**This trip is a specially curated trip for Families with Children (aged 6-17)**

Surf For Life and Give & Surf have designed a 7-day itinerary for families who wish to participate in a service-based vacation. This itinerary provides families with a balance between community engagement time, culturally immersive activities, tours & excursions, and free time. Our goal is to give the participants a meaningful volunteer experience that has a positive, lasting impact in the communities we serve.

The community engagement time primary involves families volunteering in one of our three

community centers. This gives children a chance to interact with their peers and learn from

each other. Parents & children are welcome to plan an activity, such as an arts & craft project or

game, to share with the local children. We may participate in some painting or light construction projects depending on the community center we are in. Time of day for volunteering and programs running vary based on the time of year (Panama summer vacation is mid-December to the end of February so Give & Surf runs summer camp programs during these times; the rest of the year school-aged children participate in activities at the community centers in the afternoons).

Families will stay at Hotel Carribean View on the Old Bank of Bastimentos Island. All meals are

included and are a mix of options from local restaurants and in the community. Kid-friendly

options are available.

The recommended minimum age for children is six years old however we do recognize there are exceptions so please reach out to us at Surf For Life regarding any questions about the age limit. 

When living in remote island communities, we often face unpredictable situations and

conditions, such as rainy weather conditions, power outages, and other challenges, that may

result in changes to the itinerary below. We will do our best to adapt schedules to ensure that

participants get to experience everything we have planned.

An archipelago off the northwest coast of Panama, Bocas del Toro is an eco-tourism favorite with English-speaking and other tourists traveling to this Central American country. Seven islands (including Isla Colón, Isla Carenero, Isla Solarte and Isla Bastimentos) comprise the land area, with Bocas Town, its regional capital and the “big city,” for those looking to shop, dine, and explore nightlife. Colorful and utterly Caribbean, this town of clapboard houses was built by the United Fruit Company in the early 20th century. Today, Bocas is a relaxed community of West Indians, Latinos and resident gringos, with a friendly atmosphere that easily rubs off on visitors.

Adventure lovers will find plenty to keep them occupied, as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, surfing and hiking are first-rate. Bocas serves as a convenient base for exploring the archipelago as water taxis ply the waters and can whisk you away to remote beaches and surf sites for a few dollars. The archipelago offers several superb and still uncrowded waves and are primarily reef breaks, similar to what one might find in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean. 

Give and Surf's mission is to provide sustainable empowerment to communities of Bocas del Toro, Panama, through education, self-determined community development, and positive respect of culture and traditions.

We are a locally embedded 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates year-round providing sustainable support to the local communities of Bocas del Toro, Panama. We are a family of staff members, volunteers, community members, parents, students, and teachers connected by our mutual passion to achieve positive change for communities of Bocas del Toro, Panama. We are not seeking to have a small impact on the greatest number possible. Instead, our approach has always been to have a deep, long-lasting, sustainable impact within the small communities we serve.

Find out more: www.giveandsurf.org