Students Prepare for Ecuador Expedition

For the first time ever students at have partnered with World Challenge to take a one month journey to Ecuador, South America.

Under the guidance of Wilmington High School Teacher and boys lacrosse coach, David Sundberg, three WHS girls and four boys will have the opportunity of a lifetime to explore Ecuador and, at the same time, help the students at a small school in the Napo Province.

The trip itself will be broken down into two different phases.  The adventures will include an opportunity to camp, trek and white water raft in various locations across Ecuador.  The seven sophomores and juniors will explore the Andes Mountains as well as the Amazon Rainforest along the way.

The journey, however, is not all about sightseeing and adventure. One of the main reasons the group chose Ecuador was an opportunity to meet and work alongside the residents of the Napo Providence. 

While the region itself is one of the most biologically rich in the world the villages are rural and poor and residents struggle with economic challenges.

World Challenge has targeted a small school, near the river Anzu, that is in desperate need of repairs.  With approximately thirty students and three classrooms the school will offer opportunities for the students to paint walls, make signs and help the young students with English lessons.

 “These students are interested in seeing a different culture and helping out,” said Sundberg. “They are an amazing group of kids.”

For weeks the kids have been collecting shoes and other much needed supplies to donate to the village when they arrive.  “The students are doing most of it on their own,” said Sundberg, “It’s so neat to see how dedicated they are.”

Of course, traveling to an area as remote as the Amazon basin does come with certain safety concerns. 

 “World Challenge has been operating since 1984,” said Sundberg. “They have a security blanket that is second to none. They pretty much wrote the book on safety.”

With an office in Boston for the past ten years, World Challenge has a steadfast reputation for hosting educational and safe student trips.

“We will have a satellite phone as well an emergency beacon at all times,” said Sundberg. “Safety is, of course, out first priority.”

Students hope to defer the cost of the expedition by hosting a trivia night fundraiser in the Tuesday at 6:30 P.M. The price for the evening for adult admission is $10, for students it is $5 and there will be trophies awarded to the winners.

Questions will include traditional trivia categories as well as some Ecuadorian trivia on honor of the trip.

If you are unable to attend and would like to support these adventurous students with a donation please contact David Sundberg at david.sundberg@wilmington.k12.ma.us.