Our road crew and volunteers are a catalyst for positive change in individual communities, promoting environmental stewardship, sustainable energy and economic alternatives, and the preservation of traditions.
On our 2006 road trip, we began building relationships with numerous communities throughout Central America, many of whom want to work with us to improve local sustainability. Their passion and excitement was infectious. Our capacity building programs will focus on two primary activities, dependant on the community.
Most people remember the first time they fell in love with a sport, or their first great adventure at summer camp. We are making that feeling a reality for youth who don’t have those opportunities.
Many of the youth in smaller Latin American communities cannot afford to go to school, let alone learn a new sport. We want to give these youth a chance to play. We will provide the resources and the instruction for these kids to truly enjoy their natural surroundings.
Activities will be dependant on the community and its surroundings. Possibilities include kayaking, rafting, climbing, trekking and horseback riding. We hope that by teaching the youth a new sport, they will come to appreciate and preserve their environments, while being active and enjoying themselves.
For those youth who are interested, we will also provide guiding skills, so that they may eventually work to become local eco-tourism guides. They will be able to pass their skills on to others while bringing economic stability to the community.
Our road trip vehicles serve as more than just sustainable methods of transportation. They are colorful centers where communities can congregate to learn more about environmental stewardship and preserving water resources. These mobile centers will carry all the necessary resources to create positive changes in any communities. Some of the opportunities we can provide (in both English and Spanish):
- Resource material on the importance of rivers, and energy alternatives
- Educational materials on setting up sustainable eco-tourism projects
- Materials and guidance in developing local environmental initiatives such as composting or garbage cleanup.
- Resources to "green' a local community centre or school (i.e. solar panels, solar cookers), which can serve as a place for community meetings and sharing of information.
- Resources and guidance in preserving traditions from generation to generation. Many of these communities have lived more sustainably than North Americans ever could.