Immerse in Culture. Serve Others. Make an Impact
“Improving Children's Health and Well- Being Since 2004”
The Impact Academy provides a unique service-learning experience for high school students to dive into hands-on service in a real-world setting while supporting community health and WASH initiatives. Participants deliver health education workshops and construct vital WASH sanitation infrastructure at a local partner school.
Beyond service, students immerse themselves in local traditions, music, and art—turning every daily interaction into a dynamic cross-cultural learning experience.
Experiential Spanish Learning in Central America
For groups interested in Experiential Spanish Learning, our Central America programs provide students the chance to practice their Spanish with native speakers while building deep and authentic relationships. Global Brigades’ staff of native Spanish speakers can support students to talk one-on-one with local students, create educational materials for health workshops in Spanish and even make presentations to the community in Spanish if desired. In an open, no-judgement space, students build practice their language skills in a real-world setting building the confidence they need to continue developing their language skills once home.
If you would like the Spanish focus during a Custom Date Impact Academy or our Summer Academy Programs, please note this in your communications with our team and we will build it deeper into your program.
Organize Your Own Impact Academy
Create your perfect program in Central America, West Africa or Greece
Each 7-10 day Impact Academy is made up of a minimum of 10 students accompanied by a minimum of 2 complimentary faculty leaders.
Each program is designed to meet your goals and objectives, including customization itineraries, optional enrichment activity add-ons and the ability to focus on Impact Projects including construction-focused WASH initiatives that keep students hard at work as well as the option to do more Health Initiatives such as health screenings, public health workshops and dental treatments for local children).
Our amazing international team will work with you to build and implement the Impact Academy that fits your needs and inspires your students into action in a meaningful way.
Join a Summer Academy!
Every summer, we invite faculty and students to join an 8-day Summer Academy alongside a cohort of other high school students and faculty from across the country. These programs are open to individual students and chapters of 3+ students with one free faculty.
Belize, Guatemala, Panama
2027
June 5 – 12
June 12 – 19
June 19 – 26
June 26 – July 3
Where We Work
Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of the Impact Academy, students will have strengthened their ability to:
- Navigate cross-cultural environments with confidence and cultural sensitivity
- Work together with peers, faculty, staff and local community members
- Understand and sympathize with some of the health and development challenges facing the country
- Conduct simple health-related conversations with community members.
- Discuss hygiene, nutrition, oral health, and wellness topics.
On Spanish-focused programs in Central America, students will also strengthen their ability to speak and write in Spanish as they use their skills to promote health, build relationships, and create meaningful connections across cultures.
Impact Academy also includes:
Cultural Learning
In each partner country, students and faculty will be immersed in the local culture and will be introduced to some of the region’s most beautiful traditions. For example, in Belize, students will learn from locals how to cook cassava pudding or practice “Cayetano” inspired artwork.
Enrichment Activities
All of our program countries offer optional add-on enrichment activities. In Panama, the options include an overnight trip to Soberania National Park excursion, a day trip to Monkey Island, or a Boat Tour of the Panama Canal.
Local Tourism
In addition to the optional enrichment activities, all groups will spend at least an afternoon or two enjoying local tourist sites as part of their trip.
This might include a guided visit to Maya ruins, a trip to a local beach, or a walk through the jungle.
Testimonials
“I will always lead high school programs with Global Brigades as it provides my students and I with an opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work that allows us to make genuine contact with the target community. It also allows for students to experience a country and its culture in an off the beaten path way. I love everything about their mission and the programs that they run and can’t wait for the next one!”
“This is our second program and I’m already planning trips three and four. Watching the growth and heart for service in my students is one of the most rewarding experiences. Every student went home with a more grateful attitude, sincere understanding of their daily blessings, and a true want to help others in need. I’ll be taking students on trips with Global Brigades for years to come.”
“Global Brigades is a program that all your students will remember for the rest of their lives. We keep going back to a new country, a new experience of the heart.”
“This was an invaluable experience for our students to not only learn about another culture but to realize the impact they can have on local communities.”