STRIVE Trips international immersion programs are specifically designed to give high school student-athletes an opportunity for a real-life, community-based learning experience. Train at a high altitude alongside the world's greatest runners. Volunteer at a local community, as well as discover the wonders of Peru.
STRIVE has been called “the world’s coolest running camp” but it’s really so much more. Yes, you’ll spend 3 weeks training at altitude in the majestic Andes Mountains, but you’ll also learn how to serve a community, order a smoothie in Spanish, and pace yourself on a hike up to 15,000 ft. Cap it off with one of the new 7-Wonders: Machu Picchu!
Welcome Home In Peru’s Sacred Valley, STRIVE student-athletes will enjoy settling into their Andes lodging in the colorful town of Pisaq. Located at over 9000 ft. (3000m) above sea level and about 40 minutes down the mountain from the ancient city of Cusco, Pisaq is best known for its Sunday market and giant Inca fortress towering on the hill overlooking town. With imposing (sometimes snow-capped) mountains in every direction, patch-work fields rimmed by vast 500-year-old terracing, and a night sky you have to see to believe, it’s easy to lose track of time as you take in the beautiful views.
Service:
All service work begins with learning how to serve others. The service projects that we do work on are always community driven and therefore often change from year to year. Projects that our students have undertaken in the past include working as teachers’ assistants in local school, helping tutor local students in STRIVE’s year-round, free after-school programs, and even promoting health and fitness through local sports days and our annual Pisaq 5K road race. Lastly, there may be days where you need to “get dirty” – clearing the local running track of brush, helping paint a building, or even helping dig at an ongoing Inca ruin excavation.
Athletics:
The dirt roads hugging the curves of the Urubamba River will be your main training grounds if running is your passion. If you’re not a runner, the training facilities on-site are available to meet your needs. You’ll be able to work out daily in the gym or even take a bike out along the river roads. There truly is something for every athlete: basketball courts, soccer fields, and just about anything your inner athletic soul could desire.
Accommodation:
Upon arrival in Miami as a group you’ll fly to Cusco where our private transportation will meet us and bring us directly to Pisaq. You’ll stay at the beautiful Chaska Wasi Hotel, a tranquil location on the river banks with the rooms set around a beautiful, sunny courtyard perfect for a game of cards, a solitary reading session, or a group meeting.
Reviews (2)
My STRIVE Peru experience
Reviewed
on Aug/07/2019 by Ana-Sophia
STRIVE Peru was an organized, fun, and well thought out program. The staff were very accommodating to personal needs and preferences while ensuring that we were stretching ourselves in a multitude of ways. The primary goal of the program was teaching us how to engage with service thoughtfully and in a productive manner. We learned about the pitfalls of service and the negative implications of poorly thought-out service. I particularly noticed and appreciated how STRIVE was open to critique, invariably attempting to improve their own quality of service. After learning about service, we participated in a few service projects, ranging from teaching English to building a community center, brick by brick. This program is unique among high school travel and service trips because of its small size, running opportunities, and its learning about service curriculum. I would highly recommend this program to any adventurous high schoolers looking to improve themselves, their running, and their knowledge about community service.
Such an amazing experience Not...
Reviewed
on Dec/06/2013 by Laurel
Such an amazing experience! Not only was Peru itself incredible, but the others campers, interns, and leaders were all some of the most interesting and awesome people I have met. Also, great altitude training! I'd definitely recommend it!
Testimonials(4)
When I signed up, I felt like this trip was literally made personally for me. I love to travel, but traveling and long distance running usually don't work well together. On this trip, I got to travel to a foreign country, train at altitude with top notch high school athletes and college interns, practice my Spanish and have the chance to participate in some very meaningful and rewarding community service.
- Liam- August 20, 2013
It really cemented my love of running, and it was cool to meet so many people passionate about running and who are pursuing it collegiately and post-collegiately. It really helped me figure out that running in college is something I need to do, and not just an option.
- Siddarth- September 8, 2013
I just wanted to say a big thank you to you all for coordinating such an amazing program. Evan has talked so much about all the aspects of it - from putting his summer painting job skills to use, to how hard it is to actually teach and maintain control of a classroom, and how fit he feels. Speaking Spanish and moving about the towns on his own was great for him. We cannot wait for our other son Josh to be a bit older so he can do this program as well. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you all - we will certainly promote this program to our friends on both coasts!
- Lisa- August 29, 2013
The STRIVE trips are wonderful in many respects. Most importantly - they gave my daughter a glimpse of the conditions under which many children in the developing world live and gave her a greater sense of the social responsibility to help. The trips - with the physical challenge of running at altitude - also gave her a real sense of determination and accomplishment as she saw herself get stronger with practice. Finally - there is a good balance of supervision and independence on the STRIVE trips - which enabled my daughter to develop greater self-confidence.
- Ann- September 1, 2011
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STRIVE Peru was an organized, fun, and well thought out program. The staff were very accommodating to personal needs and preferences while ensuring that we were stretching ourselves in a multitude of ways. The primary goal of the program was teaching us how to engage with service thoughtfully and in a productive manner. We learned about the pitfalls of service and the negative implications of poorly thought-out service. I particularly noticed and appreciated how STRIVE was open to critique, invariably attempting to improve their own quality of service. After learning about service, we participated in a few service projects, ranging from teaching English to building a community center, brick by brick. This program is unique among high school travel and service trips because of its small size, running opportunities, and its learning about service curriculum. I would highly recommend this program to any adventurous high schoolers looking to improve themselves, their running, and their knowledge about community service.