STC Expeditions

06/09/2024

What makes our expeditions totally unique?

The fact we use local leaders who have a lifetime of lived experience in the destination they're guiding.

We can't imagine doing things any differently, it transforms the experience for students & teachers giving depth, expertise, passion and knowledge.

As our Summer season draws to a close & we start preparing for all our Autumn adventures - we just want to say a

HUGE THANKS to each and every one of our passionate, dedicated and utterly brilliant leaders - all over the world.

Here's just what some of our teachers said about our guides...

"The itinerary was immaculately planned, everything went so smoothly, we had such great luck with the weather and De Wet was such a gem. So many of our students have literally changed the trajectory of their lives after this trip. De Wet was a real role model and a fantastic guide- so knowledgeable, friendly and passionate."

"The in-country guide (Stevie Millar) was really excellent. His approach with the pupils was positive, encouraging and informative. Clearly a very experienced outdoor educator who enabled the pupils to feel involved in decision-making yet had a firm grasp of safety protocols. We felt really safe in his hands, along with Heidi."

"Moha and Hamid were the perfect team and we were so lucky that they shared their country, culture and religion with us. For the pupils to see the customs and traditions of Islam was an experience they will never forget."

Happy Friday Folks and here's to an adventure-filled weekend!

https://www.thestc.co.uk/company/what-makes-us-different/

05/09/2024

International Day of Charity!

Today, on International Day of Charity, we are reminded that every bit of effort toward positive change counts. Even if it feels like "just a drop in the ocean," we find inspiration in Mother Teresa’s words: “The ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

At STC, we are proud to support the work of Days for Girls International

https://donate.daysforgirls.org/give/136291/ #!/donation/checkout

05/09/2024

Why we love Morocco.

+ Diversity of landscapes
+ Ethnic Diversity and Identity
+ Geographer's Paradise
+ Incredible mountains and valleys
+ Beautiful, safe surfing beaches
+ Value for money
+ 3 hours by plane from the UK
+ Options for expeditions from 6 to 24 days

What else?

Check out our blog to discover the rest...

https://www.thestc.co.uk/blog/destination-discoveries-morocco/

And don't take just our word for it...

"An excellent cultural experience and physical challenge. Great locations, plenty of activities. Students really enjoyed the trip and learnt team working skills. An excellent trip with fantastic in country leaders." (Teacher, Denstone College)

04/09/2024

🙌🏻 What a summer season that was 🙌🏻

🏫 10 Schools

😃 245 students and teachers

Nepal 🇳🇵
Finland 🇫🇮
Morocco 🇲🇦
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
India 🇮🇳
South Africa 🇿🇦

When asked what students learnt most from their trip, here's what some of them said...

"Appreciation":
"Gratitude"
"Perseverance"
"How to travel in different countries"
"How the village works together"
"Stay positive"
"To be humble, face your fears"
"How others live"
"Be kind and respectful"

Thank you to our amazing guides and leaders, and to all the students and teachers we were lucky enough to adventure with this summer.

Exeter School Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Denstone College Bedwas High School Peter Symonds Sixth Form College Alcester Grammar School, King Edwards Grammar School, St. Birinus School Operation Reach UK

Here's to many more...!

✈️ 🏔️🐫 🌊🏄☀️⛺️🛶🥾🌴🦏🦋🌲🥘🌄

03/09/2024

Back at STC HQ we're going through the feedback from our summer adventures with big smiles on our faces.

Here's what our teachers from Bedwas High School said about their trip to South Africa as part of our 'Wildlife, Wilderness and Conservation' Expedition.

Did the trip achieve your objectives?
"100% - fabulous."

Would you be interested in running this trip again?
"Absolutely, brilliant in all ways."

"I cannot thank the local team enough...the whole team were like family during the 10 days and I will miss them until I come back."

Thank you to our amazing STC team and leaders in the ground, and of course to the stunning wildlife and landscapes of South Africa.

Curious to find out more about our South Africa adventures?
https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/south-africa-school-trips/

03/09/2024

What makes the difference between an awesome adventure and an exhausting expedition?

Good preparation and training!

In our latest blog, Holly shares some helpful ways to ensure you get the most from your adventure.

"Encouraging proper training isn't about turning students into marathon runners; it’s about building the kind of resilience that keeps everyone safe and able to enjoy the experience. Simple exercises, like regular walks, stretching, and even some basic strength training, can make a massive difference."

