Guatemala Children’s Project Expeditions: Guatemala Children’s Project (GCP) facilitates volunteer service expeditions in rural villages across the Guatemala. GCP allows participants to travel and work hand in hand with motivated villagers on various projects. We invite you to experience this unforgettable inter-cultural exchange as we venture into stunning landscapes and gracious communities. Our life-changing expeditions combine the thrills of adventure with the rewards of service. Join us as we build people, not just projects!
Expectations: GCP Expedition participants will face unique circumstances abroad that will challenge, educate, and enlighten all those involved. You may venture along rugged dirt roads – or endure scenic hikes - before arriving at each village. While working and living among these developing communities, you will be treated as a welcomed guest, participating in various activities and chores that often reflect the simple things of village life. Participants must expect the unexpected, have a wonderful sense of humor, and be prepared to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Tax Deductibility: GCP is a non-profit organization as described by section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, the Expedition Fee and travel expenses associated with an expedition may be tax deductible. GCP recommends consulting a personal tax advisor regarding the participant or donor’s personal tax situation.
Registration, Deposit, and Expedition Fee: The Expedition Fee ($1800) includes meals, water, snacks, local lodging, Guatemala transportation, in-country preparation, expedition guide travel costs, and all project costs (including materials) to be used both during and following the expedition. Youth projects may require additional costs to applicant. To reserve a space on an expedition, a $500 deposit is required with submission of the registration form. Once GCP receives the deposit and approves the application, the participant will receive additional information about the expedition. Due dates for the balance of the Expedition Fee will be provided but the full balance is due 60 days prior to the trip. Deposits and other Expedition Fees can be paid via three methods—cash, check, or entering credit card information on the Donation Page of the GCP website.
Personal Costs: Participants are responsible for all other costs such as airfare, passport fees, airport taxes, luggage costs, immunizations, emergency medical insurance (required), meals outside of Guatemala, and additional side trips planned separate from the expedition itself. Participants are also responsible for those expenses of a personal nature, including but not limited to: phone/data usage, souvenirs, tourist activities, laundry services, gratuities, etc.
Accommodation: Sleeping arrangements typically are bunk beds with 12 or more people per room. Accommodations are semi private and bathrooms are private but shared with all volunteers. All participants will be assigned roommates.
Distribution of Expedition Fee: The bulk of the Expedition Fee is used for all travel costs associated with the trip, hotels and accommodations, meals, local transportation and promotional items. The remainder of the Expedition Fee is applied to support GCP projects abroad, including village construction materials, essential supplies, leadership development programs, educational workshops, expedition guide travel costs, etc.
Fund-raising Policy: In the event a participant chooses to fund raise a portion or all of their expedition fee, the participant will be responsible for tracking the status of the donations on their behalf. The participant is responsible for any additional costs not covered by the donations. If the participant’s account includes an overpayment, it is understood that the difference will be considered a donation to GCP and will not be refunded. All matching contributions from corporations on behalf of participants must be received at GCP headquarters no later than 15 days prior to the expedition departure date. GCP is aware that some matching fund programs pay only on a quarterly basis. In this case, the participant and GCP will mutually agree upon a due date for receiving the matching funds. Notwithstanding this requirement, the participant will be responsible for ensuring that their full expedition fee is paid no later than 60 days prior to the expedition departure date.
Required Documentation: To be qualified for an expedition, participants are required to provide the following documentation to GCP.
- Expedition Application Signed
- Copy of first page of passport
- Copy of emergency medical policy. If you opt to be included in the trip group policy we will have this copy already.
Passport: All participants are required to have a passport that will remain effective for at least six months beyond the expedition return date. Participants will be responsible for carrying and safeguarding their own documentation— passports, tourist cards, visas, etc.—during the entire expedition.
Emergency Medical Coverage: All participants are required to have an emergency medical policy that will cover them in Guatemala. This policy must cover medical, dental, emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Immunizations and Health: Expedition participants are fully responsible for their health before, during, and after the expedition. They should consult with their personal physician and/or International Travel Office regarding required immunizations. GCP suggests starting immunizations long before the scheduled departure date, since several of the immunizations are multiple dose vaccines. Testing for some diseases may be required after returning home.
