Author: Operation Groundswell

18 Nov

Posted at 16:33h in South Asia, Alumni Network

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text] an interview with Emma, by Caroline W Last week, we sat down with Megan to hear about her Adventure in Guatemala. We're back with another interview with an OG Alum - Emma! Here's what she had to say about...

30 Oct

Posted at 16:34h in Central America

by Nate Van Haute My group and I at La Ventana, one of the highest points in Guatemala. Here we had a view of massive volcanoes before finishing our hike in Todos Santos. Everyone I met in Guatemala during my Operation Groundswell program had a story to...

02 Jun

Posted at 18:10h in East Africa

I wasn't sure what to expect as I embarked to Tanzania with Operation Groundswell. Approaching the trip, my knowledge was limited. I knew that it would be winter in Africa. I knew that there were giraffes and elephants and lions to encounter. ...

31 May

Posted at 20:39h in South Asia

As you begin reading this, take a moment - pick up a map of the world - find Tibet. Chances are, you will not be able to find it. In fact, a week ago, I wouldn't have been able to tell you where Tibet was either....

09 Sep

Posted at 11:43h in OG Headquarters, Groundswell Education Fund

A Letter from Our Executive Director

Let's not beat around the bush... We've just wrapped up our 8th summer of operations around the world, and already, our newly-minted backpacktivists have been reaching out to us looking for ways to get involved in the OG community. There is nothing more refreshing and inspiring for myself and for all the staff at OG to see this. To see and know that we are developing and building an educational experience that deeply impacts young adults far beyond the summer. To see that we are, slowly but surely, accomplishing our mission of changing the way the world travels. The ongoing energy, commitment, and generosity of our growing community of ethical travellers is a source of inspiration for me and even more so today. Today, I am incredibly proud to announce that our network of alumni and other friendly backpackers have come together to create the Groundswell Education Fund to enable more young leaders around the world to partake in an OG program.

The Groundswell Education Fund is a registered Canadian charity that provides scholarships for exceptional young people to engage in cross-cultural collaborations, get involved in meaningful community service, and develop the skills to apply those lessons back home.

Why is this so important?

05 Sep

Posted at 15:34h in Southeast Asia
Written by Amanda Martin and Samnang Pak, 2014 Southeast Asia: Cities & Sanctuaries Program Leaders. We're back in Bangkok and the gang's all here, except for Marie, who has continued her travels in southern Thailand and is now a bad ass scuba-diver. They have survived Independent Travel Time as they wandered around the islands and mountains, bargained for transit, and explored street food of their own volition! Our mighty crew also discovered how kick ass they are and that NOBODY has travelled Cambodia like them. The past six weeks flew by! It's shocking how quickly the weeks pass, while simultaneously feeling like we've been traveling together forever. Time runs at a different pace for the traveller. Now, sadly, it's time to part ways.

05 Sep

Posted at 15:01h in Southeast Asia
Written by Sidney Jhingran and Jessica Young, 2014 Southeast Asia: Animal Conservation Program Leaders. After an exciting week of exploring new destinations on Independent Travel Time, the group reconvened in Bangkok before disorientation. Everyone shared stories from ITT, some went shopping on Khao San Road, and others sought out the creature comforts of a nicer hotel - but everyone as a whole hit the sack pretty early to get a good night of rest. Bright and early the next morning, we all piled into a minivan for the short drive down to Amphawa – a quaint canal-side town famous for its trendy weekend floating market. Once there, everyone had the chance to get comfy in our cabin by the canal where we were all sleeping together on the floor slumber party style! After sharing an amazing seafood lunch together, everyone grabbed a quick snooze before catching a ride on a canal boat to the weekend floating market. There was much shopping to be done, seafood and snacks to be bought, and other interesting sights to see in the busy market. Once night fell, we got back into our boat to weave our way back through the canal and see nature’s very own display of fire flies in the trees along the banks.

05 Sep

Posted at 14:48h in Southeast Asia
Written by Ana Sani, 2014 Southeast Asia: Animal Conservation. It is currently 9:15 pm, the night before our Independent Travel Time. We are all very excited to go off to Siem Reap, the beach, and Vietnam, just to name a few of the destinations decided by various group members. Our latest volunteer project was based around an elephant sanctuary called the Elephant Valley Project (EVP). EVP is a non-profit organization that started about 10 years ago. There are currently nine elephants living in the sanctuary’s forest space. Some are living there permanently while others are on loan from their owners or taking a well-deserved vacation.