evolve gap gap year › ... › 2018 › 03 › evolve-gap-year.pdftahiti razil india italy what do...
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www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
EVOLVE GAP YEAR
1. CORE VALUES OF OUR EVOLVE GAP YEAR:
➢ EVOLVE IN NATURE
Connect with the natural world. Join Evolve’s adventures in settings of breathtaking
beauty while trekking, surfing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking with our professional
instructors and local guides. Become a leader as you develop on-site leadership
skills. Learn to manage challenges as a team with successful and safe tools in the
wilderness. Transform yourself beyond your current comfort zone. Have fun!
➢ EVOLVE IN COMMUNITY
Immerse yourself in 3 week-long living experiences. In Costa Rica, participate in the
daily activities of an eco-village. Learn permaculture design and cook in harmony
with Nature. In Peru, experience a Quechua cultural community and participate in a
sacred Inca ceremony. In Bolivia, trek and live with the local community as you share
their way of respecting Nature. Open your mind and heart to different cultures.
Exchange ideas with local youth and young adults. Communicate in a new language.
Develop new perspectives.
➢ EVOLVE IN THE WORLD
Discover new heights in North, Central and South America. Climb the Inca trails to
Machu Picchu in Peru. Surf the waves and learn permaculture at a private eco-lodge
in Costa Rica. Scuba dive in Mexico. Meet the local culture at the highest lake in the
world at Sun Island in Bolivia. Learn wilderness medicine in Mount Shasta, California,
a sacred town near the foot of an ancient volcano.
➢ YOUR EVOLUTION
Explore your inner word. Meditate and practice yoga. Learn mindfulness and
increase your ability to be present. Succeed in challenges to build your inner
strength. Work toward your life purpose. Practice leadership skills and empower
your independence. Build your inner toolbox to pursue your dreams and goals.
www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
2. QUESTIONS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION:
➢ HOW LONG AM I ABLE TO TRAVEL?
Gap Year experiences normally last anywhere between three months and one year. It
is recommended that you plan for at least two months in order to have a meaningful
experience. If you are a student, regardless of level, it may be helpful to think in
terms of the academic calendar you are familiar with, particularly thinking in
semesters.
➢ DO I WANT TO TRAVEL WITH A GROUP OR ALONE?
If you are thinking of traveling more long term, consider traveling with a group.
Doing so allows you to have a compact group of friends you continually see on a
regular basis. This is helpful for exploring new places and experiencing new
adventures.
➢ WHAT IS MY BUDGET?
While money should not dictate everything you do, it is incredibly important when
abroad. Looking at currency conversions, cost of your favorite foods and activities, as
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well as creating a plan to save money pre-trip are all important things to take into
consideration when planning a Gap Year experience.
➢ AM I LOOKING FOR CREDIT?
If you are entering university or currently in university, Gap Year experiences are a
great opportunity to receive educational credit for the learning that will take place.
➢ WHERE DO I WANT TO GO?
As the saying goes, “The world is your oyster.” When thinking of a city or country (or
countries for that matter) start out broad.
1. Create a list of all the countries you want to see.
2. Group them by region, or language spoken, or climate.
3. Consider the food, the culture, the music, the activities of each location.
4. Continue crossing out locations until you have a solid 1-5 places.
Here are some destinations to get you going:
Thailand
Australia
Malaysia
New Zealand
Tanzania
Peru
USA
Vietnam
Tahiti
Brazil
India
Italy
➢ WHAT DO I WANT TO DO?
There are so many possibilities with our Evolve Gap Year. You can learn a new skill, go on
adventures, volunteer, explore new places and cultures, rest and relaxation, the
opportunities are endless. So how do you narrow it down?
● What are you most passionate about?
● What is something you have always wanted to do, try, or learn?
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Here are some activities to get your brain rolling:
Skydiving
Snorkeling
Rock Climbing
Wilderness First Responder Certification
Learn Permaculture Design
Explore Archaeological Sites
Wildlife Rescue Volunteer
Conservation Projects
Medical Volunteer
Visit Museums and Cultural Sites
Learn Traditional Music and Dance
Hone Your Photography Skills
www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
3. TYPES OF EVOLVE GAP YEAR:
➢ SERVICE
Volunteering while abroad has become an essential aspect of the Gap Year
experience. Being able to give back something to the communities you explore has
proven to have a powerful impact on those who participate. The types of service
opportunities available are also incredibly diverse. From resource management and
environmental research to teaching English and coaching sports, the opportunities
are endless.