Medical Evacuation and Travel Insurance: GCP Expeditions take place in rural locations where medical services are often not available. Therefore, GCP requires all participants have medical evacuation insurance coverage of at least $100,000. Evacuation insurance covers emergency transportation (airlifting if necessary) to a hospital or clinic. Most personal insurance policies do not cover evacuation insurance. GCP will provide a group policy for each volunteer. If an individual premium exceeds $75 (as per the insurance provider) the volunteer will be responsible to pay the difference. Participants may also want to consider additional travel insurance covering accidents, baggage loss, delays, and unexpected cancellation. GCP recommends that participants purchase trip cancellation insurance when booking airline tickets. Unforeseen accidents or illnesses can arise that may require treatment in less than ideal circumstances. GCP will do all that is possible to arrange adequate treatment, supplies, or transportation where available. If treatment or other care is provided in the event of an accident or illness, those providing treatment and care do so as “Good Samaritans” and with the expectation that they have no legal or other liability as a result of providing such gratuitous services. Participants are responsible for payment of any costs, fees, or other expenses that may arise as a result of an accident, illness, or other occurrence in the course of travel to and from as well as during participation in the expedition. GCP provides a limited medical policy for each volunteer while in Guatemala. Any other coverage is each volunteer’s responsibility,
Safety during the Expedition: Humanitarian work is often needed in countries with unstable governments. Safety is always a concern when traveling and living in developing countries, the conditions of which may result in circumstances beyond the control of GCP. Thus, participants that demonstrate both patience and flexibility tend to enjoy GCP Expeditions the most. Even when safety recommendations are followed, accidents, delays, cancellations, acts of terrorism, violence, and crimes may result in loss of property, bodily harm, or even death to participants. Each participant agrees to assume these risks during the expedition.
All participants agree to read an updated Consular Information Sheet and Applicable Travel Warnings and Public Announcements from the U.S. Department of State for the country to be visited, both at the time the Expedition Application is submitted and prior to departure on an expedition (see http://travel.state.gov).
Standards of Personal Conduct: All participants are considered ambassadors for their countries and GCP. There is a high expectation for participants to respect the reputation of trust and consideration that has been established through years of interaction with villagers and in-country directors. All participants will be expected to maintain high standards of conduct that reflect honor, morality, respect, graciousness, etc. while in the villages and in the countries where GCP serves. Participants will be expected to abstain from narcotics of any kind and alcohol intoxication. GCP reserves the right to terminate a participant’s involvement, without reimbursement, at any point of the expedition if there is failure to comply with these conditions and ALL extra costs will be the responsibility of said volunteer or their legal guardian.
Limitation of Damages: In the event GCP is held liable under any circumstances, participant agrees that such liability will be limited to the participant’s actual expedition costs paid to GCP. No third party may rely on this Agreement or recover damages based upon the terms hereunder.
Responsibility & Liability – Release & Waiver: Each participant agrees to release and hold harmless Guatemala Children’s Project, its officers, directors, affiliates, partners and volunteers from all damages, personal injuries, death, and claims arising in connection with an expedition and accepts full responsibility for his/her health and wellbeing. In the event of cancellations and delays that affect the original itinerary, GCP will use reasonable efforts to provide comparable accommodations or services.
The participant unconditionally, knowingly, and voluntarily agrees to waive and release on behalf of themselves and their heirs, executors, and insurers any and all claims of any nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, against GCP and its officers, directors, affiliates, partners and insurers arising out of any event occurring or alleged to have occurred during an expedition.
This release includes, without limitation, all rights or claims arising under any applicable state or federal statute, foreign law, international law, or any common law cause of action, including any claims for attorney’s fees or other costs.
Miscellaneous Provisions: If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, then such provision will be enforced to the maximum extent possible and the other provisions will remain in full force and effect. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, without regard to its “conflicts of laws” principles. Venue for any legal proceedings concerning this Agreement shall be in the state or federal courts in Washington County, Utah.
“Agreement”, as used herein, means the application form, deposit, release and waiver, and all the terms and conditions described in this document. Upon the acceptance of the applicant for an expedition, this document becomes a binding agreement between all parties. The terms “applicant” and “participant” and "volunteer" are used interchangeably in this Agreement. The rights and obligations of the participants under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon their heirs, agents, personal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. The rights and obligations arising under this Agreement cannot be assigned by participant without the prior written consent of GCP. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between and among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, representations or understandings between or among the parties, or any of them, relating to the subject matter hereof. Modifications to this form Agreement provided by GCP are not binding on GCP unless a written amendment is signed by GCP and all participants listed on the front page of the Expedition Application, and such written amendment and signatures are attached as an addendum to this Agreement.
Privacy policy: as posted on www.guatemalachildrensproject.org
Personal travel: I understand that if I elect to travel before or after the Expedition, I hereby assume any and all risks associated with that travel, including but not limited to all additional costs, accidents, delays, cancellations, acts of terrorism, violence or crimes resulting in damage to or loss of property, severe bodily harm or even death.
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read all pages of this Agreement and that I understand them, that I have had an opportunity to consult with legal advisors, that I have reviewed the applicable Consular Information websites and applicable travel warnings from the U.S. Department of State, and that I hereby assume the risks associated with travel to and through foreign countries. In consideration of being allowed to participate in this endeavor, I hereby release Guatemala Children’s Project, its employees, directors, agents, expedition leaders, and all others, from all claims, causes of action, damages, costs, fees, or other expenses which may arise directly or indirectly from my participation, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement. I understand that I am solely responsible for securing insurance coverage and other financial arrangements to provide for costs, fees or other expenses that may arise as a result of my participation. I also agree to the prescribed standards of personal conduct and grant full permission for Guatemala Children’s Project to use my image and likeness in all media formats without charge for promotional purposes.