How do you prepare for adventure?

https://www.thestc.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-preparation-training-for-your-trek/

Proper training can be the difference between happy trekkers and a pack of exhausted stragglers. Let's discuss why training is crucial and how it can transform the experience.

30/08/2024

New Education Secretary recognises the importance of school trips.

"Students come and build bonds with their classmates – and friendships between students become friendships between countries. That’s what education is all about.”

https://www.schooltravelorganiser.com/news-and-ideas/new-education-secretary-recognises-importance-of-school-trips/83935.article

School Travel Organiser

The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, has spoken about the value of school visits, exchange programmes and international partnerships.

28/08/2024

A couple of weeks ago we spoke with two of our awesome Nepalese local guides, Sundar and Bimal. Here's what they said when we asked them why adventures are important...

"Life is a learning process. If you don’t get out from home you won’t experience it."

The students and teachers of Bryanston School are lucky enough to be off to Nepal in October to experience life and Nepal and its people, mountains and culture in one epic Autumn adventure.

We can't wait to hear how they get on....

You can find out more about all our adventures to Nepal here:
https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/nepal-school-expeditions/

27/08/2024

Arctic Wilderness

In July of this year a group of students from Exeter School spent a week wild camping, canoeing, hiking, cooking in the wild, foraging and working as a team to thrive in the wild Finnish Arctic landscape.

Here's just what some of the students said about their Wilderness adventure....

"Live life in the moment."

"I've realised lots of the little things aren't important."

We couldn't agree more.

If you're curious about a wild expedition to Finland, you can find out more here...

https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/finland/

Short haul, low carbon and with some of THE best guides (thank you Adventure Apes/Seikkailuapinat ) and wilderness to explore,

Finland gets our vote every time.

22/08/2024

Good luck to all of you out there (students, parents and teachers) waiting for your GCSE results today! Just like climbing a mountain - you can do it! :)

21/08/2024

Simply the best.

"The organisation of every detail was immaculate thanks to Rigzen, our guide, who looked after us very well. We were feeling safe and confident, updated on every step we were about to make. His English is perfect and he’s a real asset to your company. He’s very knowledgeable and we enjoyed working with him very much."

Our people and our team are everything. They make our expeditions and adventures what they are all over the world.

We are beyond grateful for their passion, knowledge, dedication and experience, and for simply being the best!

Thank you to Rigzen. And thank you to ALL our partners and leaders from Finland to Nepal, from Morocco to Peru and everywhere in between, for guiding and inspiring so many hearts and minds through the power of adventure...

Here's to many more together :)

21/08/2024

How much do you know about Colombia?

If you're curious to learn more about this country which is on the precipice of so much change; check out this brilliant documentary by BBC and Simon Reeve

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08n5flh

Did you know that Colombia is also one of the 24 destinations we currently travel to with schools. It's definitely up there with one of our favourite South American adventures.

You can learn more about our Colombian expeditions here, from the Andes to the Amazon...

https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/colombia/

Adventurer and journalist Simon Reeve explores Colombia at a pivotal point in its history.

20/08/2024

Are you an exceptional educator or educational leader working to address the climate crisis in your classroom, school or community?

This is a brilliant resource well worth a look to gather inspiration.

https://teachersfortheplanet.org/solutions/

Explore a diverse range of teacher-led climate change solutions, including case studies, resources, and innovative educational practices for global impact.

20/08/2024

Thank you for your amazing feedback Denstone College :)

“An excellent cultural experience and physical challenge. Great locations, plenty of activities. The students really enjoyed the trip and learnt team working skills. An excellent trip with fantastic in country leaders.”

14/08/2024

"Definitely worth it, there is more than you expect. Best experience ever.”

At the end of each of our trips, we ask students for a sentence which sums up their experience.

Here's what some of the awesome students from Denstone College said about their recent Summer adventure to Morocco with us...

“Embrace every opportunity.”
“Enlightening”
“A really fun time with great people.”
“Best trip ever.”
“Experiencing something new.”
“Best experience for a young person, with a great group from school.”
“Embrace the hospitality and culture.”

Morocco has been a firm favourite this summer, with 5 of our schools heading there. There are many things we love about Morocco, not least of all the fact that it has one of the lowest carbon footprints of all our trips.

Win-win for young explorers and the Planet.

13/08/2024

Yes Operation Reach India!

13/08/2024

Our final Summer expedition safely landed last week... here are just some of the reflections and photos from Operation Reach in Ladakh, India.

