2021-2022 Thailand July Team Manual
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2021-2022 Thailand July Team Manual
July 9th-July 24th, 2022
Team Leader Assistant Team Leader
Meg Ashton Avery Timmerman
Meg@youthlinc.org Avery.T@youthlinc.org
801-649-9710 801-971-9254
Team Meetings:
Youthlinc Office:1166 E Brickyard Rd. SLC, UT 84109
Date Time Location Purpose
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc New Team
December 18th 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Introductions,
Committee
Assignments, Local
Service
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc Local Service,
January 22nd 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Team Building
Leadership
Saturday, TBA TBA Committee
February 12th Workshop
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc BBBS Clothing Drive
March 19th 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Education Workshop
Committee Work
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc Local Service
April 30th 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Committee Work
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc Local Service
May 21st 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Committee Work
Parent Meeting
Saturday, 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc Local Service
June 18th 1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Committee Work
Saturday, July 2nd 12:30- 1:30 pm (Leadership Meeting) Youthlinc Packing Finalize
1:30- 3:30 pm (Team Meeting) Office Committee Projects
Meeting
Wednesday, July 6th 6:00- 8:00 pm Youthlinc Packing Meeting
Office
Travel Itinerary:
DATE DESCRIPTION
Saturday, July 9 Travel Day
• Check in as a group at Alaska Air desk at 6:00 am
• Alaska Airlines Flight 3326
o Depart SLC at 10:10 am
o Arrive LAX at 11:12 am
• Singapore Airlines Flight 11:
o Depart LAX 2:20 pm
Sunday, July 10 Travel Day
Monday, July 11 Travel Day
• Singapore Airlines Flight 11:
o Arrive SIN at 1:15 am
• Singapore Airlines Flight 711:
o Depart SIN at 7:10 am
o Arrive BKK at 8:35 am
• Transfer to Ban Bor Keaw by bus
• Lunch along the way
• Dinner upon arrival at Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
• Overnight at Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Tuesday, July 12 OPENING CEREMONIES & WORK DAY 1
• Breakfast
• Opening ceremonies at school
• Meet with Jim and village leaders to go over schedule
• Lunch at school
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• Overnight stay Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Wednesday, July 13 WORK DAY 2
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Thursday, July 14 WORK DAY 3
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• overnight Ban Bor Keaw GuesthouseFriday, July 15 WORK DAY 4
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Saturday, July 16 WORK DAY 5
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Sunday, July 17 CULTURAL DAY
• Breakfast
• Visit the area: temple visit, hike, waterfall, explore community,
protestant church, etc.
• Lunch at the guesthouse
• Relax and free time
• Dinner
• Overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Monday, July 18 WORK DAY 6
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• Overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Tuesday, July 19 WORK DAY 7
• Breakfast
• Projects
• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Wednesday, July 20 WORK DAY 8
• Breakfast
• Projects• Lunch
• Projects
• Dinner
• Team reflection
• Overnight Ban Bor Keaw Guesthouse
Thursday, July 21 CLOSING CEREMONIES & TRAVEL DAY
• Breakfast
• Closing Ceremonies with Baisee ceremony
• Lunch with community
• Transfer to Chiang Mai
• Dinner buffet at Eco Resort
• Free time at Eco Resort or in Chiang Mai
• Eco Resort Chiang Mai Overnight
Friday, July 22 EXCURSION DAY
• Breakfast
• 24 hour RAT COVID test to return home
• Elephant Camp (RanTong Save and Rescue)
o Morning group (half team)
o Afternoon group (half Team
• Free time to explore Chiang Mai
o Morning group
o Afternoon group
• 6:30-9:00pm Dinner at Kan Tok restaurant in Chiang Mai
(Goodbye traditional dinner)
• Eco Resort Chiang Mai overnight
Saturday, July 23 Travel Day
• Breakfast
• Early morning Transfer from Chiang Mai to BKK
• Lunch along the way
• Check-in with Singapore as a group by 4:30 pm
• Singapore Airlines Flight 711:
o Depart BKK at 6:30 pm
o Arrive SIN at 9:55 pm
Sunday, July 24 Travel Day
• Singapore Airlines Flight 12:
o Depart SIN at 9:25 am
o Arrive LAX at 12:50 pm
• Jet Blue Flight 1732:
o Depart LAX at 3:57 pm
o Arrive SLC at 6:35 pmPacking Checklist:
Remember: This is not a fashion show! We will be working hard, but having fun.
