Learning Tours

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El Salvador - Oscar Romero 30th Anniversary delegation : March 19-25, 2010

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Leaders: David Rogers, Miguel Castro
Cost: $500 plus roundtrip airfare

Join delegates and speakers from across the Americas for a conference to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Oscar Romero's martyrdom. This conference will reflect on Romero's life and legacy in light of contemporary issues of justice and peace in the region, while renewing the call to bring to justice those responsible for his death. Speakers will include UN President Miguel d'Escoto of Nicaragua and theologian Jon Sobrino. Prior to the conference, host co-sponsor and NCP partner Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel will provide orientation to the current situation in El Salvador, including visits to poor communities.

Ecuadorian Amazon: May 10-21, 2010

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Co-leaders: David Radcliff and Mariana Almieda, Siona shaman Delio
Cost: $1150 per person plus roundtrip airfare ($1075 - student)

Explore the incredible beauty and biodiversity of the Ecuadorian Amazon! See monkeys, pink dolphins, loads of birds, caiman (crocodiles), leaf-cutter ants, sloths--and perhaps the elusive jaguar (yes, we saw one on one of our trips!) and anaconda (one of these days!).This trip is hosted by Selva Foundation: Life Without Frontiers, an organization committed to indigenous rights, sustainable development, and preservation of the rainforest. The trip will begin with an overnight in Quito, then proceed to the Cuyabeno National Park. The group will camp and hike in the rainforest, learning about the plants and animals of one of the most biodiverse places on earth. We will also see first-hand the impacts of oil drilling, poverty and ranching on the rainforest ecosystem. Plenty of good discussion with seasoned analyst Pieter Jan Brouwer. Our on-site guide will be Delio, a shaman and leader of the Siona indigenous community. Summary discussions and a stop at a renowned artisan community will close the trip. Learn more about our host organization at: http://www.selvaeco.org/

Learn more about the rainforest! http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm

Guatemala: June 14-23, 2010

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Leaders: Todd Bauer, Tom Benevento

Cost: $600 ($550--student) plus airfare

Learn about the culture, history, and ecology of the beautiful Central American nation. A decades-long civil war (instigated by the US government) left a tattered and traumatized people; poverty and discrimination against the majority indigenous population still plague the country. Meet resilient and resourceful people; learn about reforestation efforts supported by NCP; take in the volcanic landscape and colorful native culture; live in a poor community for a direct experience of Guatemala; visit women making cloth shoulder bags sold though NCP. Led by NCP´s Tom Benevento, a veteran of years of work in Guatamala, and Todd Bauer, currently living in Guatemala and facilitator of NCP´s reforestation and women´s textile projects.

Denali / Kenai Fjords: August 3-12, 2010

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Leaders: David Radcliff, Daniel Radcliff
Cost - from Anchorage: $850 ($750 - student) (price includes first night Bed & Breakfast stay in Anchorage)

Read Wolves by Merle Crouse, 2006 participant

Denali National Park is one of the natural wonders of the world. Human impact is kept to a minimum in this vast wilderness area, with animals ranging freely and often in plain view. Among those frequently sighted are moose, caribou, grizzly, sheep, foxes, and a variety of birds. Not quite as frequently sighted is Mt. McKinley - at over 20,000 feet, it is the hightest mountain in North America. When it emerges from its self-generated cloud cover, it presents an awe-inspiring sight. The Denali portion of the trip includes hiking (not backpacking), camping, spiritual reflection, and a day-long bus tour of the park. The final leg of this Learning Tour takes the group on foray down the southeastern coast to Seward for exploration of glaciers and sea life, including a boat trip into the Kenai Fjords National Park. Also visit a native cultural center and learn about current issues affecting indigenous people. Lodging in Seward is at the Moby Dick hostel.

Nepal: January 8-19, 2011 (tentative dates)

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Leaders: Roshni Rai, David Radcliff
Cost: $1050 ($950—student) (plus airfare to and from Nepal)

Experience the majesty of the Himalaya Mountains, the richness of south Asian Hindu culture, the poignancy of the poorest country in the region. Visit Kathmandu as well as rural villages and natural areas. Learn about challenges facing women in a society where they say “to be born a woman is a lost life” and meet women assisted by NCP grants. Hosted by NCP partner Women Empowerment.

Sudan February 2-20, 2011 (tentative dates)
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Leaders: Gladys Mannanyu, David Radcliff, GEDA staff
Cost: $1400 (plus airfare)

The East African nation of Sudan is working to rebuild after a devastating 35-year long civil war that left millions dead or displaced. Poverty persists, deforestation and climate change are at the door. Experience the resilience, culture, faith, and hospitality of this people; visit local communities; meet with church and civic leaders; experience the magnificence of the African landscape. Learn about NCP support for girls´ education, women´s development, and reforestation. Optional end-of-the-trip visit to Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda (additional fee).

Host and guide for the visit will be Sudan Council of Churches staff and the Girl Child Development Association in Nimule, Sudan. Group limited to 9 participants.

Burma: May 16-28, 2011 (tentative dates)

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Leaders: Nyan Min Din, David Radcliff
Cost: $1050 ($950 student) plus RT airfare

Join a delegation to the fascinating Southeast Asian country of Myanmar. Learn about Asian culture and Buddhist religion; visit out-of-the-way villages as well as typical cultural sites; meet with Christian groups working with grassroots development projects; experience the natural beauty and gracious people of this southeast Asian country. Travel by small boat to the southwest delta area hard-hit by the 2008 cyclone; take a 2 days/1 night trek to a Pa Loung hilltribe village to experience their culture; visit communities that have received NCP grants for women's development and post-cyclone school assistance.

Denali / Kenai Fjords: August 2-11, 2011

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Leaders: David Radcliff, Daniel Radcliff
Cost - from Anchorage: $850 ($750 - student) (price includes first night Bed & Breakfast stay in Anchorage)

Read Wolves by Merle Crouse, 2006 participant

Denali National Park is one of the natural wonders of the world. Human impact is kept to a minimum in this vast wilderness area, with animals ranging freely and often in plain view. Among those frequently sighted are moose, caribou, grizzly, sheep, foxes, and a variety of birds. Not quite as frequently sighted is Mt. McKinley - at over 20,000 feet, it is the hightest mountain in North America. When it emerges from its self-generated cloud cover, it presents an awe-inspiring sight. The Denali portion of the trip includes hiking (not backpacking), camping, spiritual reflection, and a day-long bus tour of the park. The final leg of this Learning Tour takes the group on foray down the southeastern coast to Seward for exploration of glaciers and sea life, including a boat trip into the Kenai Fjords National Park. Also visit a native cultural center and learn about current issues affecting indigenous people. Lodging in Seward is at the Moby Dick hostel.

Arctic Village, Alaska: August 11-19, 2011

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Leaders: Charlie Swaney, David Radcliff
Cost: $875 (from Fairbanks)

Visit this north-of-the-Arctic Circle village flanked by the Brooks range and bordered by the Chandalar River. This Gwich'in community of 150 people depends on the Porcupine Caribou Herd for food and for the cultural grounding of their people. Learn about native life and Gwich'in concerns about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, hike and camp in ANWR south of the Brooks Range (no backpacking), experience the untamed beauty of one of the most spectacular areas in North America. Trip begins in Fairbanks with background meetings, heads to Arctic Village, then returns to Fairbanks for wrap-up.