TYPES OF EXPERIENCES:
● Environmental Research along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
● Resource Management at one of Nicaragua’s permacultures
● Rehabilitate Orangutans on the Southeast Asian island of Borneo
● Carnivore Conservation and Research in the deserts of Namibia
● Coach different sports in the city of Pokhara, Nepal
● Rebuild houses for hurricane victims in Houston
www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
➢ ADVENTURE
Everyone, at one point or another, seeks adventure. An activity that presents some sort of
challenge that the participant views enticingly. Adventure-based experiences are far and
away one of the most popular venues for Gap Year experiences. Adventure is a wide range of
activities that include everything from skydiving and multi-pitch rock climbing to zipline
canopy tours and long-distance backpacking.
TYPES OF EXPERIENCES:
● Backpack from one corner of the Colorado to the other on the Colorado Trail
● Zipline through the rainforests of Costa Rica
● Sand sled on the white sand dunes of Mui Ne, Vietnam
● Sail across the Adriatic Sea along the coastline of Croatia to Greece
● Go on a Safari in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park
● Skydive into the Wakatipu basin just outside of Queenstown, New Zealand
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➢ TRANSFORMATIONAL
Unique to Evolve, our Transformational Evolve Gap Year Program enables you to immerse
yourself in the wilderness and experience some of the most amazing natural places.
Integrate outdoor education, permaculture, wilderness medicine, language study, cultural
immersion, life empowerment coaching and inner awareness while traveling sustainably and
having fun with fellow outdoor adventurists!
The Path of the Puma: Traverse the Americas
Follow the steps of the puma in our 3-month journey through 5 different countries of the Americas and
expand your horizons connecting with ancient wisdoms of our Earth. Let the puma, respected in Native
American traditions for its powers, decisiveness and leadership skills, be your guide in this adventure
empowering yourself, connecting with your passions and strengths.
Itinerary
1. Week 1-2: Mount Shasta, California
● Earn your Wilderness First Responder Certificate
● Engage in a Vision Quest and Inner Awareness Workshops
● Hike through Dense old-growth woods in Redwood National Park
● Learn Native American survival skills
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2. Week 3: Akumal, Mexico
● Earn your Open Water Diver Certificate
● Join a Sea Turtle Conservation Program
● Participate in a Coral Reef Restoration Program
● Hike the Mayan ruins
3. Week 4-6: Costa Rica
● Earn your Permaculture Design Certification
● Obtain Reiki level I and II Certifications
● Ride the waves at Surf Camp
● Engage in Caribbean culture with local youth
4. Week 7-9: Peru
● Hike trekking routes in the Peruvian Andes
● Experience eco-friendly camping and live with local hosts
● Explore the mysteries of Machu Pichu
● Visit the highest lake in elevation of the world: Lake Titicaca
5. Week 10-12: Bolivia
● Follow the steps of a local shaman and live in his community
● Hike the Bolivian Andes
● Visit La Paz and its culture
● Explore Pre-Inca ruins
3. THE ESSENTIALS
Once you have chosen where you want to go and what you want to do, you need to consider the
essentials. These are the topics that are important to your safety and wellbeing while abroad.
➢ INSURANCE
Getting travel insurance is the most important thing you can do before heading out on any
sort of trip abroad. It is important that travel insurance is affordable, easy to renew online,
and understandable. When considering travel insurance make sure it covers the following:
● When you get sick and need a doctor
● If you need to get helicoptered out of a remote area
● If you need to go home early
● If your things are stolen (especially passport)
● If you need to cancel your trip
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➢ VISAS
Visa’s differ for each country you enter. Some countries have visa-exemptions, while others
have very lengthy and costly visa processes. The best place to look for this information is
your country’s State Department website. Canada. US.
➢ YOUR HEALTH
Depending on where you travel to, there will be different vaccination requirements. Getting
your vaccinations two months before your experience begins is a good rule-of-thumb to live
by. Likewise, getting the specific vaccines you need will help prevent you from getting deadly
viruses like Typhoid and Diphtheria. This information can usually be found on your country’s
State Department’s website. Canada. US.
