Co-founder of TTL, Carlos worked in K-12 education for 14 years in Arizona as a bilingual teacher. A native Spanish speaker, Carlos, combines his Masters in second language acquisition with educational technology both as a classroom teacher and in his professional development for staff members.
As a result of being raised in a multicultural household and his extensive travel, Carlos understands that true language acquisition takes place when a learner is placed in an authentic environment and has meaningful cultural interactions. Having spent time with his family in Venezuela throughout his life allows him to feel as comfortable in Latin American countries as in the United States. He shares his passion for the outdoors practicing and teaching the Leave No Trace principals. He enjoys photography, playing guitar and cooking cultural meals for clients. Carlos is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR and is a Program Leader in Nicaragua and an outdoor guide in Arizona.
Carlos resigned his position as a teacher and is 'Traveling to Learn' while working on organic farms.
blog: http://azjed.wordpress.com/about/
email: carlosbill@itraveltolearn.com

Co-founder of TTL, Colin has been working and volunteering in the areas of education, environment, and travel for over a decade.  After graduation from college, he was a certified Wyoming Wilderness Guide, leading outdoor tours and fly-fishing trips into the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years in Honduras in the Natural Resources sector. Upon return, he joined the internet startup, AOL Latin America, testing software and managing volunteer activities. Next, he combined his interests in education and technology as the Director of a Community Learning Center in a low-income neighborhood in Virginia. Colin has a Masters in Educational Technology and experience with distance learning and computer-based training. His undergraduate degree is in Spanish and he reads, writes, and speaks fluently. He is certified in CPR and First Aid. His favorite outdoor activities are currently ocean kayaking and mountain biking. Colin is a Program Guide for NicaVentura. colin@itraveltolearn.com

David Rosales is an independent contractor for Travel to Learn and currently works for a local tour guide company in Nicaragua, where he was born and raised.
David's personality makes everyone feel comfortable immediately and even after tours participants ask when they are going to see him or get to say goodbye to him. Being bilingual, David understands what it takes to learn a second language and he makes sure that participants learning Spanish understand him at all times. He has an amazing knowledge of the flora and fauna and quickly established himself as the guy who can "answer any question".
david_okni@yahoo.com

BENEFITS OF TRAVEL AND NATURE EXPERIENCES 

Philosophy
Travel To Learn believes that travel and nature experiences support an integral part of our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health.

As children, some of us were able to explore our natural surrounding near our homes while playing with our friends. Some grew up in cities and had nature experiences later in life. Regardless, most of us carry some kind of positive outdoor experience with us into adulthood and we search for that time to co-exist with nature.
Over the years we have seen compelling evidence supporting the positive effects of nature-based interactions and although there are programs supporting outdoor educational experiences, young adults are disconnecting from nature.

Not only are we, as a society, spending less time outside in natural environments, we are being bombarded by advancing technology that is limiting our ability to think independently and keeping us indoors.

A quick stroll on a high school campus reveals how students are already tuning out half of the world by wearing one iPod earphone as they walk around. Even as they listen to music through one ear, they are having conversations with their friends. It won't be long until they put both earphones in and completely tune out the world. By limiting their life experiences to four walls, we are shutting them down from learning at an early age. Their is no doubt that by the time students get to high school, the majority of them do not have good enough reasons to become self-directed learners.

We can certainly point the finger at a multitude of changes in society that have led to a decline in youth being able to think independently but what we do know is that being outside can have a positive emotional and cognitive influence. Nature experiences can enhance a child's self-esteem, change behavior issues, and simply provide students with experiences that come naturally. There are even wilderness therapy schools that have become quite successful at getting people back on track in their lives.

Armed with this information, we strive to provide opportunities that will support the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health of all participants.

Carlos Bill