Join CA on trips to Costa Rica, Colombia, Greece, Taiwan, and Spain!
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
At Colorado Academy, we foster intellectual growth and global citizenship through a comprehensive global travel curriculum that cultivates both immersive experiential education and character development. These optional programs are meticulously crafted to provide memorable and enriching educational experiences. Our program encompasses a wide spectrum of enhanced learning opportunities, catering to various geographic destinations and academic interests.
These excursions are led by experienced CA faculty members in collaboration with reputable professional partner organizations. We are dedicated to providing students with transformative experiences within a secure and carefully managed travel environment. Safety remains our paramount concern throughout all aspects of program planning and execution.
It is important to note that trips may be subject to modification, postponement, or cancellation due to various factors, including but not limited to inclement weather, geopolitical instability, public health concerns, travel restrictions, or any other circumstances that could potentially compromise student well-being.
Want to enroll?
The application window for Upper School Global Travel is open through October 20, 2024. All applications are due by Sunday, October 20 for consideration. Apply now.
Note: Some trips may have language requirements.
You may apply to multiple programs, but you will likely only go on ONE trip. Spaces are limited.
Questions? Please reach out to the trip leader(s) or contact Taja McKinney, CA Director of Global Travel.
Have questions about financial aid?
Parents/guardians should submit the Global Travel Grant form at the same time that their student is applying for a trip.
Families must currently qualify for need-based tuition aid for 2024-2025 to be considered for a Global Travel Grant. All applications for financial aid are kept confidential, and final decisions are made by the Financial Aid Committee. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Dean, 303-914-2516, with any questions. ¿Busca más información sobre CA? ¡Comuníquese con Abel Ramirez al 303-914-2573.
View the Middle School Global Travel Catalog.
Costa Rica
- Location: Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula)
- Dates: March 24-31, 2025 (Spring Break)
- Trip Leaders: Liza Skipwith & David Colodny
- Program Cost: $3125
- Airfare estimate: $830
- Total Estimated Cost: $3955
- Eligibility: Upper School students – Grades 9-12 (Spanish language skills NOT required)
- Capacity: 12-15 students
- Vendor: World Leadership School
- Read more: Detailed Itinerary
- Initial Application due Sunday, October 20.
Embark on an enriching Spring Break expedition to Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a renowned “Blue Zone,” celebrated for its residents’ longevity. This program, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, offers a unique blend of academic study, language practice (for those taking Spanish), and fun hands-on experiences.
You’ll explore factors contributing to exceptional longevity, analyzing local lifestyle practices and their global applications. Collaborate with environmental activists, educators, and biologists on real-world research and conservation projects.
Your journey includes:
1. Active participation in sea turtle conservation efforts
2. A visit to a local school, fostering cross-cultural exchange
3. An exhilarating trek to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, studying its unique ecosystem
4. A thrilling canopy zip line tour, offering a bird’s-eye view of the forest biodiversity
5. Relaxing in natural mud bath hot springs, learning about geothermal activity
6. A surf lesson that connects you with Costa Rica’s vibrant beach culture
Immerse yourself in a coastal community exemplifying sustainable living. You’ll examine the intersection of traditional values and modern sustainability practices, challenging your own perspectives on environmental stewardship.
This program enhances critical thinking, cross-cultural competence, and global citizenship. You’ll contribute to conservation work while gaining insights into sustainable development and community engagement.
Prepare for a transformative adventure that broadens your academic horizons, potentially influencing future studies in environmental science, public health, or international development. This Spring Break promises an intellectually stimulating and impactful experience in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Colombia
- Location: Colombia (Medellin & Jardin)
- Dates: May 23-31, 2025 (Upper School Interim)
- Trip Leaders: Lisa Todd & Nick Aranda
- Program Cost: $2990 ($3490 less $500 Interim credit)
- Airfare estimate: $997
- Total Cost Estimate: $3987
- Eligibility: Upper School students – Grades 9-12
- Capacity: 14-18 students
- Vendor: Walking Tree Travel
- Read more: Detailed Itinerary
- Initial Application due Sunday, October 20.
