Live Oak, AIS, and Old Town proudly present:
Guatemala Volcano Adventure
Summit Acatenango and traverse Fuego, hike through Guatemalan coffee country, and end at Lake Atitlán, then stay on for a two-week exchange with an AIS host family.
Grades
8th–10th
Adventure
Jan 22–31, 2027
Exchange
Feb 1–13, 2027
Apply By
November 1
Trip Overview
Live Oak, AIS, and Old Town are excited to announce our year 4 ALO trip: Guatemala Volcano Adventure! Over the past three incredible years, we've embarked on unforgettable adventures exploring volcanoes and the Guatemalan highlands, and we've even welcomed 27 AIS students to Live Oak to visit camp in the U.S.!
Our goal: have six participants experience the full 3-week adventure and exchange in Guatemala. The trip will summit Acatenango and traverse Fuego, hike through Guatemalan coffee country, and end at Lake Atitlán.
The trip is open to 8th–10th graders. This helps build a younger cohort of ALO adventurers to invest in over several years.
Key Highlights
- Peak two volcanoes, and sleep on top of Acatenango.
- Hike through Guatemalan coffee farms.
- Shop for souvenirs and enjoy lake time in Panajachel.
- Spend ten days with the same small group.
- Experience cultural lessons on textiles and tortilla making.
Dates & Estimated Costs
Adventure
Fri, Jan 22 – Sun, Jan 31, 2027
$2,550
All expenses except spending money and optional airport food.
Exchange
Mon, Feb 1 – Sat, Feb 13, 2027
$350
Two weeks with a host family plus Antigua activities.
The best experience comes from doing both the Adventure and the Exchange.
Why This Partnership?
The belief in student leadership, adventure, and learning from different cultures has been essential to ALO's success. We are thrilled to start year four continuing this partnership.
This is our second time doing this route as ALO. We know the views, the food, and the partnership with the school are an amazing experience. We have run this trip before and know the hosts, the school, and the route.
"I loved my host family. They came to camp, and I even switched color teams to make sure we could all be on the same color team."
"This was my second trip with ALO. I think my world was sort of opened up year 1, and then I had a chance to lead and really leave my mark year 2."
"If you aren't sure you are ready for the risk? Well, you are. This trip was epic."
FAQ
Will we be carrying all of our things?
We'll carry day packs. Major gear is transported for us by Old Town Outfitters.
Do Live Oak and AIS apply the same way?
Yes! We're partners, and everyone goes through the same process to be accepted.
Is there work before, during, and after?
This is not your typical school trip. We'll hold 2–3 meetings after Leadership Seminar to prepare you and the group for Live Oak's responsibilities on the trip. One meeting includes parents/guardians for logistics and international travel safety.
Thinking of Applying?
Applications are due before November 1.
- Live Oak: Fill out the Guatemala trip application and questions in the online application.
- AIS: Reach out to Laura for the application link.
- Complete an interview with Caleb, and hear who got accepted by November 1.
Be ready to answer these questions
Quick answers
- Hiking experience: none / day hikes / overnight backpacking
- How ready are you for two volcano climbs (1–5)? How do you stay active now?
Everyone
- Why this trip, and why now?
- Tell us about a time you were out of your comfort zone. What did you do next?
- Living on a volcano and living with a host family are very different challenges. Which one makes you more nervous, and why?
- ALO is student-led. What's one thing you'd bring that makes the group better?
Live Oak
- For two weeks you'll keep up with schoolwork with no one checking on you. Tell us about a time you got something done without being reminded.
- You'll be the new kid at AIS. Describe a time you joined a group for a short time. What did you add?
AIS
- Would your family be interested in hosting?
- What part of Guatemalan culture are you most excited to share with a Live Oak student?
Ready to Apply?
Applications are due before November 1. Questions? Reach out and we'll help.