Overland SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR 4TH - 12TH GRADERS

Field Studies Peru

4 weeks open to grades 9-12

Overview

With staggering natural beauty and a rich history, Peru is an ideal location for language learning, cultural engagement, outdoor exploration and service.

We’ll base ourselves in colonial Cusco and the beautiful Sacred Valley town of Urubamba. Both of these locations offer excellent opportunities for exploration and cultural engagement. Daily native-speaker language instruction, a week-long homestay and our service projects in a local school and orphanage will strengthen our language skills and give us the tools and confidence to delve deeply into Peruvian life. We’ll explore the Sacred Valley on foot, visit traditional artisan markets and hike to natural hot springs in the Andean community of Lares.

A highlight of our four weeks in Peru will be a challenging four-day trek along the historic Inca Trail. We’ll pass through breathtaking mountains, reaching an elevation of 13,779 feet, and lush valleys on our way to the majestic Sun Gate and Machu Picchu—without a doubt one of the world’s most spectacular ancient sites.

At program’s end, we’ll celebrate our time together with an exciting rafting trip before returning to Lima with expanded horizons and newly discovered confidence in our language skills.

Highlights

  • Receive daily native-speaker language instruction
  • Volunteer at a local school and orphanage
  • Hike to the natural hot springs of Lares
  • Experience a one-week homestay
  • Explore the culture of colonial Cusco
  • Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Grade

For students completing grades 9-12 in June 2012

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability

Challenge Level

5 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Lima, Peru

Accommodations

Urubamba

We will live in a family-run residence for our time in the Sacred Valley town of Urubamba.  Our residence is only a short walk to our service project.  Boys and girls will stay in separate rooms, and will share a room with 1-2 other students in the group. Groups will have access to laundry facilities once during this week. 

Cusco

During the group week-long stay time in Cusco, students will be in pairs or groups of three for their homestay experience.  Please note that while accommodations during the homestay week are perfectly safe and acceptable, Peruvian households do tend to be simpler than what Overland students may be accustomed to.

At trip end when the group returns to Cusco, we will live in a simple hostel centrally located in the city.

Groups will have access to laundry facilities in both locations.

Lares & Inca Trail

During the hiking portions of the trip, there will be a total of 5 nights of tent-camping.  Most campgrounds along the Inca Trail will have bathroom facilities.

Dates and Fees

4 Weeks

Saturday, June 23 to Saturday, July 21

$6795 (airfare not included)

Itinerary

Program Start

The program begins at the international airport in Lima where our Overland leaders will be on-hand to meet arriving students. When everyone has arrived, we'll rest up for our short flight to Cusco to begin our summer adventure.  

Cusco & Urubamba

In the colonial town of Cusco and Urubamba Village in the historic Sacred Valley of the Incas, we'll experience two weeks of service work and language instruction. Our service projects in a school and orphanage will give us the chance to make a difference in the lives of local children. We'll form lifelong friendships as we learn about the fascinating history, language and culture of Peru. 

Language Instruction

When we arrive in Cusco, students will meet with our expert teachers to be placed in smaller class groups (3-4 students) according to ability. We'll receive daily, native-speaker language instruction at Excel Language Center based in Cusco. Our leaders will also organize activities and games outside of class to further our language schools throughout each day.    

Manu National Park

When we wrap up language classes, we'll head into the Amazon for our service work in Manu National Park.  We'll have the chance to experience the unique culture of this region, discover amazing wildlife, and give back to the region through service work.  We'll try our hand at the reforestation efforts of the National Park and we'll also work with the indigenous communities at an Amazonian school playing games, helping students with their homework, and learning about their lifestyle in the rainforest.

Trek to Machu Picchu

A highlight of our time in Peru will be our trek to the world-famous ruins of Machu Picchu.  We'll hike over challenging terrain for four days along the classic Inca Trail with professional and experienced guides.  We'll bond as a group while we take in the natural beauty of the mountains and valleys surrounding the trail.  On our fourth day, we'll arrive through the Sun Gate, taking in the majestic remnants of the Inca Empire.  We'll spend a night in Aguas Calientes, the small town surrounding the ruins, to beat the tourist crowds and take the sunrise bus the next morning to get an intimate view of this incredible and historic site. 

