y2 y brochure_2012
TRANSCRIPT
delivering education :: inspiring action delivering education :: inspiring action
SUMMER2013WORLD CAMP
delivering education :: inspiring action
YOUTH TO YOUTH OUTREACH
welcome TO SERVICE ADVENTURE
“The very nature of World Camp makes this experience so unique; it’s not simply a service trip or an adventure trip, but one that combines the two. The experience deconstructs barriers between the two worlds, bringing me closer to the children and volunteers I worked with. I know that I have grown as a global citizen from this trip to Malawi, and I hope a child has grown to become a more knowledgeable community member.
I know one thing for sure - the kids, the laughter, the sweat, the dreams, the friends, will all remain a special place in my heart.”
-Karen Li, Y2Y Volunteer
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HISTORY andPHILOSOPHYW O R L D C A M P ’ S Y O U T H T O Y O U T H P R O G R A M I S A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE LEARNING TRIP DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SERVICE AND ADVENTURE.
F o u n d e d i n 2 0 0 0 Wo r l d C a m p i s a n international non-profit organization that offers service learning opportunities for high school and university students in Malawi, Africa.
World Camp volunteers immerse themselves in the lives of our partner communities and truly participate in collaborative development work. Over the course of a decade more than 500 volunteers have gained life-long commitments to service, strengthened their multicultural understanding, and built valuable leadership skills.
Most importantly, World Camp offers students unparalleled opportunities for personal growth from an ambitious blend of service, cultural immers ion and adventure tha t ins t i l l s confidence as future leaders.
your EXPERIENCEWHAT YOU DOAt World Camp we believe in the power of young people and that the most efficient way of learning is by doing. We don’t just ask you to observe global issues, we ask you to act on the solutions, because positive, ethical leaders can change the world.
Based on these beliefs our Youth to Youth program offers young people the opportunity to travel, learn, experience, to empower and be empowered. The focus of your trip is to expand your own knowledge and skills, while inspiring others to take action against locally challenging issues, especially those related to poverty and disease.
YOUR TRIPYour trip begins with a group flight led by a World Camp trip leader from the United States. You will meet fellow team members who will soon become fast friends. This trip is active from the first moment you arrive in Malawi. World Camp’s leadership team will provide you with an intensive orientation, preparing you for the experiences ahead.
Over the next four weeks, you will immerse yourself in the urban and rural cultures of Malawi. For many students, this may be the first time they have spent an extended period of time away from the comforts of the modern world. You will balance your time between World Camp’s residence in the capital Lilongwe, and World Camp’s rural program sites.
You will spend fun-filled days soaking up village life and starry nights on group home-stays. As a Youth to Youth volunteer you will serve alongside your teammates and World Camp’s leadership team as you teach, build, and share.
MEANINGFUL FIELDWORKYou will meet inspired people, discover new confidence and develop skills that you never knew you had. We take pride in building strong teams who work with our partners in Malawi. Your field work is based on the needs and understanding of the communities and directly benefits local initiatives.
All of World Camp’s outreach programs are founded with strong sustainability objectives and empower local individuals and communities to achieve self-sufficiency whenever possible.
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what SETS US APARTWorld Camp’s direct, hands-on approach assures that volunteers engage locally challenging issues in an effective and rewarding manner. Unlike many other programs, World Camp does not transfer its volunteers to smaller organizations or massive international aid projects. World Camp takes pride in having ownership of all local projects where volunteers serve.
We are a small non-profit organization that has been able to adapt service adventure trips to fit the cultural contexts of our work in Malawi, and the result is a locally designed, culturally applicable program that excites, inspires, and empowers local communities.
One of our core values is to promote a culture of exchange tha t enab les the in te r nat iona l community to contribute directly to education, development, and conservation projects. We believe that an increase in the debate and discussion of values, beliefs and practices influences social change.
We believe in young people and in the power and importance of education and experience to bring about positive growth.
the world camp DIFFERENCE
SMALL GROUPSOur teams are designed to be no bigger than 10 students with 2 experienced trip leaders. This creates the best opportunity for students to experience the fun, the growth, and the adventure of the Youth to Youth program.
LEADERSHIPOur leadership teams are experienced international travelers and often received their start as a volunteer with World Camp. They posses a blend of skills, competence, teaching ability, and genuinely enjoy being role models and friends to our students. They are passionate educators, eager to impart their deep understanding of local culture and traditions.
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6PROGRAM DIVERSITYWith your team you will have multiple opportunities to work alongside community members on a pre-selected project. Typically these projects are focused on working with local youth.
