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- Project information
- Accommodation
- Flights
- Local knowledge
- Extending your project
- Tailor-made group travel
- Involvement
- How projects are chosen
- Responsibility Audit
Project Information
The website gives a summary of the project, with an associated pdf where you can read more about the nitty-gritty.
There is also a link to the self-assessment form and instructions in “How to sign up”.
Once overseas, all projects start with a briefing and orientation period so that you can appreciate the context of the project and how your effort will become part of the bigger picture.
Accommodation
We
only use locally or community owned properties. The range of accommodation
is broad: some projects make use of family stays, others use tents, hostals,
family-run hotels, lodges or whatever’s right for that part of the world.
Some projects, particularly those that might appeal to people with more life experience, give the option of upgrading your accommodation. Afterall, it’s important to get a good night’s rest so that you’re better able to contribute during the working day.
Flights
VentureCo hold ATOL license 5306 which guarantees your financial security. It also means we can arrange your flight, but if you would prefer to make your own travel arrangements, please let us know your flight schedule well before you travel. We need to arrange for your project host to meet you.
Make use of VentureCo’s local knowledge, worldwide
The
shortest project is two weeks, but realistically, if you can stay longer
you will be able to settle in much better and really make your contribution
count. Projects in Latin America require a familiarity with Spanish. If
you are already confident, then you are able to go directly to the project;
if you’re a novice or beginner, we ask you to complete a language school
course (either on-line or in-country) before you join the project. Afterall,
it’s self-defeating to join a project if you can’t communicate with the
people or if you tie-up your host’s time just to translate for you.
If
you look upon the project as the core of your travel experience, you could
add on a language course before and you will see that each description
has a “Staying On” para containing ideas of what you can do afterwards.
Our projects are based in amazing locations and there are all sorts of
options to extend your stay. Sometimes we can help you make these arrangements,
other times we suggest you speak directly to your host who will be able
to advise you and make local introductions that may save you money. They
know the local ways and can introduce you to local guides who specialise
in certain activities, or who know where obscure bird species may be found
or who are “fundies” (= funds of knowledge!) on particular ruins/animals/trails
etc. Call us and we’ll let you know the local situation.
Extending your project work
If you would like to work on beyond the minimum commitment period, additional weeks can be arranged either with us at the time of booking, or during your placement, directly with your host.
Tailor-made Group Travel
Each
project has a minimum group size. Sometimes it’s one, which means you
can travel on your own; sometimes it’s more than one, which means we need
several people to sign up before we can make the project work. However,
if you plus a few friends want to join the same project you can either
join an existing group, or we can usually assign a project specifically
for you. This particularly applies to families.
For our corporate clients we liaise with the project to ensure the expectations on both sides are feasible, achievable and mutually satisfying. Corporate groups tend to be larger than our usual groups so the ambition of the project can be greater.
You the Traveller Involved
Projects start on Mondays. We will meet you at the local airport or pre-arranged rendezvous, a day or two earlier and drive you to your accommodation. You will meet the local project manager and the rest of the group if this is a shared project. There’s a briefing at the start of the week and a period of orientation. This is an important phase because it allows you to glean a degree of sensitivity to the local culture as well as a perspective of how your input fits in to the project’s strategy.
How are projects chosen?
Rule
one is that local people must be involved in decisions that affect their
communities. Generally speaking we work within local, traditional economies
so a softly-softly approach is essential. VentureCo has been involved
in “adventure-volunteer-expedition-travelling” for many years and we have
a broad network of contacts, around the world. This network is the source
of the projects.
It’s then a matter of refining an idea to make it practical. The in-country project manager (who is usually a member of the community where we will be working) is a key figure. They are the link. Projects are living enterprises that evolve and develop from one year to the next. As you will see, this is travel that gives a depth of experience to create your own story.
Responsibility Audit
We make claims and invite you to confirm and constructively criticise.
We have published “Responsible Travel” policies.
We respect and value project partners.
“Community tourism” or “Volun-tourism” is a form of travel which tries to ensure that the local people derive benefit from your visit. It’s not a perfect world and if you discover things we can do better, we ask you to share with us. To this end, when you come home we will send you a “Post Venture Report Form”.
You can’t outsource responsibility.
VentureCo
Responsible Travel Policies
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