Expedition Leader Training with Gapforce

Why did you choose this program?

I always knew I wanted a career in the outdoors and something I could travel with and meet interesting people. I found this course, and after researching similar training programmes I decided this was best for me. The opportunity to live and learn in the jungle was a once in a lifetime opportunity and this course appeared to be the most intense and rewarding in terms of qualifications and experience gained.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Gapforce organise everything apart from flights, insurance and kit. However, instructors are always there to answer any questions before you leave, whether it’s about equipment, physical or mental preparation - they are all very experienced and knowledgeable. During the course we help organise transport, meals and logistics to gain experience - this is what you would be doing as an expedition leader.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Give it your all. Even if you’re really struggling in the moment you have to appreciate where you are and what you’re doing…it’s not every day you’re lugging 30kg through the jungle in Central America! Your teammates are there to support you, everyone is in the same boat. Be open to all new experiences, even if it’s tough at first, us humans adapt very quickly. Also, foot care! (Foot rot is not a pleasant experience)

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

You will spend about 7 days in the jungle at a time, going back into town for a few days to rest, clean everything and restock on food. In the jungle you will typically get up at 7am (usually awake earlier if there’s howler monkeys around) and have breakfast. The leader of the day will give a briefing to explain the plan. Lessons will run up until lunch where you will do some housekeeping eg. collect firewood, make amendments to camp. Afterwards you will have more lessons/ activities until around 4pm. Unless you’re on the dinner team this is usually a bit of free time. You will wash in the river and clean your clothes and kit. I usually spent time practicing some knots, reading or preparing for my next leader day. It gets dark at around 6pm so we usually headed to bed after dinner at around 8 or 9pm…you’ll need your rest!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

As the start date approached I got pretty nervous! I had a lot of self doubt and thoughts like ‘What if I’m totally inexperienced compared to everyone?’, ‘Am I fit enough?’, ‘Will people take me seriously as a leader?’. But when I arrived in Wales I quickly realised I had nothing to worry about. Even after the first week together you get to know everyone very well and quickly become a team. I did struggle at points and there were moments where I was less experienced than others, but you’re there to learn. I soon became a lot more confident as a leader, the instructors really help you figure out what sort of leader you are and you will find your flow! In terms of going abroad, I was more excited than nervous. The language barrier was probably the biggest issue but you adapt very quickly and learn a bit of Spanish during the course. After the course finished I even decided to stick around and travel through Central America solo, something I never would have had the confidence to do before.

Tell us a little more about this program, what makes it a unique experience?

Jade: The variety: kayaking, survival, rescue training, project work, racing canoes, team management,caves, rivers, jungle. Also the level of responsibility. You get to lead and be involved in the running of the expedition from an early stage.

The duration and intensity (4 months of training) and lots of feedback to improve your leadership and expedition skills. This pushes people to their limits.

Describe a typical day on this program.

Jade: We all wake up at 6:30 a.m. We then make the fire for breakfast porridge. Everyone has porridge and shares stories from the night before: wet hammocks, animals moving about in the night, strange jungle noises! We then start training, which at the moment is river crossings and navigation.

In navigation training, the trainees practice jungle nav by doing 200m squares, cutting a trail and hopefully ending up back where they started. River training is learning to throw ropes to rescue a person from rapids, then practicing using ropes to cross fast water with a group.

In the evening we eat rice, beans, and lots of Marie Sharps chili sauce! Then we spend the evening chatting before going to bed early. It gets dark at 6pm!

What are some extra-curricular activities participants enjoy on this program?

Jade: Going to Caye Caulker - a tropical paradise! Also visiting Mayan temples, Belize zoo, maybe Guatemala and enjoying rum and Coke.

What's your favorite story from a program participant's experience on this program?

Jade: We had a project where we had to build a boardwalk out across a swamp into a lagoon (with crocs in it!). No one really knew how to do it and the weather was blazing hot. Tools were limited, conditions were really tough, lots of bugs etc.

The group were great, they worked really hard together, lots of ideas, trial and error, lots of great leadership, tough physical work, but also a really great laugh. We completed it and it actually looked pretty professional!! It was very satisfying and memorable as we spent the entire project thigh deep in a swamp!!

What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering this program?

Jade: Prepare yourself mentally as well as physically.

What aspect of your work inspires you the most?

Jade: When we see people transform throughout the course. Some people start off very unsure, with absolutely no jungle or leadership experience and they push themselves to improve all the way through the course.

It is impressive to see the results when they become very capable and competent, not only at looking after themselves in the jungle but also being able to lead and look after others.