Homestay

We will have an unbeatable immersion experience during our one-week homestay with a traditional Peruvian family. Our host families are carefully selected with the help of our language school in Peru.  Students will live with families in pairs and within close distance of one another and the group leaders.   They will have two meals of the day with their homestay family and spend the rest of the day together as a group. 

Accommodations

We will spend the majority of our time in Peru in simple group accommodations.  We'll spend a week in pairs with our homestay families, and we will also be tent camping along the trek to Machu Picchu.

“Overland did a great job of balancing work and play.” Mary Cohen, Bethesda, Maryland

 

Trip Details

LANGUAGE & SERVICE HOURS

40 hours of service

40 hours of native-speaker, classroom-based instruction

A minimum of one year of Spanish is required.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT 

We prefer that students enrolling in Field Studies Peru have at least one year of Spanish. However, there are several instances in which we can grant exceptions to this requirement. If your son or daughter has had comparable language practice in Spanish outside of formal class instruction, or if they have a background in another foreign language, for example Latin or French, that may be sufficient for this type of program. Since Overland groups are split into smaller language classes upon arrival, we can accommodate varying levels of language skills. The most important factors for success on this program are the student’s enthusiasm for learning the language and his/her dedication to practicing throughout the program. Please give our office a call to discuss your student’s suitability for our programs.

Field Studies Peru requires a positive attitude and a willingness to work hard as a teen summer service volunteer. Participants should be eager to take part in a variety of summer service projects and be ready for both the challenges and rewards that summer service work in Peru offers.

Keep in mind that your enjoyment of this trip will hinge on certain factors:

  1. Your motivation. Service work is not always easy—you must be motivated!
  2. Your understanding that life in Peru is simple and rustic.
  3. Your commitment to teamwork. Overland trips require compromise, patience and selflessness. Support your trip leaders and your trip mates, and you’ll have a great experience.

SPECIAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

All Overland students must be current on their routine vaccinations. Overland advises students traveling to Peru to consult with their family physician for information about protection against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever and malaria. Please check with your physician as soon as possible about receiving the necessary vaccinations and to learn more about taking an anti-malarial drug prior to departure.

For complete health and safety information regarding travel to Peru, please visit the CDC website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.aspx.

ITINERARY INFORMATION

Upon your visit to the doctor or travel clinic, please bring the following trip-specific information:

  • In 2012, Field Studies Peru will travel to Cuzco, Lima, Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and the region of Madre de Dios (Manu National Park).
  • The group will spend six days and five nights (July 7 – July 12) at an elevation lower than 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) during their time in Madre de Dios (Manu National Park).

“Well-planned programs, professional staff, excellent leaders–Overland offers the whole package.” Jaki Suter, Westport, Connecticut

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Before You Go

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for Your Trip

International service, language learning and cultural understanding require dedication, selflessness and hard work. Begin your preparations for a great summer now by organizing your clothing and gear. As the summer nears, stay active and fit through sports and exercise. The more you prepare, the more you will enjoy your program. Then once your program starts, commit yourself wholeheartedly to your group and all of its activities.

Special Health Requirements

  • All Overland students must be current on their routine vaccinations.
  • Overland advises students to consult with their family physician for information about protection against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever and malaria. Please check with your physician as soon as possible about receiving the necessary vaccinations and to learn more about taking an anti-malarial drug prior to departure.
  • For complete health and safety information regarding traveler's health, please visit the CDC Website at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx

Before Your Trip

  • While this program does not require any mountaineering skills, it is a challenging physical undertaking and you will be best prepared if you are fit and enthusiastic about the trek. You’ll be glad you did and it will make your trip much more enjoyable!
  • We strongly advise you to spend some time hiking this spring to feel fit and comfortable with a backpack and to break in your boots. We cannot emphasize enough how essential this is for a safe and enjoyable trip. Throughout the spring, wear your boots at home and go on several long walks or hikes in them.
  • You should go on at least three 5-mile hikes in your boots with a backpack with some weight in it. The additional hiking you do will make you better prepared for the trip.

