The subjects.
In terms of educational tourism The Pang Soong Lodge Outdoor Education & Research Centre is designed to support the outdoor education programmes provided for international schools at MRVR, and to expand the options in terms of providing schools with both ‘well developed lesson plans’ (biology, botany, and environmental studies etc.) that the unique characteristics of the location allows.
The location, shared with the VWB Initiative, allows students the opportunity for hands on involvement in support of research and data gathering for real and ongoing scientific and socio-economic studies being conducted by the VWB – Voluntourists Without Borders Initiative, at and around the Lodge and Ban Mae Lai.
Lesson plans.
Lesson plans are provided by MRVR, and by Chiang Mai International School – who are our appointed local educational lesson plan development partner, as well as by MRVR.
Community service.
The community service options are provided under the VWB Initiative umbrella, and are specially designed to allow contribution to both environmental based (community based ecotourism projects) and/or developmental based (teaching in and providing assistance for small scale building tasks in local, rural schools).
Every single input, no matter how small, or for how short a time, moves the MRV Initiative a step further towards helping the villagers of Ban Mae Lai reach their stated goals and objectives.
Non mountain or jungle based activities are conducted on a vast tract of land that is His Majesty’s the King’s Agricultural Development Centre at Huay Hon Khrai, located in the lower foothills of the Chiang Mai valley some 30 minutes away from Pang Soong Lodge. The reservoirs, lakes, reforestation developments on the site, all interlinked by a network of trails and managed by a dedicated team of His majesty’s staff, provide a fantastic and safe venue for such activities as: mountain biking, compass or GPS marches, waterborne activities orienteering, and camping – for schools, universities, corporte and youth groups.
Off site activities.
The city of Chiang Mai, with its numerous tourist attractions: sightseeing, cultural activities, elephants rides, rafting programmes and more is less than an hour away from Pang Soong Lodge.
Supervision.
The delivery of the educational programmes for international schools is managed by MRVR instructors, whilst the community service work, related tours, and scientific studies in support of VWB is managed by Track of the Tiger T.R.D.
Safety.
There are qualified first aid practitioners on hand for all programmes, and risk assessed evacuation plans to the nearest, most suitable medical facilities are incorporated into every programme design.
Typical 6 day programme.
Day 1.
Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer out to Pang Soong Lodge, Outdoor Education & Research centre.
Safety and programme briefing.
Afternoon - team building programme.
Evening – support for scientific study on animal activity/presence.
Day 2.
Full day trek the nature trail and beyond.
Evening – discussion / presentation on insects by visiting professor.
Day 3.
Half day teaching English/sport or computer in a local rural school.
Half day working alongside villagers on a nature trail development or scientific study programme.
Map reading, compass use and GPS familiarization programme.
Day 4.
Full day multi activity ‘Amazing Race style’ challenge programme at Huay Hon Khrai
Evening – Dance and music show by a team from the local school followed by a Thai style (local dinner) with that group, and thank you speech from the village head.
Dinner followed by a dance/song or other presentation by the visiting school for their local guests.
Day 5.
Full day soft adventure: elephant ride, bamboo rafting, sightseeing programme around cultural Chiang Mai.
Overnight in a city hotel with access to the night bazaar.
Day 6.
Time at leisure.
Transfer out.
Pricing
Prices vary depending on group size and programme content but generally speaking an all inclusive programme (less flights) for 30 students would cost no more that US$50.- to US$60.- per day, with one teacher free of charge for very 15 students.
Contact us for a quotation
