[Quiz] Where should you travel on a Vacation with Purpose this Summer?
Posted by Amanda DiSilvestro on March 6, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Category: Family Travel
Tips, ideas and resources for families planning a volunteer vacation abroad.
![[Quiz] Where should you travel on a Vacation with Purpose this Summer?](https://discovercorps.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/QUIZ.jpg)
Ethical Elephant Tourism: An Interview with Thai Mahouts
Posted by Amanda DiSilvestro on February 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment
When it comes to the ethical treatment of animals, there are many different layers to consider and therefore many different beliefs that exist. Discover Corps went into the field to learn about the complex question of elephant tourism from those who have been working with the elephants for generations – the mahouts in Thailand.
In short, we do not support elephant riding in any way, shape, or form. However, we believe that the problem is not so black and white, and in fact, focusing only on elephant riding is doing a disservice to the animals, the travelers seeking to understand them, and the conservationists working to protect them.
“Now, the biggest problem we face is that in the past, there was plenty of space for the elephants to graze and feed. Now there is a lot less space, and local laws do not allow them to graze on public land [..] so it can be difficult to find them enough food.” – Boon, Head Mahout at the Elephant Nursery
We believe that travelers need to vote with their dollars by going to truly ethical camps, the mahout tradition needs to be celebrated, governments, companies, and citizens need to prioritize proper care to establish standards, and we must work to restore lost habitat.
Watch the video below and get to know the mahouts from our Thailand: The Baby Elephant Experience, and write any questions in the comments!
10 Books That Will Inspire Your Children to Travel the World
Posted by Amanda DiSilvestro on December 9, 2019 · 2 Comments
Books with a travel theme are a great way to open your children’s minds to new adventures and excitement about the world around us. They give us the opportunity to show our children about the people, places and events that are currently outside of their own experience.
So grab your soon-to-be adventurers and read one or more of these books together. Teach them about our wonderful world one story at a time!
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Congratulations! You’ve just won a trip to the world’s greatest travel destination. The catch (because there’s always a catch)? You leave now annnd…you’re parachuting in. That’s right, in a parachute. Sign these 12 release forms at the bottom – no need to read them, time is short – ok, you are ready!
Everything you Need to Know About New Cuban Travel Restrictions.
Over the past few months there has been quite a lot said about Americans traveling to Cuba:
Read MoreWhy Close Panda Encounters in China are No Longer Legal
Posted by Scott Dye on July 18, 2019 · Leave a Comment
If you have yet to hear, there’s something happening in the field of wildlife conservation that you really should know about…the animal rights movement is growing. This decades-long form of activism has created meaningful change – especially as of late. A great example of this is with the famed giant panda.
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For two hours now you have been trekking through the dense jungle of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, hyper-aware of every detail of your surroundings. The heat and bugs, however, have zero impact on your level of concentration. You are on a mission. Just as you start to feel a hint of fatigue, the moment arrives. Your guide spots a family of gorillas resting just 20 feet away! The alpha of the group turns and your eyes meet. It’s both terrifying and familiar.
Read MorePeru: Children of the Andes | Adrienne’s Interview
Posted by Scott Dye on June 10, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Discover Corps’ Travel Operations Assistant, Adrienne, has the important role of preparing travelers for both the pre-departure process AND in-country adventures upon their arrival. So needless to say, she really knows our trips inside and out. To stay on top of her game though, Adrienne puts in the work! This includes going on-location to walk in the footsteps of Discover Corps’ travelers. Most recently, she visited our Peru: Children of the Andes vacation, and sat down to discuss the unique experience in the video below:
Read MoreInterview from Peru: Discover Corps’ Guide Miguel
Posted by Scott Dye on May 17, 2019 · Leave a Comment
The name of our Peru trip, Children of the Andes, gives a great indication of what you can expect on your vacation with purpose to this special part of South America. You will spend quality time teaching, learning from, and connecting with children that each have a unique story to share. This time is precious and much needed for all involved, but it’s hardly the only aspect of this dynamic experience. Discover Corps’ guide for Peru, Miguel, agrees:
Read MoreAsk the Alumni: Tanzania through the Eyes of a Discover Corps Family [Q&A and VIDEO]
Posted by Scott Dye on May 3, 2019 · 2 Comments
![Ask the Alumni: Tanzania through the Eyes of a Discover Corps Family [Q&A and VIDEO]](https://discovercorps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Tanzania-through-the-Eyes-of-a-Discover-Corps-Family.png)
Tanzania is a game changer, or more aptly put, a perspective changer. Cosette and Brian DeCesare and their three daughters Genevieve, Theresa, and Maria are evidence of this phenomenon after their recent Tanzania Safari & Service family vacation with Discover Corps. Cosette put it best, “I was in awe of the happiness and disposition of the people. Especially the children. This was not so much a surprise but an observation. These people know struggle. But they have a level of apparent joy and contentment that would make a lot of Americans blush with envy.”
To elaborate on their family’s time in Africa, Cosette and 16-year-old Theresa kindly agreed to share a few thoughts below on what they called an experience of a lifetime. Their words are complemented by a video recap (after the Q&A) of the trip, creatively made by Theresa.
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