Ancient Mayan Schools

Background

Watching the sunrise from the top of Temple IV, one of the 3, 000 documented structures in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, is an unforgettable experience. Toucans and green parrots dart amidst a massive canopy of trees, including tropical cedar, mahogany, and kapok. The roars of howler monkeys undulate back and forth throughout the jungle, as foragers such as the white-nosed coatis and agoutis poke through the underbrush below. At last, the sliver of sun emerges over the flat and vast horizon of endless rainforest, which appears like an ocean in its immensity. The sunlight grows and warms the air immediately, casting an orange glow over the towers, stelae, and plazas of this ancient city.

The cultures of Guatemala are as diverse as its rain forest. The Mayans in Guatemala, along with the Incas in Peru and the Aztecs in Mexico, developed sophisticated cities long before the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century. Today’s Mayans thrive in Guatemala’s northern-most department, known as the Petén, where World Leadership School operates. The people here speak both Spanish and Mayan, which is one of 31 indigenous languages spoken throughout Guatemala. Mayans in the Petén live a very traditional lifestyle, which has not changed all that much in the last 2, 000 years.

Basic Itinerary, Lodging and Food

Students arrive into Belize City and transfer to the Cayo District where they will stay at the Macal River Camp at Chaa Creek Lodge. We will stay in raised platforms casitas and will enjoy meals at the nearby palapas. While at the Macal River Camp, students will start the WLS Learning Sessions and learn about the beauty and vibrant life of the Belize’s rainforest. The group will also explore the Actun Tinichil Muknal (ATM) Caves. ATM Caves is a notable Mayan archeological site, which contains remains from the ceremonies that took place within the cave. After a short minute hike through the rainforest, students will swim and walk through the cave and learn about the natural rock formations that grew to be so important to the Maya culture.

Students will cross the border into Guatemala and transfer to the host community of Las Viñas. While in Las Viñas, students will live with host families, work on a Community Project and participate in Collaborative Learning Sessions with local students.

At the end of the program, student will transfer to Tikal for final reflection and processing of the experience. The group will wake before dawn to enjoy the sunrise on top of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of the Mayan civilization.

The final morning, the group will transfer from Guatemala to Belize City, Belize for their flight home.

The meals, which are prepared on-site at each location, are healthy and delicious. Meals emphasize local foods such as plantains, rice, beans and native fruits and vegetables.

Staff and Safety

The safety of our programs rests on the experience and skills of our Staff, Country Coordinators and Instructors, who convene at our annual training trainings in Colorado’s Arkansas Valley.

• The Staff of World Leadership School have decades of experience working in different educational environments. Their focus is logistics, risk management, program design, professional development and consulting.
• Our Country Coordinators live and work year round in our overseas countries. They screen our homestay families, evaluate our transport and other service providers, and provide ground support for our groups.
• Our Instructors are veteran educators with extensive international experience. They have wilderness first responder training and often have past affiliations with Peace Corps, Outward Bound, NOLS and/or independent schools.

We strive to responsibly manage risks. Our itineraries minimize highway travel and maximize immersion in rural communities that we know well. We update our risk management protocols, integrate feedback into program design, and invest in safety and communication equipment. Despite these efforts, World Leadership School cannot guarantee safety nor can it eliminate the inherent and other risks of international student travel. For information regarding program activities and associated risks, risk management, and student and parent responsibilities, please contact our office.

• Ancient Mayan currency
• Ancient Mayans
• Ancient Maya history
• Main Mayan cities
• Oldest Mayan ruins