The Young Leader

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Adventure Vacations in South America

Adventure-Vacations

You’re going to travel and one day you’ll likely visit South America. When you do make it, there are several places that are a must see! Machu Picchu, Iguaza Falls, and the Galapagos Islands are just a few key destinations definitely worth the trek. A quick Insta search will bring up accounts with stunning photos, but let’s be real, no matter how many filters they use, those pics do not do it justice.

And in case you still had any doubt of why you should visit these places, we’ve compiled a list of reasons why these places must be visited!

Machu Picchu in Peru

A lost Inca city built into the side of a mountain and with rivers surrounding it on three sides, talk about the perfect place to take a selfie! With a geo tag included!

It’s every camper and hikers dream. Camping in the mountains with breathtaking views and a new culture! Talk about an adventure to remember!

But do make sure that you plan ahead as only 500 people are allowed on the trail at a time and you want to be one of them.

It’s nearly 40 miles so you’re Fitbit will be out of control!

Just be sure to travel with people you like because you’re sure to spend a lot of time with them! And if you don’t know the people you’re traveling with, you’re going to make some new BFF’s.

People say there is nothing like experiencing the ancient ruins for yourself!

Igauzu Falls in Argentina             

It’s made up of more than 275 waterfalls and is the largest waterfall system in the world! Talk about crossing an item off of your bucket list.

What’s more, it’s not uncommon to see toucans, monkeys, and even jaguars – oh my! The waterfalls are surrounded solely by nature, which just adds levels to its coolness factor.

More than one million people visit the falls a year and you could make it one million and one.

When you’re there, be sure to check out Devil’s Throat. With a name like that, why wouldn’t you want to see it in person! It’s the tallest of the waterfalls and is shaped like a horseshoe.

This is the time to break out the camera and take a panoramic shot.

Galapagos Islands in Ecuador

This consists of about 19 islands off of Ecuador’s coast in the Pacific Island. So if you want to see a lot in a little time, this is your place!

From volcanoes to sand, the islands also double as a science lesson because they served as an inspiration for Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

Think about all of the different wildlife you can see, from land animals to sea, the list goes on!

And if you’ve ever been a thrill seeker or dare devil, you can visit the tallest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi. Now that’s a trip to brag about!

So do your laundry, charge your phone, and pack your bags so you can embark on an incredible trip to South America! Whether you’re going to Machu Picchu, the Igauzu Falls, or the Galapagos Islands, it will be one to remember!

Contributed by Samantha Watkins

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Volunteer Definition: What is a Volunteer?

What-is-a-Volunteer

The definition of a volunteer varies greatly from person to person and organization to organization. In fact, it’s doubtful a single, all-encompassing description of what it means to be a volunteer actually exists at all. While many will agree that volunteers assist others or the public at large, opinions regarding payment, motivation, and cause differ and fluctuate quite a lot. One thing that is clear, however, is that it’s important to distinguish between the verb’ volunteer’ and the noun’ volunteer’. There is, for example, a big difference between voluntarily doing something, like presenting first in class or enlisting in the military, and being a volunteer who works without pay at an animal shelter or serves meals at a soup kitchen. Just volunteering for something doesn’t necessarily make you a volunteer. To help better understand how volunteers are defined, here are four different kinds of volunteers to consider.

Individual Volunteer

At its basest level and in its simplest form, to be a volunteer is to provide assistance without payment and of free will. In this respect, regularly babysitting your neighbor’s children for free makes you as much a volunteer as if you signed up to sort Christmas gift donations at the Salvation Army. Other examples of this type of volunteering include reading to an elderly person at an assisted living facility or helping someone rebuild a home after a natural disaster. Just because only a single person is impacted, doesn’t make the contribution of time and effort any less significant.

Societal / Environmental Volunteer

This type of volunteer also offers his or her service freely and without pay, but is often working with or through a larger organization to generate a broader societal or environmental impact. This kind of service might go through the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, or ASPCA. This type of volunteer might also work with a local organization, like the volunteer fire department, or offer assistance during local events, like a Thanksgiving potluck, intended to enhance the community.

