BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

BACKGROUND: 

Teaching the future of these communities, the children, ranging from basic English to cultural aspects of people around the world. Also we will be helping in the community with what is needed at the time. This can be construction or just helping in the fields. Most of all enjoy yourselves and make life-lasting friends through an experience you will never forget.

AIMS:

Working towards a brighter future for the children of tomorrow.

OUR LOCAL PARTNER FOR THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

OUR PARTNER: Greenstay forest view and 

LOCATION OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Nakhon Ratchasima, generally known as "Khorat", is Thailand's largest province situated on sprawling northeast plateau. Located approximately 260 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, the city itself serves as the gateway to the lower northeastern region. Wang Nam Keow is a district (amphoe) in the southern part of Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand.

DATES OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP AND DRAFT SCHEDULE:

Monday: Arrival day and pick up of the volunteers, orientation day and team building activities.
Draft weekly schedule for the following two weeks (only working days, First week from Tuesday to Friday and Second from Monday to Friday)

-06:30 Wake up. Participate in the daily household chores and routines.
-07:30 Breakfast and cleaning.
-08:30 Conservation work within the park
-12:00 Lunch and cleaning.
-13:00 Conservation and local culture exchange.
-18:00 Dinner and cleaning the cutlery.
-19:00 Group meeting.
-19:30 Evening activities with the group and the local people.
-22:00 Lights off and silence.

Weekend (after the first week): Saturday and Sunday are free days
Last Friday: farewell party
Second weekend: Saturday is departure days

NOTE: this schedule is a draft and gives you an idea of how life will be during the camp; it may change, depending on the specific needs of the local partner.

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS:

The maximum volunteers are 15. Due to last minute cancellations this group may be smaller.

LEADERSHIP IN THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

The Challenge camp will be coordinated by a trained PSF Challenge camp leader (coordinator). S/He will be responsible for the group in cooperation with the local partner and host of the Challenge camp. The PSF Coordinator will facilitate the group during the Challenge camp and supports the volunteers.

Volunteers' ideas, proposal and suggestions are most welcome; please bring plenty of them with you!

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD ON THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Your accommodation will be in our Greenway Forest View resort, Nakhon Ratchasima province. This camp is situated about 30 km from the city of Nakhon Ratchasima and about 15 km from Wang Nam Keow, the nearest town. It takes about 30 minutes from the resort to go to Wang Nam Keow, where you will find all the amenities you could need i.e. internet, shops, hospital, pharmacy, banks and restaurants.

During the whole duration of your stay you will stay in our resort either in private rooms or eco cottages. All rooms have private toilet/bathroom with western style toilets (with some exceptions when home stay). Each bathroom has a shower and the water is always cool - nice and refreshing in the heat. The house has a communal area where you can eat, relax and meet. The house is within walking distance of a local shop and a make shift bar provided by the friendly locals.

There are limited laundry facilities so expect to wash your clothes by hand. All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organized.

COMMON LANGUAGE IN THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Thai and English + "body language", generally

WHAT TO BRING FOR THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Please bring the following items with you:

• Light clothes, not too revealing. May want long clothes for through the jungle. Shoulder must be covered when entering schools or temples. .
• Sleeping bag (a thin one, as it is very warm), pillowcase, mat and a medium size backpack.
• Flash light.
• Swimsuits but please take note that in Thailand, most women swim in a t-shirt and shorts.
• Mosquito repellant and a mosquito net.
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Toiletries and towel.
• Medicines as you think necessary.
• Spending money for personal items/transportation fees.
• Boots/good sneakers
• Raincoat

Please note this is just a recommendation list. Many of these can be found in the local shops when and if necessary.

Optional (but welcome):

• Pictures of your family, friends and country to share with fellow volunteers and Thai people.
• Cooking recipes, some cooking material and other things to share your culture through food and drinks.
• Musical instruments and some traditional games from your country.
• Information on how environmental education and awareness is dealt with in your country (it could be interesting to share info with the center and other volunteers).

INSURANCE FOR THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Our program does not cover any liability and insurance for volunteers. Volunteers must have appropriate insurance before joining the program.

PARTICIPATION FEES OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

All our 2 week projects cost 400 euros, which includes food/ accommodation/ local transport and 50 euros contribution towards the project. You will have to pay 150 euros and make the booking in advance to reserve your place on the project. The remainder of 250 is due two weeks before the starting date of you camp.

Single Supplements and Own room costs 50 euros additional per week.

MEETING POINT OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Wang Nam Keow Bus Station: Monday at 11:00 a.m. on the morning of the above starting date.

Important:

1. Inform PSF at least a week in advance about your specific travel plans so that we can arrange a pick-up. Please be on time!
2. Before you come to the meeting point, double check the exact starting dates of your camp and makes sure to have your participation fee with you (10,500 Baht)
3. Write any last e-mail, make important phone calls, and get all the money you need from the bank before your arrival. It may not be easy to do these things once the camp has begun.

TRAVELING INSTRUCTIONS TO REACH THE MEETING POINT:

Bus:

When you arrived at Bangkok International airport (Suvarnabhumi airport, pronounced: su-wan-na-poom), you can continue your trip by taxi meter. This is the easiest way to get you to your destination. You can tell the driver in Thai "Tong gan bai Moh-Chit" (I want to go to Moh-Chit). The distance from Suvarnabhumi International airport to Moh-Chit (Bangkok northern bus station) is around 40 Kms. The taxi takes about an hour to the Northeastern bus terminal (depends also on the traffic) and costs around 400 Baht including toll way charges.

OR

To the Bus Station (Mo chit): Quickest and cheapest way is to get on the airport rail link and take it all the way to the station at Phaya Thai. This connects with the BTS skytrain which you can take to Mo chit station. The Mo chit station is about 1km from the bus station.

Mo Chit bus station: Buy a ticket for Nakhon Ratchasima or "Khorat". Once you arrive there you will need to get a ticket for a bus heading to Wang Nam Keow. You will get off at Wang Nam Keow. Buses leave every 30 minutes from Bangkok to Khorat. It will take about 4-5 hours. The first bus leaves to Wang Nam Keow at 10a.m.

ADDRESS AND EMERGENCY CONTACTS OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

Challenge camp address:

For emergency and travel details:

40/1 Moo 4, Ban Vihan Khao, T. Vihan Khao
Ta Chang, Sing Buri 16140
THAILAND

Monday to Friday: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m./13:00 p.m. to 17:00 p.m.
Saturday: from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Tel: +66 (036) 521 619 or Fax: +66 (036) 521 619.
Emergency number: +66 (0) 86 001 2838 (Phil)
Email contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

THE NATIONAL ORGANIZER OF THE CHALLENGE CAMP:

About Pitayasuwan Foundation-Greenway Thailand
PSF/Greenway started to work in the Khlong Hoi Khong district in 1998, when Greenway Thailand was created. Since the very beginning its main objectives have been the promotion of a sustainable and eco – friendly life style, long term community development and intercultural exchange. In order to achieve its objectives the organisation has been developing a number of different activities and projects: English teaching, environmental education and campaigns, leisure time activities for children, agriculture and many others. Its main tools are voluntary service and non formal education. The target groups are: children, students, young people and adults. In the past some activities were also dedicated to elders.

PSF, in its capacity as voluntary service and local development organization, decided to support the two institutions in the field of Education and cultural exchange. The main target group of the project will be every community member. Inside this larger framework, each challenge camp will address the specific target group in different villages within Thailand. In the future, and depending on the results of the 2011 challenge camps, PSF may decide to get also involved in addressing the other two main needs the district and the sub - district have identified.