Puerto Rico 2025: March 13, 2025
“Our day began with a visit to El Bosque Nacional de El Yunque (El Yunque National Rainforest). We went to the Visitor's Center where we watched a film (in Spanish) on the history of the rainforest and learned many facts about the animals there.”
Our day began with a visit to El Bosque Nacional de El Yunque (El Yunque National Rainforest). We went to the Visitor's Center where we watched a film (in Spanish) on the history of the rainforest and learned many facts about the animals there - mostly birds and 1200 kinds of insects, as well as the water the rainforest provides for the country (20%) and the connection the people have to the land, which goes back centuries to the indigenous cultures that first lived there. It also included information about conservation efforts related to the rainforest. Then we visited the souvenir shop and took a short walk around the grounds.
We then hopped back into the bus and drove down to visit one of the many towers found in the rainforest. We climbed the 96 steps to the top and saw a great view! Afterward, we split into two hiking groups. The first group took a shorter trail throughout the forest, and the second group hiked to Torre Mt. Britton. Afterward, we were all tired and sweaty, so we drove down to the Luquillo Beach Kiosks, where we split into groups, got a bite to eat, and went shopping. It rained really hard while we were there!
Then, we took a very entertaining bus ride back to the hotel, where we got to reflect on our week, sing songs, and play games. We had free time for dinner, so some of us went to the beach or pool or hung out in the rooms. Can't wait to see what our last day here in Puerto Rico brings!
Written by: Paige Blanding, Sara Miller, Kate Phillips, and Leah Torres
Puerto Rico 2025: March 12, 2025
“Today we started our day with service at CRESpr - Coalición Restauración Ecosistemas Santurcinos, PR. Before splitting into 3 teams, we learned about the organization and their work. CRES does environmental work with the local community.”
Today we started our day with service at CRESpr - Coalición Restauración Ecosistemas Santurcinos, PR. Before splitting into 3 teams, we learned about the organization and their work. CRES does environmental work with the local community. They grow and plant indigenous trees in the coastal forest where we were. They also keep up a skate park and teach the people to grow food and compost. They don’t get any help from the government or municipality.
The first group went to pick up garbage to clean up the forest, the beach, and the skate park. The second group got the ground ready for planting and planted small trees and other greens. The third group worked on composting. This was a very hard day of service, to say the least. Planting took a lot of effort with either a pick axe or a shovel. The composting group dealt with the horrible smell of rotting food and had to smash it into the ground and throw dried grass and leaves on it. The garbage group picked up the terrible trash that people left behind. We weighed how many pounds of garbage we had picked up, and the total was 125.2 pounds! We were all covered in dirt and sweat, so we headed across the street to get ice cream and smoothies.
We then hopped onto the bus and headed back to our hotel for some free time, where most went to the beach and pool to hang out. We then went back to our rooms to freshen up before dinner at the hotel. Everyone dressed up tonight for pictures and a good time. Once the sun set, we went by the beach and enjoyed each other's company before getting ready for bed.
Written by: Hannak Frank and Rachel Ramirez
Puerto Rico: March 11, 2025
“Some of us began our day with a beautiful sunrise in the garden and a light breakfast. After this, we had to quickly get ready to start our day at P.A.Y.E.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Some of us began our day with a beautiful sunrise in the garden and a light breakfast. After this, we had to quickly get ready to start our day at P.A.Y.E. Once Orlando (our amazing bus driver) dropped us off, we were instructed on our tasks for the day. We were split into groups to either paint or garden. While gardening, we got to select different flowers and plants to put near the entrance of the community center. While most of us were planting, the best artists in our group sketched out an idea for a mural, and then outlined it on one of the large walls we painted yesterday. Throughout the afternoon, a bunch of us had the chance to switch back and forth between painting the mural and planting flowers and plants. Once everyone finished the planting and painting, we had lunch and then said our final goodbyes to our wonderful hosts at P.A.Y.E. We were gifted with stickers of the organization’s logo.
Later this afternoon, we headed to the hotel and had some free time with one another for a few hours. Many people swam in the ocean or the pool and soaked up the sun. Once everyone freshened up, we headed to Old San Juan and got some time to shop and walk around for an hour (we even got to see some parrots)! After most of us bought some souvenirs, we headed to dinner at Pirillo Pizza Rustica. Even though it was quite chilly in the restaurant, it was a wonderful bonding experience to immerse ourselves with one another.
After our delicious meals, we headed back to our hotel. A bunch of us spent some bonding time in one room and reflected on our day. Right now, many of us are relaxing and getting ready for bed before tomorrow, when we head to CRESpr (Coalición Restauración Ecosistemas Santurcinos, PR).
Adios and have a good night!
Written by: Xia Bennett, Olivia Collazo, and Leila Vetrini
Puerto Rico 2025: March 10, 2025
“While walking through various streets, we enjoyed trapeze performances, watched kite flyers in front of El Moro, and wandered through La Fortaleza”
Hola! We started our day with an eventful trip to the community of Piñones, to work at a non-governmental organization, P.A.Y.E, which supports kids from Kindergarten to seventh grade using after school and summer programs. We began painting and cleaning specific walls, as well as cleaning some of the windows, and beautifying the area. We finished our service work quickly and early. We then had a delicious lunch provided to us by the staff there. With our remaining time and all our work done, we headed to the beach that was just across the street to unwind, enjoying the beautiful weather and ocean view.
We then boarded the bus and drove to the historic park of Cueva Maria De La Cruz. Part of the Ricky Martin Foundation and the Municipality of Loíza, we learned about the beekeeping work that they do, and we toured the park and an amazing cave there. It was made of coral and was once in the ocean before the shoreline moved long ago. Soon after, we learned and participated in cultural music and dances of Puerto Rico, such as Bomba.
After a long day of working and fun, we went out to dinner at Raíces. Personally, the piña coladas (non-alcoholic) most of us ordered were very refreshing and cooled us down after service today. Some of us had to wait a bit, but we got our delicious food, which filled and prepared us for a good night's rest and another adventure tomorrow. See you soon!
- Written by Jayde L., Emma K., Isabella O., and Angelene C.
Puerto Rico 2025: March 9, 2025
“We started our day with an eventful trip to the community of Piñones, to work at a non-governmental organization, P.A.Y.E, which supports kids from Kindergarten to seventh grade using after school and summer programs.”
March 9, 2025
Despite an early and long morning of travel, we are so excited to be in Puerto Rico! After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we went into Old San Juan and partook in a delicious lunch of empanadas and smoothies at a local restaurant. We then broke into groups to explore various sites in town. At the San Juan Cathedral, we admired the relics of St. Pius (his teeth!) and noted the recent renovations to the church's interior. We also saw the tomb of Ponce de Leon, the famous explorer. The Cathedral is the second oldest Catholic church in the Western Hemisphere!
While walking through various streets, we enjoyed trapeze performances, watched kite flyers in front of El Moro, and wandered through La Fortaleza. Following a few hours of sightseeing, we rested while eating various tapas at Triana Tapas & Flamenco, ending the wonderful experience with singing Happy 16th Birthday to Vivian! To close the night, many of us swam in the pool and ocean, while others rested in their rooms. We can’t wait to see all that tomorrow holds!
Written by: Alyssa C., Lily R., Emma M., and Vivian D.
