Greece: Coastal Conservation

Trip Name
Greece: Coastal Conservation

Who It’s For
High school students (grades 9–12)

2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 21 – July 6, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
Athens, Lefkada, and Kefalonia, Greece

Trip Length
16 Days

Service Hours
20–30

Tuition
$7,395

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Day 1: Depart the U.S.
Fly overnight to Athens with your group or meet us there independently. Trip leaders will be ready and waiting at the airport.

Day 2: Arrive in Athens + Sunset Walk
Land in Greece and head to our hotel to rest and reset. That evening, we explore the city by foot and catch golden hour at the Acropolis.

Day 3: Explore Athens + Greek Taverna Night
Walk through Plaka, visit the Acropolis with local experts, and dive into the city’s past and present. End with a group dinner at a traditional taverna.

Day 4: Travel to Lefkada + Kayak Kickoff
Take a scenic drive west to Lefkada, meet our local guides, and get ready for the expedition ahead. Prep gear and settle in near the water.

Day 5: Paddle to Skorpios + Beach Barbecue
Launch from Nydri and kayak through the Ionian Islands. Stop at Skorpios and wild camp on Thilia with a beachside BBQ under the stars.

Day 6: Sunrise Swim + Limonari Campout
Start the day with a pre-breakfast swim, paddle through coastal fjords, and camp on the forest-fringed beach of Limonari.

Day 7: Sea Caves + Long Paddle to Mikros Gialos
Snorkel through WWII submarine caves, then cross the Gulf of Rouda for your longest paddle day. Camp along the scenic Mikros Gialos Bay.

Day 8: Final Paddle + Back to Nydri
Wrap up your kayak journey with one last paddle along the coast, stopping to explore hidden beaches before returning to Nydri.

Day 9: Ferry to Kefalonia + Island Exploration
Catch a ferry to Kefalonia and spend the day visiting caves, beaches, and the landscape you’ll help protect in the coming days.

Days 10–11: Beach Surveys + Turtle Tracking
Start early with morning beach walks to monitor nests and follow turtle tracks. Log data and observe harbor turtles alongside local researchers.

Days 12–13: Seagrass Mapping + Marine Ecology
Snorkel to survey and map underwater seagrass meadows. Help collect and analyze data to support critical conservation efforts.

Days 14–15: Harbor Observations + Final Banquet
Assist with turtle identification and behavioral research in the harbor, then celebrate your work with a final RLT-style group banquet. Fly back to Athens.

Day 16: Explore Local Markets + Fly Home
Spend your final morning in Athens visiting a market or café before heading to the airport and saying goodbye to your group.

We stay in a mix of hotels and rustic campsites throughout the trip.

Group Tents – Teens sleep in shared tents (2–3 per tent), organized by gender identity. In hotels, rooms are shared slumber-party style.

Rustic Facilities – Campsites are basic with access to toilets and occasional showers. Showers available every few days.

Setup & Breakdown – Everyone helps pitch tents, prep food, and pack up camp—teamwork is part of the adventure.

What to Expect – Starry skies, saltwater swims, and waking up steps from the beach. You’ll live simply and sleep close to the coastline.

Meals are fresh, flavorful, and often cooked as a group.

Cook Crew – Teens rotate through helping prep meals at camp and clean up together.

Simple + Fresh – Think Greek sandwiches, gyros, pasta, rice bowls, and grilled veggies. Meals are filling, balanced, and made with local ingredients.

All Diets Welcome – We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs—vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.

Snacks + Hydration – Water breaks and snack stops are built in, especially on active days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from Athens, Greece (ATH).
Do not book flights until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

Travel Days
Session 1: Departs June 20 (Sat) from the U.S., returns July 5 (Sun) from Athens
These are departure and return dates.

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen flies as a UM, we’ll share exact arrival and pick-up instructions.

Packing
We’ll send a detailed packing list in advance. Everything fits in a duffel or backpack.

Key items include:

Quick-dry clothing

Swimsuit + towel

Sleeping bag + sleeping pad

Snorkel gear (mask/fins)

Sturdy sandals or water shoes

Luggage Note
One checked bag and a small carry-on backpack recommended.

Forms & Waivers
After enrollment, you'll complete:

Health and medical forms

Participant agreement

Emergency contacts

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s visit needed unless there's a new or complex condition.
We review every form to ensure we’re prepared.

Medications
All medications must be listed in your medical form. Leaders hold and dispense them as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen—this helps create a respectful and inclusive group environment.

Trip Insurance
Required for all international trips. You’re free to choose any provider—visit our FAQ for recommendations.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for international travel. Check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations.

Passport
A valid passport is required. Make sure it doesn’t expire within 6 months of the trip.

Device-Free Philosophy
Phones are collected on Day 1 and returned at the end of the trip. No tablets, smartwatches, or personal electronics allowed.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens:

• Build deeper relationships

• Be present in their surroundings

• Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras or GoPros are great—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet. Trip leaders take photos and share a gallery post-trip.

Communication
We’ll send updates to families while the trip is running. In emergencies, our 24/7 on-call team is available.