See you in San Juan!
Join us in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a personal development retreat led by 5-time TEDxTalk speaker Alex Sheen. This trip includes a unique mix of experiences designed to press the reset button after a tough two years. Each day includes a group volunteer experience and social activity. You will hear life perspectives from speakers like Katie Spotz, the youngest person to row a boat across the Atlantic Ocean unsupported, and other nonprofit leaders.
Package Includes
Package pricing:
Guests are responsible for round-trip flights. Proceeds benefit because I said I would, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and a portion of your trip is tax-deductible.
Email [email protected] with any questions!
Save $500 | Save $200 | ||
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Guests / Room | Early Bird (Before Feb 21st) | Last Chance Savings (through Mar 31st) | Full Price (April 1st – May 25th) |
1 | $1,999 / person | $2,299 / person | $2,499 / person |
2 | $1,750 / person | $1,900 / person | $1,999 / person |
3 | $1,666 / person | $1,766 / person | $1,833 / person |
4 | $1,625 / person | $1,700 / person | $1,750 / person |
Can’t afford a ticket? Enter to win!
Included Activities
Sunset Walking Tour (Old San Juan)
Explore the colorful buildings and charming streets of Old San Juan in a small group. discover the area’s key historic sites and gain new insight into Puerto Rican culture. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the many stories of the people who helped to define this unique neighborhood.
Snorkeling in San Juan
Explore the underwater world of Puerto Rico on a guided snorkeling adventure. Receive a lesson from a professional diver and enjoy a hassle-free outing with all the equipment you need. Then swim through the tropical waters and see brilliantly-colored tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures.
Tour of El Yunque Rainforest
Enjoy the lush, green landscapes and a healthy diversity of animal life of the only tropical rain forest under the protection of the US Forest Service.
Three Inspiring Volunteer Activities!
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”
– Winston Churchill
After distributing over 13M Promise Cards, because I said I would has come to realize that some of the best perspectives in life come from serving others. That’s why a big part of this personal development retreat is giving back through volunteerism.
The group, including our speakers, will be volunteering their time to complete 3 volunteer service projects in the local San Juan community. Leadership from the local organizations we partner with will share their perspective on what personal development means to the people they serve. See what projects and nonprofits we will be supporting during our trip with more details below.
Side note: San Juan is the poorest city with over 200,000 citizens in the entire United States. The island has been devastated by storms in the past and is still in recovery. We chose San Juan because we believe our tourist dollars and volunteer hours can make a positive impact in this specific region
Friday, May 27th: Painting Classrooms for Local Youth Center
Because I said I would understands the value of teaching our youth the importance of a promise, and works to provide social-emotional learning to the students involved in our programming. With this in mind, we have partnered with a local San Juan organization called Crearte, which offers services aimed at helping children and young people residing in high-risk communities to develop values through the arts. CREARTE offers social services and educational programs in the communities it serves, where students are invited to participate in programs aimed to build character and acquire values that promote healthy emotional development. In order to offer these programs and services to their local community, it is important that they have the space and facilities to do so. Because I said I would will be volunteering our time to help paint 7 classrooms in their center to help prepare them for their upcoming programs. While there we will have the opportunity to learn more about their work and the impact they make in the community
Saturday, May 28th: Hurricane Home Repairs
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall on the island of Puerto Rico as a Category 5 hurricane. The damage of this event was catastrophic, with more than 53% of structures on the island being impacted with major damage. As we enjoy the beauty of the island during our trip, we will make an impact in helping those affected by volunteering with SBP Puerto Rico, an organization committed to the recovery and rebuilding of areas affected by the disaster. Together as a group, we will work to rebuild local houses to help allow families to return to safe and secure homes. There are currently thousands of families who have been waiting for more than 3 years to move back into their homes. We will help make their dream a reality through hard work and a commitment of our time. Activities will include painting, scrapping, and demolition of homes alongside the SBP team.
Sunday, May 29th: Beach Trash Clean up
Puerto Rico is known for its natural beauty, yet trash and recycling is a known issue for the island. Most of Puerto Rico’s landfills fail to meet federal standards and are almost full. Residents and experts worry that trash will soon overwhelm the region. Aquatic trash can lead to declining fish populations, which can hurt communities that rely on fish, employment, income, and tourism. Furthermore, trash reduces the aesthetic and recreational value of waterfront destinations because trash washed up on shorelines or floating in the water is unappealing and possibly unsafe. While many efforts have been made by the residents of Puerto Rico through annual beach clean-ups, there is still work to be done. Because I said I would will help to keep the beaches of Puerto Rico clean, healthy and beautiful by participating in a local beach clean up during our stay,
Special Guests
Katie Spotz
After 70 days alone at sea, Katie Spotz became the youngest person to row the Atlantic ocean solo at age 22. No stranger to overcoming challenges, Katie ran across the Mojave desert unsupported, cycled across America twice and is also the first person to swim the 325-mile Allegheny River. Katie Spotz was named a 2010 Glamour Woman of the Year. Throughout her adventures, Katie wasn’t just seeking to make history. She was also raising money for safe drinking water projects around the world, totaling over $275,000 in funding.
