<p>D is thinking of traveling to Guatemala for Spring Break with a group from her school sponsored by Encountour. Anyone have any experience with this group? Their website looks like it on the up and up. Any info is appreciated.</p>
<p>I went on a trip through them and my school. It’s not really a legitimate business, just run by two guys fresh out of college. They put us in some pretty unsafe parts of Guatemala (the violence is getting really bad) and didn’t offer much help/suggestions for what to do in Antigua. Anyone can make a fancy website, but the reality is they’re still college kids.</p>
<p>I read about Encountour - a group of students were KIDNAPPED on this program. The person who said their safety was sketchy was not kidding…</p>
<p>shortened URL to the story: [The</a> State News: Students robbed, briefly held captive in Guatemala](<a href=“http://■■■■■■■.com/cl3m48]The”>Students robbed, briefly held captive in Guatemala - The State News)</p>
<p>Sounds like there wasn’t much safety at all. But the funny thing is on the Encountour web site they say “we will take you out of your comfort zone” — they weren’t kidding!!</p>
<p>Full URL:
[The</a> State News: Students robbed, briefly held captive in Guatemala](<a href=“http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2009/03/students_robbed_at_gunpoint_during_spring_break_guatemala_trip]The”>Students robbed, briefly held captive in Guatemala - The State News)</p>
<p>I would have to say you are very wrong about Encountour. They are making a difference for many people going on their trips. It was an great mixture of service and learning. I met good friends on the trip and great people in Guatemala that I still contact. The logistics were organized and the activities were exciting and meaningful.</p>
<p>The “two college kids” are Yale grads who have put together multiple offices and a very solid staff of Americans and Guatemalans to run Encountour. They are not to blame to the robbery. The gang members robbing the students are to blame for the robbery. I go to Columbia University–its like me blaming the school for getting mugged in Harlem. Crime is a reality in the world. Do not let criminals ruin it for the impoverished people getting help from the non-profit work in Guatemala.</p>
<p>Go on the Encountour Trip or do non-profit work in a developing country. Rather than pretending the realities of poverty do not exists, go see them for yourself. It will change your outlook and there is a very low chance of such crime happening.</p>
<p>I got accepted as trip leader for a trip this winter and i’m a little worried now that i read about the kidnapping thing. Is it a worthwhile opportunity?</p>
<p>I went on this trip last year and it absolutely changed my life. It was the most gratifying trip I have ever had, and while I sound infatuated with this trip, it really deserves all the praise. Yes those kids were robbed before, but as previously stated that was not Encountour’s fault nor the kids, it was the robbers. I went last year and had no problems. Just like in all countries you have to take precautions. We do the same thing when we visit a big city or an unfamiliar place. This is the harsh reality of the world and there is no use nor any advantage to denying it or ignoring it. While I understand parents would get worried, the robbing was a fluke. The reports put out the bad news, the unfortunate chance event. What they do not report is the amazing sense of satisfaction and gratification of this group and its activities bring. Everyone who goes on the trips are CHANGING LIVES. Directly. They are building a house for a family who needs it, and the smiles of the family and their kids are more than enough reason for me to go back again. Please don’t let the harsh reality or unfortunate chance events dissuade you from going on this trip. Just be smart and safe. If we let these things and this reality stop us, what does that say about us as people? That we would not put ourselves at a limited risk to help people who really need it?</p>
<p>What does that mean…“Just be smart and safe.” ? Were those students who were robbed doing something that was unsafe or stupid that made them more likely to be robbed? What do you recommend? Please back up your advice with something concrete.</p>