Trinidad & Tobago

Community-based Conservation
Sea Turtle Research
Snorkel and SCUBA Dive

Work with sea turtles emerging from the ocean and nesting under the starry night sky. Visit protected areas in the rainforest and Nariva Swamp. Explore Trini culture, music, and food. Snorkel in Pirates Bay and SCUBA dive pristine coral reef ecosystems.

PROGRAM DETAILS

DATES: TBD (+ - 2 days)

LOCATION: Trinidad & Tobago, Nariva swamp, Matura Beach, Pirates Bay

LENGTH: ~10 Days

ENROLLMENT: ~16 students

ELIGIBILITY: 14 years old before departure OR special recommendation from Sprout leadership.

TUITION: $5,250 + Airfare

DEPOSIT: 10% ($525) NONREFUNDABLE.

TUITION INCLUDES: All airfare, transfers, in-country transportation, taxes and fees, accommodations, meals, national park fees, conservation program fees, guides, location staff, SCUBA BCD vest, regulator, fins, dive instructors and all other trip activities.

ADDITIONAL COSTS: Trip insurance (~$100), personal items, souvenirs and food at airports. Dive/snorkel gear is included, but participants are STRONGLY encouraged to purchase their own properly fit mask and snorkel prior to the program.

FINANCIAL AID: Limited scholarship may be available.

INTERNSHIPS: May be available.
Email our Internship Coordinator

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 | TRAVEL DAY | Cleveland / Port of Spain / Grande Riviere, Trinidad
Meet at Cleveland Hopkins Airport, fly to Port of Spain, Trinidad, and take a bus to Grande Riviere, Trinidad.

Day 2 | SEA TURTLES | Grande Riviere, Trinidad
During the day, we will prep our group for research: how to interact with turtles, how to PIT tag turtles and compile data sheets, site safety and sea turtle biology. Overnight we will take measurements and data on nesting turtles, collect data on nesting sites, tag and record individual turtles,recover VHF/GPS tags and mark nests for next-day excavation.

Day 3 | TURTLES & FRESHWATER ECOLOGY | Grande Riviere, Trinidad
Watershed health and nesting sites.
Nest Excavation: excavate hatched nests, rescue hatchlings, collect nest content data.
Overnight Turtle Research.

Day 4 | RAINFOREST HIKE | Nariva Swamp, Trinidad

Day 5 | TRAVEL DAY | Grande Riviere / Port of Spain / Speyside, Tobago
Fly from Port of Spain to Tobago, bus to Speyside, orientation and SCUBA pool training.

Day 6 | SCUBA TRAINING & DIVING | Speyside, Tobago
Dive Training, SCUBA Diving

Day 7 | SCUBA DIVING | Speyside, Tobago
SCUBA Diving

Day 8 | PIRATES BAY CORAL REEF ECOLOGY | Charlottesville, Tobago
Coral Nursery/Pirate's Bay Snorkel, Beach afternoon

Day 9 | TROPICAL SHORE ECOSYSTEMS | Speyside / Charlottesville, Tobago
Speyside Waterwheel, bus to Charlottesville, macro benthic invertebrate collection.

Day 10 | TRAVEL DAY | Speyside / Port of Spain / Cleveland
Bus to airport in Tobago, fly to Port of Spain, fly to Cleveland.

TESTIMONIALS

Sprout is best seen through the eyes of those who have experienced a Sprout program!

Robin Menz, parent
Words cannot describe how thankful I am that Chloe had the opportunity to travel once again with the Sprout Experience! After the experience she had last year in Kenya, I knew how valuable the trip to Trinidad & Tobago would be. Her adventures in Trinidad & Tobago will be something she will never forget. Chloe enjoyed working with the researchers studying sea turtles in Trinidad and joining right into the Tobago culture, with music and dance. She also loved the bonding that took place among this group of students. I cannot say enough good things about the Sprout Experience and this educational opportunity of a lifetime!

