Description

Our tour starts off on the island of Oahu where we will be conducting various awareness events and meeting some of the homeless children in their environment. While on the island of Oahu we will also start off our cultural lessons by learning how to surf with our "pipeline professionals", learning how to celebrate the Hawaiian way, and travel to the secluded areas and beaches of the island. This is also an opportunity to see the "big city life" that Hawai'i has to offer before heading off to the island of Hawai'i which is much more rural and tropical.

Some of our Adventures include walking along the tiki torch white sands of Waikiki with the street entertainment, snorkel cruises and even teen dance night. Our teens will participate in a cultural and historical photo scavenger hunt which allows them to really learn in a fun environment.
Attending an Authentic Hawaiian Lu'au will help the teens when it is their turn to present their own graduation lu'au to their camp buddies.

After learning how our keiki (children) live in poverty and visiting some of the sites of Oahu, we will continue our tour to the Big Island of Hawai'i, and gear up for our summer camp with our camp buddies and help them through their 1 and a half week long camp. Adventures Abound Day camp is an exciting tour of the Big Island. Taking the little one's to the tide pools, Imiloa Astronomy Center, the zoo and even a live Hawaiian performance at the historical theater. Teens will guide their buddies through the wonders of the island and help them to learn social and life skills to succeed in school.

Service learning is only the beginning of this tour, as we will be learning hands on cultural lifestyles from native Hawaiians born and raised in the culture. From the art of Hula dancing, the the music of the ukulele, we will be living aloha throughout the rest of our stay.
The evenings are spent with Native Hawaiian who share their traditions, talents and customs. Opening their hearts to share what makes Hawaii, Hawai'i.

Being able to share our culture with you, while you are helping to teach our homeless children life skills and building self-esteem is unimaginable...you just have to experience it to understand how the lives of everyone touched will be changed forever.

The second half of the program allows teens to even add more self esteem and greater life skills at the Edu Camp sleepover session. This is nestled in the high mountains of the majestic Honoka'a area. Teens will spend 5 days with their camp buddies through interactive programs. We will make a play, music video, create summer Olympics, have water wars, monster movie night and even tyedye our camp t-shirts. All the fun of sleepover camp!

Even more adventures on the Big Island from tropical jungles and swimming in the waterfalls to hiking the volcano and swimming with dolphins. This island provides some of the best beaches for snorkeling and interacting with sea life. Our teens will watch movies under the stars and relax at the great Waikoloa resorts to get ready for their grand finale lu'au.

Teens will be able to make their own ti' leaf skirts and learn the art of Hula. Present their celebrations with famous island locals!!

New for 2012!! All teens will be awarded the Presidents Volunteer Service Award certificate signed and mailed by the president of the United States.

Highlights

Some of the highlights include:
* Traveling between island to see the sacred and secluded places that only the "locals" are allowed.
* Learning the true culture and language from those who live it daily.
* Helping to change the lives of homeless children through interactive projects.
* Earning 200 community service learning hours while changing the world as we know it for the better, meeting new friends, and what living with aloha really means.
* Exploring new adventures and making life-long connections.
* Lets not forget learning to surf by surfing ledgeons and meeting the local famous bands. Learning to hula by professional award winning kumu's and much more...
* Did I forget to mention trying the new flavors of islands, including shave ice, malasadas and even poi?

Plus! A Special Enrollment Discount!
* Tax deductible Tuition for all teens
* Presidents Volunteer Service Award!!

Travel Types

• Canoeing
• Eco Tours
• Environmental Studies
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Native Culture Studies
• Nature Tours
• Overland Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Sailing
• Snorkeling
• Sports
• Student Tours
• Surfing
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

This is a special discount promotion(Educational Excellence Award) for the first two applicants to qualify for the program. We have two special scholarship awards that would allow for a discount of USD 1,200.00 off the tuition of the teen mentoring program.

The special qualifications will apply:
The two students selected must have a 3.5 or higher GPA, be a senior in high school and be applying for a college with the studies including working with children. (other applicants only need a 3.0 to attend)

For the regular requirements to attend this program, teens must be enrolled in high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, have two recommendation letters from school or other administration/leaders. Must be open to new cultures, and have the will to work hands on with small children in a camp like setting. Teens must be open minded and adventurous. This summer camp is fun, adventurous, and exciting, but it is also a lot of work. Volunteering to help make a successful summer camp is not all just fun and games. Children count on your leadership and responsibility to help them participate in the planned activities, as well as be their role models. Our children come from very poverty stricken backgrounds and to not always have the proper social skills, or regular life skills needed, so you are helping with that development on a daily basis.

The two teens who are selected to receive this award will have the honor of being awarded a representative achievement award that will be presented at the end of the program.
Plus they will have the Presidents Volunteer Service Award Certificate and pin from the White House.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Reg. USD 7,800.00 Scholarship price: USD 6,600.00

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

This is an all inclusive tour. We provide all your needs and provisions once you arrive in Hawai'i.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A typical volunteer on our program is a high school student who wishes to spend their holiday summer making a difference in their own lives as well as others. Open minded to new cultures, ready to meet new friends and have the energy for a fun filled month in a new place. Volunteers are hard working and dedicated to the tasks at hand. Love to work with children and help to mentor or be a role model for those who are in need. Teens typically come for several reasons of their own but share a common goal of learning more about themselves while helping other to improve their lives. Volunteers are not afraid of hard work, getting involved, opening up to a new culture and trying new things.

Age Range

14-19

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European and Kiwi Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4-24

Scholarships are Available

We have two scholarships avaialable

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 days after application rec.

Project Hawai'i with Cultural Institute of America's Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower teens to make a difference in their tomorrow while making changes in present through interactive solutions. Providing the teens leadership skills to enhance the lives of homeless children and helping to end the cycle of poverty in America. While learning about and exploring the Cultural aspects from true Hawaiians and Fostering Cultural Exchange, awareness and acceptance.

Year Founded

1990