What does Youth Leadership Week look like?
SOLD OUT! Email camquayle@masongives.com to be added to the wait list.
Friday: Travel to Guatemala
Saturday: Spend the day in the Spanish colonial town of Antigua.
Sunday: Climb the Acatenango Volcano and spend the night watching the nearby and active Fuego Volcano erupt.
Monday: Summit Acatenango Volcano and watch the sunrise over Guatemala. Descend the volcano and travel to Lake Atitlan, Panajachel.
Tuesday: Spend the day with Mason Gives helping teach oral hygiene to elementary-aged students.
Wednesday: Cultural tour in San Juan La Laguna. Leadership workshop.
Thursday: Travel to Quetzaltenango City to visit Faith Seeds International.
Friday: Hiking and zip-lining at the Atitlan Nature Reserve; souvenir shopping; evening celebration.
Saturday: Return to Guatemala City and fly home
Daily Morning Routine: Meditation, gratitude journaling and exercise.
Daily Evening Routine: Guided journaling and group mentoring (Inner Circle).
What are the dates? June 7-15 2024 (SOLD OUT! Email camquayle@masongives.com to be added to the wait list.)
How much does it cost?
This is a week packed with learning, personal development, and adventure and is all inclusive (except airfare) for $1995 per person. If you sign up during our early-bird pricing period (Before December 31, 2023), you’ll get $300 off! That’s $1695, which includes all private in-country transportation, all food, snacks, lodging, workshops, guides, medical insurance, and t-shirt.
A $300 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot and locks in the discounted pricing. Prices are in US Dollars. Everything will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The last day to sign up with early bird pricing is December 31, 2023. However, don’t wait until the end, these spots typically sell out within an hour of registration opening. The remaining balance is due 90 days (March 7th) before Youth Leadership Week. Reserve your spot today!
There are only 24 spots available so space is limited. Email us at camquayle@masongives.com to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I have to do any fundraising?
Yes! Mason Gives is a non-profit organization and we accomplish our goal of improving the oral health of children in impoverished areas around the world by teaching correct oral hygiene and donating oral hygiene kits to 1,000’s of children in Guatemala each year. To help us with our goal we ask that each participant raise $250 for Mason Gives. This can come from local businesses, your dentist, Grandma and Grandpa or anyone else within your circle of influence.
Is the trip safe?
We take this very seriously and recognize this is a big question for many participants. We have taken all precautions to make this trip safe of our participants. Cam and Mandee Quayle moved to Guatemala with their four children in August 2018 for a one year family humanitarian mission. Cam and Mandee have been hosted groups of families and youth to Guatemala on numerous trips. Participants stay in safe hotels, all of which we have personally stayed in before and approved of their conditions. All transportation is private and with responsible drivers. Participants are always in groups and accompanied by adult leaders.
Who can participate?
Participants must be ages 16-19 when the week begins. We may make an exception for a participant under 16 years old, if they have an older sibling registered for the same week or approved by the youth leadership week hosts.
How many spots are available?
We have 24 spots available for youth.
Will there be adult chaperones?
Yes. We have 24 spots for youth plus Cam and Mandee Quayle, Erik and Katherine Jenkins and youth mentors. We will maintain a ratio of 1 adult to 6 youth.
Do I need to get vaccinations?
No vaccinations are required to enter Guatemala. Talk to your family physician for any specific questions about vaccinations.
What if I get sick?
If someone were to get sick or injured, we have direct local access to doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc. The travel medical insurance, which we include in the cost of the trip would cover any cost incurred. Katherine Jenkins, one of our hosts, is a Nurse Practitioner and can help with common ailments.
Do I need insurance?
We include medical travel insurance in the cost of the trip. This covers any emergency medical or dental expenses, as well as emergency evacuation or repatriation.
What is the lodging like?
Lodging for participants is in approved housing. All rooms have two to four beds and a full bathroom with hot water. Two to four participants of the same gender will share a room in separate beds. Depending on flight times when returning home, there may be a need to overnight in Guatemala City. We use a safe, secure and trusted hotel near the airport. All participants would be accompanied by the adult leaders.
What is the food like?
