Project Allocations/Asignación de proyectos

Here is our official 09F group photo....... believe it or not there are two landrovers buried under all these people! Aqui esta nuestra foto grupal oficial... creanlo o no pero hay dos camionetas landrover abajo de toda esta gente!
......and the unofficial one....... y la foto no tan oficial...
After some entertaining performances from the project managers, the venturers have been split into their Alpha groups for phase 1. Here is where they are all going - Después de gran entretenimiento de los guías, los aventureros se han dividido en grupos Alfa para la primera fase 1. Aquí es donde van-- 


Alpha 1 - The Guanacaste Trek Alfa 1 - Caminata Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Project managers Chloe and David will be take the group on an adventure trek around the northern region of Guanacaste. The trek which starts near to Volcan Tenorio then continues to Volcan Rincon de la Vieja and Cerro Cacao through Guanacaste National Park. The trek finishes at the beach at Playa Junquillal. Sleeping in tents, ranger stations, and community centres along the route and cooking all their own food, this will be a challenging and fun phase for the venturers. Chloe and David selected the venturers with a performance from Guanacaste Quest with King Alpha the 1st!

The venturers in Alpha 1 and setting off on the Guanacaste Quest are Fee Pitman, Fredy Rizo Olivas, Harry, Coburn, Henry Barnes, Holman Sevilla, Jalmar Juarez Rodriques, Matt Ambrose, Michael Raymond, Shane Caffrey, Tina Paulo, Tony Morales, Vicky Lo.

Los guias Chloe y David llevaran al grupo en una caminata de aventura alrededor de la región norte de Guanacaste. El recorrido comienza cerca de Volcán Tenorio pasando por Volcán Rincón de la Vieja y el Cerro de Cacao a través del Parque Nacional de Guanacaste. El camino termina en la playa; en Playa Junquillal. Los aventureros estarán durmiendo en tiendas, estaciones de guarda parques, y centros comunitarios a lo largo de la ruta y tendrán que cocinar su propia comida, este será un fase retadora pero divertida para los participantes. Chloe y David, llamaron a los participantes al modo de Reto Guanacaste con las actuaciones del Rey Alfa 1!


Los participantes que conforman Alfa 1 y que estarán saliendo para el reto Guanacaste son; Fee Pitman, Fredy Rizo Olivas, Harry, Coburn, Henry Barnes, Holman Sevilla, Jalmar Juárez Rodríguez, Matt Ambrose, Michael Raymond, Shane Caffrey, Tina Paulo, Antonio Morales, Vicky lo.

Holman and Jalmar excited about joining the trek
Fee delighted to be chosen for the quest!
David aka King Alpha the 1st on the Guanacaste Quest
Alpha 2 - Maribios Trek Alfa 2 – Caminata Maribios, Nicaragua

Project managers Lisa, Carl and Wendell will take Alpha 2 on an adventure trek in Nicaragua The trek will take them from Esteli to Volcan Cosiguina passing through Achuapa, Mina de Agua and some of the volcanoes of the Maribios chain. The trek will end up at Volcan Cosiguina, the site of the largest volcanic eruption in the Americas, where the group will be able to relax in the Pacific Ocean. Sleeping in tents, ranger stations, and community centres along the route and cooking all their own food, this will be a challenging and fun phase for the venturers. Lisa, Carl and Wendell selected the venturers with a Mission Possible skit!

The venturers in Alpha 2 are Adam Harvey-Cook, Claire Wilson, Jake Pollock, Jasper Lee, Jonathan Gray, Joshua Gough, Louise McCallum, Matt Usherwood, Michael Chiang, Nacho Mora Barboza, Paul Milligan, Philip Maund.

Los guias; Lisa, Carl y Wendell llevaran a Alfa 2 en un viaje de aventura en Nicaragua. El camino les llevará a partir de Estelí Volcan Cosiguina pasando por Achuapa, Mina de Agua y algunos de los volcanes de la cadena de Maribios. La caminata terminará en el Volcán Cosiguina, el sitio de la erupción volcánica más grande en las Américas, donde el grupo será capaz de relajarse en el Océano Pacífico. Los participantes dormiran en tiendas, estaciones de guardaparques, y centros comunitarios a lo largo de la ruta y cocinaran su propia comida, este será un fase retadora pero divertida fase para los participantes. Lisa, Carl y Wendell, llamaron a los aventureros con una parodia de Misión posible!




