We are delighted to be expanding our CAS Trips destinations, adding Spain to the list of countries we visit! We have already hosted several successful trips to Barcelona and have been blown away by the quality and enthusiasm offered by our activity partners in the jewel of Catalonia. Service Learning in Barcelona provides many opportunities to explore the UN SDGs in creative and meaningful ways.
From a unique community farm that focuses on innovative technology and sustainable agriculture to a deep dive into the artistic techniques that made Antoni Gaudí a household name — our Barcelona itinerary has something for everyone!
Today, we would like to share more insight into what a trip to Barcelona looks like with CAS Trips. This bustling, historic seaside city has an excellent range of fine architecture, historical monuments, sustainability initiatives, and so much more. Let’s get started!
Service learning in Barcelona: Exploring a tech farm in the Catalan countryside
One of our favorite activities in Barcelona is a full-day trip to Bosquet d’Alella — a small family farm and vineyard located several miles outside the city in the stunning Spanish countryside. Here, students escape the hustle and bustle to discover fruit trees, arable land, grazing land for farm animals, and abundant resources for green tech research and development!
Unique in this respect, this unique ‘green tech’ farm is on a mission to help young people interact with green technologies and get closer to nature, bringing together ancient skills and cutting edge tech-solutions to develop the tools needed to improve the planet. While engaging in a range of activities integral to the functioning of the farm, students have a chance to learn about nature, sustainable agriculture, and how technology can help us conserve resources and combat climate change.
On our recent trips, students really enjoyed interacting with FarmBot, an open-source 3D-printed gardening machine designed to teach robotics. The Farmbot robot mounts and dismounts gardening tools automatically. Young users simply drag and drop pre-coded blocks to get the FarmBot to perform particular functions. Overall, we found students loved learning about robotics and how technology can be used to foster a positive relationship with nature.
A chance to create a Gaudí-inspired original
Of course, no trip to Barcelona is complete without exploring the work of one of the most famous and influential figures in the city’s history— Antoni Gaudi. A renowned architect whose unique and innovative designs have left an indelible mark on Barcelona’s landscape, students get to explore his craft by visiting famous sights such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell and through a hands-on mosaic workshop.
The art form of mosaic has been practiced for thousands of years and has been used in creating many iconic works of art and architecture, including the mosaics found in Gaudi’s buildings. By studying Gaudi’s use of mosaic-making in his work, students would gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate details and artistic vision that went into the construction of these buildings—leading to a richer experience while exploring the rest of the city. They would also learn about the cultural and historical context of these works of art, and how they reflect the values and beliefs of the people who created them.
Experimenting with Spanish cuisine and so much more!
Our itinerary in Barcelona is rounded out by other activities that honor the local culture, including a cooking challenge where students create dishes like Crema Catalana, Romesco, Paella de Verduras, and Tortilla de Patatas. Unsurprisingly, this is often a group favorite 🙂
While cooking and tasting the four-course menu, students are also prompted to reflect on food waste, how to prepare food mindfully, and appreciate all the skills and techniques for making a meal.
We also touch on other UN SDGs and sustainability discussions through CAS Trips-developed activities like our signature slow fashion challenge and ocean protection-informed beach clean-up.
Come experience Catalonia’s unique culture in Barcelona
Barcelona is a vibrant and exciting city, and it offers an excellent opportunity for young people to learn about art, sustainability, and protecting our environment through Service Learning. Catalonia’s powerful sense of regional pride and passion is felt throughout Barcelona, making it the perfect destination for students eager to embrace and experience the area’s language, culture, and food.
You can find out more about our activities in Barcelona and download a sample itinerary here.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have questions about any of our programs or the destinations we travel to!
