Take a look at last year’s program, and make sure to check back in early November to see our programs for 2012!
Program Dates: July 8th – August 23rd, 2011
Trip Highlights
- Become Open Water PADI Scuba Certified in Cambodia
- Participate in a hands-on volunteer experience at Thailand’s Elephants World NGO
- Develop environmental awareness projects by working in partnership with a Cambodian NGO
- Visit S-21 prison & Killing Fields to understand Cambodia’s tragic history
Independent Travel Time Options
- Visit Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor Wat temples
- Learn about buddhism during morning alms in Laos
- Visit the embalmed Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam
- Relax on the beaches of world-famous Koh Phangan
Trip Itinerary
Building off the success of our inaugural Southeast Asia Eco trip in 2010, Operation Groundswell is proud to offer Operation Groundswell SE Asia Eco 2011.
Operation Groundswell SE Asia Eco 2011 participants will arrive in Thailand’s bustling capital city, Bangkok. Members will receive an in-country orientation to help participants acclimatize by trying local dishes, visiting cultural sites and becoming exposed to Thailand’s incredible culture. Highlights will include the “Great Bangkok Scavenger Hunt”, a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials and exposure to Bangkok’s street and boat markets. While in Bangkok participants will be staying on Koh San Road, the epicentre of Bangkok’s backpacker district.
Participants will then travel westwards into Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province where the group will live and work on-site at Elephants World. This is a promising NGO established in 2008 by a Thai veterinarian that takes care of sick, old, disabled, abused, illegal and street elephants. The organization’s main projects include planting food crops, artificial insemination and rescuing street elephants. Participants can expect to work alongside and learn from local mahouts (elephant care takers) in food gathering, preparation and cooking techniques. Elephant bathing is a must so prepare to get wet!
After saying goodbye to our giant friends, participants will get a chance to compare their experiences with Elephants World by visiting the Elephant Conservation Network. It is Operation Groundswell’s hope that by exposing participants to these organizations the group will have a better understanding of and be able to think critically about elephant-based development projects. Before leaving for Cambodia, participants can expect to walk along the River Kwai’s bridge, made famous by the award winning film “The Bridge on the River Kwai.” If the time – and weather – permits, the group may also embark on a short hiking trek that will expose the team to some of Kanchanaburi’s beautiful forests, rivers and waterfalls.
To truly appreciate the beauty of Cambodia’s culture and its people one must learn about Cambodia’s tragic past. Once we arrive in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh we will visit the S-21 Prison and the Cheong Euk Killing Fields to learn about the little-known genocide that occurred just over 30 years ago. While in Phnom Penh, participants will visit an amazing NGO, Tiny Toones, a drop-in centre for city street youth who are given English, music production and break-dancing lessons. Operation Groundswell also hopes to assist its environmental awareness project partner, Song Saa Conservation and Social Program, in networking with students from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Depending on the background of Operation Groundswell participants, the group might meet with local university students and begin open dialogues about the importance of marine conservation and environmental awareness.
After Phnom Penh, the group will make its way to Cambodia’s coastal city, Sihanoukville. Participants will hop on to a boat destined for Koh Rong where members will receive their Open Water SCUBA certification! Through diving we hope to learn more about the delicate balance we are trying to preserve in one of the world’s last remaining frontiers. From Koh Rong, participants will be given a truly unique chance to visit the private island where Song Saa Conservation is based. Here, participants will work under the instruction of Song Saa Conservation to develop environmental awareness projects and campaigns for students at the local primary school. We will be working closely with local initiatives to improve awareness and engage with like minded people trying to improve the lives of Cambodians and the ocean.
After our island experience, participants will make there way back to Sihanoukville and begin Independent Travel Time (ITT) – a staple of all Operation Groundswell programs. All participants will be given detailed travel guides and information on the best places to see and how to stay safe. You can travel independently if desired but most participants choose to travel in pairs or small groups. During this time participants are not under the auspices of the organization and are entirely responsible for themselves. Participants will be given emergency contact numbers of the trip leaders during ITT for advice and any safety concerns.
At the end of ITT, the group will reconvene on Koh Phangan Island in southern Thailand. Home to the famous “Full Moon Party”, the relaxing trip debrief known as ‘Disorientation’ is a chance to share our experiences and think about the future before flying home.
To apply for this life-changing program, please click on the Apply Now button on the right tab.