Maddie Curtis, University of Kentucky
My time in Trinidad and Tobago was nothing less than a life changing experience. I would never have even thought of myself as someone that would be able to SCUBA dive, but Sean and his instructors helped me to feel comfortable in a situation that would normally freak me out. I was able to SCUBA dive in the coral gardens and see beautiful aspects of ocean life. Thank you Julie and Daniel for giving me the chance to meet all these spectacular people and see the world in ways I never have.

Macy Brennan
The Sprout Experience trip to Trinidad and Tobago is truly a once in a lifetime experience. This trip was not an easy vacation, but an immersion into Trini culture and the natural world. On this trip we got to interact with seemingly untouched parts of nature that very few get to see, being up close with massive Leatherback sea turtles and hiking through natural rainforests. We also got to dive into Trini culture. Between collaborating with locals on music and dance, and trying traditional foods, our eyes were opened to a new culture, different from our own. This trip was an experience that was so different from our everyday lives. It pushed us out of our comfort zones and made us all more well rounded and aware kids. It forced us to open our eyes to environmental issues and opened us to new cultures and traditions. This trip allows you to work on real projects, with real people, to make a real difference. I grew as a person and am so grateful to have had this opportunity.

Kristen Gould, University of Kentucky Intern
Through Sprout, I met so many incredible people, such as Bernadette Plair. Bernadette is one of the most special people I have ever met and she is truly one of my heroes. I aspire to be as strong, kind, and influential as she is. Leaders Julie, Daniel, and Todd are three of the most amazing people in the world and I am so thankful they put their trust in me on this trip. They have built something so unique and so special that is unlike any other travel program. Julie and Daniel have truly created an environment for students to grow, to learn, and to become part of the Sprout family. Without Sprout, I would be a different person with a different path. I feel so lucky to be a part of the Sprout Experience and I will never forget the adventures we have had and the connections we have made.

Nicole Duvall
The Sprout Experience truly gave me a family forever and memories to last a lifetime. I can now say for certain that my passion for conservation will be leading my educational and career decisions in the future, and I am thrilled. If I had the chance, I would go to Trinidad and Tobago a thousand more times. I am beyond grateful for Julie and Daniel and the discoveries that their organization has led me to find. I can say for 100% certain that what I experienced during my time with the Sprout Experience isn’t something anyone could’ve justified with pictures or even words.

SPECIES OBSERVED

This list will be extensive. We will be adding to it bit by bit over time. Come back for updates!

