Five things to help you prepare for the summer guiding season

As we embark on another season providing student travel programming for students we reflect on resilience and perseverance. The past two years have been tough for our industry and the world, but we have emerged stronger than ever.

As I prepare for the summer these are the five things I'm doing to stay ready.

1. Hydrate
2. I'm a stern believer that most problems can be solved with hydration. Especially out in the field working on community impact projects, going on a hike or just hanging out on the beach. The heat is real and staying hydrated is the key to avoiding heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
3. Make time for yourself
4. We all make better decisions, concentrate better and are better workers when we're rested and make time for ourselves (and our family). For me it's tending to my terrace side garden early mornings; the act of watering the plants and picking off dead leaves is calming. I'm a huge fan of walks, tickle piles with my sons and cooking for my family and friends. I baked a cake last week simply so as to not open my computer on a Saturday morning. It may seem counterintuitive but taking that time will make you more productive.
5. Live the moments and enjoy the experience
6. We work in travel because we love to travel. So make sure to avoid complacency. Go out on a tour, take a hike and lay on the beach, you deserve it! Enjoy the moments with staff and travelers and embrace the transformative power of travel. Be present in the moment. Disconnect from your devices and connect to what's in front of you.
7. Get to know your travelers
8. Bridging cultural gaps comes through dialogue. Make sure you know where your travelers are from, what motivates them, what they are studying and why they chose to travel. It will ultimately make their experience better if they having engaging hosts.
9. Protect the local environment
10. We are visitors to foreign lands. Care for those lands. Leave no trace. Pick up your garbage, don't touch the coral, avoid single use plastics, use reef safe sunscreen, and do everything you can to promote the conservation of the places we all love to visit.