PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 26
đș GLA Maui Island Service Adventure â Day 1: Aloha from Maui! đș
After long but smooth journeys across the ocean, our incredible group of students has officially arrived on the beautiful island of Maui for their GLA Island Adventure program! The flights may have been lengthy, but our travelers touched down with smiles on their faces.
As students stepped off the plane and took their first breaths of island air, the energy was a perfect mix of exhaustion and enthusiasm. With duffels in hand and leis around their necks, they were ready to begin this unforgettable journey.
Upon arrival at camp, our Leaders of the Day jumped right into action, helping set up and organize our space for the week. Their leadership set the tone for our groupâs positive attitude and teamwork that will continue throughout the program.
Next up: swim checks! Everyone had the chance to cool off and show off their swimming skills in the beautiful Hawaiian waterâan essential step for our upcoming ocean activities. We even saw a couple of seals playing in the water, right off of the coast of our home base!
Dinner was a hit with our build-your-own taco bar, giving everyone a chance to fill up and relax as we closed out the day. With full bellies and happy hearts, students settled into their cabins for an early nightâs rest to prepare for our first full day of island adventure tomorrow.
We want to give a huge mahalo to all the parents and families who supported their childâs journey and entrusted us with their experience. We can already tell itâs going to be a week full of growth, discovery, and aloha spirit!
Attached are all of our smiling faces, just missing one late traveler from the group photo, but we will take plenty of them later.
Stay tuned for more updatesâMaui, here we come! đŽđąđ
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27 & 28
Aloha from Hawaii!!
After all of us arrived safely and got settled into our cabins at home base, we jumped right into our first full day. We started with an early morning trip to the Ritz-Carlton, where we watched a powerful Sense of Place video that introduced us to the deep and fascinating history of Hawaiian culture. From there, we explored the sacred burial grounds nearby, gaining even more appreciation for the land and its people. Back at home base, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, went fruit-picking (sadly, no ripe mangoes yetâbut we did find some fresh limes!), and had time to swim and hang out at the beach. We closed out the day with fun mentor activities and icebreakers, starting to build the strong connections that will carry us through the rest of our time here.
The next day was all about service and purpose. We spent the morning volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Maui. Together, we painted planters, helped build part of a fence, and cleared landâworking as a team to support the local community. After our service, we rewarded ourselves with a beach stop to relax, swim, and soak in the beauty of the island. We even had a quick trip to the store to restock anything we needed. In the evening, we had the honor of hearing from a guest speaker who shared his personal experience with Hawaiian Homelands, giving us new insight into the ongoing efforts to preserve native rights and culture. We wrapped up the day with mentor group activities centered on personal values and goal-setting, followed by dinner and our evening closing circle.
These first two days have been full of learning, laughter, and growthâand we canât wait for whatâs still to come!
Thank you to our leaders of the day Iyla, Cubby, Savanna and Liv!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
By Leaders of the Day: Bethany & Vivian
Aloha everyone! Greetings from the beautiful island of Maui!
Day 4 started bright and early with our daily chow circle and breakfast, setting the tone for a day full of connection, culture, and hands-on learning. Our first stop was Kipuka Olowalu, a local taro farm where we rolled up our sleevesâand dove in feet first! We learned about the deep cultural importance of taro in Hawaiian tradition and got to experience it firsthand by harvesting taro roots the traditional way (karate kicks included!). Before starting, we took part in a chant seeking permission for harvest, showing deep respect for the land and its resources. We cleaned, processed, and replanted taro, then cooled off with fresh passion fruit and a relaxing dip in the river that feeds the wetland taro fields.
After returning to home base, we refueled with another amazing meal from our chefs, Jake and Nick. The afternoon gave us a choice: some of us soaked up the sun at a nearby beach, while others explored a charming fruit stand and general store near camp.
Our evening brought thoughtful discussion during mentor groups, where we explored the impacts of tourism in Hawaii. Split into teams, we debated the perspectives of big businesses, conservationists, local communities, and moreâdeepening our understanding of the complex relationship between culture, economy, and environment.
We ended the night under the colors of the setting sun (NapoÊ»o Ê»ana o ka lÄ) with a bonfire, sâmores, and the ceremonial passing of the âLeaders of the Dayâ role to Ruby and Mia!
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 30
Day 5 brought a coastal adventure with a purpose: building a traditional Hawaiian fishing pond! Working together, we carried boulders across the beach to form a rock wall that would trap fish with the tidesâa project that connected us to ancient sustainable fishing practices.
