Experience a great personal development through adventure activities and interaction with Ecuadorian culture. We will learn leadership skills while climbing high glacier peaks, paddling on a raft through Jungle Rivers, scuba diving with sharks at Galapagos Islands, and many more activities.

Length of program: 63 days

Age Rate: +18



Main Activities:

• White Water Rafting
• Scuba Certification
• Outdoor orientation with map and compass
• Soft skills training for group dynamics
• Multi element leadership training
• Adventure expedition planning and implementation
• Planning and executing an expedition

Certifications earned:

• WAFA Certification
•  Swift Water Rescue
• Whitewater river guide License
• PADI scuba certifications
• ABC I,II, III (OB Ecuador School, Facilitating skills for group dynamics)

Potential Academic Credits:

• Introduction to Spanish
• Natural History Ecuador
• Group Leadership

Program Dates:
17 Jan. – 20 Mar. 2011 (Spring)
10 Oct. – 11 Dec. 2011 (Fall)

Tuition: US$ 9,072*

*Includes: All transportation (including airfare Quito – Galapagos – Quito), accommodation and camping equipment, all meals, instruction, materials and equipment for all activities and accidental insurance.
*Does not include: Airfare to and from Ecuador (Uio), accommodation the night prior and after the course, personal gear, money for souvenirs or personal shopping, or other incidentals.

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Course description

Ecuador is a little Andean country with a great variety of ecosystems (including coast, mountains and Amazon, including the Galapagos Islands). It is the best scenario to develop a semester leadership program which includes some interesting Certifications for those adventurous souls, besides the opportunity to apply for College credits through the Western State College in Colorado.

Part 1 – Leadership Training

• WAFA Certification at OB Ecuador School (International Certification)
• Training Courses on soft skills for group dynamics, levels:  I - III.
• Adventure Leadership course:  Will prepare students to lead adventure expeditions including the following activities:
• Mid Mountaineering skills and backpacking
• Expedition planning and execution
• Adventure safety and gear

Part 2 – Mountaineering at Ecuador Andes

• Glacier course and climbing skill
• Using the skills learned participants will lead a two week mountaineering expedition
• Summit attempts to various mountains including Cotopaxi
• “Solo” at mountain environment

Part 3 – Amazon and White Water Rafting Guiding Course

• Backpacking from the highlands to the jungle, through amazing rainforest
• Stay at Indigenous community on the Ecuadorian Amazon
• Two week Rafting Guiding course on rivers class III
• Swift water rescue course (FIRST Aid course at river, specific for water adventures)

Part 4 – Galapagos Adventure + PAFI Certification

• PADI scuba certification
• Island adventure at Isabela, the biggest and wildest Island of the archipelago
• Backpacking and camping at Sierra Negra volcanic areas
• Horseback riding on solidified lava fields
• Visit to the habitat of the gigantic Galapagos turtle
• Snorkeling and Kayaking on clear water to watch amazing undersea life.
• “Solo”

Part 5 – Closing and return home

• Closing at Quito
• Return back home

*To see travel information, the “what to bring” list and other information, click on “Get Ready”.