Plane Personal item: 1 Carry-on and 1 personal bag
• A light jacket in case you get cold on the airplane.
• Passport, cash, ATM card (must have these on your person)
• Camera-extra batteries or charger
• Toiletries (You will want to brush your teeth and take out your contacts!)
• All prescriptions in original bottles
• Neck pillow and sleep aid (if you are into that—If so, please be sure this is not your
first time taking a sleeping aid!)
• Socks to keep your feet comfy
• Books, games, music
• Water bottle (be prepared to dump it out before security at every layover)
• Snacks
• Change of underwear/clothes just in case your luggage is temporarily misplaced
**Be sure to put away your passport in the same place every time. It is recommended to
get a money belt to keep your passport/money/and any debit or credit cards in.
Before purchasing a money belt check with your team leader to see if Youthlinc will be
providing money belts for your team.
Suitcase: 50 lb. limit
Thailand can be hot. We will be experiencing everything from 95 degree + temperatures
with high humidity and probable rain. Downpours are common in the summer.
Waterproof items will make your life easier.
● Clothing. For a small fee you may have laundry done at the hotel, so I would
pack the bare minimum and then plan to do laundry.
○ Clothes should be sprayed with permethrin spray prior to trip to help keep
mosquitoes and other bugs away.
○ Work clothes—Ratty enough so that we don’t care if they are ruined. Plan
on a week of outdoor work.
○ 5-6 T-shirts (One will be your Youthlinc shirt) must cover your shoulder
○ 3-4 pairs of pants/shorts (must be to the knee or longer). Scrub bottoms
are excellent.
○ Tourist clothes-Temple attire
○ Sturdy old sneakers for outdoor work. (You must wear closed-toed shoes
to do construction).
○ Extra pair of shoes – Participants like sturdier sandals like Tevas or
Chacos.○ Socks
○ Teaching clothes: If you are teaching or presenting, you will want to look
professional. 1-2 outfits will be fine. Sandals are okay. Recommended:
girls = skirts to pull over shorts, guys = collared shirt, nice shorts or cargo
pants
○ Clothes or pajamas to sleep in 2 (be mindful that we’re sharing rooms)
○ Underwear
○ Work gloves, work gloves, and more work gloves!
○ Flip flops/Sandals for the shower
○ Jacket or sweatshirt
○ Rain jacket or poncho (We will be there just before the beginning of
Monsoon season)
● Staying safe and healthy
○ Water bottle (a must since we refill our bottles from giant jugs). Bring 2 to
be safe.
○ Towel and washcloth
○ Small sizes of toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.)
○ Sunscreen and Chapstick. THIS IS A MUST!
○ Sunglasses
○ Hat for outdoors
○ Mosquito repellent with DEET.
○ Hand sanitizer
○ Kleenex travel pack
○ Toilet paper in a Ziploc bag
○ Feminine hygiene items
○ A watch. You won’t have your phone with you to check the time
○ Small, personal first aid kit
■ Benadryl, Cipro, aspirin or Motrin, Neosporin, band-aids, Alcohol
swabs in packets and cortisone cream (for bug bites), Pepto
Bismol, sunburn medication, and pain reliever
● Miscellaneous Items
○ Snacks: non-crushable things like: granola bars, fruit roll ups, nuts and
trail mix, beef jerky, small cereal boxes, candy, fruit snacks, peanut butter,
crystal light/Kool-Aid/Gatorade packets, instant oatmeal. Bring snacks!
■ Protein bars/beef jerky- vegetarian or not, these bars will also be a
great asset to you on the trip because while in the village, we’ll be
eating a vegetarian diet.
■ Propel/Gatorade packets – You will be doing a lot of physical
activity, you need extra electrolytes!