Experience-Oriented Volunteer

Not all volunteers offer their services solely for the purpose of volunteering. Some volunteers seek to learn new skills or gain experience in return for their time and effort. Good examples of this type of volunteering include assisting with an election campaign, working at a hospital, or helping at a local law firm. It’s important to note, however, that not all volunteers who perform these kinds of tasks are looking to improve their resumes; it’s absolutely plausible that a single organization can have various types of volunteers working for them.

Obligatory Volunteer

In some cases, while the volunteers do not receive payment for their services, they are required to offer them. There are many possible reasons for this, such as a school project or mandatory community service as a result of an indiscretion. In cases like this, the volunteers aren’t participating voluntarily, but their work does positively impact the world around them.

So next time you ask, “What is a volunteer,” you’ll know there is certainly more than one answer.

Contributed by Amanda Vosloh Bowyer

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Be Glad for GLAP: A Celebration of Global Leadership Adventures Programs in 2017

GLAP

Your compassionate heart and wanderlust are eating away at you, and you just want to go somewhere. One problem though: you’re not sure where you want to go or what you want to do. Well prepare yourself for a decision because Global Leadership Adventures Programs has outlined all of their travel plans for 2017 below! Check them out:

Belize: The Initiative for Children™ – Get a mix of the beautiful power of language and communication while working with children, as well as live in the moment amidst the incredible environment of Belize.

Costa Rica: The Initiative for Children™ – Encourage local children and become a kid again yourself as you spend time with them in the lush countryside of Costa Rica and serve their community.

Ghana: Children of Africa™ – Jump into the beauty of Africa and discover the exuberance of helping empower kids through education at a local village.

Guatemala: Children of the Maya™ – Enter into the culture of Guatemala, full of enriching knowledge and warmth, while also spending time in schools and assisting the development of education through volunteering.

Bali: Global Health Initiative™ – Study how science and tradition can come together to bring health and well-being to people of all cultures!

Dominican Republic: Global Health Initiative™ – This program will give you deeper insight into why healthcare in a community is affected by multiple components and how people can work together to address these topics and improve healthy living.

Ghana: Building Healthy Villages™ – Discover how people can be empowered to break poverty through healthy well-being, and you will also get to experience the joyous culture of Ghana.

Costa Rica: Animal Rescue Project™ – Share your compassionate heart for animals through volunteering with an animal rescue in the surreal landscape of Costa Rica.

Thailand: The Elephant Conservation Project™ – Embrace the mystic scenery of Thailand as you advocate for elephant care and learn about the conservation of these creatures.

Costa Rica: Spring Break Sea Turtle Initiative™ – Make a difference during your spring break through learning about the incredible sea turtles of Costa Rica and participating in conservation activities.

Costa Rica: Sea Turtle Initiative™ – If spring break wasn’t enough for you, participate in one of our summer programs in Costa Rica and learn how you can help change the future for these sea turtles.

Galapagos: Preserving Nature’s Wonders™ – Visit the famous Galapagos Islands and explore the natural beauty while taking part in the conservation efforts of the local animals.

Thailand: The Elephant Village Initiative™ – See what it is like to care for the beautiful elephant up close as elephant conservationists in Thailand share their passion with you.

South Africa: Social Entrepreneurship Initiative™ – If you are tired of simply hearing about issues throughout the world, then you will love this opportunity, a program where you will get the chance to brainstorm with people from all over the world and create ideas that will implement action and hope.

China: One Nation, Two Worlds™ – Experience the culture of China in-depth as you share not only language, but also a passion for learning and friendship with the local children.

Costa Rica: Spanish Service Adventure – Get a taste of the diverse beauty of Costa Rica while developing your Spanish language skills and gaining practical (and fun!) cultural experience.

Peru: Spanish Service Adventure – Adventure through Peru and actually use some of your Spanish language skills as you volunteer alongside local friends and learn about their stories.

