Amazon & Galápagos Eco Adventure: A Parent’s Experience
By: Samantha, Broadreach Mom October 5, 2026 High School Adventures, Wildlife Conservation
For high schoolers interested in biology and wildlife conservation, Broadreach Amazon and Galápagos Eco Adventure is a conservation summer program that combines hands-on research with cultural exploration and adventure travel.
Trekking into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest is no small feat, however, and parents may have concerns before sending their teen out on a global adventure.
Samantha is a Broadreach parent whose son spent this past summer studying Ecuador’s rich biodiversity. She shares why she chose this wildlife conservation program and the impact this experience had on her son.
How did you discover Broadreach and what were your initial thoughts?
My son has always dreamed of being a wildlife biologist, and finding programs aligned with his interests isn’t easy! I found Broadreach through a Google search, and when I asked around, I found a trusted parent whose son had done some of the sailing trips and loved it. After our conversation, we were excited to learn more about Broadreach.
We were especially happy to see a program in Ecuador spanning the Andes, Amazon and Galápagos islands. Ecuador was on his travel bucket list, and he was eager to explore the activities Broadreach had planned for this adventure.
Did you have safety, food, or communication concerns before sending your teen abroad?
He had done a program in Costa Rica with another company the summer before, so we knew he’d be okay out there on his own. We were a little worried about food and accommodations, but every meal had options for his vegetarian diet and he was perfectly comfortable in each lodging – which made me happy. He was worried about not being able to call us regularly, but that ended up not being an issue at all!
How was your experience following along with his journey?
Fantastic! We loved loved loved the photos! We would refresh non-stop every morning to see new uploads and were thrilled to see how much fun he was having!
The programming was excellent – they were never bored and really bonded with each other. He loved his team leaders and the various experts at the different locations. The classwork was fun, and he was happy to earn natural science college credits.
Before leaving, my son was nervous about what the kids would be like, as on his trip the summer before, he felt like the only kid who really wanted to learn and did not connect much with his peers. The kids on this trip ended up being wonderful – they were similar in age, had common interests, and had so much fun together. He left feeling like a solid part of a group, even a leader, with new friends from around the world!
Did the experience with Broadreach impact your teen after returning home?
Absolutely! He came back more mature, more confident and more pro-active in his social life. He’s an only child, so it was great for him to live with another group of kids 24/7 for a few weeks.
What advice do you have for families considering a summer conservation program with Broadreach?
It’s one of the only programs we’ve found that really serves kids looking for careers in environmental science and wildlife biology. What a privilege for these kids to have this type of experience! I do think upper-level high schoolers who are really interested in wildlife research will benefit most from this program.
Overall, we felt he was safe, looked after, fulfilled and academically engaged every single day. We’re already looking into a shark dive in Fiji for him next summer!
