GREECE
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARINE CONSERVATION
Learn about marine conservation while you explore the coastlines of the Peloponnese and historical sites of Athens and Epidaurus.
Program Overview
Begin your adventure by getting to know Athens and discovering its ancient and modern sites. Visit the Acropolis and take a food tour around the city. Travel to the Peloponnese and dive deep into the world of marine conservation. Learn about the importance of the Loggerhead sea turtle and their unique role in marine ecosystems. Learn to conduct snorkeling surveys to collect valuable data on seafloor coverage on coastal regions. Leave a positive footprint by participating in a beach clean-up and learn from conservation experts about the impact of microplastics on marine life at a global scale. Wrap up your adventure with a visit to Epidaurus; kayak in search of the Sunken City and visit an ancient amphitheater. Meet with warm locals, taste incredible Mediterranean cuisine and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this vibrant and warm culture!
On GLA’s Greece: Middle School Marine Conservation program you will:
- Visit the Acropolis in Athens and embark on a food tour around the city
- Explore the coasts of the Peloponnese and learn about Loggerhead sea turtles in the area
- Learn how to conduct snorkeling surveys
- Leave a positive footprint by participating in a beach clean-up
- Explore Epidaurus and kayak to the Sunken City
- Take a cooking class and participate in a Greek traditional dance celebration
Program Menu
GREECE
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARINE CONSERVATION
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Greece! GLA staff will meet you in the Athens airport and we’ll travel together to your accommodations. Enjoy your first Greek meal, make new friends, and get plenty of rest as we start our first day of activities tomorrow!
Day 2: Athens: Acropolis & Food Tour
After breakfast, GLA staff will lead an orientation covering local customs, safety, and behavioral guidelines, followed by icebreakers to help you bond with your team. Then, we’ll head into Athens for a food tour, sampling famous Greek dishes and desserts. The day will end with a guided tour of the Acropolis, Athens’ top attraction.
Day 3: Turtle Visitor Center & Travel to the Peloponnese
We’ll begin the day at a turtle visitor center in Athens, learning about the conservation challenges faced by organizations across Greece. Then, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the Peloponnese Peninsula to Pylos, where we’ll stay for the next few days.
Days 4-7: Marine Conservation and Service
Over the next 4 days, we’ll dive into marine conservation. You’ll learn how to rescue injured sea turtles, including learning a series of knots and safe handling of a turtle (using a dummy!). You’ll practice on land and in the sea, with opportunities to snorkel in turtle habitats—chances of spotting one are high, although not guaranteed. For service, you’ll help with beach cleanups to protect nesting sites and learn snorkeling surveys, a fun method used by marine scientists to monitor ecosystem health.
Days 8-9: Epidaurus; Kayak Sunken City and Visit Ancient Theater
Today, we’ll say goodbye to Pylos and travel through the Peloponnese to Epidaurus. There, we’ll kayak to the Sunken City, exploring ancient ruins visible through the Mediterranean’s clear waters. We’ll also tour the Epidaurus Theater to learn about ancient Greece. Afterward, we’ll relax at the beach before heading back to the city tomorrow.
Days 10-11: Athens; Service & Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll drive through the scenic Greek countryside back to Athens. Once there, we’ll take a walking tour led by an organization supporting Athens’ homeless population. The next day, we’ll volunteer at a local soup kitchen for our final service session before having time for souvenirs, packing, and a final group activity. In the evening, we’ll dress up for a farewell dinner at a special location.
Day 12: Departures
Too soon, our trip to Greece has come to an end. We’ll head to the airport after breakfast, staff will help get you checked in and see you off on your journey home.
Program Map
GREECE
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARINE CONSERVATION
Community Service
For service, you’ll participate in a beach cleanup in the area where sea turtles nest in order to keep the site as healthy as possible. Additionally, you’ll volunteer with an organization that works to improve the lives of the homeless population in Athens. What form this community service takes will depend on the most pressing need at the time of your program: It could be helping out at a pantry or soup kitchen, or sorting and packing up donations for a shelter.
Hands-on Learning
This is a highly educational program. You’ll learn first-hand from marine experts and will take your first steps into the world of marine conservation. Participate in hands-on workshop on how to rescue an injured sea turtle. Practice on land and in the water using a dummy. You’ll also learn how to conduct snorkeling surveys – a very interesting (and fun!) technique that’s commonly used by marine scientists around the world to monitor the health of marine ecosystems. You’ll also have the opportunity to snorkel in areas where turtles are sometimes seen – and while there’s no promise that you’ll see one, we certainly hope you do!
Adventure
Enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean as you embark on several snorkeling adventures. Hike along the coastline of the Peloponnese and marvel at the incredible sunsets. Kayak in search of the Sunken City and enjoy watching the underwater remains of an ancient civilization from the surface of the sea.
Lodging & Meals
This is a moving program. You’ll be staying at 4 hotels in different parts of Greece. Rooming will always be shared in double or triple rooms with private bathrooms and AC.
Greece is known for its amazing cuisine around the world. Expect lots of vegetables, olive oil, Greek yogurt, salads, feta cheese, and various types of meats. Greek dishes are delicious and packed with a variety of fresh and dried herbs.
GREECE
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARINE CONSERVATION
Dates & Tuition
12-Day Program
2025 Session Dates
July 7 – July 18, 2025
Program Details
Tuition Includes All In-Country Expenses
Airport pick-up/drop-off
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
An application fee and $600 deposit are required
to hold your spot on-program.
Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
“This program helped me to understand what this community needed and connect that to my own life, making me more in touch with myself and my community.”
Vivian L. | Student | 2024
GREECE
MIDDLE SCHOOL MARINE CONSERVATION
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