|
|
 |
| Guatemala Snapshot Tours |
|
|  Join us for CoEd’s second annual Snapshot Tour!
Experience the best of Guatemala and see each of CoEd’s programs during this five-day excursion. This is the perfect trip for those who love to travel, see amazing scenery and meet interesting people, but are challenged to make time for a 10-day Delivery Tour.
From Wednesday, August 6 to Sunday, August 10 you will see our textbook programs and computer centers in action, personally interact with the students we serve and provide much needed educational materials to the schools. There will also be opportunities to experience Guatemala’s culture and landscape as we visit the colonial town of Antigua, enjoy breathtaking Lake Atitlán and travel to small Mayan villages where you get a true sense of what life is really like for the families we serve. All hotel and restaurant accommodations are tourist class.
Snapshot Tour Highlights:
- See COED’s programs in-action and meet the families who benefit.
- Make a difference, by bringing vital books and school supplies to needy schools.
- See colorful Antigua, a restored colonial city in the shadow of 3 volcanoes.
- Visit Lake Atitlán, called by many “the most beautiful place on earth.”
- Experience the richness of Guatemalan indigenous culture, which has changed little in 500 years.
- Learn about Guatemalan history, traditions, foods, culture, and current events.
- Shop in artisans’ markets featuring some of the most exquisite hand-crafted items in the Americas.
- Enjoy both service and social time with your fellow travelers and CoEd staff.
Spaces are limited, so please contact Jessica Stieritz at jstieritz@fuse.net or (513) 731-2595 ext. 5 if you are interested or would like more information.
|
| |
| General Information | Sample Itinerary | Sign Up | FAQ | More Travel Information |
| |
| 2008 Tour Dates |
August 6-10, 2008
|
Cost
|
US$875 plus airfare for double occupancy*
US$975 plus airfare for single occupancy
*If you do not have a traveling companion, we will happily match you with a roommate in order to secure the Double Occupancy rate.
NOTE: Trip expenses may be tax deductible. |
| Details |
- The Snapshot Tour is limited to 20 participants.
- The minimum age is 21, although individuals under the age of 21 will be considered after June 1.
- A non-refundable deposit of US$200 is required at the time of application.
- To request an application, click here for details or contact Jessica Stieritz, Tour Coordinator, jstieritz@fuse.net or 513-731-2595, ext. 5. |
|
|
| |
| Sample Itinerary |
| |
 WEDNESDAY
Guatemala City / Antigua
11:30-1:00 pm Arrive in Guatemala City (GUA) on either CO 463, DL 311 or AA 983
2:00 pm Lunch & Tour of CoEd Guatemala headquarters
4:00 pm Depart for Antigua
5:30 pm Check in at Porta Hotel Antigua
7:00 pm Dinner at Porta Hotel Antigua
THURSDAY
Antigua / Tecpán (pack luggage before breakfast)
7:30 am Breakfast at Porta Hotel Antigua
8:30 am Walking Tour of Antigua
10:00 am Presentation by CoEd Scholarship Students
11:30 am Depart for Patzún, Chimaltenango
1:30 pm Lunch in Patzún
2:00 pm Site visit to CoEd Textbook & Computer Projects, Patzún Cooperative School
4:00 pm Depart for the Mayan Ruins at Iximché
5:30 pm Check in at Hotel Albergues de Tecpán
7:00 pm Dinner at Hotel Albergues de Tecpán
FRIDAY
Lake Atitlán (pack luggage before breakfast)
7:30 am Breakfast at Hotel Albergues de Tecpán
8:30 am Depart for Lake Atitlán
10:15 am Depart by boat for Santiago, Atitlán
11:15 am Supplies delivery at Santiago Primary School
1:00 pm Depart by boat for Santa María Visitación
1:15 pm Lunch & site visit to CoEd Textbook Project, Santa María Visitación School
3:15 pm Depart by boat for Santiago, Atitlán
4:15 pm Check in at Hotel Posada de Santiago
7:00 pm Dinner at Hotel Posada de Santiago
SATURDAY
Lake Atitlán / Guatemala City
7:30 am Breakfast at Hotel Posada de Santiago
8:30 am Walking Tour & Shopping in Santiago Atitlán
12:00 pm Lunch at Hotel Posada de Santiago
1:30 pm Depart for Guatemala City
4:30 pm Check in at Hotel Radisson
6:00 pm Final dinner & reception at Hotel Radisson
SUNDAY
Depart Guatemala City on scheduled flights.
|
|
| |
How to Sign Up for a Snapshot Tour
| 1. |
Request a tour application from Jessica Stieritz at the Cooperative for Education: jstieritz@fuse.net or 513-731-2595, ext. 5.
