Travel Newfoundland

Planning and Leading Sustainable Adventure Tourism Trips

June 1-8, 2013

REC 374 (3 credits)
This course satisfies the International Core Requirement

The course explores the many facets of providing nature-based adventure experiences for tourists in a sustainable manner. This travel course will teach you the necessary elements to provide a safe and enjoyable adventure experience and how tourism providers package, market, lead and evaluate sustainable tourism experiences. At the end of the trip, you should be able to develop an itinerary for a multi-day nature-based adventure travel experience for a group of diverse tourists, provide a list of gear and equipment needed to outfit a group for a multi-day experience, and evaluate and critique a multi-day tour.

An important element to creating a sustainable adventure experience is understanding the culture of the destination. We will study Western Newfoundland’s culture, history, geology and geography in addition to learning how to plan an adventure experience. This experiential course involves wilderness camping and moderately strenuous hiking and backpacking. Students should possess a basic knowledge and comfort-level with wilderness camping and be in good physical condition.

Course Itinerary

Pre-travel classes - There will be 2 classes held prior to departure to provide an overview of the trip, slides of the area, and general conditions. Students will also be provided with a list of appropriate clothing and footwear for the trip. An overview of Leave No Trace Principles of  Wilderness Travel and Camping will be presented. Travel to Newfoundland will be by air from either Portland or Boston to Deer Lake, Newfoundland.

Tentative Newfoundland Itinerary

Day One

• Hiking and camping on the south side of the Outer Bay of Islands

Day Two

• Day hike of the Copper Mine to Cape Trail.
• Travel to Gros Morne National Park. Visit Discovery Center at Woody Point and camp at Trout River campground.

Day Three 

• Morning: Zodiac ride across scenic Trout River Pond to hike the lower section of the new International Appalachian Trail (IAT) - Gros Morne National Park Overfalls Trail.
• Afternoon: Hike a short section of Gros Morne's Green Gardens Trail.
• Overnight in cabin in Gros Morne National Park.

Day Four

• Visit Gros Morne National Park Interpretation and Marine Centers
• Afternoon: Half-day Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism (GMIST) session at Norris Point or Rocky Harbour.
• Camp in Gros Morne National Park

Day Five

• Visit Green Point, followed by Western Brook Pond Boat Tour
• Stop at Arches natural scenic attraction
• Beachside camping with a bonfire

Day Six

• Hike the IAT’s Flat Hills Trail, with mountaintop campsite.

Day Seven

• Hike out from Flat Hills via the IAT’s Devil’s Bite Trail with boat ride across Parsons Pond. 
• Overnight in Portland Creek.

Day Eight

• Return to airport with a possible scenic stop, schedule permitting. 

Application

A complete application includes all of the following and is due at the Office of International Programs by February 8, 2013:

* Signed, completed application form*
* $200 non-refundable deposit (applied to the program cost)
* Typed 200-word essay
* A letter of recommendation from a faculty member or academic advisor
* Official copies of all academic transcripts

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. You will be notified by e-mail of your application status. If your application is not accepted, the nonrefundable deposit will be returned. If the program is canceled for any reason by the USM, all deposits will be returned.

*If you are having trouble downloading the application, please contact us at (207) 780-4959 or international@usm.maine.edu and we will send you one. You may also want to try upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Tuition

The program fee is $2715. The cost of three credits of tuition and fees at the in-state rate are additional. The program fee will include accommodation and campsites, roundtrip airfare from Boston, ground transporation, boat tour, park passes, meals, hiking and camping supplies, and GMIST session,and emergency medical and evacuation insurance through iNext.

Not included in the program fee is the cost of tuition, fees, snacks, books, academic supplies, good hiking boots and hiking clothing, or other personal expenses. Three credits of undergraduate tuition is $759 plus $119 in regular university fees. All participants on USM travel programs receive the in-state tuition rate regardless of residency.

All participants will be automatically registered for a payment plan. The $200 deposit will go towards the cost of the program and the remaining balance will be due as follows:

50% of the balance due March 22, 2013

Remaining balance due April 26, 2013

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Federal financial aid and loans are available to matriculated students who participate in travel courses. In order to receive the benefit of financial aid, students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits during the summer for a summer travel course. If financial aid does not cover the full cost of the program, students are responsible for paying the remaining balance according to the payment plan schedule.

Include the costs of this course in your FAFSA application. If you have questions about financial aid or completing your FAFSA, please contact the financial aid office at (207) 780-4166. If you are not a matriculated student at USM, please check with the financial aid office at your institution.

USM's Office of International Programs offers small scholarships for students enrolled in summer travel courses. Scholarships are competitive and awards are up to $500. The application deadline is February 8, 2013. Students applying for the International Summer Scholarship must apply to a travel course before or at the same time as submitting a scholarship application.