Come Discover Classroom Earth!

Program Essentials

Special Events

Dinner in the Dark — YPO-WPO Member Opportunity
Get started NOW! — Click here to begin your travel experience

2011-12 Program Catalog

Dig Deeper

Return to Home
 
Donate Now — Support our life-changing educational travel programs.
Safety — Our participants (and their parents) entrust their lives to our care and we take that travel responsibility seriously. We take a preventative approach towards safety.
The GEx Difference — Learn more about the most comprehensive educational travel program available -- Global Explorers!
Responsible Tourism — Global Explorers and its participants practice active and responsible tourism.

Leading the Way

Where is this?

Developed in partnership with world-renowned blind athlete, Erik Weihenmayer, our nationally-recognized Leading the Way (LTW) program is open to students of all physical abilities, ages 14 to 21. Like all Global Explorers programs, LTW expeditions integrate science, service, leadership, and culture, resulting in an unparalleled life-changing adventure. More than just a cool trip, each Leading the Way expedition involves preparatory curriculum prior to travel and a service leadership project after travel. By making necessary accommodations and focusing on what students can do, the program challenges and prepares students to act on the passions they discover. Students set new goals and recognize the value of teamwork. Through their unique stories, each team helps to spread messages of hope and inspiration while breaking down barriers that society has placed between those with and without disabilities. Leading the Way has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, The Travel Channel, ABC Nightline, and World News Tonight.
| Nominate a Student (Braille and Large Print Available)

Apply Now Online to Leading the Way 2010!


Watch CBS Sunday Morning Feature

View Erik Weihenmayer’s Web site: Touch the Top

Sample Itinerary

Arrive Mexico City, meet up with Mexican team from Ojos que Sienten 1.5 hour bus ride to Amecameca, Mexico Check into Hacienda Panaoya Introduction Activities, dinner, bed

Breakfast at Hacienda Panoaya Travel to Christmas Tree farm—science, conservation, cultural lessons Ojos que Sienten leads Photography Workshop Walk through natural areas for photography and trekking practice Return to Hacienda for lunch and afternoon activities Tour museum of Sor. Juana Ines de la Cruz Photography Practice Dinner and evening in Amecameca city center

Breakfast at Hacienda Go to a local school to meet students and participate in a cultural lesson Travel to Izta-Popo, Zoquiapan and Anexas National Park at base of volcano (1 hour) conduct tree planting service project with locals Practice walk (2 hours) from base of volcano to Televisa station (base camp) Dinner at Televisa, team activities, Erik Weihenmayer arrives

Drop off at La Joya (start of climb) ~13,000 feet in elevation Climb to 3rd portillo return to Televisa ~ 6 hours of hiking and acclimatizing Aztec ceremony “Blessing of Mountain” Dinner at Televisa and leadership activities Camping skills workshop lead by Erik and his team

Drop off at La Joya All day climb to High Camp (~15,500 feet) approx. 6-7 hours Set up camp, make dinner Cultural, historical lesson. Story telling opportunity. Erik gives talk.

Depart for summit 5-6 am (approx. 4 hours) Celebrate at top! Return to base camp ~6 hours Return to Hacienda Panoaya at Amecameca Dinner, debrief experience, closing ceremony

Leave for Mexico City 10:30am Check into hotel, eat lunch “Fiesta” and cultural exchange at the park “Chapultepec” with Mexican participants. Piñata making activity/ tradicional food and music 8pm Dinner in the Dark fundraising event for Ojos que Sienten at the JW Marriott Return to hotel, bed

Breakfast at hotel Depart for Santa Fe ~30 mins 10am-12pm Book Release event and screening of Blindsight at Cineoplis (movie theatre) Lunch at shopping center Guided tour of Cathedral, Opera House, ruins, handy-craft market Souvenir shopping Farewell Dinner at a restaurant in the “Zócalo” with everyone

Adios! Que le vaya bien! Return to the United States