CLIMBING mountains, trekking through the jungle, and working with turtles are just some of the things a teenager will be encountering on an expedition to Central America. Alison Duffy, 17, of Green Drift, Royston, will be one of 13 students from North Her

CLIMBING mountains, trekking through the jungle, and working with turtles are just some of the things a teenager will be encountering on an expedition to Central America.

Alison Duffy, 17, of Green Drift, Royston, will be one of 13 students from North Herts and South Cambs, travelling to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico on a month-long expedition in July.

The trip, organised by World Challenge Expeditions aims to educate young people.

Alison who has already travelled to Morocco on an expedition, said: "I hope to meet lots of new people and put something back into the community."

Projects Alison may get involved with include painting a school, teaching English, and working with turtles on a conservation project.

The former Bassingbourn Village College pupil, who hopes to become a primary school teacher, chose central America because it is such a 'varied' country.

She said: "You can be on the coast, up mountains, or in the jungle. The fact I'm going somewhere off the beaten track is going to be amazing."

One of the highlights for Alison will be climbing the highest mountain in Central America - Tajamulco, which is a volcano.

"It's going to be a real challenge," she said.

"I'm also looking forward to meeting different people and immersing myself in the communities."

In the future the A level student who attends Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge hopes to do a conservation project on Kangaroo Island, south of Australia.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Alison should call her on 01763 249614 or email her at ali.duffy@aol.com