Leatherback Sea Turtle
Dermochelys coriacea

Hawksbill Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata

Green Sea Turtle

Spectacled Caiman

Scarlet Ibis

Lionfish

Green Moray Eel

Lemon Shark

Sand Shark

Red Snapper

Red Howler Money

Capuchin

Sensitive Fern

Cain Toad

Kapok Tree

Sandbox Tree

Four-eyed Fish

Red Tailed Boa Constrictor

Fer-de-lance

Vine Snake

Hermit Crabs

Octopus

Barracuda

Stingray

Snowflake Eel

How many student participants will be accepted for this program?
Enrollment for Trinidad & Tobago is a minimum of 8 students and a maximum of 12. Additional students may be allowed under certain circumstances. For a custom school or other group, the number of participants can be higher or lower and will be determined by Sprout and the school/group. Sprout has designed custom programs with up to 25 participants. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss a small or large custom program for your school or group! Schools and groups are also welcome to create their own smaller cohort and join in an open enrollment program. Discounts for leaders will be given for groups of 4 or more.
How many adult Sprout Program Leaders will be on the program?
For Trinidad & Tobago , we travel with a minimum of two Sprout leaders, with the possibility of additional leaders and/or university interns.
What shots/vaccinations are required for participation?
There are no vaccinations required for entry into Trinidad. However, we do request that all travelers be up to date on their tetanus vaccinations.
What additional paperwork is needed for minors to travel with The Sprout Experience?
All passengers under the age of 18 and traveling with an adult other than a parent/legal guardian, must provide:
(1) A written notarized consent form from the biological parents or legal guardians. The consent form will be provided to you from SPROUT.
(2) A copy of the passenger's birth certificate.
(3) A copy of their biological parent’s or legal guardian’s ID attached to the consent letter. You will need a copy of BOTH parents if there are two parents who share legal custody of the minor. In the event of the death of a parent, a copy of the death certificate is required as well.
Is there a packing list?
A general packing list will be posted on the website. A program-specific list will be provided at a pre-travel meeting.
What are pre-travel meetings?
Pre-travel meetings are scheduled times for the group to prepare together for their upcoming program. There will be 4 pre-travel meetings prior to departure.
Meeting 1: Parents/Guardians and student travelers
Meetings 2-3: Student travelers only
Meeting 4: Bon Voyage Gathering with parents/guardians and student travelers
Are pre-travel meetings mandatory?
Yes. Pre-travel meetings are essential to a successful program. There will be 4 mandatory pre-travel meetings prior to departure. Meeting dates will be announced in January.
What about travel Insurance?
The Sprout Experience partners with Arch Roam Right for our travel insurance and we require all participants (Sprout leaders and participants) to purchase insurance. It is critical when traveling with youth that we are all on the same policy with the same procedures and coverages.
I’m worried about the SCUBA Diving. Can you give me some more information?
SCUBA diving is a safe and fun sport and an incredible way to learn about marine biology. We understand that most of our students have had no diving experience, but that is part of what sets Sprout apart from other youth programs: we have a custom training program in place to get everyone into the water on pristine coral reefs surrounded by marine life! Students will have a training class in the dive shop before heading to the pool to become comfortable with their equipment. On each dive, we go out as a private group - meaning it is only our small Sprout group on a boat and no one else. The Tobago Dive Experience has Master Divers on board for our comfort and safety. Those Master Divers stay with us the entire time - in and out of the water.
What about spending money?
You do not need to exchange money as US dollars are accepted on both islands. Students will need to purchase their own meals, snacks and drinks in the airports. In terms of souvenirs, there is not a whole lot to purchase on this program. While in Tobago, the dive shop does sell t-shirts and hoodies, artwork and handmade jewelry.
Departure Day
For an international departure, we will meet at the airport approximately 3-4 hours prior to our departure time. This allows for ample time to get everyone checked in at the gate, answer last minute questions, etc. Airline information and airport arrival times will be shared in meeting #3 (or earlier when possible).
Arrival Home
You will be able to track our flights from home and The Sprout Experience will also be in contact with each landing and departure.
Accommodations
In Trinidad and Tobago, we stay in modest accommodations right on the beach! Rooms will have a full private bathroom as well. In Trinidad, we stay on the beach right where the turtles nest and in Tobago we stay above the dive shop with incredible ocean views! Students will share rooms, but have their own beds.
Communication during the program
Sprout asks that students and families use WhatsApp, which is a free app that you download to your phone. This allows Sprout to create a TRINIDAD & TOBAGO FAMILY CONTACT LIST which allows Sprout to send messages to every family at one time. We also ask that families do not schedule specific check in times with your child during the program. This can lead to unnecessary worry. Cell batteries may die, service may not be possible at that moment because we are hiking in the rainforest, snorkeling, etc. Remember the key is to unplug and be immersed in the culture, music, food and nature of the islands!
Transportation while in Trinidad & Tobago
The Sprout Experience has private on ground transportation for this program. There will also be short flights between Trinidad and Tobago on commercial planes.
Emergency contacts
Rest assured that a Sprout leader will be able to contact a family in the event of an emergency. If a family member needs to contact Sprout, they will use the cell number provided to them. Families will also be provided with an emergency contact number for a Sprout leader that is in the CLE area.
Dietary restrictions and needs
Specific dietary needs were requested to be listed when the program application was completed and will be reviewed again at the Bon Voyage gathering. Sprout will accommodate dietary needs.
Medication during program
Prescribed and over the counter medication needs were requested to be listed on the program application and will be reviewed at the Bon Voyage gathering. Sprout will check in with the student guardians prior to departure to update medication needs. While on program, a Sprout leader will do medication reminders with students. If you have any concerns about medication needs for your child, please speak with a Sprout leader.