"I just wanted personally thank you for organising this life changing experience. It was marvellous, yet demanding, but in the end we all remember the best times.

I was blown away with the Leh and the trekking. I've never done any trekking before, so I made sure I was always behind the guide who taught me how to walk slowly, how to breathe and use walking poles.

There was so much humour during our trekking and kindness from Rigzen, who made sure that everyone and everything was 100%. He helped us so much. He’s really huge asset to the company."

WOW thank you to Rigzen and all our amazing guides, students, teachers and team for making each & every expedition so uniquely special.

What a summer it's been.

Time to reflect & celebrate a summer full of adventures... before we kick off again in the Autumn.

Adventure is a way of life :)

08/08/2024

When the mountains call....

Our latest blog written by our very own intrepid explorer Holly is hot off the press.

"Nepal, with its eight of the world's fourteen 8000m peaks, is a playground for climbers, walkers, and adrenaline junkies. Trekking among the giants of the Himalayas is a rite of passage in this awe-inspiring country, and that's exactly what we did."

A blend of travel writing, personal reflections and top tips, a must-read for anyone ready to answer the call of the mountains...

https://www.thestc.co.uk/blog/when-the-mountains-call/

Ps- We're excited to be headed to Nepal twice in October with two different school groups. Watch this space for their pre-trip prep and what they get up to on their adventures...

07/08/2024

This Friday is International Day of The World's Indigenous People.

🌍 On the 9th of August we celebrate Indigenous communities' rich cultures, languages, and knowledge systems.

These 476 million people across 90 countries have a deep connection to their lands, and their sustainable practices offer valuable insights into preserving our planet.

🏞 Unfortunately, despite their significant contributions, Indigenous peoples often face challenges like land dispossession and cultural erosion. Sustainable tourism can play a crucial role in supporting these communities by respecting their rights, protecting their lands, and celebrating their traditions in a way that benefits them directly.

🎓 Educating ourselves is essential. The UN and other organizations provide resources to help us understand Indigenous rights and promote ethical tourism practices that honor and sustain these communities.

🌱 Let’s commit to responsible travel that uplifts Indigenous peoples, preserves their heritage, and ensures their voices are at the forefront of sustainable tourism.

For more details, you can explore the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples page and the OHCHR’s e-learning tool about indigenous people's rights.

Link here.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/indigenous-peoples/e-learning-tool-rights-indigenous-peoples

Thanks for the great post Travelife for Tour Operators

🌍 On the 9th of August, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate Indigenous communities' rich cultures, languages, and knowledge systems. These 476 million people across 90 countries have a deep connection to their lands, and their sustainable practices offer valuable insights into preserving our planet.

🏞 Unfortunately, despite their significant contributions, Indigenous peoples often face challenges like land dispossession and cultural erosion. Sustainable tourism can play a crucial role in supporting these communities by respecting their rights, protecting their lands, and celebrating their traditions in a way that benefits them directly.

🎓 Educating ourselves is essential. The UN and other organizations provide resources to help us understand Indigenous rights and promote ethical tourism practices that honor and sustain these communities.

🌱 Let’s commit to responsible travel that uplifts Indigenous peoples, preserves their heritage, and ensures their voices are at the forefront of sustainable tourism.

For more details, explore the UN International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples page and the OHCHR’s e-learning tool about indigenous people's rights.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/indigenous-peoples/e-learning-tool-rights-indigenous-peoples

07/08/2024

What summer adventures have you got in store? 🌟🌍⛰️

Adventure is all about stepping outside your comfort zone and diving into the unknown. Here are just some of the reasons why you should make adventuring a priority this Summer...

🏃‍♀️ Boosts Physical Health: Adventure activities like hiking, climbing, and kayaking are excellent ways to improve your physical fitness.

🧠 Enhances Mental Well-being: Immersing yourself in nature reduces stress, boosts creativity, and improves your mood. Adventure is the perfect remedy for mental fatigue.

💪 Builds Confidence and Resilience: Tackling new challenges helps you develop problem-solving skills and the confidence to face whatever life throws your way.

🤝 Fosters Connection: Adventures are best shared! Strengthen bonds with friends and family by exploring new places together, creating memories that last a lifetime.

🌿 Encourages Mindfulness: Adventure forces you to be present, appreciating every moment as you navigate through awe-inspiring landscapes and discover hidden gems.