 Click here to download the application for August 6-10, 2008: Guatemala Snapshot Tour (PDF)
|
| 2. |
Fill out the application and return with a non-refundable US$200 deposit (payable by check made out to "Cooperative for Education"). Or click here to pay your entire tour balance by credit card (including deposit). |
| 3. |
You will receive written confirmation that either your application and deposit have been accepted or you have been placed on a wait list. Along with the confirmation, you will receive an information packet containing advice concerning immunizations, packing and other helpful information. |
| 4. |
After you receive confirmation of your place on the tour, purchase a plane ticket to Guatemala City (GUA). There are resources to assist you in finding lower-priced airfares (click here).
|
| 5. |
Email or mail your flight itinerary to the Cooperative for Education office as soon as you have this information. Please include airline, flight number and time for both your outgoing and return flights so we can make arrangements for your transportation from/to the airport in Guatemala City. |
| 6. |
The balance of your payment for the land portion of the trip (hotels, food, travel within Guatemala) is due to the Cooperative for Education office by July 1, 2008. If you are sharing a room, the balance will be US$675 per person (for a total of US$875, including the deposit). If you are not sharing a room, the balance will be US$775 (for a total of US$975, including the deposit.) This is payable by check made out to "Cooperative for Education." Or click here to pay your entire tour balance by credit card (including deposit). |
| 7. |
You will need a valid passport to enter Guatemala. Many post offices have the necessary application or you can go to the State Department website www.travel.state.gov and select passport services from the menu. |
|
|
| |
Frequently Asked Questions
|
|
|
| |
 Who will travel with me?
The tours are enjoyed by people of all ages who like to travel and are willing to take time out of busy schedules to help with our project. You will meet a group of like-minded individuals who are fun, friendly and flexible. You will also be joined by many of CoEd's U.S. and Guatemala staff, including the organization co-founders, Jeff and Joe Berninger. |
|
|
| |
Will I be safe in Guatemala?
Asociación CoEd has been operating tours in Guatemala since 1998. In that time, not one of our tour participants has ever been a victim of a serious crime. However, in Guatemala, as in other developing countries, crime is a significant problem. Traveling in these countries is therefore not without risk. Click here to see CoEd's Statement on Safety. |
| |
 Do I need to speak Spanish to go on the tour?
Absolutely not! In fact, the majority of our tour participants speak little to no Spanish. Most tour activities are translated. When interacting with the students on an individual basis, our travelers find other ways to communicate and interact with them: showing family photos, playing soccer & basketball, and other games.
|
|
| |
Can I arrive before the tour and stay after?
If you plan to arrive a day before or stay a day after the tour at the Hotel Radisson in Guatemala City, we can book those nights for you. Please contact Jessica Stieritz at jstieritz@fuse.net or 513-731-2595, ext. 5 to make the arrangements.
However, if you would like to travel in Guatemala outside the official tour, you are responsible for making your own arrangements. Click here for a list of several Guatemalan travel agencies. |
|
| |
Can I leave hotel contact information with my family in the States?
Yes, just before your tour we will send you a complete list of hotels and contact information, which you can share with your family in case of emergency. |
|
| |
Can I donate school supplies or other items to CoEd's projects?
Many tour participants ask us if they can bring donated items for the children and schools. The most efficient use of resources is a cash donation, which can be used by CoEd to purchase school supplies and other items in Guatemala. However, if you would like to carry items for distribution on the Snapshot Tour, please consider the following:
- Unfortunately, luggage space is very limited on the tour busses and tour participants are permitted 1 medium-sized suitcase. If you would like to bring additional luggage containing donated goods, we ask that you submit a request to Jessica Stieritz at jstieritz@fuse.net or 513-731-2595, x. 5 by January 1.
- Books, sporting equipment, and pens/pencils are already distributed on an equal and non-religious basis to all schools. Any other items that tour participants wish to distribute, such as photos, candy or rosaries, are the full responsibility of the participants and should not involve CoEd resources, other than to inform us of this intent.
To find out what items we accept for donation, please click here.
|
|
| |
|
How can I help
the children of Guatemala upon return to the US?
1. Get your church, local school, or community group
to sponsor a workstation, school or computer center in Guatemala. CoEd offers the opportunity for groups and individuals to "sponsor" our schools and computer centers. For more information about these sponsorships, click here.
2. Spread the word about our work. Find a speaking
opportunity for someone in the CoEd speakers' bureau.
One of the best ways to help the children of Guatemala
is to "get the word out" about our work. Speaking
in front of groups has proven to be one of the most
effective ways to generate support for CoEd churches,
clubs, and organizations of every sort are always looking
for speakers. We need your contacts to help get us in
front of these groups. We need you to make the initial
call to set up the engagement and "get our foot
in the door."
3. Join the CoEd speakers
bureau yourself. Once you become a Guatemala tour veteran,
we consider you qualified to speak on behalf of CoEd
and its work. As a member of the CoEd speakers' bureau,
you will have access to excellent slides, a projector
or PowerPoint presentation that explain the project.
We'll try to send you opportunities to spread the word
about our work in front of groups. Ideally, you'll secure
some of your own speaking opportunities as well.
4. Convince one person to go to Guatemala next year with CoEd.
Your trip to Guatemala will be such a positive experience,
you will want to bring your family and friends next year!
5. Acquire donated school supplies or computers
for the children in Guatemala. Click
here to find out how to Donate Goods to CoEd
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