➢ PACKING
The most important item you need to consider is your backpack. Before anything else, you
need to find the right backpack for you and your travels. You do not want something that is
too bulky, but you also do not want a backpack that is too small for your needs. When
choosing a backpack consider what activities you will be doing, what the weather will be
like, and what items you must take with you.
4. THE GOODS
➢ GOOD READS (TO HELP YOU)
Books are an incredible resource to help narrow down your ideas that you have for your Gap
Year experience. We strongly recommend going to your local library and searching the
shelves after you have done a little bit of research. In the meantime, here are some books
that we have found to be quite helpful.
GUIDES
● Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to
the World’s Hidden Wonders
● Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel: Our List
of the 500 Best Places to See...Ranked
● How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
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● The Rough Guide to First-Time Around
the World
● Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Adven-
tures
● Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the
World’s Greatest Trips
NONFICTION & ESSAYS
● Desert Solitaire -Edward Abbey
● The Geography of Bliss -Eric Weiner
● At Home in the World
-Tsh Oxenreider
● The Great Railway Bazaar
-Paul Theroux
● The Curve of Time -M. Blanchet
● Tales of a Female Nomad
-Rita Golden Gelman
● A Field Guide to Getting Lost
-Rebecca Solnit
● Out of Africa and Shadows on the Grass
-Isak Dinesen
● The Yellow Envelope -Kim Dinan
➢ GOOD MUSIC (TO INSPIRE YOU)
SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
● Classic Road Trip Songs
● Songs to Sing in the Car
● Songs to Sing in the Shower
● 70s Road Trip
● Indie Road Trip
● Daily Lift
PANDORA RADIO STATIONS
● Road Trippin’
● Country Road Trip
● 60s, 70s, and 80s Hits
● Michael Buble
● Empire of the Sun
● Portugal. The Man
➢ GOOD RESOURCES (TO INFORM YOU)
FORUMS
● TripAdvisor Travel Forum
● Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree
● Fodor’s Forum
www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
➢ RISK MANAGEMENT
While Evolve strives to create transformational and enjoyable programming, our highest
priority is to provide a safe and healthy experience for all program members.
Program destinations and activities are thoroughly assessed and selected based upon a
number of safety factors. Evolve monitors and follows all Travel Advice and Advisories from
the Government of Canada and the U.S. Department of State, in addition to local authorities.
Prior to every program, a detailed Risk and Hazard Assessment is completed to identify any
and all possible risks associated with the tour, as well as their frequency and severity.
A specific Risk Management plan is developed to mitigate these risks to the best of our
professional ability.
A Crisis Management plan, which describes a clear and specific course of action is ready to
be implemented at any time should an incident occur. Evolve staff and guides possess a
detailed list of the nearest medical facilities who can provide proper and immediate medical
attention for tour members if the need arises.
Our Evolve Gap Year Directors that accompany each group are leaders in their fields of
outdoor education, history, languages, camp programming, and more. They work with
school groups year round and are passionate about safe, educational travel.
www.evolvegap.com [email protected] @evolvegap
5. HOW DO I BEGIN?
There are a few steps to take before participating in our Evolve Gap Year Program.
➢ STEP 1: ENROLLMENT
Step 1 is to set up an online meeting with one of our directors, as described more fully in the
Meet With Us section. This is your opportunity to dig deeper. We will discuss the trip in
further detail, answer your questions and get to know you better.
➢ STEP 2: THE MEET
Step 2 is meeting with us so you can begin to fill out the application form. As part of meeting
with us, we will ask you to write an Activation Letter telling why you would excel and benefit
from the experience. The Activation Letter will be fully explained when meeting with us. Due
to the hands-on nature of this program, a maximum of 12 participants are accepted into
each program. This way, you will get the attention, love and focus to maximize your
experience.
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➢ STEP 3: THE ACCEPTANCE
If you are accepted to the Evolve Gap Year Program, you will receive an email with a letter of
acceptance within 2 weeks of submitting your application. Please respond with an email to
confirm your commitment to participate and confirm all of your pertinent information. If you
do not receive this email in a timely manner, please feel free to reach out to us again.
➢ STEP 4: THE COACHING SESSION
Once we have received your confirmation email, we will call you to set up a coaching session
appointment with our coaching staff, Sarah, Maqua or Marta to prepare you to begin your
journey with us.