ADVENTURESWeekends are devoted to exploring urban life and destinations to take in the unique culture and landscape of Malawi. Trips are scheduled to the magnificent Lake Malawi and South Luangwa National Park in Zambia for a safari.
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7 SAFARISAFARI SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARKSouth Luangwa is Zambia’s premier game viewing park where you can enjoy a unique type of habitat seldom seen elsewhere in Africa. Lying on the valley floor between the meandering Luangwa River and the steep Muchinga Escarpment, this is the best national park in Zambia and one of the finest in all of Africa.
Placed halfway through your program, you have the opportunity to join an optional expedition to nearby South Luangwa National Park. Experts have dubbed the park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world with an abundance of wild game concentrated around the Luangwa River, which is the most intense in all of Africa.
BASE PROGRAM FEES DO NOT INCLUDE EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS EXPEDITION - FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit www.worldcamp.co
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8EXCURSIONSEXPERIENCE FOREIGN CULTURE REACH NEW HEIGHTSUse the World Camp residence as a base for exploration. Spend nights soaking up village life on home-stays, hike Mt. Nkhoma, and explore local markets. Weekends are spent exploring World Camp outreach projects or traveling to nearby destinations to take in the unique culture and landscape.
Just as important as the satisfaction you’ll feel from giving back will be your personal journey that unfolds amidst new friendships - jostling down dirt roads and city streets as the sun slowly reveals the magnificence of bright eyed children with two handed waves, women carrying firewood on their heads, bicycle commuters, and eager smiles.
FOR DAY BY DAY ITINERARIES, PHOTOS, STORIES, AND MORE INFORMATION, visit www.worldcamp.co
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9 LAKE MALAWIEXPERIENCE AFRICA’S GREAT LAKELake Malawi is the second deepest lake in Africa, the third largest lake in Africa, and the eighth largest lake in the world. The great lake’s tropical waters are the habitat for more species of fish than any other body of freshwater on earth.
This vast body of freshwater fringed by beaches of golden sand is not only a scenic wonderland, with it’s deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, but it also provides a quiet setting for reflection. Your adventure with World Camp will leave you with a fresher, better perspective on life, a sense of accomplishment, and a drive to be a better person.
FOR DAY BY DAY ITINERARIES, PHOTOS, STORIES, AND MORE INFORMATION, visit www.worldcamp.co
our LEADERSHIP your SAFETYOur leadership team is comprised of experienced leaders and passionate educators with a blend of competence and teaching abilities. They genuinely enjoy interacting with groups of young people. World Camp has a firm belief that learning should be fun, something our staff exemplify and our volunteers attest to every day.
To us, there is no question that one of the most important aspects of any adventure is the quality of its leaders. Successful organizations need leaders at every level. At World Camp the strong character and charisma of our staff serves as the foundation for our success. Our leaders offer more than guidance, as they serve as mentors, teachers, and friends - they embody the ethos of World Camp, that young people have the ability to become agents of change in the world.
World Camp offers an environment where volunteers test their limits while insuring their well being. Safety is our foremost concern and is continually taught and practiced throughout every trip, and volunteers play an integral role in the safety of the entire team.
We take great pride in our excellent safety record and strive to maintain a safe and quality experience for our volunteers. World Camp offers well-designed programs with detailed safety protocols for all activities. International travel inherently includes a certain amount of risk. Our expert leadership team follows carefully crafted policies and protocols to handle any kind of personal, local, or international emergency.
As a team we must learn to manage risks daily when traveling in a foreign country. Whereas safety is not something we can guarantee, safety is always on our mind. We stay closely attuned to local happenings, and monitor all news and information. We are committed to operating the safest possible programs and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety.
“How will I ever be able to put this experience into words that will fully justify all that it means to me...everyone has made an impact on me and taught me so many things.”
-Kemia, 2003
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delivering EDUCATION
“The feel ings of being overwhelmed and heartache are easier to digest and that glimmer of hope easier to hold on to when you open up to those around you. It’s amazing how close you can become with someone in only 5 short weeks.”
-Carolyn Behrend
“I feel good, like I put in a hard days work, and really did make such a bright impact on so many people’s lives.”
-Andy Shapiro
“I have so much in my heart to say, but it flashes in pictures through my soul and I know I can’t find the words. This has been the absolutely most amazing experience of my entire life.”-Margo Mullinax
“A whole new world was opened to me, an entirely fresh perspective with which to view everything.”-Elena Clark
“I have not become a different person, but a truer version of myself closer to my own essence. I’ve learned what I can live without and to value what I have in my life.”-Michelle Marlow
“Everyday in Malawi, my experience stretches any expectation I had before coming...each conversation teaches me something new.”-Dean Drescher
“On this trip I have found amazing people who have both made me laugh and held me when I cried. I am blessed to have been given this opportunity to do something - no matter how small my part.”-Erica Johnson
inspiring ACTION
DO I NEED ANY EXPERIENCE?Absolutely not! One unique aspect about World Camp is that our groups are comprised of experienced travelers and first-timers. Together your different levels complement one another as you share a collective experience.
