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> Welcome to VentureCo Worldwide
Latest News -
ECUADOR UPDATE
Following the road traffic accident suffered
by the VentureCo group in Ecuador on 12th April 2008 :
VentureCo continue to extend our sympathy to families,
friends and all those affected by the recent tragic events in Ecuador.
The VentureCo Trust has launched a memorial fund to receive any donations
sent in memory of Sarah, Lizzy, Emily, Becci and Indira. The Memorial
Fund will be used to provide educational resources for the children of
Puerto Lopez in Ecuador. For further information about the VentureCo Trust,
please call 01926 411 122
Many people have been expressing their loss through
our online Book of Condolence, and we invite you to join them. The Book
of Condolence will close on 14 May 2008.
Click here to read
the current messages.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends
of all the Venturers, and we ask that they can be allowed to mourn respectfully,
peacefully and without intrusion.
We will keep this news spot updated over the coming days.
VentureCo’s multi-phase travel programmes incorporate development
projects, expeditions and adventure travel in Asia, Africa, South America
and Central America. If you’re taking a Gap Year, considering a Career
Break or just fancy a working holiday with a difference you can combine
these elements into your travel plans and achieve what you never believed
possible.
How does it work?
Our Ventures are a combination of complementary phases. For example, in
South America we combine a Spanish language phase with a Project Phase
and an Expedition Phase to make one Venture. Each phase reveals a different
aspect of your host country and together they produce one massive travel
experience.
Participation in the Venture is the most important element
of its success. After looking through this website you’ll realise that
VentureCo do not operate guided tours, our Venturers are team players
with considerable input to the everyday running of each phase. Every day
you’ll be doing something new and around every corner is the inevitable
adventure of a personal challenge.
VentureCo and your Gap Year
Gap Year Ventures are for school leavers taking time off before entering
University or employment. Venturers are aged between 17 and 20 and applicants
are taken from the UK and overseas.
VentureCo and your Career Break or
Sabbatical
Career Gap Ventures will appeal to those taking a career break or sabbatical
from work or university. There is no upper age limit although the majority
of participants are aged between 21 and 35 years old.
Using this website
There are over 200 pages on the VentureCo Website and it’s growing bigger
each month! The full VentureCo Programme can be seen on the links to the
left. “Ventures” are from 12 to 15 weeks duration. “Summer Ventures” are
from 2 to 6 weeks duration. All Ventures are multi-phase combinations
of the following elements:
- Before you go.
All our Ventures include in the price a travel safety day (for itineraries
2 to 6 weeks long) or a 3-day Travel Safety Course (for itineraries
12 to 15 weeks long). During these courses you will meet your travel
companions, gain tips on preparing for your time overseas and prepare
for what lies in store.
-
Cultural Orientation and Language
Schools
Each Venture incorporates an element of in-country Cultural Orientation
to get you up and running. As you step off the plane onto the sizzling
tarmac you're met by a member of the VentureCo Crew, and the Cultural
Orientation begins. During this first phase of the Venture getting
out and about is what it's all about; you'll soon develop an understanding
of the values, traditions and social etiquette's of the local culture.
In South and Central America learning or improving your Spanish language
skills is a top priority. After this "work hard/play hard" phase you
will be comfortable living within the host culture and will be ready
to "hit the road".
-
Working with the VentureCo Charity
to benefit local communities
The VentureCo Trust is our UK registered charity and it currently
supports essential and sustainable projects in: Belize, Ecuador, Galapagos
Islands, Peru, India, Nepal, Uganda, Tanzania and Cambodia. As an
Adventure Volunteer you could be getting to grips with one of our
conservation and community projects that really make a difference.
-
Overseas Travel and seeing the
World for real
The world’s big sites such as Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, Angkor
Wat and the Serengeti should be on everyone’s list of “must do’s”
and you’ll certainly find these places and many more in our Venture
programme. For every “must do” however, is a lesser known site with
its own story to tell. With VentureCo you get beyond the tourist sites
and into the real world of everyday life in your host country.
-
Exploring Earth’s wilder places
True wilderness exploration is something we all dream of but to actually
do it requires planning, organisation and logistics. Travelling with
VentureCo you become part of an expedition team that explores the
world’s jungles, mountains and deserts. We go to places that you probably
can’t even pronounce and prepare you to look after yourself when you
get there.
-
Responsible Travel
VentureCo’s multi-phase travel programme embodies the spirit of Responsible
Travel by recognising the benefits and drawbacks that overseas travel
brings to destinations around the world. We do our best to maximise
the benefits and minimise the drawbacks, everyone has a part to play
and everyone has a better trip as a result.
The VentureCo Travel Checklist
- Cultural introduction and language school to integrate traveller
and host.
- Cultural experiences in world heritage sites, teeming cities, remote
mountain communities and offshore islands.
- Essential and sustainable development projects funded by The VentureCo
Trust, a charity registered in England & Wales number 1111268
- Adventure volunteering in cities, jungles, deserts, mountains and
national parks
- Adventurous journeys that cross continents
- Wilderness expeditions that go “One step beyond”
- Small group travel and new experiences with new friends
- Be practical and learn something new – language skills, project
skills & expedition skills.
- Expert training provided at every phase of the Venture
- Expert leaders accompany each group, they are trained, specialised
and passionate about travel
- Responsible Travel brings
sustainable benefits to our host communities
- Personal development and experiential learning.
- Strengthening your problem solving, communication & team-working
skills
- The best back-up in the business to prepare you before you go, guide
you whilst you’re there and get you home again!
Whether you want an adventure and travel experience that explores to the
roof of Africa, an opportunity to volunteer and live in a remote Peruvian
village, the chance to become a Buddhist Monk for the day in Cambodia,
to trek to Everest Base Camp or through dense jungle in Belize…..you need
look no further!
Quotes from those who have
been there and done that in 2006!
“The trip of a lifetime! I’ve done amazing things with
great people and with a feeling of security that travelling with a group
gives you. Thanks VentureCo for an amazing time!”
Amy Turner, Inca Venture. Gap Year.
“I had the best time ever and it exceeded my expectations
so much! I’ve gained so much more than I thought I would from this – new
friends, new skills, greater confidence to travel and meet people, a more
open outlook on life. And of course I saw some amazing sights and scenery.”
Jess Haigh, Patagonia Venture. Career Break.
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