Open Group Experiences 2026
Just announced!
This summer AllPeopleBeHappy is offering two unforgettable, community-based learning experiences in Bolivia and Trinidad that are open to students (ages 18-25) from any university.
Open Group Experience in Bolivia: June 28-July 5, 2026
Overview
Cochabamba, Bolivia’s “city of eternal spring,” inspires with its history of popular mobilization and grassroots activism to fight political corruption and a variety of pressing social issues. Spend a week working on a hands-on project alongside local community members, sampling Bolivian cuisine, and learning about the culture through music, dance, and sightseeing.
This is a service-focused experience designed for students. Participants will work on constructing school classrooms and buildings for the majority of the week, alongside professional masons and members of a rural community outside of Cochabamba. Projects may include tiling, painting, laying brick, and building concrete walkways. While not working, students will visit important local sites and learn about Bolivian culture as a group.
Important Dates
- March 25, 2026: The last day to register. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to complete registration. Early bird special: Register by February 1, 2026 for $100 off the total program fee! This program needs a minimum of 8 students to run.
- April 20, 2026: Mid-payment – 50% of program fee due
- May 20, 2026: Final payment due
- June 28-July 5, 2026 (Arrive on June 28)
Logistics
Students should arrive in Cochabamba, Bolivia on June 28th.
During the week, students will work at the service site in the morning and afternoon, with a lunch break and siesta at mid-day. Some afternoons and evenings include educational, cultural and sightseeing activities. Students will have many opportunities to interact with local Bolivians during service and other activities. For the last two days of the experience, students stay in the city of Cochabamba for more sightseeing, cultural activities, and a visit to the largest open-air market in South America.
Accommodations and Meals
Students stay at a retreat center in rural town of Vinto and a hotel in the city of Cochabamba. Both accommodations are simple but clean, have private baths with hot water in the showers, and wifi. The retreat center has private, family-style dining. Breakfast is included at both accommodations. Meals will be a mix of family-style group meals and individually-ordered meals at restaurants. All meals are included.
Who is this experience for?
This is an experience for students who enjoy traveling to new cultures and environments together. It is for students who don’t mind getting their hands dirty while working alongside our inspiring partners and are excited to learn about history and culture, try new foods, and learn Bolivian dances.
Open Group Experience in Trinidad: July 5-12, 2026
Overview
A transformational experience in the Caribbean’s southernmost country. Students will learn about and explore Trinidad and Tobago’s lush biodiversity, vibrant multiculturalism, history, as well as some powerful local conservation efforts. Our community partners in Trinidad have many years of experience working with student groups, doing educational outreach in fighting forest fires, forest repopulating, and protecting sea turtles.
This week-long program is designed for students to learn about and explore Trinidad and Tobago’s lush biodiversity, vibrant multiculturalism, history, as well as some powerful local conservation efforts. Our community partners in Matura and Port of Spain both have an inspiring grassroots story and an impressive operation today.
Important Dates
- March 25, 2026: The last day to register. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to complete registration. Early bird special: Register by February 1, 2026 for $100 off the total program fee! This program needs a minimum of 8 students to run.
- April 20, 2026: Mid-payment – 50% of program fee due
- May 20, 2026: Final payment due
- July 5-12, 2026: Program dates. (Arrive on July 5)
Logistics
Participants should arrive in Port of Spain by no later than Sunday, July 5 2026.
During the week, days will be busy with activities that allow participants to explore culture and nature. Participants should expect a hands-on experience that will be both educational and at times dirty! All on the ground expenses (food, lodging, transportation, cultural and rec. activities, and service projects) are covered by the program fee.
About Nature Seekers and Fondes Amandes
Both NGOs have about a 30 year history. They have very different focus areas but are both interested in bettering their community, natural environment, and everything that lives in it. Nature Seekers is in Matura, and focuses on the protection of the leatherback sea turtle, an international resource that comes to nest on their beaches every March through August. Fondes Amandes is on the outskirts of Port of Spain and they actively fight forest fires and work to reforest their areas with native species.
Accommodations
During the program, participants will stay at a Samise Villa guesthouse in Port of Spain, Nature Seeker’s guesthouse in Matura, and Sunshine Apartments in Tobago. All of these are simple and clean accommodations. Wifi is available in each location.
Who is this experience for?
This is an experience for students who enjoy traveling to new cultures and environments together. It is for students who are excited to be in nature, hike, learn about history, try new foods, and dance, and who don’t mind getting their hands dirty while working alongside our inspiring partners.
REGISTER NOW
Register now to secure your spot for one of these hands-on, immersive student open group experiences!
Registration deadline: March 25, 2026
Early bird special: Register by February 1, 2026 for $100 off your total program fee!
Interested but have some questions before you register? Please reach out to Bolivia site liaison Melissa Nix (melissa.nix@amizade.org) or Trinidad site liaison Torey Siebart (torey.siebart@amizade.org)
INFO SESSIONS
Sign up for one of our info sessions to learn more about the experiences and get answers to your questions. Info sessions are free to attend and open to anyone.
Bolivia info session:
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6:00pm ET
Trinidad info session:
• Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 6:00pm ET
ALLPEOPLEBEHAPPY’S CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
If your trip must be canceled prior to departure, please contact our office as soon as possible. Deposits are nonrefundable. The remainder of your refund will be determined by the date and conditions of your cancellation as follows.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office before April 21, 2026 will receive a full refund, minus the nonrefundable deposit.
- Individuals who send a written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office between April 22 and May 15, 2026 will receive a 50% refund of the mid-payment (exclusive of the nonrefundable deposit).
- Individuals who send written cancellation notification to the AllPeopleBeHappy Office on or after May 16, 2026 will not be guaranteed any refund. AllPeopleBeHappy will work with the community partners on if/how much of a refund may be possible.
If AllPeopleBeHappy cancels a program before the program start date for any reason, we will issue a full refund for the program fee and the deposit.
AllPeopleBeHappy requires a minimum of 8 participants to run this open group program. If the minimum number of participants is not met, AllPeopleBeHappy will notify all participants by March 25th. We advise against purchasing non-refundable airfare before March 25th unless otherwise notified.
MEET OUR TEAM
Denise Aleong-Thomas
Torey Siebart
Ariel Flores