Los aventureros de Alfa 2 son, Adam Harvey-Cook, Claire Wilson, Jake Pollock, Jasper Lee, Jonathan Gray, Joshua Gough, Louise McCallum, Matt Usherwood, Michael Chiang, Nacho Mora Barboza, Paul Milligan, Philip Maund. 


Lisa, Carl and Wendell - Mission Possible!
The team getting ready to self destruct in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...........
A video of the mission possible selection!


Alpha 3 - Achuapa - La Calera Water Project Alfa 3 - Achuapa - Proyecto de Agua en La Calera, Nicaragua

Project managers Alex and Laura will take the group to Achuapa in Northern Nicaragua where they will build a water project in the community of La Calera. The group will building a gravity feed water system for the various families in the village. Water projects are a high priority for the communities as the community is often without access to clean and safe water or the water sources they currently use are polluted. The venturers will be staying in pairs with families in the community and enjoying authentic Nicaraguan meals. Alex and Laura put on their boxing gloves and selected with venturers with a performance from Rocky 15!!

The venturers in Alpha 3 are Benjamin Maine, William Arnot, Patrick Brunton, Harry Hughes, Olly Millward, Deven Naran, Jane Oladgha, Bernardo Jose Rodriquez Quiros, Robert Smith, King Chi So, Karla Ugalde Watson.

Los guías Alex y Laura llevaran al grupo a Achuapa a el norte de Nicaragua donde se construirá un proyecto de agua en la comunidad de La Calera. El grupo construirá un sistema de agua por gravedad para las familias en la aldea. Los proyectos de abastecimiento de agua son una alta prioridad para las comunidades ya que a menudo no tienen acceso a agua limpia y las fuentes de agua que utilizan actualmente están contaminadas. Los participantes se alojaran en parejas con las familias en la comunidad y disfrutaran de auténtica comida nicaragüense. Alex y Laura se pusieron sus guantes de boxeo y llamaron a los participantes para este proyecto con una actuación de Rocky 15!!




Los participantes que conforman Alfa 3 son; Maine Benjamin, William Arnot, Patrick Brunton, Harry Hughes, Olly Millward, Deven Naran, Jane Oladgha, Bernardo José Rodríguez Quirós, Robert Smith, King Chi Así, Karla Ugalde Watson.
Alpha 4 - Miraflor - La Palma Alfa 4 - Miraflor - La Palma, Nicaragua

Project managers Zoe, Gemma and Ben will be taking the group to Miraflor in northern Nicaragua. During this phase they will be building a multi-use community centre at La Palma found at the south of the Miraflor wildlife reserve. The multi-use community centre will be used as classroom in the local primary school, local museum, adult education, training, village meetings and cultural events. The venturers will be staying in pairs with local families and getting to know the community. Zoe, Ben and Gemma rode in on ‘horses’ and selelcted venturers to join the wellington brigade!

The venturers in Alpha 4 are Hin Hong Chan, Tom Culverwell, Laura Dorrington, Brandon George, Olly Halls, Will Higham, Charlie Knight, Dawn Lee, Ross McFarlane, Adrian Pilbeam, Joel Rojas Salazar, Tessa Tracey.

Los guias Zoe, Gemma y Ben llevaran al grupo a la Rserva Natural Miraflor, en el norte de Nicaragua. Durante esta fase construirán en La Palma un centro para la comunidad de usos múltiples. Este centro servirá para la comunidad como salón de clases para la escuela primaria local, museo local, educación de adultos, reuniones en las aldeas y eventos culturales. Los participantes se alojaran en parejas con las familias donde tendrán la oportunidad de conocer la comunidad. Zoe, Ben y Gemma llegaron montando a "caballo" y seleccionaron a los participantes preguntando si querían unirse a la brigada de las botas de hule! 




Los participantes de Alfa 4 son; Hin Hong Chan, Tom Culverwell, Laura Dorrington, Brandon George, Olly Salas, Will Higham, Charlie Knight, Dawn Lee, McFarlane Ross, Adrian Pilbeam, Joel Rojas Salazar, Tessa Tracey.

