World Challenge
Encyclopedia
World Challenge is British worldwide expeditionary branch of Thomson Holidays with businesses in the UK, Asia Pacific, The United States and the Middle East, founded in 1987. The company designs and delivers outdoor educational programmes for school groups.
They then complete a two day, one night training expedition in the UK which is designed to give participants greater responsibilities and decision-making roles.
Most expeditions are split into 4 phases:
Each team travels with a Teachers (School Leader) and an Expedition Leader. Depending on the number of students an Expedition Assistant might be required to ensure the ratios of adults to minors is met. All Expedition Leaders and Assistants have to meet strict criteria on the experience and qualifications they hold. These are also set out as part of the British Standard 8848 and the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge both of which World Challenge hold.
Costs depend on the country teams travel to and the length of time they spend there as well as the activities they want to take part in.
They offer several courses for qualifications in leadership, first aid and outdoor activities.
Overseas expeditions 3 to 6 weeks
A World Challenge is a 3 to 6 week overseas expedition to developing countries for students aged between 15 and 18. The programme begins 15 to 20 months before the expedition takes place, allowing members to learn the teamwork and other skills necessary for expedition, as well as giving them time to raise the funds necessary to partake in the expedition. This build-up phase includes two main meetings with the team facilitiated by World Challenge - the Acclimatisation Meeting where they learn about money management to help with fundraising, research their destination, take part in team building exercises. This is followed by the Challenge Meeting where they go through scenarios that they could encounter overseas and also do first aid training. The session ends with a parents update evening.They then complete a two day, one night training expedition in the UK which is designed to give participants greater responsibilities and decision-making roles.
Most expeditions are split into 4 phases:
- Acclimatisation:
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- This is designed to get challengers used to the rigours of trekking within that country.
- Main Trek:
- The challengers trek for an extended period (up to 2 weeks) in more remote areas. This pushes challengers to their limits as some of the areas are highly demanding both physically and mentally, but in most cases this is rewarded by exploring areas that few people have ever seen.
- Community Project (where applicable this could also replace the trekking phase in some expeditions that focus mainly on the project):
- Challengers spend time working in a local community, taking part in conservation, construction and other charitable projects. This is thought to be one of the most rewarding parts of the expeditions as challengers may make a real difference.
- Rest and Relaxation:
- The challengers experience some of the adventure sports and activities the country has to offer, relax after the rigours of their exhibition. Activities include white water rafting, diving and visiting famous attractions.
- This is designed to get challengers used to the rigours of trekking within that country.
Each team travels with a Teachers (School Leader) and an Expedition Leader. Depending on the number of students an Expedition Assistant might be required to ensure the ratios of adults to minors is met. All Expedition Leaders and Assistants have to meet strict criteria on the experience and qualifications they hold. These are also set out as part of the British Standard 8848 and the Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge both of which World Challenge hold.
Costs depend on the country teams travel to and the length of time they spend there as well as the activities they want to take part in.
Overseas Compact expeditions
World Challenge Compact are 1 and 2 week expeditions overseas to destinations including Morocco, Jordan, Ghana, Ethiopia, Swaziland, India, Thailand, Norway, Poland, Croatia and Montenegro.Independent expeditions
An Independent expedition is for young people to go on an expedition without a school, either joining a group of others to make up a team or joining as part of an organised group like the Scouts or Guides for example. There are a limited amount of destinations available but people go on the expedition with others they don't know. Team sizes range from 8 to around 18. Teamwork and Leadership Skills are thought especially important, as the groups may be more independent than a school based group.Training courses
World Challenge runs a number of courses for Expedition Leaders, potential Leaders, School Leaders and people interested in outdoor education training.They offer several courses for qualifications in leadership, first aid and outdoor activities.