Packing for Your Program

  • Please note that in many of the places we visit, it is culturally inappropriate for girls to wear short skirts, short shorts or tank tops; this clothing can bring unwanted and possibly unpleasant attention.
  • Be sure to bring comfortable clothes that can get dirty and be worn while volunteering.
  • Lightweight travel pants (three-quarter length or full-length), capri-style pants, long skirts, t-shirts and loose-fitting clothing are all appropriate.
  • Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
  • You will have the chance to do laundry periodically so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
  • Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack.
  • A note on weather: The group will experience many different types of climates. Please pay close attention to the warm and waterproof layers below - you will be grateful for them. Being well prepared with a variety of layers for different temperatures will make you feel comfortable and safe during the trip.
  • Some of our favorite brands in terms of quality of product for a reasonable price include REI, EMS and L.L.Bean.
  • Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.

Clothing

  • Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
    The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Your fleece can also double as a pillow. Please do not bring jeans or sweatpants. They are heavy, bulky and will not keep you warm if wet.
  • Synthetic Long Underwear Top & Bottom
    To stay warm on cool nights. Top can also be worn while hiking on cooler days.
  • Winter Hat & Gloves/Mittens
    Hat and gloves/mittens should be insulated and warm, not knit and porous.
  • Bandana or Balaclava
    Optional.
  • Waterproof Rain Jacket & Rain Pants
    Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from. We recommend rain jackets with hoods. Ponchos are not acceptable. Rain pants provide protection from wind and rain and are an extra warm layer when needed.
     
  • Lightweight Travel Pants
    Two pairs, three-quarter length or full length. Made of synthetic material. Girls can bring skirts (past the knee) if they choose.
  • Shorts
    Two pairs, made of synthetic material.
     
  • T-Shirts
    Five, synthetic material preferred. Please no spaghetti strap tanktops.
     
  • Underwear
    Seven pairs.
     
  • Socks
    Three pairs of thick wool or synthetic socks made for hiking. Sock liners are optional. Five pairs of athletic socks for use with sneakers.
  • Sandals
    Flip flops or Crocs work well.
  • Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
    One lightweight pair of comfortable sneakers to wear for volunteering.

  • Pajamas
    Optional. Pajamas aren't required as many students sleep in shorts and a t-shirt.
  • Bathing Suit
    One.

Hiking & Camping Equipment 

  • Hiking Boots
    Waterproof hiking boots that are mid to high cut (recommended price range $100 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack.
  • Backpack
    4,000-5,000 cubic inches. Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips. We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs. 
  • Waterproof Pack Cover
    If your backpack does not come with a cover, choose one that fits your pack well.
  • Day Pack
    Your day pack can be used as a carry-on for your flight and will be necessary for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack, maybe even just your school backpack. You should be able to carry it over both shoulders (i.e., NOT a satchel) and it should be big enough to hold your lunch, 2 water bottles, snacks and some extra warm layers and rain jacket. 
  • Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sack
    We recommend a lightweight, compact sleeping bag (synthetic or down) that is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Your sleeping bag should compress into a stuff sack which can then be cinched down to 12-20” in length.
  • Water Bottle
    One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable.
  • Headlamp & Extra Batteries
    A small flashlight is OK but headlamps are great because your hands are freed up for other tasks. 
  • Small Safety Whistle
    Plastic or metal with a string or lanyard attached. This is for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.

Micellaneous Items

  • Valid Passport & International Health Certificate (if applicable)
    Please make at least four photocopies of your passport and international certificate of vaccination. Leave one copy of both documents with your family and put photocopies of each in both your checked luggage and carry-on luggage for the flight, separate from your actual documents. Please also send a photocopy of your passport & international certificate of vaccination to our office if you have not already done so.

  • Student ID
    Current school identification (if you have one).

