'Outlook Expeditions' overseas youth expedition company

harryharp

I was wondering if anyone has any any experience of this company? We attended a presentation at my son's school last week about an expedition to Kenya in Summer 2011 (the summer after his A Levels). The trip is for 24 days and costs £3250. It basically involves climbing Mount Kenya and part of the time will be spent working on local community projects such as irrigation, or teaching local children. The kids are encouraged to raise the money themselves rather than it be something parents have to pay for.

It seems like an awful lot of money to me though....I sent the company an email asking for a breakdown of costs, but haven't had a reply as yet. It seems like a very good experience for my son...but I'm just worried that it might be a rip-off.

Anyone else had any kids who've gone away with Outlook Expeditions?

MrsTinks

A quick google turned this up: http://www.financewales.co.uk/news_and_media/articles/290509_outlook.aspx

Google didn't turn up any horror stories at first glance

Kate_Beard

Hi,

I realise that this reply comes a bit late as you posted your comment about a month ago now but I thought I'd answer anyway incase it helps.

Outlook runs trips for about 1000 young people each year. Of course it could all be done for cheaper if you arranged it all yourself. But what you probably couldn't organise so easily is the extra safety and support that Outlook provides such as an Expedition Leader - who guides the group and oversees their safety - and all the support and training that happens pre and post expedition. The EPA (Expedition Providers' Association) website might help - they set the standards for youth expeditions.

I represent Outlook and am sorry to hear that you had not received a breakdown of costs from us - if you have still not heard anything from us then please get in touch with me and I'll chase up the information for you.

Kate Beard - Outlook Expeditions

Wine_of_the_World

That really is a LOT of money. If your son is keen on doing some travelling perhaps visit an STA travel agent, as they specialise in youth / student travel. There you will find information on companies like Intrepid who run adventure tours through Africa, Asia etc. These tours also have a group leader / guide, so that covers the safety aspect. I did one though Asia and it was by far cheaper than the price you have been given. I had a fab time!

Bananabelly

I thought this article was quite an interesting review of those types of companies. It talks about how kids can be exploited, and may not actually be helping as much as they think.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/news/article6788628.ece

It is very expensive. Also, I find it annoying when people want others to fund their holiday through fund raising (which essentially seems what they are telling your child to do).

WolfSong2000

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that some of these expeditions are not as charitable as they make themselves out to be...the company takes the lions share of the money, so the country the kids will be traveling to will see little if any...plus if you want to make any real contribution to a community project you'd really need to be there for more than a few weeks...otherwise they're just training you only to have you leave almost straight away. Unless really well organised it can be a real hassle having kids get involved in projects overseas, especially short term, and the actual valid contribution made can be very small, so it's worth doing decent research.

Having said that, if you can find a genuine project, where the local community isn't being ripped off and a valid contribution to a local project can be made, then go for it! I realise I'm a bit cynical, but I work very closely with a small overseas charity and have seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to volunteers! .