Soul Search Guiding Principles

·   Soul Search Trips are Challenging and Fun:  Trips are led by highly qualified students that not only help you have an exciting adventure, but also facilitate learning from the experience.  The challenges encountered on trips are intended to move you beyond your “comfort zone” and into areas of personal growth and empowerment.  We also try to provide opportunities for reflection about your trip experiences.     ·   No previous experience necessary:  CAL staff will provide instruction to teach you the necessary skills needed for a successful trip.  Most of our trips are not overly rigorous unless listed as so in the trip description.  Individuals in general good health should do fine.  However, it is a good idea to exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, 4-5 days a week as a way to be in shape which will help you  to feel more comfortable with the level of activity that does occur on most trips.     ·   Safety: Whatever the workshop activity, we are serious about safety in all that we do.  We cannot guarantee total protection from all risks.  Many of our trips involve self-sufficient travel in primitive outdoor settings in which professional medical assistance may be hours or even days away.  Outdoor settings present some inherent dangers which may result in accidents.  We use certain safety procedures to provide some protection against risks.  These include the use of safety equipment, specific ways of doing things and modifying plans to avoid dangers.  We expect you to be serious about safety by following safety rules, taking responsibility for avoiding or minimizing risks, staying alert and using good judgment or asking questions about things you don’t understand, and recognizing that your individual decisions also have an impact on the group as a whole.  To emphasize these points, we will ask you to sign a Soul Search Release at a pre-trip meeting.     ·   A Group Experience:  We are not a guide service, so everyone helps out with group tasks such as setting up tents, cooking, and cleaning.  Working together in this way creates a valuable dynamic of teamwork and trusting others.  During a Soul Search trip, there are many opportunities for involvement in group decision making and leadership roles.  We value cooperation and support through shared decision making and ask that people remain flexible and willing to go along with the majority when consensus cannot be reached.     ·   Equipment Use & Gear Rental:  Transportation and equipment are included in the cost of the trip.  The workshop fee is all inclusive (except food and meals on the road).  We ask that all participants treat the provided equipment with respect and care because lost or damaged equipment can at best prove inconvenient and at worst become dangerous.  Participants are responsible for all equipment that is issued to them.  Participants will be charged for lost or damaged equipment.