Hike for Humanity

“Take a Hike” – Make a Difference

Hike For Humanity (HFH) is an exciting new service-adventure program offered by International Service Learning (ISL).  As an international provider of humanitarian services, ISL desires to reach the most under-served in the countries we serve.  Normally this means reaching families that live the furthest away from urban areas.  HFH utilizes hikers to bring services to these most under-served, while providing hikers with an incomparable outdoor experience, not commercially available. We also offer a non-service option for hikers who are involved in other service work at home, and who simply want to enjoy outback experiences not available to the general public.  Even if participants choose the non-service option, a portion of the program fee goes to non-profit projects to help local villagers through ISL programs.

ISL’s HFH program is a back-packing, not “camping”, program.  This means you will be living with whatever you can carry on your back for up to three days “in the bush”.  This is different from American style “camping” in which we tend to carry and haul everything with us in our 4X4s or RVs, including the kitchen sink!

The HFH program is an outback backpacking experience, where you will be hiking into rural villages that don’t have easy access to health care. Teams go out for 4 to 5 days at a time, then head back to refresh and re-supply before hitting a new area.

Participants in HFH need to be able to carry a 40 pound pack and be willing to sleep in tents with “in the bush” toilets.  Shower opportunities consist of a bag in a tree or a sponge bath.  ISL provides backpacking tents, basic food needs, guides, extra water, and a “potty tent”.  Hikers bring their own sleeping bag, backpack, sleeping mat, mess kit, canteen, insect repellent, energy snacks, biodegradable soap and shampoo, etc.

Food will be basic backpack type fare:

Breakfast = cold cereal or cereal bars with powdered milk, local fruit (peeled carefully).  Lunch = Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or tuna or chicken in a can, fruit, chips, cookie.  Dinner (evening meal) = cooked-over-the-fire local meats (chicken, goat, ?), cooked local veggies, fruit.  Other dry backpack-able foods will be added, but you will need to bring your own supply of favorite dry snacks, power bars, etc.  You will be carrying a day’s supply of water.  ISL will provide a carrier or porter for extra water.

The unique advantage of joining this ISL program is being able to depend on the ISL logistical network, which includes 12 years of in-country project experience, a fully trained resident staff, and accompanying medical teams.

HFH teams run concurrently with our regularly scheduled teams and can be found on the Team Schedule and Cost section (listed below the team with which they will be traveling).

Teams require a minimum of 8 students.

Hmm. Pictures are supposed to be here...