SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad

31/05/2024

🥁 DRUM ROLL PLEASE 🥁

I can't contain my excitement. 🤩 I am so thrilled to share that SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad's new 2026 tour is to Portugal & Spain! 🇵🇹 🇬🇷

This tour is open to:
• Current 8th through 11th grade students
• All school districts

Some of the aspects to our itinerary include:
• Walking tour of Lisbon
• Time at the beach while in Algarve, Portugal
• See the Gardens of Generalife, Summer Palace, Alcazaba, and more with a local expert as a guide
• Walking tour of Valencia
• End our tour in Barcelona

There will be an information meeting on Sunday, September 22nd over Google Meets from 4 PM to 5 PM. Go to https://bit.ly/3V15BaZ to RSVP!

Send a message to learn more

24/05/2024

Exciting things happening for 2026... 🤩✈️🗺

Any guesses on what country? 👀

03/05/2024

We are 80 days out from Greece & Italy! 🥳 While abroad, the group will be going into the end of our day while the people back home are getting up and heading to work. ⏰

29/04/2024

📣 Greece & Italy Apparel Items Reminder 📣

Orders are due by tomorrow, April 30th! An option to pay for shipping is available, or I will coordinate pick-up after they are ready.

Online ordering for SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad 2024 ends on Tue, Apr 30, 2024 (11:59 PM CDT)

27/04/2024

My family and I are safe. I hope the same for all of you! 🤍

HARLAN IOWA - The High School are the Cyclones, as seen on the water tower!
https://www.facebook.com/FreddyMcKinneyWX/

17/04/2024

Ireland 2025 has gained two more travlers! 🥳🗺✈️

I am loving seeing this team come together. Which part of our tour are you most looking forward to? I can't wait to be see the famous Blarney Castle! 🏰

It's not too late to sign-up for Ireland 2025! Discover the itinerary, safety details, inclusions, pricing, and the enrollment link at: www.eftours.com/2636591TP

12/04/2024

📣 Greece & Italy Apparel Items 📣

Help support our Greece & Italy 2024 tour by purchasing one of our available apparel items. ✈️🗺 A percentage of the profits will go towards the student's additional travel expenses.

Orders are due by Tuesday, April 30th. An option to pay for shipping is available, or I will coordinate pick-up after they are ready.

Online ordering for SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad 2024 ends on Tue, Apr 30, 2024 (11:59 PM CDT)

12/04/2024

We have an amazing team of 10 travelers for Ireland 2025! 🥳👏

For any potential travelers still interested in joining the 11-day tour to Ireland, there's still time to sign-up! Discover the itinerary, safety details, inclusions, pricing, and enrollment link at: www.eftours.com/2636591TP

Please reach out if you have any additional questions! ✈️🇨🇮

05/04/2024

Today marks the final day for early enrollment in our 2025 and 2026 tours! Feel free to contact me if you have any further questionns about the trips. We are excited about the upcoming travels with you!

ENROLLEMENT IS NOW OPEN! ✈️🌏
• Enroll to Ireland '25: www.eftours.com/2636591TP
• Enroll to New Zealand + Australia '26: www.eftours.com/2773544BW

Journey Down Under

02/04/2024

Our enrollmenet deadline is fast approaching. 🗺️ Make sure to enroll for our ‘25 or ‘26 tour by Friday, April 5th to receive the $200 discount! All you have to pay at the time of enrollment is a $95 enrollment fee which goes towards your final tour amount.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or want more information!

ENROLLEMENT IS NOW OPEN! ✈️🌏
• Enroll to Ireland '25: www.eftours.com/2636591TP
• Enroll to New Zealand + Australia '26: www.eftours.com/2773544BW

The Emerald Isle

30/03/2024

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Easter weekend! 🐣

We are ONE WEEK away from the enrollmenet deadline — Friday, April 5th. If you enroll for either the ‘25 or ‘26 tour before this date, you will receive a $200 discount! All you have to pay at the time of enrollment is a $95 enrollment fee which goes towards your final tour amount.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or want more information!

ENROLLEMENT IS NOW OPEN! ✈️🌏
• Enroll to Ireland '25: www.eftours.com/2636591TP
• Enroll to New Zealand + Australia '26: www.eftours.com/2773544BW

28/03/2024

What a fantastic meeting we had last night! A big thank you to everyone who could make it. I have sent an email with all the details from our discussion to those who RSVP'd. If you haven't received it, please contact me, and I'll make sure you get the information.

