Info

If you think you're tough enough then come with us to the jungle and learn how to lead your own expeditions. We only take the best of the best though

Now we've combined our knowledge and experience into an intensive and challenging 4 month course that'll train you up to the standard of a top Gapforce expedition leader, with the chance to walk straight into a job at Gapforce at the end of it!

The skills and experience you'll get from this course are valuable for more than just expedition leading. Whether you're looking for extreme environment training, leadership skills or just a break from the 9-5 you won't find a more exciting challenge anywhere in the world. The question is, are you tough enough?!

Highlights:

* Get on-location training from UK experts.
* Gain leadership skills and confidence you never thought you'd have.
* Be capable of living un-aided in the world's toughest environment.
* Get up close and personal with the jungle's inhabitants in the beautiful rainforest.
* Make amazing friends for life.
* Vastly improve you employability.
* Trek to incredible locations in Belize.
* Open yourself up to great job prospects.

What will I achieve?

Trained from scratch in all areas of expedition leading
Participants of this course come from all walks of life and have various levels of experience of working in the outdoors and of leading people; from none at all to years in the armed forces or leading in the UK. Our course will train you from scratch no matter what your background, but it's flexible enough to cater for all previous levels of experience. It will train you in the practical aspects of leading like safety, navigation, river crossings and first aid, but will also teach the theory too so you'll know exactly how to work with in-country partners, other NGO's and volunteers to create worthwhile and sustainable projects.

High quality instruction from UK experts
This course combines the experience of over 20 years of Gapforce leading extreme expeditions overseas. It was designed by our top expedition leaders and incorporates expert training from a range of people including UK doctors, Mountain Leader instructors and others.

Train on location in the Welsh hills and in the Belizean jungle
Training 24/7 in the kind of environments that expedition leaders work in builds your stamina right from the start, and is incredible fun!

Improve your employability
Still only in its second year this course is already becoming an industry leader in the field of expedition leading. Not only are our graduates being successfully employed within the Gapforce family but they are finding success with other expedition organisations too. The skills you'll learn are valuable for almost any career, not just expedition leading. Leadership skills, adaptability, ingenuity, problem solving, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills are just some of the things you'll learn on this course and the experience will give you confidence to take you wherever you want to go next.

Have fun!
The course is intense and challenging - but it's also great fun! You'll meet a brilliant bunch of people and get to explore one of the world's most beautiful and exciting countries, where you'll come face to face with fantastic creatures, incredible landscapes and maybe even the odd Caribbean beach!

Where will I live?
In your first 2 weeks you'll be in a lovely welsh cottage completing your Mountain Leader training. But when you head to Belize you'll be largely living in the jungle. Here you will be in hammocks in the camp that you build. But there will be regular trips back to base camp at the Trekforce house for more training and between treks.

Food and drink
All meals are provided. They are basic but nutritious and incorporate as much local produce as possible. In the jungle you can expect non-perishable supplies including tinned food, rice and pasta supplemented with fresh food as often as possible, but creating exciting menus from a limited range of food is more fun than you'd expect!

Essentials
In the jungle you will have no hot running water, electricity or flushing toilets - but you will learn to love the simpler way of life! Some people take solar chargers for recharging electronic equipment such as iPods and cameras and this can work well. Although there are communication systems on camp for emergencies there will not be regular internet or phone access during the course.

Eligibility
The trip is open to all nationalities. However, please check with your nearest embassy to verify if you need to obtain a VISA before arrival in Belize. UK passport holders should be issued with a tourist visa on arrival and this will be extended by your expedition leader, but please check this with the embassy (particularly if you are not a UK national) as requirements can change suddenly.

Minimum Age
The minimum age for this trip is 18 and there is no maximum. Expedition groups consist of individuals from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone is welcome!

Money
The currency in Belize is the American dollar. The best way to carry your money is to split it between separate payment methods, e.g. cash, card and traveller's cheques. Never carry a lot of cash as you can always get more out at cash point.

Country facts
Belize is a Central American country about the size of Wales and with a population of around 330,000. It was a part of the British and Mayan empires and boasts a range of terrestrial and marine eco-systems that are extremely rich and diverse.

English is still the official language of Belize.

Did you know?
The British Army still use Belize as the location for their Training and Support Unit (BATSUB). You may even see them training alongside you in the jungle!

Duration

4 months

Start Dates

2011

November 5th

2012

Jan 14th
May19th
November 3rd.

Costs / Benefits

£6,450