Spain: Spanish Service Adventure – Take part in the passion of Spain as you dive deep into the Spanish language and culture and relish popular Spanish activities, such as dance and history.

Costa Rica: Surf and Sports Service Adventure – Surf along beautiful beaches and help others learn to love surfing as you lead a sports camp for kids and soak in the incredible gift of the ocean and the outdoors.

Dominican Republic: Sports Service Adventure – Volunteer through sport and break down cultural barriers as you bond with kids and help instill and support the value of sport activities in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic: Building a Sustainable World™ – Prepare to not only learn about enhanced sustainability, but also put that sustainability into action as you serve the people through developmental projects on this gem-like island.

Costa Rica: Empowering Rainforest Communities™ – Spend your trip in the exotic rainforest and get the opportunity to study about the environment, learning how to help preserve it for the future (you may even get to zipline!).

Costa Rica: Protecting the Pacific™ – Explore the local coast and soak in its beauty and wildlife, while also helping to make sure the ocean continues to be enjoyable through conservation initiatives.

India: Service Through the Lens™ – Pack your camera because you will have the chance to share your adventure through mystic India, bonding with local people and learning how to be a steward through your photography.

Argentina: Land of Discovery™ – Spend time purposefully in Argentina and serve the hospitable people while absorbing the culture through adventures like kayaking and horseback riding.

Bali: Land of Discovery™ – Get ready to experience Bali like no one else as you tutor children in English and view the secrets of Bali that are only for those who go beyond the tourist resorts.

Fiji: Empowering Island Communities™ – Volunteer on one of the most scenic spots in the ocean and make incredible friendships, while learning to appreciate island life and community.

Peru: Service in the Sacred Valley – Discover the people of Peru and learn about daily living and sustainability for locals outside of the city while also having unforgettable adventures like whitewater rafting.

Tanzania: Heart and Soul of Africa – Stop dreaming about Africa and actually travel there as you get the chance to volunteer with African students, help develop educational facilities, and even experience a safari.

Thailand: Cultural Kaleidoscope™ – From tutoring children in language skills to flying by emerald forests to stepping into Thai culture, you will have a full and unforgettable time in Thailand.

Costa Rica: Beachside Service Adventure – Do not forget your sunscreen and get ready to dive into volunteering alongside local communities and kids, along with jumping into some water-filled fun.

Dominican Republic: Beachside Service Adventure – Be inspired by the people of the Dominican Republic as you work to encourage and help local communities while on the picturesque island.

Dominican Republic: Spring Break Service Adventure – Have a break filled with purpose and help people who are creating change for communities to continue the momentum through service projects (plus, you’ll be in the beautiful Dominican Republic!).

Peru: Amazon Service Adventure – Not only will you get to see the Amazon, hold wildlife, and participate in outdoor adventures, but you will also get to study how we can be working to be good stewards of the Amazon and its surrounding environment.

Now your only problem is deciding which adventure you most want to choose!

Contributed by Addie Davis

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Finding the Best Travel Backpack

Best-Travel-Backpack

If you’re going to do a lot of traveling, no one item may be more important to your success than your travel backpack. There are lots of good ones and some not so good ones out there, and being stuck with a not so good one can make your journey a heck of a lot harder. We’re talking back problems, discomfort, or worse, a break.

A good backpack, one with lots of useful features, can make your life a lot simpler and your trip a lot more fun. Here are some things that you may want to look for when choosing the perfect backpack for your overseas experience.

Wheels

Rolling backpacks are a life saver. Travel backpacks can be heavy. Very heavy. You just don’t want to sling that kind of weight around all the time. Rolling backpacks can instead be rolled around like a suitcase whenever possible, so you save your back a lot of trouble and potential problems in the future.

Size

Some people like to go really overboard and get huge hiking backpacks that are almost as tall as they are and lug them around the world. That’s not really recommended. In fact, you should look for something that’s airplane carry-on size. Backpacks aren’t as sturdy as suitcases and can get horribly beaten up if checked by the airline. Having the ability to bring your backpack on board with you can save you, your backpack, and the stuff inside a lot of trouble.

