We take groups of children no larger than 10 at a time to various cities and countries around the world. We explore the language, customs, foods, clothing, and people of these countries, as well as national landmarks. We only take 10 children at a time because it is a small enough group to give each child the proper amount of attention and answer any and all questions they may have. We group the trips with similar ages so there will not be 8 -9 yr olds on trips with 16-18 yr olds that way the activities can be structured around the particular group that is going. This will not be a random vacation for children, but an educational and hopefully inspirational journey.
We here at 30 Elephants find that this program provides an amazing opportunity for the youth of today. If you think about how upon graduating from high school at the age of 16 or 17 you are expected to then go on to a university and pick out subject that you want to be involved in for the remainder of your life. I am not sure about you but I don't know many 16 yr olds capable of picking out what they want to do for the day let alone for the next 15 years of their life.
We want to provide kids with aspirations, inspirations, and out of the box thinking by showing them the world. Our goal with this program is to show them different places, occupations, and ways of life to provoke positive change in the world.
This is a great network opportunity for kids. The world is just as much about who know as it is about what you know. We will be accepting kids from all over. The kids could make pen-pals and meet kids from other regions that are like minded.
30 Elephants Ltd. is extremely particular and strenuous with its choice in staffing. Everyone must have an FBI clearance. (A standard police check is not as intrusive) All staff traveling and working with the children must have a CPR level C or higher certification. Each staff member must have serveral years experience working with children. So when we say every, we mean EVERY staff member. Everyone down to the administrative staff. All staff that will be traveling must have lived overseas for more than 5 years. We could go on but why bore you!
What sets us apart from some of our counterparts is that we focus on the culture of the places we go. We hope to show the students things they have never seen before. Introduce them to new ways of life and send them home with a new appreciation for things that are different than the "norm".
A 30 Elephants excursion destination must be: Safe, Rich in culture, Educational, and Fun!
The safety and well being of our students is priority #1. The kids will never go to any destination or participate in an activity we, the staff, have not done ourselves prior to the kids going. All persons traveling with the students will be in attendance at the culture classes to ensure that all parties are familiar and comfortable with each other. All vaccines and travel regulations are discussed and taken care of prior to travel.
Medical and travel insurance is included in a few of the trip costs, the others are the responsibility of the parents. But medical is mandatory for ALL persons traveling. All students are also given a 30 Elephants ID badge. The badges have a photo of the child and all pertinent info. The child carries this with them all all times. Since we travel in groups we all wear the same color tops on travel days. We also have a great child to adult ratio. One adult to five students.