A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
Step One: Understanding
Our first meeting will give you the opportunity to understand even more about Quest’s philosophy in changing the world. It also allows us to understand your establishment, your student’s and your needs and requirements. Our Operations Manager and your school or university expedition organiser or Course Director will discuss the aims and objectives of the trip and the various options available to you and your students.
Step Two: Design
After the first meeting, we would expect to have a clear idea of the types of project that you are looking for as well as any add-ons, such as adventure activities or language courses that you are considering. With this information we can provide you with a variety of different options based around the donation you make to the project, trip length and team sizes. The options will be sent to you with a clearly outlined day-by-day itinerary, project description, including aims, benefits in short-term, medium-term and long-term as well as cost breakdowns and how your money will be spent over time.
Once you have had time to digest this information we would arrange for our Operations Director to meet you to discuss each option, answer any questions you may have and work with you to help you decide which project fits your requirements most specifically.
Step Three: Organisation
Once you have agreed on an itinerary we will work very closely with your staff in order to define roles and responsibilities and for the trip. We will work through detailed safety plans and discuss areas such as administration, school and/or LEA policies, risk assessments, duty of care, emergency procedures and crisis management. We also discuss the day to day running of the expedition, the roles of your staff and their relationship with the Expedition Leader. Quest will offer to visit your establishment to give a detailed presentation to staff, students and parents with information about the proposed trip. Further field training for your staff can be arranged, if requested.
Step Four: Preparation and Training
With your project and/or expedition agreed Quest will visit your establishment to begin your students’ training programme. Training and preparation can be a spread over the run up to your trip overseas and can last from half-a-day to a weekend, depending on your establishments requirements. Topics covered will include cultural awareness, responsible travel, recommended kit, safety and risk, health and hygiene, vaccinations and team building activities. Quest can also offer advice on fundraising and we have a dedicated on-line preparation zone containing a wealth of information and advice to help prepare staff and students alike.
Our Operations team will liase with project partners overseas to agree the details of achieving the projects aims – from sourcing materials to finding local staff to work on the project to looking at architectural plans to getting any necessary government permissions.
Step Five: Project
Team departs. In-country orientation. Project commences!
Step Five: Debrief and Evaluation
Project ends but before the students and staff return home we will help your staff to complete a thorough debrief and evaluation. Students are encouraged to identify their successes and failures during the expedition and the skills they have developed. The Expedition Leader provides valuable feedback to each student when the Expedition ends and he/she will then discuss how the student can best put their experiences into practice in future education and employment.
A Welcome home pack is sent to all team members, with details on how you can continue to support the project and how you can build what the experience into class based activities. Quest will provide updates on the project over the next year and advise on how your establishment can continue to support the project.