🌱 Promotes Environmental Awareness: Experiencing the beauty of nature firsthand inspires a commitment to preserving our planet for future generations.

Whether you're hiking through majestic mountains, paddling down a serene river, or discovering a new city, adventure awaits around every corner...

We'd LOVE to know what adventures you've got planned? Share your adventure stories and inspire others to get out there...🏞️

02/08/2024

A big Happy 2nd STC Birthday shout out to Meg - our superstar Ops Manager.

Meg leads the team that deals with all pre-departure questions, medical clearances and itinerary planning; as well our carbon action plan, overseas leader training, safety management and no doubt loads of other things we've missed.

She's an oasis of calm in what can sometimes be a very time-pressured and stressful role. And if that's not enough skills for one person to have, outside of the world of STC Expeditions, Meg's also a dab hand at being a Shakespearean actor!

Thank you for everything you do and all that you are Meg, we are very lucky to have you :)

Photos: 1/In Cuba training leaders. 2/With Days for Girls. 3/In Nepal training STC Leaders

02/08/2024

What's the point of travel?

As we come towards the end of a pretty epic few months of students travelling all over the world, from Finland to Morocco, India to South Africa, and everywhere in between; we are privileged to hear and see the impact it has on the way they see and move through the world, both short and long term.

We think this video from The School of Life also says it pretty well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaExiKsvt9A

What would you add to this?

We travel more than ever but rarely pause to ask ourselves why we’re going – or what we should be trying to change about ourselves by taking off. Enjoying ou...

01/08/2024

"As our final school trip of the year returns to the UK today, huge thanks to all staff who facilitated the expedition - both from AGS and from STC Expeditions. Here are the group yesterday morning!"*

(*twitter repost from Alcester Grammar School)

What a finale at the Taj Mahal no less :)

Huge thanks to the team, the students, teachers and all those at Alcester Grammar School. Not to mention a HUGE thank you to the people, places, mountains and monuments of India.

What an epic adventure that was.

31/07/2024

"LIfe is short, explore more."

"It was a genuinely life-changing experience, for me and for all the students. The team in South Africa were amazing and it truly felt like we were all a little family for the 10 days we were there.

Parents and students have messaged to say just how fantastic the opportunity was for them and there’s talk of a redo trip when the year 10's finish sixth form 😂

I will most probably never get over the last 10 days and will be revisiting memories for the rest of my life. It has definitely changed how the rest of my life is about to pan out too, I can’t lie."

Huge thanks to Bedwas High School and our amazing team in South Africa.

Here's to many more life-changing experiences...

30/07/2024

Awesome write up in Somerset Live yesterday for our low carbon adventure project The Bioasis ... read on to find out more :)

Fifteen pupils from years 7, 8 and 9 went on the trip to a secret location

30/07/2024

As Alcester Grammar's School team of intrepid explorers come towards the end of their time in India, here's a sneak 'peak' of them at 5,400m in the Himalayas...

18 days
42 students
5 teachers
Uncountable moments of adventure...

You can find out more about this epic adventure to the Himalayas and beyond here...

https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/school-trips-to-india/

https://www.thestc.co.uk/assets/uploads/pdf/DB-India-20-days-Nubra-Nuns-and-Gompa-Girls-27.pdf

29/07/2024

Something we are deeply committed to is tracking and reducing our carbon footprint and emissions.

We continually strive to reduce them while still providing life-changing experiences for young people.

One of the ways we do this is through our low carbon adventures at The Bioasis

Are you familiar with it? If not, check it out!

https://www.thebioasis.com/

Huge thanks to e-collective for putting these slides together and keeping us on track to lower our emissions.

26/07/2024

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy in Morocco! :)

24/07/2024

We are absolutely buzzing today with the incredible feedback that's coming in after our Wildlife, Wilderness and Conservation' expedition with Bedwas High School to South Africa recently.

My son Harry was on this trip and these are his words...

"I had an amazing time and this trip has honestly changed the way I look at the world and myself, everyone on the trip was incredible! To say the trip was amazing is a huge understatement, there's 2 words for it: LIFE CHANGING!"

I was very nervous about my son going away for 10days but I wouldn't hesitate sending my son on a trip with STC in the future. Thank you STC for such a well-organised trip!!

HUGE THANK YOU to the school, students, teachers and parents. This is exactly WHY we do what we do.

Ps- you can find out more about this trip, and all our South Africa trips here :)

https://www.thestc.co.uk/destinations/south-africa-school-trips/