As "going green" and keeping your carbon footprint in check hits the mainstream consciousness, Earthwatch looks to revolutionize the traditional field trip and get students off the bus and into the world. They know that if today's teens aren't inspired and empowered to meet the challenges of our current environmental problems, little progress will ever be made for the future.

In response to growing global concerns, Earthwatch's Teen Team Expeditions explore the world's most beautiful and endangered places. And these hands-on trips aren't only educational, but a way for teens to make a real difference and truly help the places they visit instead of just 'seeing' them as a passive bystander. The organization also offers all the tools, training, and experiences their volunteers need to make an impact. And with over 35 years of experience and number one ranking in both volunteer and education categories in National Geographic, Earthwatch is respected and renowned around the world.

Students can report back to their teachers, friends, and families with stories about collecting field samples that will shed light on climate changes in the Arctic, studying rare animals like the Carnivores of Madagascar, and experience the world's largest freshwater wetland in the Pantanal of Brazil.

There's also action-packed adventure including swimming with the sharks in Monterey Bay, studying the eating habits of South Africa's Brown Hyenas, and help solve environmental issues in more than 15 Teen Team sites in more than 12 countries across the globe. It's also a great way for students to spend spring break and summer vacation.

While Teen Teams are exclusive to 16- to 17-year-olds, Family Teams are also available to children as young as 10. The cost of contribution ranges from about $446 to $4,746 per person, excluding travel to and from the expedition. However, Earthwatch does offer competitive grants for high-school students 16-years and older and teachers, as well as special offers to college students.

The price covers food, accommodation, on-site travel, emergency medical and medical evacuation insurance, and all of the various costs of field research including permits and equipment. Earthwatch also lives up to its environmentally friendly name by using part of its volunteers' contributions towards carbon offsets. This aids in offsetting Co2 emissions relating to various aspects of the trip. The offset monitoring and program is monitored by the organization's internal group called the Climate Change & Carbon Management Group, or 3CMG.

For more information on Earthwatch's Teen Team programs, please visit www.earthwatch.org or call 800-776-0188.

by Susan Finch

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