Academic Treks - Academic Adventures & Community Service

Why are our Academic Treks college-accredited culture, language immersion and natural science courses unsurpassed?

The foundation of our experiential travel programs is our course design, educational model, experience running courses worldwide and phenomenal staff of expert educators. We explore extraordinary destinations and become part of the places we visit while gaining a hands-on, global perspective on topics studied.Each course begins with an exhilarating adventure more »»

designed to challenge our students while introducing them to the culture and environment in which they will live, work and explore. Then we turn our focus to traditional and experiential learning, as well as 20-55 hours of meaningful service work that directly complements the academic focus. Students emerge from their immersion experience with a newfound respect for the lives of the people they’ve met and new insights, as well as increased confidence in their skills and their ability to navigate foreign lands. They also get a head start on college by earning college credit and building a host of skills they will use in school and beyond.

Why are our Academic Treks college-accredited culture, language immersion and natural science courses unsurpassed?

The foundation of our experiential travel programs is our course design, educational model, experience running courses worldwide and phenomenal staff of expert educators. We explore extraordinary destinations and become part of the places we visit while gaining a hands-on, global perspective on topics studied.Each course begins with an exhilarating adventure designed to challenge our students while introducing them to the culture and environment in which they will live, work and explore. Then we turn our focus to traditional and experiential learning, as well as 20-55 hours of meaningful service work that directly complements the academic focus. Students emerge from their immersion experience with a newfound respect for the lives of the people they’ve met and new insights, as well as increased confidence in their skills and their ability to navigate foreign lands. They also get a head start on college by earning college credit and building a host of skills they will use in school and beyond.
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The world is our classroom!
Authentic hands-on immersion education
College academic credit
Travel and learn from world experts

read more » Robert Ellis
Academic Lead Instructor

Our leaders are the best you’ll find… One of Broadreach’s core strengths.

They are experiential educators and experts in their field from PhD’s to professional scuba instructors, Royal Yacht Masters and wilderness professionals. Each has a dedication to educational travel and a passion to lead, mentor and offer teens valuable insights into the world around them.

Meet Rob:
Rob has been working in the outdoors with teenagers for the past nine years during which he has taught with the Ocean Institute, Catalina Island Marine Institute, Longacre Expeditions, Astrocamp, the University of California at Santa Barbara and Broadreach’s Academic Treks. He has been a staff member on our Caribbean Marine Reserves, Dolphin Studies, Shark Studies and Marine Biology Adventure programs. When Rob is not working for Broadreach and Academic Treks he is an adjunct professor of oceanography at Fullerton College in southern California, and he also teaches courses at Santa Ana College, Long Beach City College and Irvine Valley College. Rob has also done education and outreach work for Ocean.com and the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

«« show less Robert Ellis
Academic Lead Instructor

Our leaders are the best you’ll find… One of Broadreach’s core strengths.They are experiential educators and experts in their field from PhD’s to professional scuba instructors, Royal Yacht Masters and wilderness professionals. Each has a dedication to educational travel and a passion to lead, mentor and offer teens valuable insights into the world around them.

Meet Rob:
Rob has been working in the outdoors with teenagers for the past nine years during which he has taught with the Ocean Institute, Catalina Island Marine Institute, Longacre Expeditions, Astrocamp, the University of California at Santa Barbara and Broadreach’s Academic Treks. He has been a staff member on our Caribbean Marine Reserves, Dolphin Studies, Shark Studies and Marine Biology Adventure programs. When Rob is not working for Broadreach and Academic Treks he is an adjunct professor of oceanography at Fullerton College in southern California, and he also teaches courses at Santa Ana College, Long Beach City College and Irvine Valley College. Rob has also done education and outreach work for Ocean.com and the National Marine Sanctuary Program.

Trip & Location	Starts	Days	TRIP FOCUS	Activities
Immersion Oaxaca Oaxaca, Mexico	June 26 July 18	21 21	Spanish immersion, Community service, No Spanish experience required Academic Treks Division	Hiking through indigenous villages, Community service, College credit
Immersion Guanajuato Guanajuato, Mexico	June 18 July 3 July 7 July 20	14 14 14 14	Spanish immersion, Community service, No Spanish experience required Academic Treks Division	Hiking and city exploration, Community service, College credit
Immersion Costa Rica and Nicaragua Costa Rica & Nicaragua	June 18 July 15	22 22	Spanish immersion, Community service, Rainforest adventure, 1 year of Spanish required Academic Treks Division	Whitewater rafting, Hiking, Camping, Zip lining, Homestay experience, College credit
Adventure Peru Peru	June 16 July 11	23 23	Cultural immersion, Community service, Spanish language, No experience necessary Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Camping, Home stay experience, Community service, College credit
Immersion Ecuador Ecuador	June 20 July 4	30 30	Advanced Spanish and cultural immersion, Community service, 2 years of Spanish required Academic Treks Division	Backpacking, Hiking, Horseback riding, Homestay, Community service, College credit
Immersion France France	June 17 July 15	26 26	French language immersion, Cultural exploration, 16+ years old with 1 year of French experience Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Backpacking, Canoeing, Biking, Homestay experience, College credit
Immersion French West Indies Guadeloupe	June 22 July 15	21 21	French language immersion, Tropical island adventure, 1 year of French required Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing, Home stay experience, College credit
Immersion China China	June 26	24	Mandarin language Immersion, Cultural exploration, No experience required Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Camping, Homestay experience, Community service, College credit
Island Service Expedition Dominica, Guadeloupe, Isle de Saints	June 23 July 15	21 21	Caribbean cultural immersion, Community service (55+hrs), Tropical island exploration Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Snorkeling, Sailing, Homestay, Community service, College credit
Wilderness and Traditional Medicine Belize	June 19 July 1 July 12 July 23	22 22 22 22	Wilderness First Responder certification, Land based eco-adventure, Public health focused community service Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Camping, Canoeing, Spelunking, Sailing, Cave tubing, WFR certification, Community service, College credit
Energy and Climate Change Chile	July 1	21	Study Alternative and Sustainable Energy. Community Service; No expereince necessary. Academic Treks Division	Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hot Springs visits, Cultural Workshops, Community Service.
Primate Studies Costa Rica & Panama	June 17 July 10	21 21	Monkey conservation & rehabilitation, Field studies, Community service, Rainforest adventure Academic Treks Division	Rainforest adventure, Rafting, Snorkeling, Hiking, Hands-on field work, College credit
African Wildlife Conservation South Africa	July 8	22	Wildlife conservation, Safari, Outdoor adventure, Community service Academic Treks Division	Game drives, Inflatable kayaking, Hands-on animal research, Service learning, College credit