Program Overview
Thailand: Where Service Meets Adventure
Imagine a summer where you’re not just exploring a new country, but actively making a difference in the lives of its people. In Chiang Mai, amidst stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, you’ll have the chance to do just that. This unique program blends hands-on community service with immersive cultural experiences and thrilling outdoor adventures. You’ll work side-by-side with local students to build a sustainable food system, providing their school with a source of food and income. Dive headfirst into Thai traditions while connecting with a hilltribe community, learning about Lanna culture, and trying your hand at traditional Thai cooking. Spend a day at an ethical elephant sanctuary and learn more about these majestic animals and the role they play in Thailand. And, of course, get your adrenaline pumping as you trek through breathtaking scenery, summit Thailand’s highest peak, and enjoy a bonfire under a starlit sky.
This program visits unique parts of Northern Thailand that are off the beaten path that mosts tourists don’t know about! Discover the true beauty of Thailand while forming new friendships with your fellow travelers.
This isn’t just a trip; it’s a journey of self-discovery and global citizenship. You’ll forge connections with local communities, expand your understanding of the world, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Get ready to challenge yourself, embrace new experiences, and discover the incredible impact you can make. Your Thailand adventure awaits!
Please note, we do not ride elephants on any of our programs. TFT is very proud to be one of the only teen tour operators to take this stance and support ethical tourism.
During this program, you will…
- Earn up to 20 hours of community service credit volunteering with a local school working alongside Thai students creating a sustainable food system
- Explore Chiang Mai’s stunning temples and discover the beauty of Northern Thailand
- immerse yourself in Lanna culture through cultural activities and visit a hilltribe village.
- Learn authentic Thai recipes and participate in a Market Cooking Challenge
- Embark on a beautiful hike to the summit of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak (please note- this hike is appropriate for all skill levels and will be tailored to the group)
- Experience the beauty of the Thai wilderness while exploring a national park
- Trek through the jungle and discover hidden jungle waterfalls and amazing views
- Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary and spend the day caring for rescued elephants
- Enjoy a variety of team building activities, including unique cultural challenges, fun obstacle courses, and a mini Thai olympics
Can’t get enough of Thailand? Come extend your time with by joining our Thailand Elephant Service and the Islands trip! (Please note that some students on this program might be signed up for the extended version.)
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAY 3: Chiang Mai- Welcome to the Land of Smiles
Your adventure begins in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai. After a delicious lunch, we’ll head to our home base. Get settled in, meet your fellow travelers, and dive into an exciting program presentation. As the sun sets, we’ll kick off the fun with a “Baht Builder” team challenge and engaging night games.
Day 4: Chiang Mai- Nourishing Minds and Bodies
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to start our “Food For Thought” project at a local school in need. Here, you’ll roll up your sleeves and make a tangible difference in the lives of local students. Work alongside your team to build a sustainable Mushroom House and contribute to other impactful service projects. The Thai students will be joining us in our project for a true cross cultural connection.
After a fulfilling day of service, return to campus for a delicious lunch. In the evening, choose your adventure: scale new heights with rock climbing or test your aim with archery. As darkness falls, gather around a campfire for stories, laughter, and new friendships.
Day 5: Chiang Mai-Immerse Yourself in Lanna Culture
Today, we’ll step back in time and explore the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam. Engage in a hands-on Lanna Cultural Challenge, where you’ll immerse yourself in local customs by learning traditional crafts including pottery, cooking, and dance with local experts. After lunch, discover your inner chocolatier at a Chocolate Making Workshop. As the day winds down, wander through the bustling famous Night Market, a feast for the senses.
Day 6: Chiang Mai- From Farm to Forest
Return to the local school to complete your service projects with “Food For Thought” and leave a lasting legacy. Plant fruit trees and prepare saplings for a greener future. In the afternoon, we’ll venture into the lush countryside for a Coffee Village visit and a chance to connect with the Hilltribe people. As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy a picnic dinner and prepare for an exhilarating hike to Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon.
Day 7: Chiang Mai- Conquering Doi Inthanon
Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a full-day trek through the breathtaking landscapes of Doi Inthanon National Park. This hike is appropriate for all skill levels. Along the way, learn about the region’s unique ecology and local agriculture. Visit vibrant ethnic markets, cascading waterfalls, and stand in awe atop Thailand’s tallest peak. In the evening participate in an exciting “jungle survival” cooking lesson and learn essential jungle survival skills, like bamboo cooking and water filtration. As night falls, enjoy a campfire under a starlit sky and stay overnight in a cozy cabin right in the national park for a truly unique experience and deeper connection to nature.
Day 8: Chiang Mai- Culinary Delights and Green Thumbs
Put your culinary skills to the test in a Market Cooking Challenge. Divide into teams, learn authentic Thai recipes, and design your own menus. Then, head to the local market to source fresh ingredients and prepare a feast for your fellow travelers. In the afternoon, nurture your green thumb with Sapling Nursery Work with your “Food For Thought” project at a local school. In the evening, enjoy a BBQ dinner, compete in a Mini Olympics, and reflect on your incredible journey.
Day 9: Chaing Mai- Elephant Sanctuary
Spend the day meeting the most famous animal in Thailand- the elephant! Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary that provides care for these majestic creatures. Learn about the plight of the elephant, work alongside their mahouts (handlers for life) caring for, feeding and becoming friends with our elephants in their jungle sanctuary. Please note, TFT does not support riding elephants and the sanctuary we visit has been carefully vetted to ensure it meets ethical standards.