■ If you have any other food allergies or special diet restrictions
(gluten intolerance, etc.) Be sure to bring snacks and supplements
you will need.
○ Flashlight and extra batteries or headlamp○ A journal and pens
○ Any stuff you need for your committee assignments
○ English camp lesson
○ Sleep sack (a large sheet sewn in half like a sleeping bag)
○ Electrical converter (English/UK)
○ If you intend to do any major shopping, you will need to bring your own
bubble wrap, scissors, and tape in your personal luggage.
FAQs:
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Youthlinc and our trip to
Thailand.
Q: How much money will I need?
● You may want extra money for extra treats, drinks other than water, and food in
airports. All other meals and all drinking water are paid.
● We will be shopping for souvenirs. You can get a lot of great items for friends and
family for $100- $200.
● Plan to bring money for tipping, as you’ll want to tip good service. $30 is usually
sufficient.
Q: In what form should I bring my money?
To get the best exchange rate you should bring an ATM card to use at ATMs around the
city. This is safe because if it is lost, no one can access your money. Be sure to bring
low, crisp bills. Traveler’s checks are discouraged. They are often very difficult to cash.
If bringing cash, be sure not to store it all in one place.
Q: What kind of money is used in Cambodia and what is the exchange rate?
● 1 US Dollar = 33 Thai Baht
● In Thailand, Baht are the official currency.
Q: How do I get a passport?
You need to apply for your passport right away. It takes several weeks to arrive, but is
good for five to ten years, depending on your age. Do not put off getting a passport if
you need it! Visit travel.state.gov/passport to learn everything you need to know about
applying for a passport. Thailand requires that your passport not be expire within
the 6 months of you entering the country.
Q: What about a visa?
American citizens are not required to get a visa for Thailand. This only applies to non-
work trips less than 30 days, so if you’re just going on the Service Trip through
Youthlinc, you don’t need to get a visa. If you are diverging, you might need to obtain a
visa depending on how long you’re staying in Thailand.
Q: Is Youthlinc tax deductible?Yes, Youthlinc is a 501(c)3 organization. People who make donations to Youthlinc can use this when filing income taxes. Check with your tax advisor about making charitable donations. Q: What will the weather be like? Hot and sticky! The humidity can be high in Thailand with temperatures at 95 degrees. The sun is intense at this longitude and altitude, so start the day with sunscreen. It will be the rainy season, but it will also be Thailand’s hottest time of the year. Bring a lightweight hooded rain jacket or poncho. Pack clothing that dries quickly and will not be too hot. Q: What shots do I need? Shots are strongly recommended for your safety. You should be current on your MMR. Hepatitis A and B and tetanus can reduce some of the worries about traveling out of the country. (If it has been 5 years since your last tetanus shot, you will need to be immunized.) Typhoid and polio are also recommended. These shots are also beneficial to have in the States. The hepatitis shots come in sets of 2 to be given 6 months apart, so get the first one now. Anti-malaria pills are strongly recommended and are taken before, during, and after the trip. You are responsible for any shots or medications, but you should check with your insurance company to see if some are covered. We will have a medical travel clinic in February to go over all of this critical information and you are able to get needed vaccinations at that time. Minors MUST bring a parent to the vaccination clinic. Q: What should I pack? The idea is to pack as lightly as possible as we need room for donated and project items. A packing list is included in this manual. The clothes worn in Thailand should be modest (at least mid-thigh length shorts, no low- cut tops, etc.) and should be professional when you’re teaching. Bring clothes to play sports and games. Q: How much can my luggage weigh? Each suitcase or duffel bag is limited to 50 pounds. Each participant will need to take one carry-on, one checked bag, and one personal item to put under your seat (backpack, purse, etc.) Checked bag: this bag can weigh 50 pounds. Your checked bag will contain personal items and donated items, one third of this bag will contain your committee project items. Carry-on: this bag can weigh 12 pounds and will contain mostly personal items, this is where we recommend packing your clothing for the trip in case your checked bag is lost. Please make sure to check with your international flight for any additional restrictions towards overhead items.
