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Apply
The institution submits its group, educational goals and proposed dates.
GALAPAGOS TRAILS · EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Galapagos Science Access
Learn in the field. Discover Galapagos.
Educational field expeditions for verified schools, colleges, universities and scientific institutions from around the world.
Verified institutions only
High-level Galapagos naturalist guides
Field learning + wildlife
FIELD LEARNING WITH PURPOSE
A Galapagos expedition built around education.
Galapagos Science Access helps verified institutions create structured educational journeys where students learn directly from landscapes, wildlife and expert naturalist interpretation.
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Institutions, not individual applicantsSchools, colleges, universities and recognized educational or scientific organizations.
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Educational group pricingSpecial institutional rates designed for approved programs.
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Local expertiseGalapagos Trails coordinates the in-islands program with experienced local naturalist guides.
HOW IT WORKS
From an institutional idea to a real field expedition.
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Design
Galapagos Trails prepares the educational itinerary, logistics and estimated cost.
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Fund
The institution combines its own funds, existing sponsors and public contributions.
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Explore
Students travel with naturalist guides and complete field-learning activities.
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Share Impact
Supporters can follow the expedition and later see its educational outcome.
SMALL FIELD-LEARNING GROUPS
One naturalist guide for every group of 15 students + 1 tour leader.
Larger institutional groups are organized in parallel learning groups so students receive closer interpretation and support.
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15 Students + 1 Tour Leader
1 Galapagos naturalist guide + 1 Faculty / Group Leader.
Faculty leader support applies to approved educational programs.*
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30 Students + 2 Tour Leaders
2 Galapagos naturalist guides + 2 Faculty / Group Leaders.
Two coordinated field-learning groups.
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45 Students + 3 Tour Leaders
3 Galapagos naturalist guides + 3 Faculty / Group Leaders.
Scalable for larger institutions.
FIELD LEARNING IN ACTION
Different environments. One living classroom.
Coastal Exploration
Observe coastal ecosystems, wildlife and volcanic landscapes from the water.
Marine Learning
Explore marine ecosystems through guided snorkeling and wildlife observation.
Learning Together
Students and faculty connect classroom concepts with real environments and species.
GALAPAGOS NATURALIST EXPERTS
Guides who turn every excursion into a learning experience.
Our educational groups are accompanied by experienced Galapagos naturalist guides who help students understand what they are seeing in the field, ask better questions and connect wildlife with the islands' broader natural history.
WildlifeEvolutionMarine ecosystemsGeologyConservationField observation
INCLUDED BY GALAPAGOS TRAILS
Galapagos Science Field Kit
Each student receives educational material designed to be used with the naturalist guide during the expedition.
Wildlife Checklist
Field Journal
Island descriptions
Species profiles
Observation notes
Science challenges
Animals I Saw tracker
Participation certificate
Species observed☐ Galapagos Penguin
Where did you see it?Island / habitat notes
What did you notice?Behavior / adaptation
Ask your guideQuestions from the field
FUNDING WITH TRANSPARENCY
Institutions can combine their own sponsors with public support.
Each approved expedition can have a public funding page showing what has been committed, what has been received and what still needs support.
Visual example · no active campaignExample Educational Expedition
Verified Institution · Country · 15 students + 1 tour leader
38% of the example goalUpdated after confirmed payments
Preview only: these figures demonstrate how transparent campaign reporting will look. No contributions are being accepted yet.
Educational Sponsorship · Coming Soon
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Give sponsors something concrete to make possible.
Sponsor a Student
Contribute toward one student's approved educational program.
Sponsor Field Activities
Help cover guided educational experiences in Galapagos.
Sponsor a Naturalist Guide
Support expert field interpretation for an educational group.
Sponsor Educational Materials
Support Science Field Kits and learning resources.
Sponsor Local Logistics
Support approved in-islands transport and coordination.
Sponsor an Expedition
Become a major partner for a complete institutional program.
