Honduras: Montaña de Luz

Community Partner: Montaña de Luz

Trip Dates: May 4-11, 2024

Location: El Paraíso, Honduras

Number of Participants: 14

Price: $2000

Included in participant fee:

All logistical and travel expenses: All transportation costs (including transportation to and from John Glenn Columbus International Airport), roundtrip flights to and from Honduras, in-country transportation in Honduras (coordinated through MdL), and overnight lodging for the duration of the trip.
MdL program fees: Program fees incude ground transportation, security, dorimitory style lodging, all meals (with the exception of airport meals and snacks), any materials/supplies needed for community projects, pre-arrival cleaning and maintenance of facilities, and site-seeing entrance fees
GeoBlue Supplemental International Insurance enrollment and coverage for duration of trip/travel.
Buck-I-SERV supplies/swag: Individual items (t-shirts, water bottles, pens, and reflection booklets for each group member) and group items (first aid kit, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, deck of playing cards, and thank you card for community partner).
Buck-I-SERV Events and Training: Summer Trip Kick-Off and Welcome Back events with catering and pre-trip education and training.
All group meals during trip and group activities during trip: Activities include a hike at Pacaya Volcano, visit to Lake Atitlan, salsa dance class, and chocolate making class.

Travel and housing:

Participants will fly roundtrip to and from Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Upon arrival in Tegucigalpa, the group will be picked up by MdL staff and and transported to El Paraíso
Housing is accommodated in a gated and guarded dormitory style facility. Each room has bunk beds or single beds and can sleep up to 4 people. Bedding and towels will be provided. The group will share one large bathroom with 3 individual showers and 4 toilets with private stalls. Students must bring their own toiletries and personal care items (shampoo, soap/body wash, wash cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.)
A packing list will be provided to participants and discussed during pre-trip meetings leading up to departure.

What to expect:

Learning: Experiential learning is a priority. MdL staff and guest speakers will host different talks on very important topics. As an individual and team member, MdL hopes you can learn from and about the Honduran culture. If you have not traveled to a lower-income country, this will be an eye-opening experience to learn more about what you value. MdL hopes you will learn about Honduras, international child care, and HIV so that you can be an ambassador for these things in your everyday life.
Growing: MdL believes that making a better world begins with our own lives. MdL values each person’s spiritual journey and encourage time for reflection, journaling, and solitude.
Exchange: As part of your trip, you’ll have the opportunity to work hands-on with MdL’s staff and youth. They want to learn about your life experiences and make meaningful relationships with you. MdL’s team will help you prepare different activities, team-building games, and talks on important topics that impact us all.
Activities throughout the week will include morning reflection, guest speakers, community service projects (such as packing donations), visits to important locations such as the public school and health clinic, cooking class, building relationships with staff and youth, and excursions.
Please note: A valid passport is necessary at time of application for this INTERNATIONAL trip. Passports must have expiration date of at least 6 months after the return date of the trip (ex: November 2024).