With "going green" and minimizing carbon footprints on everyone's mind, Earthwatch looks to revolutionize the traditional field trip and get students and families out into the world. They know that if today's youth aren't inspired and empowered to meet the challenges of our current environmental problems, little progress will ever be made for the future.

Earthwatch's Teen Team Expeditions explore the world's most beautiful and endangered places. And these hands-on trips aren't only educational, but a way for teens to make a real difference and truly help the places they visit instead of just 'seeing' them as a passive bystander. The organization also offers all the tools, training, and experiences their volunteers need to make an impact. And with over 35 years of experience and number one ranking in both volunteer and education categories in National Geographic, Earthwatch is respected and renowned around the world.

Students can report back to their teachers, friends, and families with stories about collecting field samples that will shed light on climate change in the Arctic, studying rare animals like the Carnivores of Madagascar, and experience the world's largest freshwater wetland in the Pantanal of Brazil.

There's also action-packed adventure including swimming with the sharks in Monterey Bay, studying the eating habits of South Africa's Brown Hyenas, and helping solve environmental issues in more than 15 Teen Team sites in more than 12 countries across the globe. It's also a great way for students to spend spring break and summer vacation.

While Teen Teams are exclusive to 16- to 17-year-olds, Family Teams are also available to children as young as 10 traveling with parents. The cost of contribution ranges accroding to date and location, and exclude travel to and from the expedition. However, Earthwatch does offer competitive grants for high-school students 16-years and older and teachers, as well as special offers to college students.

Some of the 2010 Teen Opportunities

Amazon Riverboat Exploration Aboard the Clavero
Participants on this 15-day environmental trip help conserve the Amazon Basin’s pink dolphins, giant river otters, monkeys, turtles, fishes, macaws and more. It departs from Iquitos, Peru and is priced at $3150.

Carnivores of Madagascar
From a base in Antananarivo, Madagascar, teens 16 years+ will hike 20kms a day or more to monitor Madagascar’s mysterious predator, the fossa, and protect its fragile island habitat. Lodging is in tents, but there is electricity. Cost is $2850 for a 13-day trip.

Climate Change at the Arctic's Edge
Working in Manitoba, Canada, teens can help track how much and how fast climate change is affecting the Arctic — and what that means for the entire planet. Once in Canada, the cost is $3450 for 11 days.

Climate Change, Canopies, and Wildlife
Teens work in the rainforest and canopies of the Ecuadorian Andes, conducting surveys to monitor spectacled bears, jaguars, and ocelots in this biodiversity hotspot. The cost is $3150 for 11 days and this trip requires some strenuous hiking and outdoors work.

The price covers food, accommodation, on-site travel, emergency medical and medical evacuation insurance, and all of the various costs of field research including permits and equipment. Earthwatch also lives up to its environmentally friendly name by using part of its volunteers' contributions towards carbon offsets. This aids in offsetting Co2 emissions relating to various aspects of the trip. The offset monitoring and program is monitored by the organization's internal group called the Climate Change & Carbon Management Group, or 3CMG.

Planetfull of Family Expeditions in 2010

Earthwatch offers a variety of family-together volunteer projects that make great hands-on learning experiences (several of the teen programs are also offered on alternate dates as family programs). Counselors strive to broaden kids' experience with real life science skills and application outside of their classroom. Special organised recreational and cultural activities are designed for Family Teams, and extra staff participate to work exclusively with younger family members.

Everyone can help the planet and get something out of it, as well as see a bit of the world. For 2010, family trips include:

Ancient Britain: Romans on the Tyne
This British based trip costs $750 pp for 5 days of moderate activity, including excavations at an ongoing dig. There is B&B housing, with electricity toilets.

Diamondback Terrapins of Barnegat Bay
With Philadelphia as the departure point, explore one of the most extensive saltmarsh ecosystems on the East Coast in search of an iconic turtle. Housing in on-site research center at Barnegat Bay. Kids above age 12. Cost is $1250 pp for 3 days.

Samburu Communities and Wildlife
Experience the rich traditions of the Samburu people of Kenya as you join them to identify medicinal plants, track Grevy's Zebras, and discover ways to help the local community. Trip begins in Kenya; cost is $2950 for 10 days; spartan facilities in research station have showers, toilets and electricity.

Whales of British Columbia
Help protect Pacific grey whales by tracking them in their summer feeding grounds. Depart from Tofino, BC, Canada off the coast of Vancouver. Cost is $2850 for a 7 days trip, with light and easy workload.

Certain departures and certain regions that need extra help are offered at a reduced price, typically 20% off the posted rate. At present, there are discounted 2010 trips to Namibia, Greece, Nova Scotia, Trinidad, Hebrides, and Mongolia; please check their website for details and dates. To request a catalog, call Earthwatch Institute at 800/776-0188 or write to them at 3 Clock Tower Place, Suite 100, Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754, or log onto the Earthwatch.org website.