Program Description
The Leading the Way program covers core Global Explorers educational components including science, culture, leadership and service. Participants complete preparatory coursework which helps prepare the students mentally, physically, emotionally and intellectually for a life-changing journey.
Participants also attend a weekend training retreat in Colorado with Erik Weihenmayer, months before the expedition. The focus of the retreat is building leadership, community, trust and teamwork skills among participants. Guiding techniques for the upcoming international and outdoor experiences are taught as well.
Service is a core component of each and every Global Explorers program. There are two, structured opportunities for service in the Leading the Way program. Below is a brief description of each and what we hope to accomplish through these opportunities.
Field Service: A service project conducted during your field workshop with community members. The purpose is to engage students of different cultures, in a joint project, and thereby offer opportunities for cross-cultural exchange; to give back to the community you are visiting. Examples include building trails in a national park in Mexico or building a community garden in the Arctic.
Service Leadership Project : A student-driven service project conducted after the field workshop. The purpose is to serve as a culminating project that ties the program together; to teach students that they can work together to make a difference in the world and to launch them out into the world as servant-leaders. Examples include: identify the needs of the community you visited on your field workshop and raise awareness and funds back home to meet some of those needs; build awareness at home about urban poverty issues; public speaking about people with disabilities.
Program Calendar
Program Duration- 9 months
Field Workshop- 10 to 20 days
Colorado Training Retreat- 3 days
Fall 2008: Applications and Registration
Winter/Spring 2009: Fundraising, Colorado Training Retreat, and Virtual Coursework
Summer 2009: Travel, Field Workshop, and Field Service Project
Fall 2009: Service Leadership Project and Certificate of Completion
Recommended Age and Maturity Level
Global Explorers is seeking capable, mature and confident students who feel that this experience will help their personal growth and discovery. This program is specifically designed for high school and undergraduate college students (including “rising” eight grade students through college seniors). Maturity level will be considered when determining whether students are appropriate candidates for this program.
Accommodations
Lodge-based programs:
Accommodations are rustic, cozy and comfortable. Rooms are equipped with mosquito nets, linens, and lanterns. Many lodges do not have electricity or hot water, but there is plenty of water for washing and abundant purified water for drinking. Food is fresh, healthy and delicious.
Trekking based programs:
The accommodations on this adventure range from very comfortable hotels in to the rustic beauty of camping. While on the trail, your tents will be carried and assembled by your porters. Meals will be served in a large, portable dining tent.
Flexibility
We do everything we can to ensure a positive workshop experience. Because we can not control all aspects of our workshops (like when monkeys will choose to cross our path), we may need to slightly alter the workshop itinerary on-site. We reserve the right to make these changes in the interest of enjoyment, education, logistics or safety. In order to make these changes smooth, we rely on your cooperation and flexibility.
Safety
We take this topic seriously and ask that all workshop participants do the same. We take an enormous amount of care in preparing our workshops to minimize safety risks and we have created rules and regulations accordingly. It is very important that all travelers obey the rules and regulations set forth by Global Explorers staff, guides and lodge managers.
Physical Fitness Level
All of our workshops are designed for adventurous participants! We suggest participants prepare both physically and mentally for their workshops in order to get the most out of the experience. Conditions may be taxing for some travelers. Please call us for more details and discuss any concerns with your physician.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We are able to refund a portion of your payments if cancellation becomes necessary. A withdrawal schedule will be made available with a payment schedule so you will know the details before you begin payment. We sincerely regret having to strictly adhere to this schedule but we begin sending non-refundable payments for lodging and transportation and incur other costs long before the workshop.
Tuition
The 2009 tuition is yet to be determined. We encourage all participants to apply regardless of financial need. Past participants have fundraised 30-100% of their program costs with the help of Global Explorers.
Included in the Tuition
Program Expenses:
Program t-shirt, workshop journal, textbook(s), curriculum materials, and year-long support.
Colorado Training Retreat Expenses:
Airfare between your home city and Denver, Colorado as well as all meals (unless specified), lodging, ground transfers, basic level of tips, and basic level of travel insurance.
Field Workshop Expenses:
All travel expenses within your destination country, all meals (unless specified), all lodging, all ground transfers, airport departure taxes, basic level of tips for guides and other services, basic level of travel insurance, service project materials and two Global Explorers Field Workshop Coordinators.
Not Included in the Tuition
Airfare between your home city and your international destination, passport, immunizations (and any other medications recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, your county health department, and/or your family physician), and any personal items.