  • Spanish-English Dictionary
    Small travel size.
     
  • Spiral Notebook & Pen (for class)
     
  • Pictures From Home & Small Gift for Your Homestay Family (Field Studies Peru ONLY)
    To share with your family: something unique to the U.S., your state or hometown (e.g., local t-shirt or magnet)
     
  • Community Donation Items
    A few items of second hand clothing (for children or adults), arts & crafts material (e.g., markers, paint brushes, construction paper), or your favorite children's book (in Spanish).
     
  • Towel
    Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.
  • Plastic Bags
    Five large 1-gallon ziplock bags and two large trash bags. The ziplock bags are used to organize and waterproof your gear and small items. The trash bags are used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag.
  • Toiletries
    All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock during the trip.
  • Moleskin or Molefoam
    One full package for blister protection.
  • Sunglasses & Hat with Visor
     
  • Sunscreen (SPF 15+) & Chapstick (with SPF protection)
    Please bring ample amounts of sunscreen.
  • Insect Repellent
    Please bring ample amounts of bug spray.
  • Personal Journal or Book
    Optional.
  • Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
    Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).
  • Spending Money
    $100 total in cash or with a debit or ATM card. Students on international programs should note the exchange rate. As an alternative to carrying cash, ATM cards are also easy to use and widely accepted. Please be sure to inform your bank before traveling that your ATM card will be used outside the country.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

  • To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
  • Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
  • In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

 Cell Phones

  • Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
  • Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
  • If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

  • We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
  • We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
  • Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

  • Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

  • Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Saturday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Saturday

Please note: There are limited cities that offer direct flights from Lima to the US. To avoid red eye flights at Trip End, we strongly recommend departing from Lima early in Saturday morning and connecting through Miami to your home city. If you prefer an overnight flight with a different airline, please call our office and ask for Brenda or Kate to discuss flight exceptions.

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

Mail Stops

Please send Letters & Postcards (rather than care packages)

  • Since we’re on the move and prefer to travel light, we encourage you to send letters and postcards rather than care packages.

Specific Instructions For Letters

  • On all letters: Please write clearly, in bold print, “Please hold for Overland Group” on the front of the envelope.
  • To send mail to Peru, please allow a minimum of 8-10 days for delivery. 

Mail Stop #1: Students can receive mail throughout the program at the Excel Language Center in Cusco. 

Please address mail as follows: 

Overland
Student's Name
c/o Excel Language Center
Cruz Verde Nº 336
Cusco, Peru

 

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011

Apply Now

HOW TO APPLY

You have two choices. You can apply online with a credit card by clicking the link below.

Apply Online

Or you can download the 2012 Overland Application as a PDF (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Then mail your completed one-page application and $795 deposit check to:

Overland
P.O. Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

For overnight mail via UPS or FedEx, please use our street address:

Overland
63 Spring Street
Williamstown, MA 01267

Applications are reviewed in the order in which they arrive at our office and we cannot hold spots over the phone.

Learn about our admissions process.

Leader Profile

Byron Meinerth

Byron Meinerth

Hometown
Ridgefield, Connecticut
School
Colby College
Leadership
Field Studies Peru, Language & Exploration Spain, Language & Service Costa Rica
More about Byron »

See More Overland Leaders

Check out photos from Field Studies Peru

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Overland P.O. Box 31 Williamstown, MA 01267 | 413.458.9672 | Fax: 413.458.5208 | info@overlandsummers.com

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Overland Programs offers more than 40 different trips including New England summer camps and adventures for kids (4th graders, 5th graders and 6th graders), hiking trips for teens, teen bike trips in Europe and America, teen summer service programs, writing programs on the Williams college campus and field studies trips in the developing world. Overland has summer adventure trips and programs of all types, lengths, and locations. Our teen adventure travel trips and programs are for elementary school students, middle school students and high school students. We have wilderness adventures, bike adventures cross-country, and outdoor leadership programs spread across five continents. Overland is not simply a summer-long experience—it's a life experience with value and resonance that extends far beyond the boundaries of a single summer.

  

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