Georgia 2020 youth

GEORGIA COUNTRY - YOUTH ENRICHMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (+ 45 hours of community service)

August 17th - August 28th, 2020

Community Service, Culture Exchange, Ancient Arts, History and Nature Explorations

(recommended age is 14+. Younger children who traveled with us previously will be considered)

1/4

Enrollment is Now Open

APPLICATION

Submit prior to 11/1 to receive Early Bird Discount of $100

(web-interviews in October - December)

Overview

Georgia Country is a gem of the Caucasus and is known for its charm, unprecedented hospitality, ancient cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, snowy mountains, magnificent nature and delicious food. Our program is an educational, cultural immersion and community service program, during which children will learn about the history and ancient arts of the country, interact with local communities, participate in hands-on workshops and exchange experiences, perform community service projects, visit notable sites and explore magnificent nature spots.

In-Flight Chaperones and full supervision throughout the trip
Lodging with local people, traditional accommodations
3 delicious meals a day included (some will be communal dinners in traditional settings, some on the go, some prepared by us together). Georgia is the food capital of the region!
All in-country transfers and transportation are included
All cultural experiences, workshops, classes are included
Camping gear is included
45 hours of community service will be provided

Trip Highlights

Immersion in Georgian Culture, Arts and History from the perspective of a local
Visits to monasteries, fortresses, bathhouses, learning local traditions, sampling Georgian cuisine, tea tasting
Visiting local villages, spending time with local people and artisans, participating in disappearing arts like clay pottery and textiles
Nature explorations of Khokh mountain range and Mount Kazbek, spending the night camping on the plateau
Examining speleothems and dinosaur footprints in Sataplia Cave
Rafting through the coves and waterfall of the Martvili Canyon
Spending a day at school in Kutaisi, working on creative projects with local kids

Itinerary

Day 1 (Mon, Aug 17th) - group is flying to Tbilisi
Day 2 (Tue, Aug 18th) - we land in Tbilisi. Rest, orientation, introductions, welcome lunch/dinner, going out to see the night splendor of Old Tbilisi, experiencing traditional Georgian cuisine and tea tasting.
Day 3 (Wed, Aug 19th) - Tbilisi. Good morning! Our mornings begin with a morning circle, meditation and planning discussion. Going atop of Mount Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain) and exploring the Mtatsminda park. Visiting ancient fortress, bathhouses, and the oldest surviving church. Stroll across the Mtkvari River on the Peace Bridge. At night - journaling, sketching impressions and reflection circle.
Day 4 (Thur, Aug. 20th) - in the morning we are moving from Tbilisi to Signaghi (Town of Love) in Georgia's easternmost region of Kakheti. We will explore the wonders of gorgeous Signaghi valley, with its lush hillsides, ancient monasteries, historical spots and traditional Georgian entertainment, dances and music. Kakheti is also known as Georgia's most famous winemaking region and offers many wine tours and experiences, which may excite adults who are coming along with us. We will be spending the night in a breathtaking historical castle and ancient fortress.
Day 5 (Fri, Aug. 21st) - we will continue to explore Signaghi and have a clay making workshop/demonstration with local clay and wine-makers. Interactions with local masters and community service help. At night, we are moving to Mt. Gazbegi.
Day 6 (Sat, Aug 22nd) - Mt. Gazbegi. Our big hike is happening this day. We will be exploring the Khokh mountain range, which is north of the Greater Caucasus range, and going up Mount Kazbek (Mt Gazbegi). Mount Kazbek is the second highest volcanic summit in the Caucasus after Mount Elbrus. We will be hiking the lower part of the mountain (no summit/alpine summit climbing), and spending the night in a cabin on the plateau.
Day 7 (Sun, Aug 23rd) - in the morning, we are moving to Tbilisi to catch a train to Kutaisi. We arrive in Kutaisi after lunch. Along the way, we will visit Galeti Monastery and have interactive experiences with the Galeti monks and offer community service help with errands. Galeti Monastery is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. At night - dinner, relaxing, preparing for community projects.
Day 8 (Mon, Aug 24th) - Visiting Sataplia Cave and Nature Reserve (extinct Mt Sataplia volcano), famous for fine speleothems and dinosaur footprints. At present there are about 200 footprints known, found in two different layers of the Cretaceous limestone. In the afternoon – cooking class! A renowned local chef will teach us how to make local ethnic dishes. We will then have dinner all together.
Day 9 (Tue, Aug 25th) -the day is dedicated to community service. In the morning, we will visit and help local gardeners and farmers. In the afternoon - visit to a local school and creative projects with local children.
Day 10 (Wed, Aug 26th) - Rafting through the coves and waterfalls of the Martvili Canyon, a natural wonder in the Samegrelo region of Georgia. This will be a full day adventure. At night - quiet time and relaxation.
Day 11 (Thur, Aug 27th) -Our final day together. Short town walks. Reflection circle. Journaling. Exchanging impressions. Discussions. In the afternoon, we are moving to Tbilisi. At night - celebration dinner together!
Day 12 (Fri, Aug 28th) - flying home.

