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New Explorers Program
The New Explorers Program is an initiative by The Exploration Foundation aimed at involving young adults in international cultural and adventure travel, followed by a program of creative and academic outlets through which participants can present their experience to the larger public. The New Explorers Program consists of two components: the experiential component and the dissemination component. Through donations and fundraising, the program will be free to participants. |
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Component I: The Experience
The Exploration Foundation organizes and directs the experiential component of the New Explorers Program. Specific content will vary, but will always involve outdoor-oriented travel to an international location (whitewater rafting in Honduras, hiking in Peru, etc) which will also include a cultural and service component while living and working in an community in the host country. All trips are led by Exploration Foundation personnel and chaperoned by one additional adult per five participants. The targeted participants will be graduating high school seniors.
Trip length might vary, but 14 days will be typical. Trips will be physically challenging but not dangerous beyond that inherent in any outdoor activity. Trips will feature one or more outdoor activities in conjunction with extensive contact with local communities including a service component arranged in cooperation with the local communities. Program participants will work side by side with local residents in a project selected by the community. Previous projects in similar trips included instruction in English, maintenance and construction at primary schools, work on infrastructure in protected areas, the construction of public areas at a national park, and neighborhood beautification programs.
All service providers with the exception of international airlines will be locally or regionally owned, with the majority of hotels, transportation, and restaurants being family owned. More than 75% of the cost of the trip will remain in the host country, providing a real and substantial benefit to local businesses and the host communities. |
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Component II: Dissemination
In order to maximize the value of the experience, the Exploration Foundation’s New Explorers Program has included a system for participants to share their experiences, in a variety of formats. There are four parts to the dissemination component of the program. 1) A speaker series will be set up, in the public schools and other venues, including Exploration Foundation events. Individual participants or a small panel of participants will have the opportunity to speak briefly about their experiences, emphasizing any aspect they wish. 2) A second series of presentations will be created for other types of presentations, including but not limited to theater, music, visual arts, and spoken word or poetry. 3) With the cooperation of local periodicals, participants will have the opportunity to publish prose, poetry, or visual art that has grown out of their experience. Finally, 4) a period publication by The Exploration Foundation will feature works by recent program participants, including prose, poetry, and all types of visual art. This will be available online and as hardcopies, and will be made available to local public and school libraries.
The purpose of this multifaceted dissemination component is to provide outlets for artistic and academic expression related to the experiential component, and to provide leadership experience and confidence-building activities that will help to make the overall program of real, tangible value to the participants in the short term. The dissemination program will also serve to model for participants a few ways in which they can become involved with and positively impact their community. |
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Selection of Participants:
With the cooperation of the public school system, The Exploration Foundation will select participants from local public high schools. Teachers and counselors at each school will nominate two participants from among high school students who indicate interest. This selection will be based on academic criteria as well as motivation, initiative, enthusiasm for the program, and curiousity. A total of 10 students will be selected per trip.
Participating Organizations:
This program will be administered by The Exploration Foundation in partnership with local nonprofit corporations whose mission fits with and is served by this program. The Exploration Foundation with be entirely responsible for the creation and execution of all parts of this program.
For more information, to participate in the program, or for help establishing the program in your local school system, contact Chris Begley at chris@explorationfoundation.org |