Q: How can I bring donated items? We would love to bring donated items, but some things are unrealistic. For instance, the children may need shoes and we have lots of old shoes at our homes, right? But these are often bulky and heavy. Also, consider that these shoes might put a local shoe maker out of business. Sometimes it is better accepting cash donations and then purchasing items when we get to Thailand. In general, money is always a better donation in terms of weight, usability and promoting the local economy of the village we are visiting. Q: What kind of food will I be eating? The food in Thailand is very flavorful. There will be many exotic options of foods that you may have never tried. There will also be “comfortable dishes” like rice, chicken, and noodles. The fresh fruit is very good! Please be aware that one of the exciting aspects of traveling to another country is trying new things. We cannot promise that you will love everything that is served to you, but be sure to be appreciative and open-minded. Remember to be respectful of their culture and food traditions. If you are really concerned about your picky taste buds please bring snacks that you like but make sure that they are unopened and sealed in plastic bags. You do not want to attract bugs. If you have any food allergies, please notify Jordan Taylor (Jordan@youthlinc.org), the International Service Director, before March. Q: Will there be a lot of bugs? There are bugs, but nothing too out of the ordinary. You will want to bring insect repellent with DEET to protect yourself from bites since mosquitoes transmit several serious diseases, including malaria. Light long sleeve shirts and long pants are also great protectors. You will likely encounter a few bugs that you haven’t seen before, but all in all, bugs aren’t really a big deal. Q: How will my loved ones know that I’m all right? The Team Leader will call home once the team has arrived in-country. This will activate a phone tree, where your loved one will receive a phone call that the team is safe. Your family will also have the phone tree with contact information for emergencies. Q: Can I call home? The Team Leader will have phone access only in the case of an emergency. We recommend that you try to leave your family at home and completely immerse yourself in another world!
Q: Can I go out on my own while we’re there?
No. It is important for safety reasons that we stay together in groups of no fewer than
five. There will be a Youthlinc Mentor with groups that go out. Our policy is to watch out
for each other.
Q: How are the bathrooms?
At the school, there are pit latrines, commonly known as squatter. In the hotel, there are
flushing toilets and toilet paper-- the only difference is that toilet paper does not go in
the toilet. The pipes in most developing countries are not as large as they are in the
United States. Put all toilet paper and feminine products in the trash receptacles. You’ll
want to bring a plastic bag of toilet paper and hand sanitizer for when you work in the
village.
Q: Can I drink the water?
No! Bottled water will be available every day to our group. Be careful not to run your
toothbrush under the tap. Don’t swallow water in the shower. Whenever in doubt of
where your water is from, ask your Team Leader.
Q: Will there be time to shop?
Yes, but it will be minimal.
Q: What about local service hours?
Humanitarians will need to complete a required number of documented hours of local
service. We require that you perform a portion of these hours at the same site so that
you truly build a bond with the people you are helping. You must document every hour
with an email verification from your service supervisor. Search for a local service site or
log hours by going to our online Local Service Directory. The best way to accomplish
this is through regular, weekly service and to stay in touch with your ATL. We will also
plan group service projects. These are great ways to get to know your team and to get
extra hours all at once.
Q: What if I can’t do all my required hours, can I just pay for the difference?
No! If you don’t complete all your hours, you will not go on the trip. We are an
organization that puts equal emphasis on both local and international service.
Q: How can I raise money?
Many participants raise money for their trip in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas!
● Ask family, friends, and neighbors for donations through the “letter method”
which we will explain at General Orientation.
● Host a party, spaghetti dinner, or BBQ with a small entrance fee. You could even
get donations from local businesses and do an opportunity drawing.
● Do a yard sale.
● Find people to match money you raise.
● Sell products (e.g. cookie dough, pizzas, etc.) that give back a percentage of the
sales.● Hold a raffle for donated services or products
● Organize a coin or change drive
Q: How about birthday or holiday gifts?
Instead of your normal birthday or holiday gifts, ask for items on your packing list such
as:
● Nice journal
● Sturdy shoes
● Camera
● Donation to your trip!You can also read
