How will my time be spent?

• How has the programme been chosen, planned and vetted?
• Are the host organisations paid to take me? Do they pay me?
• Has a responsible member of the organisation personally checked each placement?
• What exactly will I be doing?
• What can I fit into a set amount of time?
• Will I be alone or in a group?
• What are the living arrangements?
• Is there any written agreement between the organisation and me? What is expected of me? Is there a code of conduct for participants?

How has the programme been chosen, planned and vetted?

As mentioned previously, all the projects for the two-month and 4 week expeditions are carefully selected by our field staff working closely with the project partners whom you will be working on behalf of. The projects are planned to fit in with the length of the expedition, as the aim is for each project team to complete an individual project. This relies on there being sufficient funding for the project to be a success, and obtaining all the necessary materials and support from local craftsmen and guides. Safety is a key consideration in planning expeditions, making sure that evacuation procedures will be feasible, as often project locations can be quite remote.

With the extended programmes, our permanent staff continuously check the standards of the Spanish language schools that we use, and of the accommodation that is provided for all volunteers.  Similarly, our staff visit every village used for teaching placements, including the host families and the principal of the school. Our teaching placements are supported by the government in each country where we work, and our volunteers'  work is encouraged by the local school managers. 

Are the host organisations paid to take me? Do they pay me?

You are working as a volunteer, and all of your expedition costs such as food and accommodation are provided by Trekforce.  However, host families during the language and teaching phases are paid to feed you and they welcome you into their home.

Has a responsible member of the organisation personally checked each placement?

Yes. Our staff have personally checked every school and family with whom the volunteers are placed.

What exactly will I be doing?

During a two month jungle expedition you will take part in three phases: 8 days of jungle training, a 6 week project phase, and a week long trekking phase.  Extended programmes of up to five months give options of an additional language phase and teaching placement.

Read more about the structure of our expeditions in detail. 

What can I fit into a certain amount of time?

2 weeks – Join a Trekforce Worldwide Extreme expedition travelling into the heart of the wilderness and push yourself to the very limit. Jungle, Desert and Mountain locations around the world.

1 month - Need a break but don’t have much time? Join us on a short expedition in the rainforest. Live and work in the heart of the jungle, learn survival skills and complete your month with an exciting trek. Jungle locations around the world.

2 months – Sign up for a two month expedition and complete a period of tough training, live and work in the some of the most remote and spectacular regions of the world while completing an important community or conservation project. Jungle and Mountain locations around the world.

5 months - The Ultimate Gap Year. Complete a two month conservation or community project, learn survival skills, trek in some of the world’s most remote regions, learn a new language and teach in a small rural school for up to two months. Jungle and Mountain locations around the world.

Will I be alone or in a group?

During the expedition phase, you will be part of a group of about 15-20 volunteers, but this can vary depending on the needs of the project. On the language phase there maybe between 4 and 170 in the group. In Guatemala you will be taught in a ratio of approximately one teacher per two trekkers. Whilst on the teaching placements all volunteers are placed in pairs with the support of our permanent field staff and other volunteers in the area.

 What are the living arrangements?

While on expedition, volunteers live in hammocks in a base camp for the project.  All meals are cooked communally, with cooks being appointed on a rotational basis from within the group.  Evenings are spent relaxing in group shelters in the middle of the base camp which are made very comfortable with a bit of effort and imagination, and the odd party has been known to happen.

If you opt to take part in a spanish language course in Guatemala, you will stay with local families who will provide you with all of your meals and clean drinking water. For the teaching placements, again you will stay with a local family or one of the teachers at your school. All of your food and drinking water will be provided by them.  Accommodation is usually within the family house, and may involve sharing a room with another family member or another volunteer.

Is there any written agreement between the organisation and me? What is expected of me? Is there a code of conduct for participants?

When you sign up for an expedition, you will sign that you have read and understood the Trekforce Worldwide terms and conditions, given to you at your Open Day or you can sign up for one on-line. You will be expected to behave according to the laws and local customs of the country within which you will be working.  In addition you are to show due care and consideration to all people with whom you will be working. Volunteers are expected to do their fair share of work, and to work as team members at all times. Both on the project and teaching phases, you will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to your project or to the village and school that you are placed with.

We would ideally like you to attend (although it is not compulsory) a briefing event in the UK that outlines the emphasis of each programme and introduces the spirit within which Trekforce conducts its expeditions and programmes. This event, along with a intensive seven-day Jungle or Environment / Cultural training programme (covering jungle operations, mountain operations, cultural sensitivities, health and safety, medical and communication training) at the start of every expedition will give the volunteers a clear and detailed understanding of the physical, cultural, and behavioural code of conduct on a Trekforce programme.

In addition there is a comprehensive teacher training package before you go to your school that will re-iterate the code of conduct as well as give you an in-depth understanding of risk assessment. Extensive briefings are given at the beginning of each new phase to make sure all volunteers and staff understand their responsibilities and are aware of any health and safety issues. 

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