhio Summer CampsOklahoma Summer CampsSouth Dakota Summer CampsUtah Summer CampsWisconsin Summer CampsWyoming Summer Camps
  • Southwest Summer Camps
    Arizona Summer CampsNevada Summer CampsNew Mexico Summer CampsTexas Summer Camps
    
    West & Pacific Summer Camps
    Alaska Summer CampsCalifornia Summer CampsHawaii Summer CampsOregon Summer CampsWashington Summer Camps
    
    Canada Summer Camps
    Ontario Summer CampsQuebec Summer Camps

• Top Summer Camp Specialties
  • Traditional Summer Camps
    Overnight Summer Camps
    
    Summer Camps by Gender
    Boys Summer Camps Girls Summer Camps
    
    Arts Summer Camps
    Circus CampsDance CampsFashion Design CampsFilm and TV CampsFine Arts CampsGeneral Arts CampsMusic CampsPerforming Arts CampsPhotography Camps
  • Sports Summer Camps
    Baseball and Softball CampsBasketball CampsBiking CampsFitness CampsFootball CampsGeneral Sports CampsGolf CampsGymnastics CampsHockey CampsHorseback Riding CampsLacrosse CampsOutdoor Exploration CampsSkiing and Snowboarding CampsSoccer CampsSurfing CampsSwimming and Diving CampsTennis Camps
  • Academic Summer Camps
    Business and Finance CampsCollege and SAT Prep CampsComputer CampsDebate CampsEnvironmental Science CampsESL CampsGeneral Academics CampsGifted and Talented CampsInternational Studies CampsLanguage CampsLeadership CampsMath CampsPublic Speaking CampsRobotics CampsScience Camps
  • Special Needs Summer Camps
    Asperger's Syndrome CampsHearing Impairment CampsHeart Disease CampsLearning Disabilities CampsWeight Loss Camps

• Top Teen Trip Destinations
  • Africa Teen Trips
  • Asia Teen Trips
  • Australia Teen Trips
  • Caribbean Teen Trips
  • Europe Teen Trips
  • Latin America Teen Trips
  • North America Teen Trips
  • Pacific Teen Trips

• Top Teen Trip Themes
  • Academic Enrichment Teen Trips
  • Community Service Teen Trips
  • Language Immersion Teen Trips
  • Cycling Teen Trips
  • Hiking and Backpacking Teen Trips
  • Internship Teen Trips
  • Sailing and SCUBA Teen Trips
  • Study Abroad Teen Trips
  • Teen Tours Teen Trips
  • Wildlife Viewing Teen Trips