Teen Ties Program - Visit Bogota during Summer Vacation

The Teen Ties Program is basically bringing a small group of youngsters back to Bogota during their school vacation, for a week or so of supervised and accompanied, touring, visiting, and volunteering at the orphanage that they came from, with the purpose of satisfying a curiosity that they may have.

This new program has been carefully put together by Betty Castillo at the request of various families whose children have expressed their interest in visiting their birth country. Accommodations at Betty's Place in conjunction with transportation provided by Jorge and Patricia Rico. Last year I had the pleasure of hosting three young girls from Mass., who got together through their Adoption Group Newsletter. They spent two weeks with me (under a very watchful eye) and we had a grand and memorable time.

Based on this experience, and inquiries from other families, we have put together the following program, a detailed agenda of which would be determined once the family contacts me directly: Accompanied pickup and drop-off at the airport. Accommodations at Betty´s Place, one, two, or three or four per room as requested. Meals available, but optional, giving the kids the opportunity to visit local restaurants offering typical Colombian fare. Daily transportation to and from FANA. Shopping trips. Sightseeing trips (Cartagena, and Villa de Leiva could be included depending on time availability). Evenings out (always accompanied by Jorge Rico and/or myself, with previous written permission from parents).

Our mission would be to show the children, in a controlled, safe and fun enviornment, the beauty of their birthcountry. I am responsible for this Program, and both parents and Teen would sign the schedule and agenda for their stay, that would be previously submitted to them. With enough advance planning time, mileage points could be used for their tickets, and we would do our best to keep costs moderate.

The Following are various tours included in my Program, given by Jorge and Patrica Rico: Gold Museum, The Salt Cathedral, Montserrate and The Candelaria in the Old City, the Botanical Gardens and the Jaime Duque Park, and Zoo. Dance Lessons by Jorge Rico and Patricia, with traditional Colombian music, salsa, cumbia, vallenato, porro and merecumbe. Sunday mornings bicycle day tour on the cyclovia, and Soccer games at the stadium El Campin, where the Bogota teams, Millionarios and SantaFe play.

For more information click here to email Betty