Day 10: Farewell Thailand
As your adventure comes to a close, we’ll gather for a heartfelt closing ceremony. Exchange hugs, share memories, and say goodbye to the Land of Smiles.
This transformative experience will leave you with a deeper understanding of Thai culture, a heart full of gratitude, and memories to last a lifetime.
Learn More about our Community Service Partners
Food For Thought: Empowering Rural Communities Through Sustainable Agriculture
In the picturesque countryside surrounding Chiang Mai, a stark reality exists: many rural schools face significant challenges due to underfunding. These schools, predominantly serving ethnic minority students from small-scale farming families, struggle to provide even the most basic resources, including adequate meals for their students.
The “Food for Thought” project addresses this critical issue by partnering with these schools to develop sustainable agricultural infrastructure. With limited budgets, schools often lack the funds and expertise to establish effective agricultural projects. By providing resources, training, and support, we empower these schools to grow their own fruits and vegetables, ensuring their students have access to nutritious food and improving their overall well-being.
This project goes beyond simply addressing hunger. It’s about fostering self-sufficiency, promoting sustainable practices, and creating opportunities for these communities to thrive. By investing in agricultural infrastructure, we’re investing in the future of these students, giving them the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve socio-economic mobility.
Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of these students and their communities. Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for the next generation in Northern Thailand.
Make a lasting impact- Build a Mushroom House in Northern Thailand
Join our unique volunteer opportunity and empower a local school in Thailand to create a sustainable source of food and income. By constructing a Mushroom House, you’ll directly contribute to the school’s self-sufficiency and economic development.
How It Works:
- Hands-On Construction: Work alongside students and teachers to build a Mushroom House, fostering cross-cultural connections and teamwork.
- Empowering Students: Teach students how to create mushroom bags and cultivate their own mushrooms, providing them with valuable skills for the future.
- Sustainable Food Source: Each Mushroom House can produce up to 30 kilograms of mushrooms per month for five months, providing a nutritious food source for the school and generating income through sales.
- Environmental Benefits: The used mushroom medium can be composted, promoting eco-friendly practices.
- Community Development: Schools can use the revenue from mushroom sales to fund additional resources, such as hiring extra teachers or purchasing educational materials.
- Long-Term Impact: By participating in this project, you’ll leave a lasting legacy of empowerment and sustainability in the local community.
Be a Part of Something Bigger:
This is more than just a volunteer opportunity; it’s a chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of Thai students. Your contribution will help create a brighter future for these communities, fostering self-sufficiency, economic growth, and environmental awareness.
Elephant Sanctuary
Elephant sanctuaries in Thailand play a crucial role in protecting and rehabilitating elephants that have often been subjected to harsh conditions in the tourism and logging industries. These sanctuaries provide a safe and natural environment where elephants can roam freely, socialize, and receive proper care. By supporting ethical elephant sanctuaries, visitors can contribute to the welfare of these magnificent animals and promote responsible tourism practices that prioritize their well-being over exploitation.
Photo Gallery
Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.
Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently awarded “Top Youth Travel Organization” year after year.
Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about the Thailand Service trip?
Thailand gives participants the ability to fully immerse themselves in the culture of Northern Thailand while giving back to the community. The food for thought project allows students an in depth look at like in rural Thailand and gives them the opportunity to create a sustainable and meaningful project that will leave a lasting impact on local Thai students and the community. Students leave with a profound understanding of the world they live in and the role they have to play in conserving it for generations to come.
What kind of teen typically participates in this program? What are the requirements to join?
Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.
This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!
Where do we stay?
Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Near Chiang Mai we stay at a locally run student campus with dorm-style housing and excellent communal facilities.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Do most travelers go on their own?
Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!
If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.
What is included?
Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
How do the optional group flights work?
Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.
Who leads the program?
Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.
We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.
Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.
What are the safety qualifications for our staff?
Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid. We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.
What is the average group size?
We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.
How does this program connect to other programs?
Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer. When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.
What is the food like on this program?
In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!
Thai cuisine is bursting full of flavor, aromatic smells and vivid color, with lots of attention paid to balance, detail and variety. You’ll savor the best Pad Thai of your life and that’s just to start. Take your pick from hundreds of incredible dishes featuring mouth-watering combinations of rice, noodles, seafood, meats and fresh vegetables. What will your new favorite be?
Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
Do we ever get time to go off on our own?
Our staff and teens are nearly always together, but we do provide the opportunity to break up into smaller groups to allow for flexibility and customization within the itinerary.
We offer free time in defined safe areas – for example, shopping in a market or exploring a museum. During these times, students remain in groups of at least two and are given no more than an hour. Of course, the counselors remain nearby and available. Additionally, a lifeguard-certified counselor supervises the campers any time they are involved in water activities.
Do I need to bring anything special for the community service portion of the program?
Due to the nature of our service being outdoors, please be sure to bring clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, waterproof shoes, and a hat.
A more detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.
Do I need any vaccinations for this program?
We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.
What kind of visa do you need for this trip?
Any US citizen that enters Thailand does not require a visa. Instead you will automatically receive a 30-day stay in the country.
When joining a TFT trip from outside of the US, please be sure to check your country’s specific visa requirements.
Do I need to speak the language?
No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!