The Adventure Challenges Program is a fundraising arm of Flying Kites Global, an organization committed to raising the standards of care available to the world's poorest children.  With the profits incurred by Adventure Challenge trips, Flying Kites Global is currently building a home and leadership academy for orphaned children in Kenya.  Here, we are preparing vulnerable children to compete on a world stage by providing them with the tools they will need – education, imagination, and resolution - to succeed in and contribute to a complex and changing world.  Some Adventure Challenges offer participants the opportunity to visit the center, and meet the children whose lives they are changing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Adventure Challenges Program work? 
First, participants chose a trip that they are interesting in participating on. To earn your Adventure Challenge Trip, you must meet the fundraising targets according to the schedule provided. Adventure Challenges will work with you as an individual to create the ideal fundraising strategy. After you reach your fundraising target, challenge yourself again on your chosen adventure trip. 

All profits earned through the Adventure Challenges Program helps Flying Kites rescue and care for orphaned and vulnerable children in Kenya. In most cases, 50% of every trip cost is donated to the organization. However, due to fluctuating exchange rates and trip fees, this percentage can vary. If you would like a breakdown of the trip costs associated with your challenge, consult an Adventure Challenges representative. 



What is Adventure Challenge's Responsible Tourism Policy? 
The Adventure Challenges Programs has a strict policy in place to ensure that we carry out our trips in a responsible manner. Tourism is the largest industry in the world, generating 8.2% of jobs and 10.4% of its GDP. For many developing countries, tourism supports local economies and serves as the main source of foreign exchange. 

However, tourism, poorly-managed, can have a negative impact on local communities. Problems can include environmental degradation, disturbance of people's daily lives and an unjust distribution of profit generated. 

Key elements of our Responsible Tourism policy include:

• using locally-owned or socially responsible companies
• ensuring that all staff employed by Adventure Challenges are paid a fair wage,
• adhering to the guidelines of the International Porters Protection Group,
• encouraging cultural education

What are the requirements for participating in an Adventure Challenge?
To participate in Adventure Challenges, you must be at least 18 years of age or have explicit permission from a parent or guardian. Check with an Adventure Challenges Representative regarding age requirements for specific trips before submitting a deposit. All participants must be in good physical condition. Adventure Challenges participants are expected to consult a travel doctor and a general physician before departing for a challenge. If you have unusual medical needs, please inform an Adventure Challenges representative and consult your doctor.

How fit do I need to be to participate in an Adventure Challenge?
Because most of the Adventure Challenges involve extensive physical activity, you must be in good physical condition. Please consult our physical training guides and implement a training routine several months in advance. Treks will be arranged to accommodate different levels of skill, but we expect you to train in advance to the best of your ability.

What is included in the price?
All Adventure Challenges trips include:

• transportation from the specified hub city in destination country to accommodation (may vary from lodges, to tents, to outdoor camping)
• all transportation after you arrive
• three meals a day unless otherwise specified
• all communal camping gear
• water during trek days
• entrance fees to national parks
• staff (including English translator, cooks guides and porters)
• first aid certified staff and full first aid kits

What is not included in the price?
The following things are not included in your Adventure Challenge Trip fee:

• airfare to destination country
• vaccination costs
• visas
• personal travel insurance (which you must obtain)
• personal equipment including backpacks and tips for guides, porters and other staff.

Other costs may also be incurred.

Is my deposit refundable?
No, but it can be applied to your final fundraising goal.

Do I need travel insurance for my Adventure Challenge?
Yes. We require that each participant purchase personal travel insurance. To ensure that your insurance encompasses all of your possible needs on our adventure trips, we require that you purchase STA travel insurance. Visit www.statravel.comor call 1-800-781-4040 to purchase your insurance. Make sure your STA representative is aware of the nature of your selected trip (ex: trekking or kayaking). Insurance should cost approximately $100. Send a receipt of your travel insurance to a representative as soon as possible. 



Can I stay at our destination after the Adventure Challenge has ended? 
Yes, in fact we encourage you to stay after the trip to volunteer or sight-see. However, we do ask that you inform us a minimum of six weeks before departure about your intent to stay. If you decide you want to stay once you have arrived in your destination, we will try to accommodate your request to stay longer. You wil be responsible for all costs no associated with the challenge.

Are donations toward my fundraising goal tax-deductible?
The portion of your trip cost that will be donated to Flying Kites is tax-deductible. Adventure Challenges will administer tax receipts, upon request, for any donations of $100 or greater. Due to tax law stipulations, we are not permitted to offer tax receipts for the portion of your challenge that will cover trip costs.

What if I don't reach my fundraising goal or wish to stop my fundraising activities?
When you agree to participate in Adventure Challenges, you are making a commitment to reach your fundraising target. If you have not met your fundraising target the specified deadline and have not alerted an Adventure Challenges representative that you are no longer wish to participate, your credit card will be charged the difference. If you choose not to participate, you will forfeit your deposit and any funds you have previously raised will be donated to the Flying Kites Orphanage. Because securing your place on the trip requires deposits, we cannot refund your money at any point after you have made your initial deposit. If you are having trouble meeting your fundraising target, please contact your Adventure Challenge representative. We will do everything in our power to ensure that you meet your goal and complete your trip.