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what to expect
WHAT TO EXPECT ON AN OG PROGRAM
Ethical travel is at the crux of our philosophy. We take local transportation, we eat local food, and we sleep according to local standards. We make our programs as financially accessible as possible while packing them full of off-the-beaten path adventure, meaningful community service, and hands-on learning.
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If you’re looking for a tour bus to take you to a pat-on-the-back volunteer project, you’re in the wrong place.
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Redefine Service
We partner with local organizations that exist before we arrive, appreciate our support during our time there, and will continue their work after we leave. Though we get our hands dirty on community-requested projects, more of our time is spent learning from our partners to understand the underlying issues and challenges they face.
“From spending time working in the remote hill tribes of Thailand, to facilitating leadership programs for youth in Cambodia – every experience was engaging, authentic, and unforgettable.”
– Fiona Kiernan, OG 2010
EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION
Our programs explore important local and global issues through the eyes of the activists, organizations, and communities trying to tackle them. Our Program Leaders and local partners facilitate meaningful discussions and mind-blowing workshops that will challenge you to think critically about what it means to make a difference.
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PLANNED DAILY EXCURSIONS
We organize a thoughtful itinerary for every day of travel. Multi-day treks through the mountains, meetings with local activists, friendly homestays, and delicious local food. We pack every program with these little daily details so that you can get the most out of your experience.
“With OG you are not getting a censored version of the places you are visiting. You learn, smell, see, and truly feel and experience what it means to be where you are.”
– Hannah Hirsz, OG 2012
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IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
Our programs are designed to get off the tourist tracks and get to know the real character of each place we go. We eat local food, use local transport, learn the local language, and we’re often welcomed into the homes of our local partners.
WHERE DO TO YOU WANT TO GO?
From the heights of the Himalayas to the depths of the Amazon jungle and the shores of the Indian Ocean, we go off-the-beaten-path to explore some of the world’s most interesting places.
INTIMATE GROUP
A close-knit group of 6-14 people allows for the perfect blend of intimacy, flexibility, and challenge. Small teams are more sustainable for our hosts and provide access to places that big tours just can’t reach. Traveling together as a group also allows us to hear new perspectives and learn from each other’s diverse experiences.
BUBBLE UP WITH OUR CUSTOM PROGRAMS
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Your Pick the Program
Pick a program and make it private, or work with us to build your very own custom itinerary. Is there a special place you want to go, theme you want to explore or partner you want to meet? Let’s chat!
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​You Pick the People
Travel where you want, when you want and with whom you want. All you need is 5 friends, we’ll give you an immersive adventure, and you’ll get the peace of mind that comes from backpacking with your own bubble.
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You Get the Savings
Travel where you want, when you want and with whom you want. All you need is 5 friends, we’ll give you an immersive adventure, and you’ll get the peace of mind that comes from backpacking with your own bubble.
CULTIVATING SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Our goal is to facilitate experiences, not manufacture them. Our Program Leaders will show you how to thrive in a new country during your time together. Our longest programs provide Independent Travel Time so that you can put your newly developed skills to the test and explore a new place in your own way.
“Going with an organization like OG allows you to explore all the possibilities, pushes your boundaries, and teaches you to be a global citizen, with a passion for adventure.”
– Kandace Parks
“Operation Groundswell has changed the way I want to travel. Everyone should have an experience like this…it will change you for the better!”
– Marlee Huston, OG 2014
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If Not Now, Then When?
THE WORLD IS CHANGING. HELP CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER.
JOIN THE GROWING COMMUNITY OF ETHICAL TRAVELLERS.
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