Programs for Students with Disabilities

Visit Apply to 2009 Leading the Way to learn how to apply to our 2009 Programs!

Leading the Way 2008: Blind, Visually Impaired, and Sighted Programs with Erik Weihenmayer

From June through August 2008, we will offer the following programs for blind, visually impaired and sighted students. Sighted students will participate as partners/guides. Erik Weihenmayer will attend the mandatory student retreat in Colorado to help provide training for each field workshop. Erik will not be a guide on the actual international expedition. These competitive programs require that you submit an application (see below for details).

Machu Picchu, Peruvian Andes: June 23 to July 5

Travel through the land of the Incas as you hike in the Andes Mountains of Peru! Course content emphasizes leadership, community service, the cultures of the Andes and conservation biology. Open to high school students (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating in 2008).

Sounds of the Amazon: August 3 to August 12

Join Global Explorers and bio-acoustic scientist Stan Rullman for an Amazon Adventure in surround sound! For this unique digital sound collecting expedition, we will capture and analyze the acoustical essence of each layer of life: from canopy to forest floor. Open to high school and college students (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating college in 2008).

Grand Canyon Rafting: July 23 to August 8

Join Global Explorers and Grand Canyon Youth in a rafting exploration of the Grand Canyon! Course content emphasizes leadership, community service, conservation, geography and regional history (including students who will be entering high school in 2008 or graduating in 2008).

Winter/Spring 2008: Virtual Coursework, Colorado Training Retreat, Fundraising

Summer 2008: Field Workshop and Travel

Fall 2008: Service Leadership Project

Leading the Way programs cover the core Global Explorers educational components including science, culture, leadership and service. Not only an amazing experience for the participants themselves, each Leading the Way expedition is paired with a social awareness and media campaign which we use to educate a much broader constituency. These campaigns provide a message of hope and inspiration while helping to break down barriers, misconceptions and prejudices that the public has about people with disabilities. Our 2006 Leading the Way expedition, for example, reached millions via featured segments on ABC Nightline and ABC WorldNews . ABC Video

The tuition for each program is $3950. We encourage all participants to apply regardless of financial need. Past participants have fundraised 30-100% of their program costs with the help of Global Explorers. Global Explorers offers scholarships ranging from $100 to half tuition.

Included in the tuition: All travel expenses to/from your program destination and to/from Colorado for the Training Retreat as well as within the destination country, all meals, all lodging, all ground transfers, airport departure taxes, basic level of tips for guides and other services, basic level of travel insurance, program t-shirts, workshop journal, textbook(s), curriculum and service project materials, year-long support, and an on-site Global Explorers Representative during workshop.

Annual Application Deadline: November 15

Global Explorers is seeking very capable, mature and confident students who feel that this experience will help their personal growth and discovery. If you would like to participate in one of our programs for students with disabilities, please send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and request an application packet. Braille applications are available by request.

Global Explorers is now offering a special package for students that are deaf or hard of hearing and want to participate in one of our program destinations! We recommend a group of 10-15 students and adult chaperones travel with their teacher and 2 ASL interpreters. For a group this size, we will provide funding assistance or discounted spots on the program. Global Explorers will also provide a field workshop coordinator that is proficient in ASL. Please contact the Global Explorers office for more details or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

If you are a teacher or student that is able to organize a group of at least ten interested student participants for a Global Explorers program, we recommend you register with Global Explorers via our traditional route. This means that you select a destination of interest from our suite of programs and contact us to discuss availability. Visit our Workshops Page to begin researching which program might be of interest to you.