Aside from that, make sure you get a backpack that fits your body. Measure your torso length by standing with your hand on your hip bones, index finger straight and thumb back. The length is then measured from your collar bone to the point your hands meet. Have someone help you.

Extra small and small backpacks fit up to 18” torsos, medium/regular fit 18”-20”, and large sizes fit torsos over 20”. Of course, refer to the manufacturer guidelines for any differences from these general stats.

Organization/Layout

The layout of your backpack can make or break it for you depending on what you need. If you have a laptop, for instance, you might want to grab one with a laptop pouch to help protect your laptop from damage. You might need multiple small compartments to fit a bunch of small objects. Maybe side pockets for water bottles are something you need.

In some of these compartments, you may also want to seek materials that help protect your stuff better. For instance, water resistance can be a lifesaver either for the whole backpack or for individual pockets that house valuables. Padding in laptop pockets to protect your expensive hardware is also a necessity. Make sure your backpack has what you need.

Hip belt

Considered a luxury by some, the hip belt can help prevent a heavy load from weighing down on your back when worn. Conversely to hiking backpacks, few travel backpacks actually have these straps, so if it’s a feature you want you need to look a little harder. Either wheels or a hip belt should be enough to spare your back a lot of agony, but having both is really nice, too.

Durability

This one kind of goes without saying. A broken backpack is a useless backpack, so you want to make absolutely sure your backpack can hold your stuff without risking a bottom blow out. It can be hard to judge a backpack’s durability by looking at it, so it can be useful to browse through some online reviews. Typically though the toughest backpacks are made of nylon and polyester with nylon straps. Canvas is another premium material. If you really want to get down into it, check the stitching of the straps. You want to look for a double stitch for extra durability because this point is where they most often fail. Having a hip belt or using wheels helps take some of the load off as well.

There are a lot of things to consider when buying the perfect backpack. As stated previously in the guide, it’s highly recommended that you go to a physical store and actually try on backpacks before settling. In addition to that, check online reviews to give yourself a little more peace of mind. A backpack is an important investment, but the right one can last to carry your stuff around the world for years to come.

Contributed by Nick Bartholomew

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Changemakers: Springville High School Basketball Team

Changemakers-03

You may or may not have seen the heart-warming story about a high school senior, Taylee Smith, from Springville High School in Utah. She has Down Syndrome and, for every other game in her basketball career, she served as the women’s team manager. On Senior Night, however, her team, as well as their opposition, made an incredibly kind gesture to show their appreciation for Smith’s hard work and dedication.

Smith was the first member of the team to walk onto court. She was also the first player, on either team, to score for the evening. Smith’s layup from a bounce pass gave Springville High School a 2-0 lead, but the opposition didn’t care. Following the layup, the entire student section proceeded to cheer Smith’s name while jumping up and down in support of her unyielding commitment to the team and school.

This was clearly an event planned by the students of Springville High School. It wasn’t just Smith’s teammates and classmates, but all of the students and coaches associated with the opposing team who wanted to participate as well. These three groups of incredible teenagers – Smith’s teammates, the school body, and the opposing team – wanted to do something special for a fellow student who had, in all likelihood, never been the center of so much positive attention and love-filled energy.

Sports, at any level, can be quite competitive and, in some cases, even dirty. Too often, there’s a “me first” or “our team has to win” mentality associated with athletics. This story, however, demonstrates a breakdown in this kind of thinking and truly exemplifies the meaning of sportsmanship. Whereas similar events allow honorary teammates to score points in the closing minutes of a winning game, what the students at Springville High School planned was even more exceptional because Smith’s basket could have won or lost the game for either team.

Not only does this story exemplify the absolute best of high school athletics, it also demonstrates how impactful a community of teens can be. Smith and her family will never forget this game and neither will the students who planned and executed it.

Contributed by Amanda Vosloh Bowyer

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