HOW LONG IS MY TRIP?In our experience the longer the trip the greater the reward. Our four and a half week program is the ideal length of stay to develop new skills and forge new friendships.
WILL I TRAVEL ALONE?Wherever you go you’ll have the support of your group and a World Camp Program Coordinator. In fact, your trip leader will meet you in Washington, DC for a group flight to Malawi. Safety is our top priority and your dedicated trip leader will be there every step of the way.
CAN I BRING A FRIEND?Many people prefer the added adventure of not knowing anyone prior to their trip. However, we believe in team work and if you and a friend work well together and can incorporate that into a larger group, we welcome as many friends as you can bring.
WHAT ARE THE GROUPS LIKE?One of the true benefits of the World Camp experience is meeting and traveling with diverse individuals. Unique bonds are formed in just a few short weeks and can rarely be duplicated. Volunteers primarily come from all over the United States, with some students joining us from Canada, Europe and Australia. Co-ed groups usually consist of 5-10 students with two P r o g r a m C o o r d i n a t o r s . A l l Y 2 Y participants are between the ages of 15 and 17.
WHERE DO WE SLEEPYour accommodation varies throughout your trip. We make separate sleeping arrangements for boys and girls. Much of your time will be spent in the spacious Word Camp residence in Lilongwe, offering the conveniences of western amenities. During home-stays you’ll experience traditional rural living in mud-brick homes. While on safari you’ll rest your head beneath the starry skies in spacious tents.
WHO ARE OUR TRIP LEADERS?We take great care to select our Program Coordinators as we believe they make the difference in your experience. One of your trip leaders will be a former World Camp volunteer who has been selected based on their outstanding leadership abilities, and their knowledge and love for our work in Malawi. Often they are recent college graduates or graduate students who love sharing their knowledge about World Camp and Malawi.
Once you arrive in Malawi your team will be joined by one of our Malawi National Program Coordinators. Our local team leaders are the foundat ion of our leadership team and are selected based on their exceptional field work and love of working with teenagers.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO C O N T A C T U S W I T H A N Y ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
HOW DO I APPLYBecause we have a limited number of openings, applications are processed as they are received. Our trips fill up early so we encourage you to submit your application and trip deposit before the deadline. To apply simply visit our website www.worldcamp.co and review the program information. When you’re ready you can follow the easy application instructions for our online form. You will be contacted by someone from World Camp once we receive your application.
ADMISSION PROCESSThere are a few short steps in our admissions process. In addition to your application we require one letter of recommendation, a resume, and a travel form you sign with your parents.
PROGRAM DEPOSITOnce accepted you must submit a non-refundable deposit to confirm your trip. Your deposit is tax-deductible and will be applied towards your full program fee. The $250 deposit may be submitted by check or charged to a credit card.
PROGRAM FEESYour program fees help support the operational costs of World Camp projects in the schools and communities you will be serving in Malawi. Because World Camp is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization the program fee is tax deductible in the U.S. All fees must be paid in U.S. dollars and final payment must be received prior to the start of your program.
ADDITIONAL COSTSYour program fee does not include domestic, international or in country airfare. Additional costs associated with your trip include, but may not be limited to, costs associated with obtaining
immunizations, traveler’s insurance, souvenirs, and the optional safari.
TRIP CANCELATIONDue to the extensive organization involved with your trip, and the seasonal nature of our program World Camp is unable to offer fee refunds or the reduction of program fees for late arrival or early departure. Investments will have already been made in staffing, planning, and scheduled service projects for the group as a whole not a per person basis.
REFUND POLICYIf you must cancel or leave a course for any reason including dismissal all program fees are non-refundable. If you must cancel a course due to an emergency medical or family emergency a portion of your program fees may be applied to a future course.
If World Camp must cancel a program for any reason, all of your program fees will be applied to a future program of your choice.
OUR OFFICEWe are here to assist you through every step of your journey. World Camp is proud of our ability to provide personalized support and guidance. You should feel free to contact us with any questions you might have planning your trip. Call us at 8 2 8 . 2 5 4 . 2 3 3 9 o r b y e m a i l a t [email protected]
WE ARE WITH YOU FOR EVERY STEP OF YOUR JOURNEY, FROM START TO FINISH.
questions and ANSWERS program DETAILS