Ben presenting the group with their wellies!
A very excited Alpha 4 can't wait to get out there!
The venturers are now out in Jungle camp learning how to set up hammocks, basher beds, use trangias and enjoy camp life. Early tomorrow morning they will all head off in buses to their project sites.

Los aventureros están ahora en el campamento de la selva aprendiendo a construir hamacas, camas Bashas, uso de trangias y disfrutando de acampar. Mañana por la mañana temprano todos los participantes estarán saliendo en autobuses contratados por Raleigh a su proyecto.

The venturers are here!

All the venturers have now arrived and are settling into life in Costa Rica. Julian welcomed the venturers, introduced the project managers and explained what Raleigh life would be like. Then we had a record breaking electric disco wave to wake the venturers up!

Enjoying a breakfast of Gallo pinto

Harry being served by Rachel and Carl
Jonathan and Harry tucking in

Julian welcoming the team
Shane, Oliver, Will and William enjoying breakfast
Jonathan, Joshua and Henry
Harry, Micheal and Ross
The electric disco body wave!

The venturers were split into their Hotel groups and the PMs took them down to their tents to make their beds, set up their mosquito nets and get to know each other. The it was off to the local university pool for a round robin of swim assessments, admin and foreign exchange. After a hot and sticky morning the venturers enjoyed cooling off in the pool! Back at field base the venturers began radio training with Wendell before heading out into the fields to do their first SITREP.

Oli, Hin Hong, Jalmar doing ice breakers with the group
The venturers settling into their tents
Rob, Adrian, Ben, Karla, Ross, Harry, Bernardo, Holman, Tony doing ice breakers with PMs David and Chloe
The human knot!
More ice breaking!

In the evening it was time to find out about the community, environmental and adventure projects and get to know the project managers. Then it was early to bed for the jet lagged venturers.

This morning the venturers will find out which projects they will be doing in Phase 1 and will set off to jungle camp. More on that later................

Ready Steady Cook!

Yesterday the venturers from Costa Rica and Nicaragua arrived along with some of the 5 week project managers. Ale, the host country venturer co-ordinator together with ex host country venturers Ivan, Vivi and Kei, did some ice breakers to get to know the group and then they got settled into their tents. In the evening we had a cooking competition. The project managers, field base staff and venturers were split into teams and had to race each other to pick the best ingredients from the table. We then had one hour and one trangia to create three delicious courses. Julian, Vivi and Kei were the lucky judges getting to sample each dish. Some were delicious and the judges couldn’t stop eating them while others were described as ‘the worst food I’ve ever tasted!’ Group 4, Ben, Rachel, Bec, Zoe, Kate and Ivan were the lucky winners creating an amazing array of dishes starting with galaxy tuna bites that bite back! Followed by salty nut pasta surprise (with jam!) and finished off with some guava fruit layered extravaganza! Yum yum!

The teams running for ingredients
Freddie and Carl picking the best ingredients
Chloe, Holman, Freddie and Charlie
Holman checking out the guava jam
Laura explaining her recipe ideas to Carl, Sarah, Nacho and Jalmar
Alex and Freya preparing a feast
Gemma, Wendell, Ivan, Carla, Joel and Alex getting ready to present their dishes
Zoe and Kate preparing tuna balls that bite back!
Nacho, Jalmar and Laura
Alex and Joel putting the finishing touches to their meal
Wendell, Carla and Joel setting up the trangia
Jalmar, Laura, Carl and Sarah - lots of laughter but not much cooking!
Freddie - its all about the presentation!
Zoe tasting some roasted nuts
The judges, Vivi, Julian and Ivan tucking into the winning dishes
This was the worst meal they'd ever had!
The winning group 4, Ben, Rachel, Zoe, Bec, Kate and Ivan
This morning some more of the 5 week project managers arrived together with two buses full of venturers from around the world. After a traditional breakfast of Gallo Pinto and a warm welcome from the team, they began getting settled into their tents and getting to know each other with an ice breaker mega mix. More venturers are being collected from the airport tonight and will be warmly welcomed at field base tomorrow morning. We can't wait for everyone to arrive!