Sustainable Harvest International welcomes student volunteers and friends from Phoenix, AZ to Panama in June 2012!  The group will take part in sustainable farming projects that protect Panama's natural resources while improving quality of living in rural communities.  This educational trip will provide opportunities for cultural exchange, service learning and give participants a chance to practice their Spanish while contributing to important projects. Trip participants will work alongside local staff and families to plant vegetable gardens, establish tree nurseries, build wood-conserving stoves and more.

SHI families are excited to welcome volunteers into their homes and share their community and farms. Homestays in the community will be rustic, without indoor plumbing and electricity, but we know the students are up for the challenges and simplicity of rural living.  In addition to experiencing day-to-day life in the rural communities, the group will get to visit Panama City, enjoy Santa Clara Beach, hike in the jungle and tour the Panama Canal.

This trip includes orientation with local staff, homestays and volunteer projects with SHI participant families and excursions to Panama City, beautiful beaches and cloud forests of Central Panama.  Get ready for meaningful service projects and the tropical adventure of a lifetime!

READY TO TRAVEL? Fill out the online REGISTRATION FORM or contact us for more information. Download an INFORMATION PACKET (pdf) for this trip to learn more.
ALREADY REGISTERED? Click here to make a Deposit, Balance or Full payment for your trip.

SHI Smaller World Service Trip: June 6 – 14, 2012

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival

• Arrival by 2pm at the Panama City Airport (PTY)
• SHI Trip Leader meets group at airport and travel by private minibus to Penonome
• Stop en route at Miraflores visitor center, Panama Canal tour
• Orientation activities en route
• Check-in at hotel in Penonme
• Dinner in Penonome

Day 2:  Travel to Cocle Work Site

• Group breakfast in Penonome
• Spanish Crash Course
• Discussion of trip schedule
• Group departs for rural village working with SHI in the area
• Lunch with SHI field staff and SHI participant families, introductions
• Meet your host families (2+ volunteers per family)
• Afternoon tour family farms
• Dinner with host families

Day 3:  Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: school garden and tree nursery
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon family visits, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 4: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: wood-conserving stoves
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 5: Community Projects

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: family gardens and erosion control
• Lunch in the community
• Afternoon continuation of work projects, trip to swimming hole
• Dinner in the community
• Reflection and discussion
• Group will stay with host families

Day 6:  Community Projects/Depart for Santa Clara Beach

• Breakfast with host families
• Morning work project: rice paddy and fish pond system
• Lunch in the community
• Recognition of participants, afternoon farewell ceremony
• Depart for Penonome
• Group dinner at restaurant in Penonome
• Group will stay at hotel in Penonome

Day 7:  Beach Day!

• Breakfast at restaurant in Penonome
• R&R Day at the beach
• Afternoon departure to El Valle de Anton
• Group will stay at B&B

Day 8:  El Valle de Anton

• Visit local artisan market
• Waterfall hike
• Group dinner and reflection
• Group will stay at B&B in el Valle de Anton, or if early morning departure, return to Panama City

Day 9:  Departure

• Depart from Panama City airport, or continue traveling independently

¡Feliz Viaje!