Book now to reserve your spot on Tom Rybus’ Memorial Bottle School Trip: February 25th to March 3rd, 2027 Booking Options Below

Tripping with Tom… a memorial bottle school trip.

On this trip you will help build Tommy’s school, helping meet the needs of a community in need of a school building. This unique structure is made out of eco-bricks: plastic bottles filled with trash by school children and their families. We will help assist local workers by pitching in with the building process. In addition to our work, there will be both fun and education, with talks about the history and culture of Guatemala as well as a day trip to a archeological ruin or another compelling place. We will also tour and get to know the community we are building in. They show us so much care and we hope to do the same.

Tom Rybus had a long and meaningful career as a teacher, and building Hug It Forward schools meant a lot to him. After his death in September 2025, we reflected on many wonderful trips with Tom; our time in Guatemala included many favorite memories. It is deeply satisfying to play a part in bringing a much-needed educational space to the community. We hope these trips will provide profound, lasting experiences for you and the school communities we aim to support.

Being married to Tom for 40 years was a gift. Another gift was that Tom and I were able to go on six bottle school trips. Each one was special in its own way. This trip will be focused on building a school in Tom’s memory, continuing his ongoing legacy of kindness, curiosity, and warmth.

Please check out hug it forward’s mission and the photos of past trips. And I hope you will consider being a part of this. It’s and unforgettable experience. (and the food is great)

How kids and communities build bottle schools

Pictures from our previous bottle school trips

Want to know more?

Visit the Hug It Forward web site to find out all about bottle schools.

Information about your trip

Please make sure you read all the information on this web site, including the Information section and the FAQ.

Book now by PayPal, check or Zelle

Book today to reserve your spot on our bottle school trip from February 25th to March 3rd, 2027.

What does this include?

You can reserve your spot by paying a $899.50 non-refundable deposit by October 25th, 2026, and the balance ($899.50) payable in full by January 25th, 2027.

Please make sure you have read the Terms and Conditions before booking.

Have you read the Terms and Conditions? After reading the Terms and Conditions, please click the “Yes” button to view the booking options.

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Available booking options below…

Option 1: Mail us a check (fees do not apply)

Mail a check payable to “Serve The World Today” to:
Serve The World Today
5810 Long Prairie Rd.
Suite 700 PMB 179
Flower Mound, TX 75028

Please write on the memo line of the check which trip you are attending

Send us an email to adam@hugitforward.org – please tell us:
- That you sent a check and what the amount was ($1,799 per person, or $899.50 if you are just paying a deposit now)
- Which trip the check is for
- The name on the check

Option 2: Pay using Zelle – please check with your bank to see if they offer Zelle as an option for transferring money (fees do not apply)

Log into your online banking
Choose to transfer money using the “Zelle” option
Enter our email address info@hugitforward.org and the amount $1,799 (or $899.50 if you are just paying a deposit now)
In the “Message” box, please enter which trip you are booking!
Send us an email to adam@hugitforward.org telling us that payment has been sent via Zelle

Option 3: Paying by PayPal (fees apply)

Click the “Buy Now” button on the right to pay the $1,799 cost of your voluntourism trip (plus $53.39 in PayPal fees).

Click the “Buy Now” button on the left to pay the $899 cost of your voluntourism trip (plus $28.74 in PayPal fees).

Please read the Terms and Conditions!