Galapagos Venture

• Overview & Itinerary
• Phase 1
• Phase 2
• Phase 3
• UK Travel Safety Course
• Skills & Experiences
• Field conditions
• Dates & Prices
• Image Gallery

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Skills & Experience Gained

VentureCo’s 3 phase approach to travel allows you to learn and develop a broad range of both practical and “soft” skills, which will prove invaluable when travelling independently, and in future study or employment.

"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, 2006

During Galapagos Venture you will find yourself in many situations for the first time, there will be problems in need of solutions and you may find yourself challenged from time to time. These are the experiences that make the Venture so worthwhile and the skills that you develop will last you a lifetime! Here are just some examples of what Galapagos Venture could do for you!

Phase1: Language School and Cultural Orientation

• Develop your Spanish oral, writing and reading skills.
• Learn about a different culture, particularly during the home-stay in Cusco.
• Learn about the food, dance and music and do it!
• Appreciate the differences between you and your host country;
• Appreciate the similarities between you and your host country, which is greater?
• Experience the trials and tribulations of working with disadvantaged children on the Amigos project in Peru

Phase2: Community Development Projects

• Develop your navigation and mountain leadership skills.
• Gain experience of high altitude trekking.
• Bushcraft: Learn how to travel responsibility, causing the minimum disruption to communities and habitats.
• Learn about the unique fauna and flora and unusual wildlife of South America, from the High Andes to deepest Amazon and on to the Galapagos.
• Gain an understanding of expedition planning and group management, including risk assessment, group security and arranging food, accommodation and transport.
• Learn about safety and hygiene whilst in the field.
• Learn to cook for 3 people (your “tent group”) on a specialist high altitude MSR camping stove!
• Learn about campcraft: setting, managing and striking camps so that the environment doesn’t know you were ever there! [link to “responsible travel” statement]

Phase3: Wilderness Expedition

• Develop your environmental awareness and see how conservation work, community needs and eco-tourism have to work hand-in-hand for the best possible outcome.
• Develop practical construction skills and experience on the building projects.
• Acquire project management skills, working to a defined budget and timescale.
• Improve your communication skills as you liaise with the project co-ordinator, local craftsmen and the rest of your team.

Three Phases make One Venture

The experience of living, travelling and working in a foreign culture will inevitably develop your maturity, confidence and independence. Even before you begin the Venture, you will have gained experience in fundraising, travel safety and planning. VentureCo’s ethos is that you, the Venturer, plan, organise and lead as much of the Venture as possible. VentureCo provides a framework and leaders to guide you, but it’s up to the group to the make the trip happen. You will be responsible for organising, reviewing and executing the development projects. Similarly the itinerary during the expedition phase remains flexible, with the whole group deciding on a schedule and each Venturer leading a section of it. The communication, organisation, team-working and leadership skills that you develop as a result, will prove invaluable both at university and in future employment.

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