Dates and Fees

August 17th - August 28th, 2020

Application Fee: $65

Tuition: $2,150 (*airfare is not included)

Rules:

Application process is now open. Early bird discount of $100 is available until November 1, 2019. Application fee is refundable if enrollment in the Program is not granted by Antinanco Earth Arts School. Interviews are conducted in October-December of 2019. First payment of $1,150 is due by December 1, 2019. The remaining balance is due by February 1, 2020. Payments are not refundable after January 1, 2020.

Important Things to Note:

This is an educational program with fun, friendly, interactive and collaborative environment. Kids and accompanying parents are expected to participate in program projects and meal coordination/preparation. Accommodations will be communal, shared and very comfortable.

We require all participants to demonstrate proof of medical international or travel insurance prior to the trip. Trip cancellation insurance is also advised.

Airport pickup and drop off is for the program dates indicated. You may choose to arrive early or stay late, where you will be responsible for your transportation arrangements. Antinanco guides can help you arrange this.

Passport - your passport must be valid 6 months after your date of travel into the country.

Visa - there are no visa requirements for the US residents and citizens traveling from the US. If you are traveling from a country that requires a visa when entering Japan, you should start the process as soon as possible after signing up.

Have Questions? Email Us

GEORGIA COUNTRY - YOUTH ENRICHMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM (+ 45 hours of community service)

August 17th - August 28th, 2020

​

Community Service, Culture Exchange, Ancient Arts, History and Nature Explorations

(recommended age is 14+. Younger children who traveled with us previously will be considered)

Enrollment is Now Open

APPLICATION

Submit prior to 11/1 to receive Early Bird Discount of $100

(web-interviews in October - December)

Overview

​

In-Flight Chaperones and full supervision throughout the trip

Lodging with local people, traditional accommodations

3 delicious meals a day included (some will be communal dinners in traditional settings, some on the go, some prepared by us together). Georgia is the food capital of the region!

All in-country transfers and transportation are included

All cultural experiences, workshops, classes are included

Camping gear is included

45 hours of community service will be provided

Trip Highlights

Immersion in Georgian Culture, Arts and History from the perspective of a local

Visits to monasteries, fortresses, bathhouses, learning local traditions, sampling Georgian cuisine, tea tasting

Visiting local villages, spending time with local people and artisans, participating in disappearing arts like clay pottery and textiles

Nature explorations of Khokh mountain range and Mount Kazbek, spending the night camping on the plateau

Examining speleothems and dinosaur footprints in Sataplia Cave

Rafting through the coves and waterfall of the Martvili Canyon

Spending a day at school in Kutaisi, working on creative projects with local kids

Itinerary

Day 1 (Mon, Aug 17th) - group is flying to Tbilisi

Day 2 (Tue, Aug 18th) - we land in Tbilisi. Rest, orientation, introductions, welcome lunch/dinner, going out to see the night splendor of Old Tbilisi, experiencing traditional Georgian cuisine and tea tasting.

Day 5 (Fri, Aug. 21st) - we will continue to explore Signaghi and have a clay making workshop/demonstration with local clay and wine-makers. Interactions with local masters and community service help. At night, we are moving to Mt. Gazbegi.

Day 9 (Tue, Aug 25th) -the day is dedicated to community service. In the morning, we will visit and help local gardeners and farmers. In the afternoon - visit to a local school and creative projects with local children.

Day 10 (Wed, Aug 26th) - Rafting through the coves and waterfalls of the Martvili Canyon, a natural wonder in the Samegrelo region of Georgia. This will be a full day adventure. At night - quiet time and relaxation.

Day 11 (Thur, Aug 27th) -Our final day together. Short town walks. Reflection circle. Journaling. Exchanging impressions. Discussions. In the afternoon, we are moving to Tbilisi. At night - celebration dinner together!

Day 12 (Fri, Aug 28th) - flying home.

Dates and Fees

August 17th - August 28th, 2020

Application Fee: $65

Tuition: $2,150 (*airfare is not included)

​

Rules:

​

Important Things to Note:

This is an educational program with fun, friendly, interactive and collaborative environment. Kids and accompanying parents are expected to participate in program projects and meal coordination/preparation. Accommodations will be communal, shared and very comfortable.

​

We require all participants to demonstrate proof of medical international or travel insurance prior to the trip. Trip cancellation insurance is also advised.

Airport pickup and drop off is for the program dates indicated. You may choose to arrive early or stay late, where you will be responsible for your transportation arrangements. Antinanco guides can help you arrange this.

​

Passport - your passport must be valid 6 months after your date of travel into the country.

Visa - there are no visa requirements for the US residents and citizens traveling from the US. If you are traveling from a country that requires a visa when entering Japan, you should start the process as soon as possible after signing up.