Isabelle's Backpacking Service Trip

This summer, I will be embarking on an adventure to Southeast Asia with an organization called Operation Groundswell. OG prides themselves on “backpacking with a purpose,” where the organization takes students and recent graduates on adventures to various regions of the world to perform community service as well as learn about the culture and history of these places. I, along with 9 other group members and two group leaders, will be backpacking throughout the cities and rural regions of Thailand and Cambodia. On our six-week journey, we will be working with an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in the slums of Bangkok, farming on a permaculture education farm, studying the Mekong River, as well as working at Elephant and Asiatic Bear sanctuaries. The program also offers immense education about the cultures we will be immersed in such as their social, economic, and historical backgrounds. This will benefit the communities and villages that we will be living and working in immensely as well as enhance my studies at Skidmore College in the field of Sociology.

As well as our physical contribution to these regions, OG also requires a community contribution that goes directly to the organizations and communities we will be working with in Southeast Asia and a small portion of this contribution goes towards offsetting our carbon footprint during our travels. Any amount at all is extremely appreciated in helping make this amazing experience a reality for me as well as the communities in need that we are going to be helping out this summer!!