HELPING INSTITUTIONS FIND SUPPORT
Fundraising Kit for approved institutions
Schools and universities may already have foundations, alumni, parent associations, companies or community sponsors. Galapagos Trails can prepare materials to help the institution present the expedition professionally.
Sponsor presentation
Campaign summary
Expedition budget
Shareable QR / link
Email copy
Images & program highlights
FOR VERIFIED INSTITUTIONS
Schools, colleges, universities and scientific organizations.
Applications are institutional. We do not create public campaigns for individual travelers.
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Verified identityInstitution name, country, official contact and institutional authorization.
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Faculty / Group LeaderThe institution designates the responsible adult who travels with each student group.
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Educational purposePrograms are designed around learning, field observation and responsible travel.
Institution Application · Coming Soon
LOCAL COORDINATION
Galapagos Trails helps turn the program into a workable expedition.
Our role is to coordinate the approved in-islands educational program, naturalist guiding, activities and local logistics according to the final itinerary.
Faculty / Group Leader support: for approved programs, Galapagos Trails may sponsor the leader's accommodation and included program activities inside Galapagos for each group of 15 students + 1 tour leader. Flights to/from Galapagos, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and government fees are not included unless expressly stated in the final program.
TRANSPARENT FUNDING POLICY
Every contribution belongs to one verified expedition.
A campaign is published only after the institution, educational purpose, itinerary and real in-Galapagos budget have been reviewed and approved.
7%
Galapagos Trails contributes first.
For every approved expedition, Galapagos Trails contributes 7% of the approved in-Galapagos program cost. The remaining 93% may be funded by the institution, existing sponsors, companies, foundations and individual supporters.
Approved program costUSD 20,000
Galapagos Trails contribution · 7%USD 1,400
Campaign funding target · 93%USD 18,600
Specific campaign
Funds are assigned only to the verified institution and approved expedition named on the campaign page. We do not collect first and choose a beneficiary later.
Direct program payments
Galapagos Trails applies the funds to the approved services and pays the corresponding suppliers directly. Funds are not delivered as unrestricted cash to the institution.
What the 7% covers
The contribution is calculated on approved in-Galapagos services such as accommodation, local transport, activities, naturalist guiding, educational materials and coordination. Flights, government fees, National Park entrance fees and personal expenses are excluded unless expressly stated.
If the target is not reached
The published campaign terms will define whether the deadline is extended, the program is adjusted with written approval, or confirmed contributions are refunded.
If the target is exceeded
Contributions will stop at the target or any use of an excess amount must have been disclosed and authorized in advance. It will not be reassigned silently to another expedition.
Cancellation and reporting
The campaign will publish its cancellation and refund terms, including any clearly disclosed non-recoverable costs. After travel, supporters receive an impact and expenditure summary.
Important: educational contributions are not presented as tax-deductible charitable donations unless that treatment is expressly confirmed by qualified legal and accounting advisers.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
Clear from the beginning.
Can individual students apply directly?
No. The program is designed for verified schools, colleges, universities and recognized educational or scientific institutions.
Can an institution bring its own sponsors?
Yes. Existing institutional sponsors, foundations, alumni, parent associations and companies can be part of the funding plan.
Does Galapagos Trails pay for students' flights?
No. Flights, Galapagos National Park entrance fees and applicable government fees are outside the sponsored Faculty / Group Leader benefit unless specifically included in an approved final proposal.
How many naturalist guides are assigned?
The working model is one Galapagos naturalist guide for each group of 15 students + 1 tour leader.
Are donations live already?
No. This v0.1 reserves the visual space for campaigns and contributions. The payment and fundraising system will only be activated after the legal, accounting and technical structure is approved.
GALAPAGOS SCIENCE ACCESS
Open Galapagos to curious young minds around the world.
Field learning, expert naturalist interpretation and transparent institutional support — designed from Galapagos.