Seattle Program > Social Justice & Education > Culture Nights

As part of the leadership program, each trip group meets every 3 - 4 weeks. (Parents are welcome to come.) GV participants learn important cultural information for the trip, organize fundraisers, and get to know one another. Our curriculum addresses social justice and ecological-footprint awareness.

Cultural Class Nights topics include:

• Social Justice
  • What are the -isms? (Racism, classism, sexism, etc.)
  • What can we do as individuals to help create a more just society?
• Ecological-footprint awareness
  • What are the natural resources we use as individuals?
  • What is the impact of our resource use on the world?
  • What can we do to conserve and protect resources?
• Fundraising for the GV Project Fund
  • Organize bake sales, selling coffee, car washes, raffles, and other small-scale fundraising projects
• Cultural Information
  • Mayan culture
  • Orientation to Guatemala: History, politics, and economics
  • Culture-what to expect and how to act
• Important Travel Information
  • Learn to travel as ambassadors.
  • Passports and Vaccinations
  • Health and safety issues
  • Packing (what to bring)
  • Food (and water) in Guatemala
  • Do-s and don't-s of home stays and Service Projects
  • Key Spanish phrases and conversation
  • Gifts for home stay families
  • Students leadership responsibilities
• GV Supply Drive Collection Update
  • What to collect and how
  • Collaborating with other students to meet group goals