Launched in 2017, the Naveducando Foundation’s Galápagos Infinito program is a five-day “floating classroom” experience that brings Galapagos seventh-graders on a fun and active educational journey into the awe-inspiring wild areas of the archipelago. During their time “off the grid” they are invited to become students of the world around them. They connect with nature and rediscover the joy of being alive.
Naveducando immerses these young children in an outdoor environment, using a science-based curriculum to teach them about the natural world and ways to safeguard it. Naveducando’s instructors and naturalist guides bring the children on island nature hikes. They experience lessons about wildlife, ecology, geology, history, conservation, sustainability, and more. Children are taught to keep a safe and respectful distance from endemic species while they learn about biodiversity and why it is important.
Naveducando’s students have several opportunities to explore and learn about the diverse marine ecosystem beneath the waves. Under the watchful eye of our expert instructors, students can experience swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, and diving. Each of these water sports teach the children new ways to enjoy themselves outdoors. They present them with small challenges, that when overcome, teach them the importance of hard work and perseverance, which builds confidence and self-esteem.
Environmental Clean-Up in the Galapagos
During each trip, children participate in an environmental clean-up activity. They work together to collect trash on island beaches and learn lessons about personal responsibility and sustainable choices. They become citizen scientists, studying sand samples, uncovering tiny plastic pollutants that harm the ocean environment, and learning about the ways in which they can become better marine stewards.
Our students learn directly from the boat’s captain, the crew, and the guides about their jobs and the skills and experience they need to accomplish their work. The captain shares his knowledge about the electronic devices that help navigate during a storm. The naturalist guide references facts he learned in his biology class during his presentations. The marine engineer demonstrate how the boat’s desalination system functions, and the chef might share his secret recipe chocolate cake as they all prepare it together in the ship’s galley. The lessons they will learn are many and varied. Any one of these experiences could be the spark that inspires ambitious plans for a student who wants to follow in their mentors’ footsteps.
Growth for Galapagos Students
Each night after excitedly recounting the day’s adventures over dinner, students gather for engaging activities and games designed to revisit and reinforce lessons learned earlier. Naveducando’s instructors build upon that knowledge as they more deeply explore a wide variety of subjects from scientific topics such as climate change and permaculture to methods for exploring personal growth and discovery like meditation and mindfulness.
Our students return home transformed. They bond with each other over the shared experience, strengthen friendships and gain a sense of community that will last for a lifetime. They develop a deeper, more respectful relationship with nature, better understand and appreciate the complex connection between humans and the planet, and are cognizant of their ethical responsibilities as caretakers of the archipelago. They are relaxed, recharged, and inspired to take action on behalf of Galapagos, and then they do.
