Educational Environmental Program

“Seekers of change and ambassadors of understanding”

This program is designed to help youth develop a better understanding of the natural world while also helping to ensure the survival of the rainforest. Through exploration, the experience of living outdoors, and learning about the simpler ways of life of native communities, students will return home with the wisdom of the rainforest!!!

Earth-honoring consciousness flows through in all aspects of our journey. You will have the opportunity to enhance your personal growth, discover, and renew as we all grow together and awaken our stewardship of the environment and social balance.

This program is undertaken with that hope that participants may become seekers of change and ambassadors of understanding. Seekers of change can return to their communities and take action to protect the environment. As ambassadors of understanding, students can interact with their families, peers, and communities, sharing what they have learned about rainforest conservation and environmental issues.

Mission:
Our mission is to provide a unique learning experience and to stimulate environmental and ecological awareness. Participants will gain a deeper awareness and appreciation of the rainforest, its people, and its effect on the entire planet's ecosystem.

Objectives:

-To encourage, through a variety of practical examples, a sense of responsibility to adjust our patterns of living to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle.

-To appreciate the diversity, dynamics and particular values of the rainforest and its peoples and to create cross-cultural opportunities to interact with native people in their daily life and to raise awareness about the rainforest environment.

-To educate participants on how to minimize their impact on local culture and environments and to spread understanding that the rainforest is important not only to the wildlife but to the well-being of each of us, regardless of where we live.

-To share a commitment to empowering community-based cultures through direct participation in educational or developmental work in collaboration with people from different native communities.

Some topics to be explored:

• Learn skills of survival and adaptation to the wilderness.
• Gain knowledge about life in native communities and small villages.
• Local culture: habitat, land use, life cycle, diet, cycles, adaptation, etc.
• Ecosystems: forest, weather, and water.
• Biodiversity and ecology: birds, bats, snakes, mammals and more.
• Learn about the importance of medicinal plants: Tarumã Sanctuary Program.
• Visit sustainable works: local farmers, handicrafts, agricultural, fishing.
• Educational walks, history telling.
• Folklore: legends, mythes, ceremonies, storytellers, dance.
• Visits to the native schools: interacting with students.
• Open forum: Environmental issues, practical lectures and educational walks.
• Community services: help in any activity of restoration, such as replanting, collecting seeds.
• Practical activities and recreation: swim with dolphins, fish, or paddle a canoe.

How the program is financed:
This program is affiliated with Native Cultural Alliance.Org. Individual participants pay tuition to cover the expenses of their trip. Scholarships may be available; please contact NCA for details. Individuals wishing to contribute to the scholarship NCA fund program should visit the NCA Support page.

Trip Cost:

$1,950.00 USD per student based on a four-student group. Discounts are available for five or more students traveling together.

Special Notes:

All participants are required to sign a liability waiver and registration from. During the trip, daily activities may be modified due to weather conditions or other unforeseen factors. Upon booking, participants will receive:

• Travel packet: Guidebook “Wisdom of the Rainforest” that includes all relevant pre-departure information and program details.
• A manual guidebook: “Seekers of the rainforest Wisdom.”
• Self-Guide Book on medicinal plants at the Tarumã Sanctuary.
• A PowerPoint slide show is available upon request.

Booking your trip:
Space on this trip is limited so please register early to ensure your place. Other special programs may also be offered throughout the year.

Program / Itinerary * (Sample)

1st day - Amazonas-Manaus City
Arrival at the Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil. The educational teachers will meet you at the airport. Check-in at the hotel. Relax and get to know the other trip participants. Program orientation.

2nd day to 4th - Manaus City - Amazon River- Black River – Tarumã Sanctuary.
We will begin our journey with a walk to the marketplace where we will visit the renowned Amazonian herbalist, Judith Formoso. She will share her knowledge of a variety of medicinal plants along with her unique perspective on the anthropological and humanitarian aspects of Brazil’s rich culture.

We will then journey to Lake Janauary. During the day there are many activities to enjoy when the fauna is more active and visible. Enjoy the “Meeting of the Waters.” During a canoe excursion you can fish for piranha. We will observe freshwater pink dolphins that are found only in the Amazon. Look for alligators, sloth, monkeys, birds, reptiles and other unusual animals. We will be visiting homes and farms of “caboclos,” the mixed blood people, who live along the riverbanks.

You will receive more detailed information about the program itinerary and the route we will follow over the next few days at Tarumã Sanctuary, our base camp dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the natural biodiversity of the region. We will discuss reforestation, sustainability, land use, and how to value the life that the rainforest holds.

There will be an introductory walk in the forest where we will learn about the structure, dynamics, and adaptation of the flora and fauna. We will learn about the amazing properties of local medicinal and aromatic plants. Learn about different plants, trees, insects, animals and the forest. You will have an opportunity to walk on forest trails and take part in ecological activities.

5th to 7th day- Local Communities
We will visit different local communities and spend time with them to better appreciate their way of life in the rainforest. We want to share with you a mutual understanding, respect and tolerance for other people's philosophies, values, and social norms. Observe traditional bushmasters and healers as they describe the uses of various types of trees, oils, herbs, roots, poultices, etc. Participate in a “welcome” ceremony, and spend time interacting with the elders and other members of the community. Visit the native schools and exchange educational materials with native students.

See students learning carving, painting and other handicrafts with native teachers. We will learn and participate in the process of roasting manioc flour (cassava), which is a staple food in the Amazon.

Meet with local elders, medicine men and healers to learn about Amazonian life, their legends and beliefs. Visit and share a ceremony around the “Sacred Tree” in the jungle. See the traditional techniques used for farming, harvesting and hunting. Engage in a brief analysis of the anthropological factors: family, culture, and religion. Our visit will help support their fragile economy and raise awareness about the importance of conservation among both the local people and us.

Experience the sounds and beauty of camping deep in the rainforest with only the light of the night moon and stars to guide you.

8th to 11th day –Wildlife Viewing – Novo Airão town
The surrounding scenery is verdant and full of wildlife. This is a fabulous opportunity to participate in a jungle expedition to appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Camping deep in the wilderness, ceremonies, hiking, canoe excursions, and sport fishing are some of the activities that will broaden your knowledge of the surrounding environment. Revel in these precious moments of self-discovery and understanding. Let your energies be renewed as you slow your own pace to the natural rhythm of the rainforest.

Live in traditional ways that will inspire and awaken the long-forgotten resources you have within yourself. Crossing the Black River and the Anavilhanas Archipelago, composed of over 400 islands, will be an impressive and majestic journey.

We will have an opportunity to participate in community service by assisting in such activities as restoration, replanting, collecting seeds, etc. Visit a native greenhouse and a snake park; fishing and swimming with pink dolphins. Visit handicraft centers that use sustainable wood leftovers and weave with raw fibers. View (with optional participation) in the performance of Capoeira and Dança do Boi Bumba, traditional folklore dances with local students at Novo Airão.

12th day - Manaus City
Visit the local market in Manaus City, the “Museo do Indio,” INPA, Museum of Natural Sciences and have free time for shopping and touring.

Head to the airport for departure.

* This itinerary is flexible. Unforeseen circumstances can alter the timing and availability of various aspects of the trip.