Climbing through the canopy of a tropical rain forest, paddling a dug-out canoe down the Amazon river, snorkeling on Belizean coral reefs, sailing among sperm whales on the Caribbean, walking among elephants on a foot safari …. these may seem like a naturalist’ dream come true, but they are also the best way to understand the ecology of tropical regions. Each year our students visit places such as South Africa, Peru, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Dominica to study tropical ecology through direct experience. With university professors and local naturalists to lead these trips they are substantive learning experiences … as well as unforgettable.