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Description

Ring of Fire is tailored specifically to the needs of young men wending their way to adulthood. The Ring of Fire program is a mythic and literal journey along one of the most dynamic and volatile parts of the Earth: the Ring of Fire, a chain of volcanoes that encircles most of the Pacific Ocean.

A group of 8-12 young men and two adult male leaders will travel from the San Francisco Bay Area down through Central and South America, culminating in a 5-day rite of passage on their return to California. Along the way they will build houses, climb volcanoes, do environmental work in the Amazon jungle, immerse themselves in the Spanish language, hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - the "Lost City" of the Incas, get SCUBA certified on an island off the coast of Honduras, and more.

During the program, the group will do three retreats, the first and third at LEAPNOW's campus and the second in Central America, devoted to an inner exploration of the journey to manhood. During these retreats we will focus on how to make and keep agreements with your group members, learning to live in integrity, mastering fear, and creating a positive conception of adulthood for oneself. College credit is available as an option.

It is not at all uncommon for young men to "lose traction" in their lives between the ages of 15 and 25, losing the ability or willingness to move forward and deepen their engagement with their life. LEAPNOW created Ring of Fire because there is little societal support for the needs of young men, and a similar dearth of programs to meet their needs.

Highlights

Fly from San Francisco to Guatemala and start your experience with a trek up Volcan Pacaya, one of the most active volcanoes in the area. Then head for the western highlands for one-on-one Spanish tutoring, while spending afternoons volunteering with social service projects.

Travel overland into Honduras to see the spectacular Mayan ruins of Copan then jump on a boat to the island of Roatan to spend a week getting SCUBA dive certified.
Head down to Nicaragua for another trek to the highest volcano in Nicaragua, Volcan San Cristobol. Spend two weeks volunteering with various organizations and get a chance to practice your Spanish.

Complete the Latin American portion of the trip by taking a week to be in retreat with the group and a chance to digest the gravity of the experience you will have already had, and prepare for South America.

Fly into Quito and jump into another week of one-on-one Spanish language classes and service projects before heading to the Amazon rainforest to learn about sustainable farming and environmental practices with a local community.
Cross the border into Peru and spend two weeks volunteering with social service projects as you travel along some of the most rugged mountainous regions of the country.

Do the 4-5 day trek along the famous Inca Trail and end up at Machu Pichu, one of the worlds most mysterious ancient cities.

Travel Types

• Archaeology
• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Cooking
• Dancing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Fly Fishing
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Horseback Riding
• Language Immersion
• Mountaineering
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Student Tours
• Trekking
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Males ages 17 and up, participants must be interested in exploring their transition into adulthood.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• High School Study Abroad
• Language Immersion
• Student Tours

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

12,900

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Living stipend
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Cost Include Description:

The cost includes program activities, 3 retreats, all food and accommodations.
College credit is optional at an additional cost.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

17 and older

This Program is open to

American and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 6-10

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

LEAPNOW: Transforming Education's Mission Statement

Leapnow's primary purpose is nothing less than transformation and positive change on the planet. We aspire to keep our work on the cutting edge of human evolution. We feel that we can have the most positive impact on the world by working in the area of education- which ideally is all about transforming and expanding the consciousness of our students. Cultural immersion, study and work abroad are our main vehicles for learning about one's self and the world.

Year Founded

1993