// The Expedition
During the expedition itself, the team will find themselves facing an array of challenges, from buying food in the marketplace, working in schools with local children, to making a dawn ascent of a challenging mountain. Expeditions serve as the perfect framework within which to develop young people and team members will find themselves learning and practising key life skills, including leadership, teamwork, communication, decision-making and planning.

Beginning the trek of the Nevado Ausangate Circuit, Peru Photo Paula Incerti

Travelling overseas
There are four main elements that make up most expedition programmes. These are not necessarily separate phases, but different aspects of the overall experience. They are as follows:
 Acclimatisation
 The trek, climb or other physical objective
 Interaction with the local community
 Cultural experiences

Acclimatisation
When the team first arrives in-country, they will undoubtedly experience a certain amount of culture shock, as they are bombarded with an array of sights, sounds, smells and experiences that they are previously unfamiliar with. Furthermore, team members may need to allow time for their bodies to acclimatise to a particular climate or altitude. As such, the first few days of any expedition are designed to allow participants to become accustomed to their new surroundings.

The trek, climb or other physical objective

Sumitting Cotopaxi

The main physical challenge of the expedition can vary from destination to destination. Whether it be trekking through the jungle, rafting a river or climbing volcanoes, this aspect of the expedition is designed to challenge every student to work together as part of the team. If, for example, the programme includes crossing a high pass requiring the use of ice axes and crampons, the programme will include an appropriate schedule of acclimatisation to the altitude and teams will practise the skills necessary with their leader in advance of the climb.

Interaction with the local community
Trekking through remote villages, students will have the chance to stop and chat to the local people. Such an opportunity allows team members to gain an insight into a very different way of life. Expeditions spend up to a week meeting local children, either at their school or in their villages, learning about their lives and joining them in either sports, music or song and dance. In many destinations, we have links to long-term projects, such as orphanages, schools or village communities. [more]

If a school visit is part of an expedition programme, Adventureworks teams often raise funds or collect sporting or educational equipment in advance and take it out with them.

Cultural experiences

Exploring Machu Picchu

Although the physical and teamwork aspects of experiencing a different environment may be considered the most challenging part of the expedition, often it is the cultural experiences that prove to be just as memorable. Whether watching the sun rise over the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu or walking barefoot amidst the majestic colonnades of the Taj Mahal, it's the time spent savouring the cultural aspects of the expedition, which frequently has the longest lasting effect on participants.

Educational Content
Adventureworks supports the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto and seeks to enable schools and youth groups to experience adventure through our courses and expeditions.

Adventureworks is also a member of the Educational Visits Advisory Council (EVAC) Safety Badge Working Group for Overseas Expeditions. This group is responsible for devising an accreditation scheme for commercial providers of overseas expeditions for school and youth groups. This 'Badge' is expected to be launched during 2007, from when Adventureworks will operate all overseas expeditions in compliance with the scheme.

Adventureworks supports the work of ISAAA and the OEAP and regularly works with schools that are members of these organisations. Adventureworks conforms to all codes of practice given by the ISAAA and OEAP on planning and delivering overseas expeditions and staff regularly attend their conferences and workshops and provide advice to members.

Adventureworks is also a member of YET and the EPA, which provide valuable advice and training for teachers and youth leaders organising overseas expeditions. We abide by their codes of practice. Visit www.theyet.org

Financial Security
Jagged Globe/Adventureworks expeditions that include flights are protected by our Air Travel Organiser's License (ATOL) granted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking. For further information, visit the ATOL website.

As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, Jagged Globe/Adventureworks has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tour Regulations 1992. This Bond provides security for and is restricted to monies paid by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the unlikely event of Jagged Globe/Adventureworks' insolvency.

Booking
We provide a quotation for your expedition and any training. We require a deposit of between £150 and £300 per person, depending on your destination, paid via the School. Alternatively, Adventureworks has a monthly payment plan, whereby parents or students are able to set up a monthly standing order direct to Adventureworks. Final payment to Adventureworks is due no later than 60 days before departure.