How do I join?
1) Decide which expedition you would like to join.
2) Print and fill out the application, and fax or mail with deposit check or credit card information to apply and hold a space.
3) If you have email and Internet, we will use that as our primary form of briefing communication. If not, we will send you briefing information in the mail upon application approval.
4) Book your travel arrangements. CHOICE will connect you with our travel desk so that you may make your flight arrangements. You may make your own arrangements if you chose to not to use the CHOICE travel desk. Travel costs to the project country are not included in the expedition cost.
How much does it cost?
The expedition cost will vary depending on expedition length, project costs and location. Excluding airfare, costs generally range from $1,000 to $2,000. A $300 deposit is required to reserve a space on any expedition. Expedition cost is listed individually for each expedition in the expedition calendar.The full expedition cost is due 45 days prior to departure.
Please note the payment policy below.
How do I pay?
A $300 deposit is required at the time of application to hold a space on an expedition. The expedition cost balance is due 45 days prior to departure. Participants can pay by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Some participants have chosen to find sponsors or have used their employer donation matching program to help pay for their expedition costs. The CHOICE office may be able to help you with fundraising ideas. All airfare is due before group ticketing can be completed.
How is the money used?
The entire expedition cost goes to support CHOICE projects and expeditions. Depending on the size and location of your expedition, approximately 60% goes to field costs; 26% goes to team coordination, advance planning and support; and 14% goes to headquarters support and post expedition analysis. Field costs include accommodations, ground transportation, food while in the village, leader expenses, project costs and program coordination costs.
What other expenses can I expect?
Airfare is not included in the expedition cost (except on World Explorer Expeditions), but is payable to CHOICE when travel arrangements are made through our travel desk. Other costs to expect include passports, multiple-entry visas, airport taxes, immunizations and evacuation insurance. On Village Expeditions, meals while outside the village are not included. Participant is responsible for extra charges if he/she deviates from the group flight itinerary or makes any flight changes after the reservations have been finalized.Any side trips planned by the participant will be entirely at his or her own expense.
You are responsible for any extra flight charges incurred at any time.
Can I cancel at any time?
You may cancel your space or transfer your deposit and payments to another expedition based on the following schedule:
Over 90 days: The $300 per person deposit less a $100 service charge is refundable -or- 100% of your balance is transferable to another expedition*
45-90 days: Deposit is non-refundable but other payments are fully refundable -or- 100% of balance less a $100 service charge is transferable to another expedition*
Less than 45 days: All payments are non-refundable*
*If airfare has already been paid upon cancellation or transfer, you are responsible for any fees incurred or money lost if flights need to be changed or credited to ticket holder. CHOICE strongly suggests participants consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
Is the expedition cost tax-deductible?
CHOICE Humanitarian is a non-profit organization as described by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Therefore, all but $100 of the transportation to and from expedition sites as well as the participant's expedition cost are probably tax deductible. We suggest that you consult your personal tax advisor regarding your personal tax situation. Any personal travel before and after the expedition is not tax deductible.
What insurance do I need?
CHOICE requires that all expedition participants have medical evacuation insurance valuing at least $25,000. Our expeditions take place in rural locations where medical services are often not available. Evacuation insurance would cover emergency transportation to a hospital or clinic. Most personal insurance policies do not cover evacuation insurance, but there are inexpensive temporary policies available. The CHOICE office can direct you to providers. Participants may also want to consider travel insurance covering accidents, baggage loss, delays and unexpected cancellation. CHOICE cannot refund airfare or deposits based on our stated cancellation schedule.
Do you offer any discounts?
CHOICE keeps expedition costs as low as possible to make expeditions available to as many people as possible. At this time we are able to offer the following discounts to participants:
College Students: Full-time students in colleges or universities will receive a $125 discount off the expedition cost. This discount may not be used in conjunction with any other discounts.
Referral Credits: Past expedition participants are eligible to receive a credit towards future expeditions by encouraging friends and family to accompany them. If you have been on a CHOICE expedition and are making plans to go again, you can receive $50 off the expedition cost for referring one person or $100 off for referring two people. The referrals do not have to go on the same expedition and this discount may only be used once per year and not in conjunction with any other discounts.
How do I book travel?
The CHOICE travel desk will work with you to customize your itinerary and find the lowest possible airfare. Participants may depart from anywhere and will meet the group at a designated location and time in the project country. You may choose to follow the leader's itinerary if you would feel more comfortable traveling with someone from the group. We cannot guarantee any airfares or seating availability. We highly suggest purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
Participants may also choose to book their own airfare or use frequent flier miles for tickets. In this case, the CHOICE office will need a copy of your flight itinerary as soon as possible.
Am I really qualified to go?
Of course! There are no qualifications for going on a CHOICE Humanitarian expedition other than having an open mind and heart. Some expeditions are more appropriate for participants with special medical concerns or other special needs. Consult with the CHOICE office regarding these concerns.
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Types of Expeditions
