[February 2010] Volcano boarding

After 3 months of preparation, Quetzaltrekkers will officially begin offering Volcano Boarding as of March 1st. We are taking the month of February to run test trips, refine our equipment, and... to have fun! Our Volcano Boarding package, in addition to boarding down Cerro Negro, includes: water, picnic lunch, and a free t-shirt!!!

Spend your money where it makes a difference! Hannah and Jess would like to thank Big Richard “Poppycock” Haycock for his help constructing the volcano boards, and Mild Bill Bartlett for donating his car, money, and time. Without the help of these two volunteers this project would not have been possible (or would have taken 12 years).

[December 2009] San Cristobal Returns!

[November 2009] Trip to Aguas Frias

In 2008, Quetzaltrekkers funded the construction of a school in Aguas Frias, a small commnuity near the volcano Telica. Well, we completed the construction. Formerly the school was just a roof on stilts, we added walls, a concrete floor, and a fresh coat of orange paint. Thanks to a donation by Laurent S.C., a former volunteer, QT was able pay for a second classroom which was added on to original building.

On Thursday the whole QT crew jumped in the back of a pick up and set off to Aguas Frias to see the new addition. Everything was going great driving down dusty Nicaraguan roads, until disaster struck. We got stuck. And we got stuck good. Our truck´s back tire had slid into a ravine lifting the opposite wheel inches off the ground and we were left unable to gain traction. Four hours later we finally dislodged the truck, but were left with no time to continue to Aguas Frias. Thus, we returned to QT headquarters failing to visit the school.

On a side note, worried that Jess would interfere with actaul progress in freeing the truck, the group sent him to cut down trees and move heavy rocks. For no reason.

[October 2009] Update: Benefit Dinner at Via Via

On Saturday, 17 October 2009, Quetzaltrekkers hosted a Benefit dinner at Via Via, a hostel/bar located in Central León. The night´s theme was “Fancy Hat” or “Sombrero Loco” and each guest was required to don an outragous headpiece. This dinner, made possible by QT volunteer/former Australian child star Claire Sprunt, was a gathering of Quetzaltrekkers friends, aquaintances, and a former Australian child star. During the event there were games, auctions, and many prizes given away from banana bread to a 2 nights accomodation in a beach front cabin.

[September 2009] Update: New Quetzaltrekker

Quetzaltrekkers recently added a new member to our team. His name is Baby Bat.

We in the kitchen finishing up a round of non alcoholic beverages when we heard a strange sound coming from Oli´s boot behind the couch. We shoved the cats out of the way and discovered a strange blob squeaking frantically and clinging to Oli´s shoelaces. It looked like a little gargoyle, and we fell in love at first sight.

Baby Bat is probably a newborn fruit bat who fell from the ceiling. At first we were unsure of how to care for him. He wouldn´t eat any of the milk or fruit I stuck in his laundry basket, and he cried all night long. I was growing desperate until I discovered the Bat Hotline, and a wonderful woman named Amanda coached me through the whole process of infant bat care. Thanks to Amanda and the Bat Hotline, we now know how to feed Baby Bat with infant formula every few hours, how to wrap him in blankets so he won´t get cold, and how to make a nice bat shelter in his laundry basket with old towels. Since then we have been lucky enought to witness Baby Bat´s first yawn, the first time he opened his wings, and recently, his first hair, although it seems to only be growing on his feet.

Baby Bat is an incredible creature, and we are so lucky to have him on board the Quetzaltrekker Team! We hope that he will be happy living in the rafters of the office as soon as he learns how to fly. It will be a bittersweet day watching him flap away for the last time; however, the real joy of wildlife rehabilitation really lies in watching the animal you have cared for return gracefully to its natural state in the wild.

[August 2009] Update: Project Aguas Frias

In 2008, QuetzalTrekkers funded the construction of a school in Aguas Frias, a small commnuity near the volcano Telica. Well, we completed the construction. Formerly, the school was just a roof on stilts, we added walls, a concrete floor, and a fresh coat of orange paint. The school separated from Leon by a 1 hour drive, follwed by a two hour hike, employs two teachers, a teacher aide, and has around 40 students.

The construction of the additional classroom was spread out over a 2 month period, starting in September, because the community must supply horses necessary to transport construction materials. During the construction, Quetzaltrekkers was in weekly contact with the school in Aguas Frias through the director of the Union Espana, a network of schools including Aguas Frias, who gave us frequent updates.

