Family Program in Trinidad & Tobago 2024
A transformational experience in the Caribbean’s southernmost country. | June 21 – 28, 2024
As the southern most country in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is a nation of unparalleled beauty, cultural diversity, and vibrant energy. The twin-islands, often referred to as the “Land of the Hummingbird,” offers a blend of tropical landscapes, warm hospitality, delicious foods everyone will enjoy, and a ton of history and culture. Amizade participants will get to explore the nation’s diversity by spending time in urban and industrial Port of Spain, rural Matura, and by taking a 30 minute plane ride over to its sister island, Tobago. During the program, participants will serve and learn with two inspiring NGOs dedicated to environmental conservation.
OVERVIEW
This week-long program is designed for families to learn about and explore Trinidad and Tobago’s lush biodiversity, vibrant multiculturalism, history, as well as some powerful local conservation efforts. Our community partners in Matura and Port of Spain both have an inspiring grassroots story and an impressive operation today. They have experience teaching children, too, as part of their educational outreach brings them to grade schools to talk about their efforts in fighting forest fires, forest repopulating, and protecting the leatherback sea turtle.
IMPORTANT DATES
- March 25, 2024: The last day to register. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to complete registration. Early bird special: Register by March 1, 2024 for $200 off the total program fee!
- April 20, 2024: Mid-payment – 50% of program fee due
- May 20, 2024: Final payment due
- June 21-28, 2024: Program dates. (Arrive on June 21)
Program Logistics
Participants should arrive in Port of Spain by no later than Friday, June 21, 2024.
During the week, days will be busy with activities that allow participants to explore culture and nature. Participants should expect a hands-on experience that will be both educational and at times dirty! All on the ground expenses (food, lodging, transportation, cultural and rec. activities, and service projects) are covered by the program fee.
About Nature Seekers and Fondes Amandes
Both NGOs have about a 30 year history. They have very different focus areas but are both interested in bettering their community, natural environment, and everything that lives in it. Nature Seekers is in Matura, and focuses on the protection of the leatherback sea turtle, an international resource that comes to nest on their beaches every March through August. Fondes Amandes is on the outskirts of Port of Spain and they actively fight forest fires and work to reforest their areas with native species.
Accommodations
During the program, participants will stay at a Samise Villa guesthouse in Port of Spain, Nature Seeker’s guesthouse in Matura, and Sunshine Apartments in Tobago. All of these are simple and clean accommodations. Each participating family will be placed in a private room with a private bathroom. Wifi is available in each location.
Who is this program for?
This is a program for families who enjoy experiencing new cultures and environments together. It is for participants who are excited to be in nature, hike, learn about history, try new foods, and dance, and for kids and adults who don’t mind getting their hands dirty while working with our partners. This is a program with a lot of movement, so we suggest that children be at least 8 years of age. However, this is only a suggestion, and we look to parents to make the final decision.
PROGRAM ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1 | June 21
Arrive to Port of Spain
Orientation, Introductions, and Welcome Dinner
Day 2 | June 22
Participants will get to know Port of Spain by taking a tour of the city and visiting the botanical gardens.
Day 3 | June 23
Head to Matura
Learn about Nature Seekers grassroots beginning and about their operations today. Participants will have some time to settle in and rest before heading out at night to witness leatherback sea turtles come on shore to nest.
Day 4 | June 24
Return to Port of Spain
Learn about and get inspired by Fondes Amandes Community Reforestation Project. Participants will have lunch and will do some service in their forest.
Day 5 | June 25
Head to Tobago
Take a 30 minute flight to the sister island of Tobago, and embark on a boat ride with glass floors to see the reefs below.
Day 6 | June 26
Return from Tobago
After dropping luggage of at Samise Villa, head to a town called Lopinot to learn about it’s history and chocolate making today.
Day 7 | June 27
Relax and Swim at Maracas BayReturn to Port of Spain
For the last full day, you will have ample beach time and an opportunity to try a Trini food staple Bake and Shark, and end the day with a boat tour of a bird sanctuary.
Day 8 | June 28
Breakfast
Return to USA
REGISTER NOW
Register now to secure your spot for this hands-on, immersive family program in Trinidad and Tobago!
Registration deadline: March 25, 2024
Early bird special: Register by March 1, 2024 for $200 off your total program fee!
Interested but have some questions before you register? Please reach out to Trindad site liaison Torey Siebart torey.siebart@amizade.org
INFO SESSIONS
Sign up for one of our info sessions to learn more about the program and get answers to your questions. Info sessions are free to attend and open to anyone.
Info session dates:
• November 7, 2023 @ 12:30PM ET
• January 23, 2024 @ 6PM ET
AMIZADE’S CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
If your trip must be canceled prior to departure, please contact our office as soon as possible. Deposits are nonrefundable. The remainder of your refund will be determined by the date and conditions of your cancellation as follows.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the Amizade Office before April 21, 2024 will receive a full refund, minus the nonrefundable deposit.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the Amizade Office between April 22 and May 15, 2024 will receive a 50% refund of the mid-payment (exclusive of the nonrefundable deposit).
- Individuals who send written cancellation notification to the Amizade Office on or after May 16, 2024 will not be guaranteed any refund. Amizade will work with the community partners on if/how much of a refund may be possible.
If Amizade cancels a program before the program start date for any reason, we will issue a full refund for the program fee and the deposit.
Amizade requires a minimum of 6 participants to run this open group program. If the minimum number of participants is not met, Amizade will notify all participants by March 25th. We advise against purchasing non-refundable airfare before March 25th unless otherwise notified.
Denise Aleong-Thomas
Site Director
Torey Siebart
Site Liaison