Global Works: Panama Program Overview & Recommendation

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Choice Camps Recommendation of Global Works: Panama

Since 1990, Global Works has been providing exceptional community service, cultural exchange, adventure travel, and language learning programs for teens and young adults. With grassroots connections throughout the world, Global Works trips are the ideal impetus and “bridge” for meaningful cultural exchange. Carefully planned and executed itineraries have earned Global Works a well-deserved reputation as one of the most professional and well-organized service travel operations on the planet.

Each Global Works group is led by an experienced, mature staff member – many of whom have been with the program for several years. Tight-knit program groups work, play, and celebrate together with communities and families around the world. For students looking for the perfect blend of community service, small-group travel, exciting adventure activities, cultural exchange, and language learning options, Global Works may be the perfect choice.

Trip Description

This journey takes Global Works students to Mezo America, the land between North and South America, a place touted as one of the earth’s best destinations for eco-tourism. With their solid infrastructure and amazing biodiversity, Panama’s totally unique service and adventure experiences beckon. Your journey begins in the cosmopolitan capital of Panama City, a crossroads of culture and commerce. From Panama City you’ll travel to the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of 360 dazzling islands inhabited and governed by the fascinating Kuna culture. From the islands to the inland, you’ll traverse the countryside to the northern province of Chiriquí and the “land of eternal spring” where you’ll share in the life of a rural village; living with friendly families and doing meaningful service projects. Finally, you’ll top off your adventure at some of Central America’s hottest surf beaches and protected marine parks. Whether you’re surfi ng in the Pacific, rafting through the fertile highlands, snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Kuna Yala, or walking through the 17th century ruins of Casco Viejo, historic and modern Panama will dazzle us.

Staff Overview

With more than 70% of Global Works staff members returning each year, leadership is one of the program’s greatest strengths. Global Works leaders chosen for their experience working with students, flexibility, organization, language skills, a sense of humor, and responsibility. The majority of Global Works staff members work as professional educators and the average age of the staff is 30.

With at least three adult staff on each summer program, Global Works is able to achieve a sensitive awareness to the needs of participants and communities. Most programs have an additional on-site country director to serve as logistical backup for groups while working closely with the Global Works home base.

Setting & Accommodations

Global Works participants a variety of comfortable accommodations throughout their journey.

In addition, this trip features a homestay with a local family. Homestay families are carefully chosen through a standardized process of interviews, home visits by Global Works Country Directors, contractual agreements, and careful consideration for students’ privacy and safety. Homestay families have the desire to partner with Global Works groups in service work and cultural exchange. Most families live in simple homes and are committed to providing a caring, secure environment for program participants.

Safety Standards

Each Global Works staff leader attends a comprehensive staff training session and is certified in First Aid and CPR. In addition, Global Works designs Emergency Action Plans for every destination they travel to.