We also supply books and other educational materials to Aguas Frias. In July of 2009 Hannah & Jess went to Hispanamer, a large book store in Managua, and bought over $400 dollars of books and other materials. This included 28 Nicaraguan text books, 40 dictionaries, and 30 picture books. After explaining what we were doing, Hispanamer was very generous and donated a 30 dollar world globe.

QT volunteers visited back in January 2009 to paint the school orange and donate a chalk board.

[June 2009] Update: Project Los Ositos and director of QuetzalTrekkers

So everything is completed! The new classroom has been painted a nice bright blue and is nice and light inside. We had a ceremonius opening, the children were very excited to finally get inside the building and put on a lovely dance show for us and feeding us cake and fruit.

In June we also saw the departure Erwin our Director for the past year. He had a big wedding in the Cathedral before setting off to Holland with new wife Wendy. Hannah, an old volunteer from England has now assumed the role of Director and is working hard to follow in Erwin´s footsteps. We are currently working on updating our Cosigüina hike and getting San Cristobal back on the schedule, so watch this space!

[May 2009] Update: Project Los Ositos

Quetzaltrekkers has now raised sufficent funds to begin building the first classroom. Construction began 2 weeks ago and we are making fast progress. We would like to have the roof on sometime this week as the rainy season is fast approaching. The first project is scheduled to be completed in 3 weeks time.

[April 2009] Update: Project Los Ositos

Right now we’re looking for an architect that can make the drawings. After that we are going to hire a builder and start with the first classroom. Of course, we’re going to follow the construction guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education so that the children will have enough space, light and air. In addition, the building will be constructed to withstand earthquakes as Leon lies in a seismically active region.

The construction cost for each classroom is estimated at $6000 dollars. Quetzaltrekkers has accumulated some savings and has received donations to start working on the first classroom. For the other two, we are in dire need of sponsors. If you would like to make a contribution, please click here.

[June 2008] GOODBYE GERALD!
We are happy to announce the arrival of our new director, Erwin Maatje, an ex-volunteer from the Netherlands. Erwin is really excited to be back with Quetzaltrekkers and is looking forward to the challenge of continuing the improvements of Quetzaltrekkers León. With the arrival of Erwin, brings the departure of Gerald Pavón. Gerald worked tirelessly for over 15 months to make positive changes at Quetzaltrekkers. His dedication and hard work has brought Quetzaltrekkers León to another level and has allowed us to increase our profits and help out the children of León and the surrounding communities we are supporting. Thank you for all of your efforts Gerald. You will be missed! Download our newsletter and see what´s going on at Quetzaltrekkers!

[May 2008] A MONTHLY SCHEDULE... AND EVEN MORE NEW HIKES!
We are adding three new and exciting hikes to our new monthly updated hike schedule: the two-day hike to EL HOYO offers a perfect combination of demanding volcano climbing and a refreshing swim in the Laguna de Asososca; SAN CRISTOBAL is a new two-day hike to the highest volcano in Nicaragua and it's huge active crater, and finally, CAÑON DE SOMOTO offers superb rock climbing and swimming in a recently discovered canyon close to the Honduran border.

[March 2008] FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS QUETZALTREKKERS!
We are continuing our successful work as a major fundraiser for Las Tias, the streetkid project in León. In the last four years we have developed into a completely self-sustainable, efficient tour agency based entirely on the help and motivation of our volunteers! Social change, step by step... and we're moving on!

[March 2007] NEW WEB SITE!
Quetzaltrekkers launches a new design for our web site - but you knew that, you're already on it.

[March 2007] QUETZALTREKKERS IN NICARAGUA IS ALMOST 3!
Quetzaltrekkers opened in Leon, Nicaragua on March 17th, 2004 to continue the substainable, grassroots development with street children, that originated in Guatemala in 1995.

QUETZALTREKKERS UNVEILS NEW HIKE!
That´s right! Out with the old and in with the New! We´re offering a one day hike to the beautiful hidden laguna of Asososca. We meet up at the QT headquarters at 5:00am and get back around 5:00pm after a day of hiking up volcano Asososca (not to the top as it´s very steep) for a great view of Lago de Managua, Momotombo and, of course, the beauty that is Laguna Asososca before coming down and swimming in the cool untouched waters. More information and photos can be found at the QT office and here >> ASOSOSCA

QUETZALTREKKERS GOES (more) PROFESSIONAL!
We´re going up in the world folks. For those of you who remember Gerald you´ll be happy to know that he is our new manager. There have been several changes behind the scenes and we now have an action plan, new fridge / cooker, coffee machine & hammocks...

For more information, contact us.