ENROLLEMENT IS NOW OPEN! ✈️🌏
• Enroll to Ireland '25: www.eftours.com/2636591TP
• Enroll to New Zealand + Australia '26: www.eftours.com/2773544BW

27/03/2024

Last chance on getting the link to info meeting TONIGHT at 6 PM! Can't make it? That is okay, still RSVP and I will send you the information after the meeting ends.

You can still RSVP here: https://bit.ly/48Oruiu

For those who RSVP'd already, I sent out an email earlier this morning with the Google Meets link and information. If you did not receive it, please let me know.

24/03/2024

I’ve been spending time on the beautiful beaches of Cozumel for the last four days with my family. I don’t want to leave the sun ☀️! But once I get home, I’ll be gearing up for the info meeting on Wednesday, don’t forget to RSVP!

You can do so at https://bit.ly/48Oruiu

The 2025 + 2026 tours are open to current 7th through 11th grade students from any and all school districts.

Registration for this session is mandatory to help organize our meeting, and a parent or guardian must attend. Can't make it? Choose "No, but send info" so you don't miss out.

17/03/2024

One of my biggest pieces of advice when thinking of packing your bag is research! Research, research, and research some more. You will always find new travel hacks and best packing hacks in blogs and articles. Here is a great article to help get your research started! 🌎✈️🗺️

Pack less on your next trip with these ten space-saving packing hacks. With a few small changes, you'll be ready to pack carry on only.

14/03/2024

View a sneak peek of our 2025 Ireland tour - The Emerald Isle! 🍀🌎 Dip your toes into the wonderful places we will see:
✈ Dublin
✈ Kilkenny
✈ Cork
✈ Blarney
✈ Ring of Kerry
✈ Killarney
✈ Galway
✈ Derry
✈ Giant's Causeway
✈ Belfast

RSVP to the Informational Meeting at https://bit.ly/48Oruiu happening on Wednesday, March 27th‼ We will be meeting over Google Meets, so don't worry about having to attend in person. This tour is open to current 7th through 11th grade students from any and all school districts.

Registration for this session is mandatory to help organize our meeting, and a parent or guardian must attend. Can't make it? Choose "No, but send info" so you don't miss out.

12/03/2024

Warning: Long Post Part 2! 😅

With all our new followers and interest in our two upcoming tours, now is great time to introduce my assistant group leader, Brooke Hilgenberg! 🗺

Greetings, future travelers! I’m Brooke and I live outside of Avoca with my husband, Tyler, and our two children. Our daughter attends Riverside High School and our son attends AHSTW. I own and run my own photography business (Brooke Hilgenberg Photography), Tyler is in healthcare, and we keep very busy with our kids’ sports and extra curricular activities.

In 2022, Tyler and I lead a group of 18 travelers abroad where we visited London, Paris, Switzerland, and Germany. The process was easy and enjoyable from the moment that we got involved with Cydney and EF Tours to the moment that we arrived back in the United States. This group really does make it easy to see the world! Whenever Tyler and I are asked if the tour was worth it, we reply without hesitation YES, YES, and YES!

After experiencing traveling abroad through this group, I wouldn't want to do it any other way. No matter what tour options are open, Cydney and EF Tours will enhance your experience and open up a world of opportunities.

So in that case, don't forget to RSVP for our upcoming tour info meeting on Wednesday, March 27th to learn more about our 2025 + 2026 tours: https://bit.ly/48Oruiu

Let's travel! 🌎✈

11/03/2024

🗺🌎 Don't forget to RSVP for the upcoming info meeting for the 2025 + 2026 tours ✈ https://bit.ly/48Oruiu

Registration for this session is mandatory to help organize our meeting, and a parent or guardian must attend. Can't make it? Choose "No, but send info" so you don't miss out.

11/03/2024

Warning: Long Post! 😅

With two new tours announced and many new followers, I thought it would be a great time to re-introduce myself. 🗺

Welcome all to SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad! My name is Cydney Shriver and I am the founder and group leader for this travel group. Launched officially in 2020, the purpose of this organization is to provide safe travel opportunities for the youth (junior high and high school age) in our communities, enabling them to explore and experience the beautiful world we live in. I offer the opportunities to travel with the help of EF Tours, our educational partner.

