What is so special about the Hawaii Service trip?
By eliminating time consuming travel through Honolulu and by keeping all of our activities on one island, we can add more days of activities to this trip, including four days of sailing. No other program offers so little travel and so much time to explore. We also have the chance to increase our cultural and environmental awareness as we give back to this beautiful island.
How much time will we have to enjoy the beach?
Throughout our trip, we’ll have access to the beach. Whether sea kayaking, sailing, or doing service work we’ll be able to enjoy Hawaii’s famous beaches, warm waters, and beautiful weather. During our sailing adventure we’ll also have the chance to snorkel in diverse locations with the opportunity to see amazing coral reefs, tropical fish, and giant sea turtles.
What will sea kayaking be like?
We’ll spend our days in easily maneuverable open sea kayaks, exploring the wonders of the Kona Coast. We’ll have the opportunity to paddle past magnificent lava flows and palm lined white sandy beaches and to see giant sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and flying fish. Each night we will be able to enjoy spectacular sunsets and Hawaii’s famous beaches from our remote costal campsites. This is an adventure like no other!
Will we be sailing our boat during our sailing adventure?
An experienced captain will pilot our boat, and we’ll be able to spend much of our time enjoying the amazing surroundings. However, we’ll also have the chance to learn new nautical skills. We’ll also have a marine biologist on board to teach us about Hawaii’s abundant marine wildlife.
What type of service will I be doing in Hawaii?
Every year the exact project we will be doing depends on the needs of the communities we work with. In past years our students have helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity, worked with the Nature Conservancy to protect the habitat of the Islands endangered birds, and worked to help educate visitors to Hawaii about the importance of the reef system and steps they could take to preserve it for future visitors to Hawaii.
What is the weather like in Hawaii?
Throughout our time in Hawaii, we’ll enjoy warm, sunny days complemented by brief afternoon showers. Our nights will be perfect, with the temperature cooled to a perfect 70 degrees by a pleasant ocean breeze. Hawaiian weather will serve as a perfect complement to our beautiful surroundings, allowing us to fully enjoy all of our time here and make memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
How many hours of service will I perform on this trip?
All participants will earn 40 hours of community service on the Hawaii Service trip. You will be issued a certificate of service following your summer experience.
Will I be able to call home during the trip?
Yes. Upon arrival, at the start of your trip, you will be asked by your leaders to call home and let your parents know you have arrived safely. You will also have the opportunity to send home as many letters as you want and your parents will be able to follow your trip through a series of updates that your leaders will write during the summer.
What will the surfing be like?
Hawaii is a famous place for surfing. If you’ve never surfed before we will start you off on long foam boards, that will have you up and riding waves in no time. For those that have surfed before we will have access to more advanced boards. No matter what your experience level is you’ll have a great time surfing the Big Island.
Will I get to see any of the Volcanoes this summer?
Yes! We will spend two days in Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park. During our time there we will explore the lava tubes and hike to the different view points that allow us to safely watch the lava flow into the Pacific Ocean.
