Ecuador Humanitarian + Hot Springs Expedition - A Be Well Adventure

Join us alongside our partner CHOICE Humanitarian as we embark on our inaugural Be Well Expedition to Ecuador to support the creation of a rural, sustainable tourism initiative in the foothills of Otavalo. It is our belief that the path to personal wellness hinges on community support, both locally and globally. As a result, this week-long humanitarian experience will combine the mission and values of our land with our shared connection to healing mineral waters. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure down the unpredictable path of off-grid and rural yet sustainable, tourism. 

Over one week, guests of the Maple Grove community, together with members of the Fackcha Llachta village, will immerse themselves into the CHOICE model of village-led development and get their hands dirty by supporting an important phase of a community-managed farm project. 

Collectively, we will support a budding village homestay program and business by staying directly with fellow community members while we spend part of the week working side-by-side. We'll explore the complexities of rural sustainable tourism through evening panels and chats, learn about indigenous approaches to community organization and resource management from village leaders, and adventure off to local waterfalls and nearby hot springs in our downtime. 

With time to explore the artisania markets of Otavalo, Quito, and the world famous Papallacta Hot Springs before and after our community project, you're invited to take part of what promises to be an annual tradition of taking our passion for hot springs abroad to explore new places, foster wider communities, and lean in to new and uncomfortable experiences! 

100% of all expedition fees go directly to the rural development work of CHOICE projects across 8 countries along with the direct costs associated with time in-country. Maple Grove is partnering with CHOICE Ecuador to help accelerate their efforts to build rural capacity for sustainable tourism. 

Details

Complete trip itinerary, details, costs, and FAQS can be found on the dedicated Expedition Page with CHOICE Humanitarian . Registration and payments will take place with CHOICE Humanitarian and all associated trip fees are considered a charitable tax deductible donation. 

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About CHOICE Humanitarian

CHOICE is a 501c3 international development and humanitarian organization with field offices in 8 countries. Each country team, including Ecuador,  supports the efforts of people around the world to reduce global poverty and build self-reliant, resilient communities.  Celebrating 40 years of eradicating global poverty, CHOICE has impacted over 2 million people in 2,000 villages across programs in health, education, social enterprise development, environmental conservation, and leadership development. 

Trip Leadership

Jordan Menzel and Jainee Dial are partners in life and share a love for creative problem-solving and community-centered business. Together with the in-country CHOICE Ecuador Team, they will guide our experience before, during, and long after our time abroad. 

Jordan is the Founder and General Manager of Maple Grove and brings over 15 years of international guiding experience having led nearly 600 travelers abroad in rural communities across the globe. He likes spending time with people who are working to improve the living conditions within communities, both at home and abroad. He’s  spent the last 4 years here at Maple restoring our 45-acre hot spring into a thriving community-driven retreat center. He has a background in international development, politics, and business policy and he’s serially scheming on start-ups, spacial design, and community projects. He’s  the former Director of Corporate & Community Impact at CHOICE Humanitarian, and Co-Founder & President at tech startup, CrowdHall. He has worked as an assistant to Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, at the UN Environment Programme, and at the US Institute of Peace. He holds a BA from the University of Utah, and a Masters in Foreign Policy, International Development, and Business Policy from Georgetown University.

Jainee has guided trips to Alaska and Nepal, and executed large-scale productions and events through myriad leadership roles in her career. She's worked extensively as a communications strategist and entrepreneur bringing three businesses and two non-profits to life. She’s been featured in Outside Magazine, Forbes, and Adventure Journal and is the co-founder of Wylder, the first female-founded benefit corporation in the state of Utah. She’s drawn to the power of storytelling in impact strategy and coalition-building at the intersection of culture, creativity, and climate. Jainee has dedicated her career to amplifying organizations tackling inequity, sustainability, and regenerative enterprise.

Questions? Feel free to call or email jordan@maplegrovesprings.com / 801-943-6106