Experience Colombia’s stunning beauty and vibrant culture in this immersive journey. Begin in Medellín, where you’ll explore the historic center, marveling at colorful street art that symbolizes the city’s remarkable transformation. Set against a backdrop of lush green mountains, you’ll witness firsthand how urban renewal and innovation have reshaped this dynamic metropolis.
Your adventure continues in the picturesque village of Jardín de Antioquia, a hidden gem known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and surrounded by misty coffee plantations and cascading waterfalls. Here, you’ll have the unique opportunity to live with local families in homestays, fully immersing yourself in Colombian daily life and traditions. These homestays offer an authentic glimpse into Colombian culture, allowing you to practice your Spanish skills in real-life situations and forge meaningful connections with your host families and local students.
This program offers a perfect blend of natural wonders, language, and cultural immersion. From hiking spectacular waterfalls, and visiting a mountaintop coffee farm, to participating in traditional cooking classes with your host families, every experience is designed to deepen your understanding of Colombia’s rich heritage and contemporary challenges.
By the end of your stay, you’ll have gained not just a broader worldview, but also a profound appreciation for one of South America’s most diverse and welcoming countries. This journey promises to be a transformative experience, challenging your perspectives and inspiring you to become a more engaged global citizen.
Greece
- Location: Greece (Athens & Lesvos)
- Dates: May 24-June 1, 2025 (Upper School Interim)
- Trip Leaders: Jon Vogels & Taja McKinney
- Program Cost: $3000 ($3500 less $500 Interim credit)
- Airfare estimate: $1625
- Total Cost Estimate: $4625
- Eligibility: Upper School students – Grades 9-12
- Capacity: 14-16 students
- Vendor: Atlas Workshops
- Read more: Detailed Itinerary
- Initial Application due Sunday, October 20.
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary educational odyssey through Greece, where ancient history and contemporary global issues intertwine. In Athens, the cradle of Western civilization, you’ll ascend the historic Acropolis, walking in the footsteps of ancient philosophers and statesmen. As you stand before the majestic Parthenon, you’ll learn about the architectural innovations that have influenced buildings for millennia.
Your adventure then takes you to the captivating island of Lesvos, a place of breathtaking beauty and profound significance in today’s global context. Here, you’ll witness firsthand the intersection of natural splendor and humanitarian challenges. You’ll hike through olive groves that have stood for centuries and visit picturesque fishing villages, all while learning about the island’s pivotal role in the ongoing refugee situation.
While on Lesvos, you’ll engage with frontline organizations addressing the refugee crisis, offering you unparalleled insights into global migration patterns, international policy, and humanitarian aid. Your understanding will deepen as you hear from noted historians who will contextualize Greece’s long history of population movements. These expert-led sessions will help you draw connections between ancient migrations and current global trends. You’ll develop valuable skills in cross-cultural communication, critical analysis, and global citizenship.
One of the program’s highlights will be your interactions with local residents. You’ll have the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about how migration has shaped their communities, offering you a nuanced perspective on this complex issue. These conversations will challenge you to consider multiple viewpoints and develop empathy for diverse experiences.
To balance the weighty topics, you’ll also immerse yourself in the joy of Greek culture. In a hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare traditional dishes like moussaka or dolmades, understanding how food reflects history and cultural identity. As you savor your creations, you’ll discuss the ways in which culinary traditions have been influenced by centuries of cultural exchange.
This program offers an opportunity to engage with real-world issues in a tangible way. You’ll return home with a deeper understanding of global migration, cultural resilience, and the complexities of international aid.
