Frequently Asked Questions

Who participates in a STRIVE trip?

Any students who are committed to their athletic training but who also want to explore new cultures and countries.  We expect all participants to be open-minded and interested in the activities they'll be engaged in and to enjoy filling each day with exercise, service, and new experiences.  We are less interested in your talent or speed than your commitment and enthusiasm. If you are a recreational runner or beginning athlete you are certainly welcome, as long as you are prepared to get up and run, swim, or work out early each morning, as this is a part of the daily routine.

What sort of mileage/training will we be doing?

This is the question that we receive most often and there is no answer. In the summer of 2010, participants ranged from recreational athletes and soccer players to All American runners.  Students also join STRIVE programs from all over the country, meaning that their school calendars (and therefore training schedules) begin and build at very different times.  So the mileage/training that you do during a STRIVE trip will depend on your personal training goals, your individual fitness level and abilities, and your adjustment to the altitude.

Yes and no.  We will ask all participants for any particular training requirements in advance in order to create appropriate training groups.  The coaches in Kenya will work with the plans that your coaches outline but will also use their experience and knowledge of the altitude to safely optimize your training in Iten.

(For Kenya) Will I meet Kenyan runners?

Not only will you meet Kenyan runners, some of whom will have world records to their name, you're likely to see them go speeding by as you run each day. You'll  meet and get to know Lornah Kiplagat and her training partner Richard Mukche, who will work with our student athletes and provide coaching tips. On some days we'll also make the short trip to Kamariny Track, where you're almost sure to see elite runners in training. This past summer in Iten, Kenya STRIVE students also had the opportunity to meet and run with Vivian Cheruiyot, the 5K world champion and to meet David Rushida, the current 800 world record holder.

Will I receive documentation for the community service hours I complete? 

Yes.  Upon completion of the program we will provide each participant with a certificate indicating the number of community service hours.  If you need a specific school form completed, please forward it to us and we will document your hours as required.

What precautions are being taken for participants' health and safety?

At STRIVE, the safety of all our participants is of primary concern.  All of our group leaders are fully trained in CPR and have a full first aid/medical kit.  In the case of more serious issues, there are hospitals in the area.  The STRIVE tuition fee includes medical insurance, including a medical evacuation policy if necessary.  For Kenya, STRIVE also provides political and security evacuation insurance and for all programs registers participants with the US Embassy before travel begins.

If I have special dietary requirements, can they be accommodated?

Unless they are particularly complicated, the High Altitude Training Camp in Iten is fairly experienced in working with guests to accommodate specific diets.  Please let us know the specifics of your dietary needs and we'll let you know what can be arranged.

What should I pack?  Do I need any shots? Where will I get my travel visa?  How much spending money will I need? 

Once you've been accepted into a program, we will send you an information packet that gives you the answers to these and many other logistical questions.  If, at any time, you have additional questions that haven't been answered, please email them to us at info@strivetrips.com.  We also recommend that you check the US Department of State travel site for more information on travel to Kenya or Peru at:  http://travel.state.gov/

Will STRIVE leaders travel to the starting cities with the student athletes?

We will work closely with all participants in coordinating travel so that groups of students can fly together to and from each program, developing departures groups from common airports around the US. Our group leaders arrive in each country in advance of the groups and stay through the two programs we are running, so will not be accompanying the students on the flights.  The arrival airports in Nairobi and Lima are very small and straightforward to navigate. STRIVE staff will be waiting at each airport to greet all arrivals and transfer them to the hotel. If you are particularly concerned about travel arrangements please contact us and we can discuss additional options.

Can I book my own international flight or use frequent flier miles to travel?

We allow families to make their own flight arrangements in order to keep the costs for participants as low as possible.  This means that as long as you're able to find flights on the specific days that begin and end a program and the student will be arriving during the hours our tour leaders are available to meet arriving participants, then you are free to buy the best fares, with or without frequent flier miles. Anticipate paying somewhere between $1600 - $2000 for a US/Naibobi flight and $800 - $1100 for a US/Lima flight.

Is Malaria a problem? 

In Peru, no.  In Kenya,due to the high altitude of the camp, malaria is not an issue.  However, mosquito nets are available at the High Altitude Training Center and, since we will also be traveling on safari, where malaria is a problem, you should plan to discuss the best course of action for your child with your doctor.

Who are the group leaders?

We look for highly qualified individuals who have experience working and traveling with young adults, who are familiar with the locations in which you will be traveling, and who have some coaching experience.  All group leaders are fully certified in standard first aid and CPR. 

Can students bring an iPod, laptop, or other electronics?

Yes, these items are allowed, although we hope that you'll limit their use in order to enjoy your new surroundings and develop relationships with others in the group.  Further, you must be aware that when traveling to a foreign country, certain possessions attract unwanted attention so should be very carefully used in public settings.  We cannot be held responsible for the theft of any valuables during your trip.

Can families join students for travel before or after the program?

Most certainly.  Please let us know if you'd like our help in making any arrangements for your family. 

Will parents be able to contact their children?

Internet accessibility has improved in the past year and with an internet cafe now open in the town of Iten, access to email may be possible about once a week.  Kenyan cell phones are also available to rent during your child's stay and minutes are not particularly expensive, however, reception is not fully reliable so you should expect to speak to your child only a few times during their stay. Part of the learning from this trip also comes from enjoying some immersion into the Kenyan lifestyle, as well as spending time getting to know peers and fellow travelers. Of course, in an emergency, we do have telephone contact numbers and will convey information immediately.

Yes, although perhaps not as much as with other travel groups.  Some of the evenings will allow for unorganized free time so that you can meet up with others on the trip in the games room or other communal areas. 

Which organizations do we work with during our community service? We'll be working with two or three groups during the two programs.  The first is KenSAP (www.kensap.org) which helps some of the brightest Kenyans from underserved areas of the country prepare and apply for college in the United States.  We'll work with them as they prepare to take SATs, practice their English conversation, and help with the cultural challenges they'll be facing as they prepare to leave the only area they've ever experienced.  We are also coordinating with two local primary schools in Iten to teach, play, and help renovate some of their classrooms.  In Peru, we are partnering with a couple of local schools to teach English and help with local renovation projects.

If I'm a soccer or football player, not a cross country or track runner, can I join this trip? 

Absolutely. We expect all our student athletes to benefit from the daily running and strength training regimen.  Most fall sports require running training so, while you might not be up for the mileage the cross country runners will be doing, it will still be beneficial for you to run every day.  If you complete the training requirements section of the application and are accepted into the program we can best fit you in with a running group of similar speed.  There is also an olympic sized pool if swimming would be a better part of your daily training than running.  If you let us know your training needs, we'll work with you to put a program together.

Is any financial aid available?  Since STRIVE is a new company, financial aid is extremely limited.  Everyone who participates will be expected to pay the majority of their expenses.  A small number may qualify for some financial aid in 2011.  A financial aid form will be made available soon. 

I'd like to arrange a trip like this for a group or team.  Is this something that STRIVE can help us with?

We'd love to.  Please contact us at info@strivetrips.com and give us as much information as you have.  We'll get in touch to discuss possibilities.