Thailand Retreat
Thailand – Adventure & Culture – 23 Day Learning Community
November 6 – November 28, 2019
A 23-day learning community retreat taking place in Thailand complete with world-class adventure sports, Thai cooking, massage, tai chi and exploration of the Thai culture in both the north and the south of the country. We will give back to the community by volunteering at an elephant rescue in Chiang Mai for a full week.
Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture that includes delectable Thai food and massage, Thailand features a modern capital city, and friendly people who epitomize Thailand’s “land of smiles” reputation.
During Project World School’s 23-day temporary learning community retreat, we will immerse ourselves deep within the culture and customs and build community, learn to cook the flavors of Thai cuisine and find peace through yoga and Tai Chi. This trip promises to be a holistic educational experience as we take part in adventure, culture, service, and encompassing both mind/body activities.
Participants must be ready to push their comfort zones both physically and mentally as we expand our world views in community.
The Project World School Thailand Experience is an active retreat, including kayaking, rock climbing, snorkeling, adventures. Together we will practice the art of Tai Chi and yoga, as a way to ground ourselves in this beautiful land.
In the spirit of all Project World School retreats, we are not a typical study abroad program as we take advantage of the power of a learning-community to produce collaborative goals, knowledge acquisition, personal development, and changes in global perspectives. This is one you don’t want to miss. Join us in Thailand!
DETAILS
01 WHEN
Nov 6 – Nov 28, 2019
02 WHERE
Thailand, Chaing Mai + Krabi Provence
03 WHO
8 or more participants (ages 13-25) self-directed learners, unschooolers, homeschoolers & worldschoolers
04 COST
$3,600
05 STATUS
Open & Accepting Applications
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
01 WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Full accommodations for the duration of the learning community retreat
- All transportation from Bangkok to the Krabi Province & Chaing Mai and all day trips
- All ground transportation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinners during the retreat
- All workshops, talks, and classes throughout the retreat
- Community
- Fun!
02 WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
• International airfare
• Laundry
• Snacks
• Souvenirs
• Other personal items
• Meals on travel days (arrival & departure)
• International flights from your home country to each retreat location are not included
03 MEALS
All meals consist of the local flavors of Thailand. Breakfasts will consist of croissants, eggs, waffles and juice. Lunches will be a combination of local dishes, including spring rolls, pad thai and other local flavors. On the days we have all full-day outings, we’ll prepare for the trip by stopping and picking up street food and snacks. Dinners will be a combination of self-prepared meals in our bungalows and dinners from local restaurants and stalls. We will make every effort to accommodate everyone’s diet restrictions including having vegetarian and gluten-free options. Please indicate any special needs on your application.
04 ACCOMMODATIONS
In the Krabi Province, we will be staying at Chong Pli Climbing Camp & Bungalows. There will be two participants per bungalow, each with their own bed. We will be taking a two night overnight trip to the Ko Yao Island. There, we stay at a place called Nam Tok Bungalows (nam tok=waterfall). It is in the village of Thao Khow. There are 3 types of accommodation here: Bamboo bungalows, traditional Thai wooden bungalows on the hill, and more modern cement bungalows.
In Chiang Mai, (both in the city and at the Elephant Nature Park) we will be staying in somewhat rustic communal sleeping spaces.
05 PACKING LIST
What to Bring?
You’ll be gone for a month, and for those of you who haven’t traveled for long periods of time, we’ve prepared this list in case you might need some assistance with deciding what you should pack. So here it is, our packing list ‘suggestions‘! Our recommendation to you is not to over do it. You’ll have to haul everything you pack around initially, and there are weight restrictions through all airlines. Also, keep in mind you will be living in shared space. There will be laundry available, and you will be able to purchase replacement shampoos, lotions, etc. during the trip, so no need to haul around ‘family size’ bottles of anything.
NOTE: Remember the list below is a suggested list! Feel free to modify, based on your own needs.
Clothing
1 Long Sleeve Shirt
1 Long pants (I would recommend wearing this on the plane)
4 T-shirts (one should be a formal shirt)
2 bathing suits
3 shorts
1 raincoat
1 sunhat with a brim
Sneakers
Sandals (You’ll be wearing these 90% of the time!)
Personal items / Toiletries
tooth paste & toothbrush
soap
shampoo & conditioner
sunscreen
lotion
insect repellant
travel towel
Electronics
headlamp
small flashlight
camera
laptop computer
mp3 player/iPod
Thai outlet convertor
Miscellaneous
passport
copy of passport
water bottle
day pack
anything you will need to lead a session
sunglasses
tiny first aid kit
duct tape
laundry bag
small padlock
ATM card
small journal or notepad and pens
musical instrument
costume, wigs, funky hats, etc. (if you are into that sort of thing)
sketch book
SCHEDULE*
NORTHERN THAILAND
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok; night at airport hotel
Day 2: Morning flight to Chiang Mai, get settled, team building
Day 3: Explore Wat Phra That Doi Suthep & Traditional Cooking Class
Day 4: Visit Ban Roi An Phan Yang Museum & Travel to our Karen Village Homestay
Day 5: Build Traditional Karen House in a day
Day 6: Visit Waterfall and Rice Fields, Traditional Dancing Class
Day 7: Longtail Boat Trip, Overnight in Temple
Day 8: Visit WWII museum, arrive at Elephant Rescue Park
Day 9 – 11: Volunteer Work at Elephant Rescue Park
Day 12: Visit Inthanon National Park, return to Chiang Mai for Sunday Night Market
SOUTHERN THAILAND
Day 13: Fly to Krabi; transfer to Chong Pli Bungalows; sunset at the beach
Day 14: Rock Climbing- analogy for life
Day 15: Thai Massage Class
Day 16: Railay Beach – Day long climbing & hiking excursion
Day 17: Morning- Mindful movement workshop; Afternoon- Thai Boxing
Day 18: Klong Muang Beach in the morning; relax afternoon; evening to Tiger Cave temple- night market
Day 19: Kayaking
Day 20: Boat tour for kayaking and deep water soloing; late afternoon boat return to Krabi
Day 21: Beach Day & Farewell Dinner
Day 22: Morning flight to Bangkok -Departure back to your home countries (afternoon / evening flights)
* Schedule is subject to change