Breakfasts are provided by our hotel or tour companies and include things like Guatemalan beans and eggs or pancakes and fruit. Lunches and dinners are either dine in at our hotel, at a local restaurant, or provided in the field on service days. All food is washed and prepared using modern practices. The food is delicious and healthy. We do not serve a lot of processed food. We will make sure you have plenty of food. We will also provide safe drinking water at all times.
What will we do for service projects?
We will be working with Faith Seeds International. Faith Seeds International focuses on educating the children whose parents work in the Quetzaltenango City dump. We will visit the dump, interact with the workers and then meet the children at a local soccer field to play and connect with them. These are some of the poorest families in Guatemala and this day is typically a highlight for our groups.
Visit one of Mason Gives sponsored schools and help teach the students oral hygiene and hand out oral hygiene kits. After the kits are handed out we will play soccer and basketball with the students, color coloring pages with them and have fun. Each participant will be expected to gather materials and assemble 100 oral hygiene kits from the US and bring them to Guatemala with them.
What is the in-country transportation?
All in-country ground transportation is in private, modern vans with trusted, professional drivers. This includes rides to and from Guatemala City, as well as transportation on service days.
Is this a rehabilitation camp?
No. This is not a rehabilitation trip. We are learning and experiencing important and serious things. This is not a week for troubled teens. We expect participants to understand why they are here and what they want to learn.
Is this a tourism trip?
We will see and experience many amazing things and have some awesome adventures, but this week is more than that. We will learn about ourselves, about effective humanitarian work, and be directly involved in hands-on service.
Are the trips coed?
Yes. We accept male and female participants. Housing will be assigned by gender and there will be no sharing rooms or entering rooms of the opposite sex. Dating or pairing off is not allowed.
What are the rules and standards during the week?
This is a week for learning, growth, and exploration. We want to maintain a safe environment and have trust among the group. There will be absolutely no bad language, no making fun of others in the group or others, no romantic affections. Any bad behavior will be addressed immediately.
Is this leadership week associated with a religion?
No, this is not a religion week. We are teaching about service, leadership, and personal development. These things can be religious in nature, but we do not have an agenda based on any religion. However, we will be maintaining strict behavior standards. We want this week to be a safe place where everyone can learn and grow personally while helping others.
Can I sign up by myself?
Yes. You don’t have to sign up with a friend or sibling. We will have participants from lots of different places. You will have a new group of friends in no time.
Do I need to know Spanish?
No knowledge of the Spanish language is required. There will always be Spanish speaking leaders available to help.
Can I call home or use the internet?
It is a very busy week with back to back activities. Limiting access to the internet provides an overall better experience. In the case of an emergency and a parent needs to reach their son or daughter, they will be able to call a U.S. number and reach Cam or Mandee Quayle on their cell phones.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, a valid passport is needed to travel to Guatemala. At the time of travel, it must have at least six months left before it expires. This can take time to receive, so you should order your passport as soon as you are accepted.
Do I need a visa to travel to Guatemala?
Yes. When you arrive in Guatemala, your passport will be stamped, giving you a 90 day tourist visa.
Can my 16 or 17-year-old fly unaccompanied internationally?
Yes, they can fly to Guatemala alone. Different airlines have different requirements. Some airlines may require a notarized letter from the parents. Check with the airline for exact requirements.
Will someone be at the airport in Guatemala City when I arrive?
Yes. Cam and/or Mandee Quayle will be at the airport to personally pick up each participant.
How much luggage can I bring?
Each participant is allowed one checked suitcase or bag, and a carry-on bag, such as a backpack.
What should I bring?
Each participant will be provided with a detailed packing list. It includes basic clothing, toiletries and a water bottle. You do not need to bring anything out of the ordinary.
Can I wash clothes during the trip?
There are no washing facilities for participants. Please plan accordingly and bring enough clothes, especially socks and underwear.
What flight should I purchase?
We require that all participants arrive on Friday June 7, and depart on Saturday June 15. Host flight itineraries will be provided to allow you to purchase a ticket on the same flight if possible. Participants will fly into and out of La Aurora/Guatemala City International Airport.