I am a 2017 graduate from AHSTW High School and currently reside in Harlan, IA with my husband, Eric, and our 17-month-old son, Ezra. I consider myself fortunate to have started traveling at a young age, which is what inspired me to do what I do now with this group. My journeys began at 16 with trips to New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji, and have continued to Costa Rica, Jamaica, Haiti, Ireland, Belize, Honduras, and different areas in Mexico. Traveling is an integral part of my identity, and I look forward to sharing upcoming adventures with you and your young explorers!

I hope to share more about myself with you at the upcoming info meeting for our 2025 + 2026 tours, make sure to RSVP! For now, thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy this small get-to-know-me:
• Something I am known for: My love of traveling
• The best television show is: The Vampire Diaries, The Big Bang Theory, Reacher
• Something I must have: Books
• Favorite country you have visited: Ireland 🇮🇪
• Favorite take-out: Chinese
• My go-to karaoke song: Fishing in the Dark
• The music I last listened to was: Back Street Boys
• I’m addicted to: Reading
• My favorite quote is: "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page," St. Augustine
• My most loved thing about traveling? Immersing myself in all the different cultures and trying all the new foods
• Favorite flower: Sunflower 🌻
• Beach or Mountains: Mountains
• City or country: Country
• 3 random things about you: I am both introverted and extroverted, I am currently obtaining my masters degree in marketing, and my favorite color is green

07/03/2024

🥁 Dum Roll Please 🥁

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure to the Emerald Isle? The SW Iowa Youth Travels Abroad group is headed to IRELAND in 2025! Open to all current 7th through 11th grade students. 🍀🏰

Explore the vibrant streets of Dublin, kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence, and marvel at the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. 🏞️ Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or simply seeking a new experience, Ireland has something for everyone.

RSVP to the Informational Meeting at https://bit.ly/48Oruiu ‼️ Registration for this session is mandatory to help organize our meeting, and a parent or guardian must attend. Can't make it? Choose "No, but send info" so you don't miss out.

🌍✈️ Don't miss out on this magical opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this amazing country. RSVP to the informational meeting now to learn more and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!

06/03/2024

📣 Exciting News Alert️! 🌍 Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure? ✈️ Pack your bags and get ready to explore the world with us on our upcoming travel opportunity that you won't want to miss!

🗺️ I am very excited to announce our 2025 + 2026 travel plans! The tours will be announced separately over the next two days, but there will be ONE informational meeting later this month.

🎉 Stay tuned for more details on this incredible travel experience - get ready to broaden your horizons, meet new friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime! 🌴🌄 Let's make this trip the best one yet! Who's excited to join us on this amazing journey?

01/03/2024

I am very excited to announce that one of our Greece & Italy student travelers has been selected as a EF's Global Citizen Scholarship 2024 Recipient! This scholarship is highly esteemed as it is awarded to only 100 students nationwide. Help me in congratulating Grant on this amazing accomplishment! 🥳👏

"Grant truly blew us away with his insight, curiosity, passion, and unique perspective," said the EF education representative who presented the scholarship.

To learn more about EF's scholarship opportunities, visit eftours.com/global-citizen

27/02/2024

Looking at 2025 / 2026 travel plans! Where do students want to travel next? React to your #1 choice!

Where we have already been:
✈️ London, Paris, the Swiss Alps (SU 2022)
✈️ Greece & Italy (SU 2024)

31/01/2024

Can we start packing yet?! 👀

I am getting so excited for our upcoming Greece & Italy Tour! Travelers and parents, please be watching your emails for the next couple weeks for important information about our "5 Month Out" meeting!

06/06/2023

414 days until Greece & Italy!

23/04/2023

Do you know the difference between a tourist and a traveler? A tourist wants to travel to escape life while a traveler wants to experience it. Be a traveler. ✈️🗺️

28/02/2023

Miss the winter enrollement period for Greece & Italy 2024? That is okay! I am opening up a spring enrollment period for any additional travelers who wants to join in on the fun.

RSVP to the spring parent meeting on Sunday, March 19th at 6 PM by going to https://bit.ly/3J1E2JS

This study aborad opportunity is not affiliated with any school district and students are welcome from everywhere!

05/02/2023

Love getting new travel books from EF! Where do future travelers want to go next? Comment below. It’s not too early to be thinking about 2025 👀✈️🗺️!!

01/02/2023

I am thinking of all those hurting in our communities.

09/01/2023

For anyone in this county who wants to get a head start on their passports for Greece & Italy!

EAST POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY PASSPORT DAYS
More information can be found here:
https://www.pottcounty-ia.gov/departments/recorder/passports/