Alex Sheen
As one of the world’s foremost experts on accountability and commitment, Alex is a five-time TEDxTalk speaker, author, podcast host, internationally-recognized humanitarian and Founder of the because I said I would movement. His work has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, the Steve Harvey Show, CNN, Fox News and many other programs.
Hotel & Travel
Hotel Accomodations
Find us in the buzzing Condado area, less than a kilometer from the beach and Puerto Rico Museum of Art. Historic Old San Juan attractions like El Morro and San Juan Bautista Cathedral are less than a 12-minute drive away. Enjoy our tropical courtyard, sparkling outdoor pool, and modern spa.
Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (IATA: SJU, ICAO: TJSJ), also known as San Juan Airport and Isla Verde International Airport, serves San Juan in Puerto Rico, being the busiest airport in the Caribbean by passenger traffic and its main gateway.
Transportation on the Island
Ground transportation to and from the hotel, San Juan airport and all activities will be provided. Ground transportation during free time will be covered by guests.
Meals
Two meals will be provided each day as a part of your package. This opens up the opportunity for you to explore the city during your free time and make independent choices for your third meal. We are still deciding on the schedule regarding which meals will be covered. Stay tuned!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport?
You do not need a passport. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and a territory of the United States.
Is there a group rate?
Yes! Each ticket is $2,500 with one room. You can add people to your room for only $1,500 per additional person, up to 4 people per room. The hotel charges for each extra person in a room, but we will cover that for you!
How much time with speakers?
Katie Spotz will be interacting with guests and participating in a vast majority of the schedule. Because there aren’t that many people on the trip, there will be plenty of time to interact with her and Alex Sheen, Founder of because I said I would. Alex will be the host for the trip and will lead a majority of the activities.
What is the full schedule?
The schedule is being finalized soon, but the most important thing to know is that we volunteer in the first part of the day and we have a social activity for the second part of the day. There will be plenty of free time, too! We know it’s nice to be able to explore on your own.
What is not included?
Roundtrip airfare and one meal each day are not included in the cost.
What is your cancellation policy?
If you cancel before April 1st, 100% of your ticket fee will be refunded minus a $100 administration fee.
If you cancel between April 2nd and April 30th, 80% of your ticket fee will be refunded.
If you cancel between May 1st and May 15th, 70% of your ticket fee will be refunded.
If you cancel between May 16th and May 25th, 40% of your ticket fee will be refunded.
No refunds will be given on or after May 26th.
Who can I call or email if I have a question?
Heidi Bermudez Martin, Executive Assistant to the Founder, can be reached by phone or text at 216-410-6428 or by email [email protected].
How are you handling COVID health and safety protocols?
One of the reasons we chose Puerto Rico is because of how seriously they take COVID. Puerto Rico is one of the most vaccinated places on the planet. The territory of Puerto Rico currently requires a proof of vaccination with an FDA or WHO-approved vaccine and also a negative COVID test taken in the 48 hours prior to a mass event, however, this may change with time. To stay current with Puerto Rico’s travel policies, please visit: https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/info/travel-guidelines. Because I said I would has run COVID prevention and response charitable programs and we take the disease very seriously.
What portion of my ticket goes to charity?
After all of our expenses are accounted for, we will inform ticket purchasers what portion is tax-deductible. We are still waiting on some vendor quotes to come in, so we can’t share this number just yet. Why? This is how tax-deductible tickets work for this trip: Only the amount of the purchase price that exceeds the fair market value of what the ticket purchasers receive is deductible as a charitable contribution. If the ticket purchaser pays an amount of money that exceeds the fair market value of what is received, then this excess is what can qualify as a tax-deductible charitable contribution. We are currently estimating that about $800 will be tax-deductible, but that isn’t certain yet and is subject to change.
What is Puerto Rico’s Currency?
The United States Dollar
Do I need to be able to speak Spanish?
No. English is an official language of Puerto Rico.