After our beachside lunch, we got a sweet treat with shaved ice and had time for a bit of shopping. But the highlight of the afternoon? A trip to the Maui Ocean Center! We explored exhibits full of marine life, including sharks, reef fish, and majestic sea turtles. One of the most unforgettable moments was feeding the sea turtles and some curious fishâjust inches away!
Back at home base, we had some time to rest before diving into dinner and mentor groups once again. This time, our mentor time was all about FUN with a light-hearted game that brought plenty of laughs.
These past two days have given us a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture, community, and coastlineâand we canât wait to see whatâs in store next!
Stay tuned for more updates from paradise! đșđ
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Today was seriously one of the most amazing days so far. We started off with some meaningful service work at the Grow Hub in Ukumehame with Treecovery HawaiÊ»i. It was super cool to be part of a project thatâs helping to rebuild native forests after the wildfires. We learned a lot about Hawaiian plants and how important it is to restore what was lost. Even though it was hot, everyone stayed positive and worked hardâwe made a great team!
After a quick lunch and change of pace, we headed out for an ocean adventure with Maui Snorkeling! The boat ride itself was awesome, but snorkeling in that crystal-clear water was next level. We saw fish of all kinds, swam around reefs, and some of us even saw sea turtles! The best part though? A two-story water slide off the back of the boat! So fun. We couldnât stop laughing every time someone splashed down into the ocean.
Tonight, back at home base, we slowed things down and did a really cool activity called the identity table. Everyone got a chance to talk about who they are, whatâs important to them, and the experiences that have shaped them. It was such a powerful moment for our group. Weâre definitely closer now than we were before.
This day had everythingâservice, adventure, connection, and so many memories weâll carry home with us.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Culture, Coastlines, and a Classic Movie
What a wonderful day in paradise!
Our journey began with a scenic drive through the IAO Valley, where misty rain gave the lush landscape an even more magical feel. We learned about the rich Hawaiian culture through hula, lei-making, and stories of the valleyâs history.
After returning to home base for lunch, we spent the afternoon relaxing and swimming at a beautiful Lahaina beach. The clear water and blue skies were picture-perfect. Back at camp, we were lucky enough to hear from a guest speaker, Rodney, a former pro surfer who shared his powerful story of growing up with traditional Hawaiian values.
The day ended with a movie night featuring Lilo & Stitchâa perfect film to wrap up a perfect day.
– Danby and Alex
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Volcano Views and a Bake-Off Battle
Aloha, friends!
Hey guys!!! Itâs Ema and Eloise, your Leaders of the Day reporting from Maui! Today we had a slower start and got to sleep in a bit (yay!). We set off on a breathtaking drive up to HaleakalÄ National Park to explore the Sliding Sands Trail. The hike into the volcanic crater was surrealâhuge landscapes, fresh air, and amazing views.
After a well-deserved nap on the ride back, we spent the afternoon strolling and shopping in Paia Town. But the highlight of the evening? The surprise HAWAIIAN BAKE-OFF! Everyone had to get creative with limited ingredients, and letâs just say the kitchen was chaoticâin the best way. Laughter echoed everywhere and the final treats were as fun to eat as they were to make.
– Ema and Eloise
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Surfboards, Suitcases, and So Much Aloha
Our final day in Maui was the perfect way to end an unforgettable journey. We kicked things off with surf lessons, and every single student stood up on their boardâsome even caught multiple waves! The energy was high, and the cheering from the beach made it clear how proud we all were of each other. It was such a fun and empowering experience to ride the waves together.
The afternoon was spent packing our bags and preparing for tomorrowâs big departure. While it was bittersweet to think about leaving, we also took time as a group to set a collective goal for how we want to take what weâve learned here back homeâwhether itâs about service, leadership, or simply being more present.
The evening was nothing short of magical. We dressed up and headed to the Old Lahaina Luau, where we enjoyed traditional Hawaiian food, live music, and breathtaking hula performances under the stars. It was a beautiful celebration of culture and community.
To close out the night, we gathered for an appreciation circle. Everyone had the chance to share kind words and gratitude for one another. It was emotional, uplifting, and left us feeling deeply connected and incredibly loved.
Though weâre heading home tomorrow, a piece of Maui will stay with each of usâthrough the friendships weâve made, the growth weâve experienced, and the memories weâll never forget.