Taiwan
- Location: Taiwan
- Dates: June 9-21, 2025 (Summer)
- Trip Leaders: Julie Wei, Ben Hoffman, & Liz Sarles
- Program Cost: $5835 (includes airfare)
- Eligibility: Upper School students – Grades 9-11, (Chinese language experience NOT required, but encouraged)
- Capacity: 12-16 students
- Vendor: Real Asia
- Read more: Detailed Itinerary
- Initial Application due Sunday, October 20.
This immersive 13-day program offers an unparalleled exploration of Taiwan, blending deep cultural experiences with insights into the island’s technological prowess and international significance. You will embark on a multifaceted journey that combines historical exploration, cultural exchange, and contemporary innovation.
The itinerary begins with a thorough immersion in Taiwan’s rich cultural history. You will have the unique opportunity to live with local families in homestays for a couple of days, providing an authentic glimpse into daily Taiwanese life and fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections. These personal interactions are complemented by visits to local schools, where you will engage in collaborative activities with Taiwanese peers. Throughout the program, language learning is seamlessly integrated into daily activities, allowing those who take Mandarin to practice in real-world contexts.
You will explore the revered Confucius Temple, delving into the philosophical underpinnings of Taiwanese society. The itinerary also includes a scenic bicycle tour around the stunning Sun Moon Lake, offering breathtaking views and insight into Taiwan’s natural beauty. At Shifen, you will witness the mesmerizing waterfalls and partake in the traditional lantern ceremony. During your journey, you’ll immerse yourself in Taiwan’s culinary landscape. You’ll savor the interactive experience of Haidilao hot pot, explore vibrant night markets bursting with local flavors, and participate in a hands-on street food cooking workshop. These experiences will not only tantalize your taste buds but also deepen your understanding of Taiwanese culture through its diverse and delicious cuisine.
As the program progresses, the focus shifts to Taiwan’s role as a global technology hub. Visits to cutting-edge tech companies and innovation centers will provide you with firsthand exposure to Taiwan’s contributions to fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, sustainable technology, and digital innovation. You will gain a nuanced understanding of Taiwan’s position in international relations, its economic significance, and its unique cultural identity. This transformative journey promises to broaden horizons, challenge preconceptions, and provide you with a rich, multifaceted understanding of Taiwan.
Spain
- Location: Spain (Andalusia)
- Dates: June 9-19, 2025 (Summer)
- Trip Leaders: Madison Slater & Payton Ritchey
- Program Cost: $4690
- Airfare Estimate: $1592
- Total Cost Estimate: $6282
- Eligibility: Upper School students – Grades 9-11
- Capacity: 14-18 students
- Vendor: Walking Tree Travel
- Read more: Detailed Itinerary
- Initial Application due Sunday, October 20.
Embark on an enlightening expedition through the sun-drenched Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the culturally rich southern region of Spain. This journey offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the multifaceted history of Madrid and Segovia, where Renaissance plazas and Gothic cathedrals stand as silent witnesses to the golden age of conquistadors and artists. In Granada, marvel at the architectural splendor of the Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish design that encapsulates centuries of cultural exchange and conflict between Islamic and Christian civilizations.
The itinerary includes the dramatic clifftop town of Ronda, whose stunning vistas provide a vivid backdrop for understanding Spain’s romantic period. Seville, with its intricate blend of Mudéjar architecture and vibrant folkloric traditions, offers an unparalleled setting to explore the evolution of flamenco and its significance in Andalusian culture.
This program goes beyond mere observation, encouraging active participation in Spain’s living history. Students will engage in hands-on experiences, from analyzing masterpieces in world-renowned museums to traversing ancient Roman roads that crisscross the mountainous landscape. Culinary workshops provide insight into the gastronomic heritage of the region, allowing participants to master the art of traditional dishes like paella and tapas.
This immersive educational adventure promises to bring textbook knowledge to life, offering a multisensory exploration of Spanish language, history, and culture. It presents an unparalleled opportunity for students to develop a nuanced understanding of Spain’s complex past and vibrant present.