Padma International Service Trip Application

    Once you are ready to join a trip, complete the application below. When we receive your application and $200 deposit (fully refundable for two weeks if you change your mind), Padma trip staff will review your application and contact you to confirm your spot on a trip, or to ask for more information. All trip members under the age of 18 will need their parent/legal guardian to complete this application with them. Please complete every section and contact us with any questions.
    This Application consists of:
    1. Trip member and parent/guardian biodata
    2. Liability waiver
    3. Code of coduct
    4. Medical information
    5. Payment agreement

    ​Student Information

    Please provide the best means for staying in contact throughout the year leading up to your trip. We will periodically send emails and group chat messages on WhatsApp regarding trip preparation and meetings.
    Max file size: 20MB
    In a few sentences each, please answer the following questions:

    Parent/Guardian Information

    In the months prior to your student’s service trip and while we are abroad, Padma staff primarily communicates with parents via the WhatsApp messaging app. It is available for free for both Apple and Android phones. Periodic messages will be sent via email and phone regarding trip preparation and planning meetings. It is important to let us know if any of your contact information changes. Please put the contact info for all parents/guardians who want to remain informed about the trip.
    Additional Emergency Contact

    CODE OF CONDUCT

    Our trips require all members to represent themselves, their group, Padma Organization, and their country in supportive and appropriate ways. Doing otherwise will not only degrade group culture, but can become dangerous and increase the risk of unfortunate incidents. Padma expeditions are not parties, and raucous behavior is not tolerated. Anytime you travel to new countires, there are particular cultural mores and obligations regarding conduct. Some of these are common sense and others are unique to particular locations. The below list is designed to help trip members avoid potential problems from arising during a trip, and to support constructive and positive group cohesion. All participants are required to abide by these guidelines. 
    Padma Expedition Code of Conduct

    1. Show respect to trip leaders, trip members, and community members throughout your trip. Do not engage in any forms of aggression (direct or passive), intimidation, harassment, gossip, or acts of prejudice in any form. Fellow trip members and trip leaders are to be treated with kindness and any interpersonal issues are to be shared with trip leadership.
    2. Refrain from causing physical injury to yourself and others. Students will be held financially and legally responsible for any and all damage they inflict upon anyone else or their possessions.
    3. Refrain from causing damage to any communal property or property of others. Students will be held financially and legally responsible for any and all damage inflicted on the property of others.
    4. Maintain the quality of all facilities and accommodations during trips and strive to leave every place better than you found it.
    5. Practice cultural humility, respecting and seeking to understand cultural differences. This includes observing, and clarifying with trip leaders and proper etiquette in social settings (e.g. appropriate attire/behavior in cultural sites, beaches etc.).
    6. Refrain from irresponsible behavior, including the purchase, use or possession of illegal drugs or other substances, and the inappropriate and/or excessive consumption of alcohol.
    7. Refrain from leaving the host sites for any personal excursions or activities without express notification and approval from trip leaders.
    8. Refrain from operating motorized vehicles.
    9. Follow all protocols when engaging in recreational, work and adventure activities (i.e. swimming, diving, hiking, project work, boarding and disembarking transportation, wandering urban areas etc.).
    10. Conduct yourself as a law-abiding member and ambassador of your group and nation, including but not limited to: a) refraining from behaviors that break local laws, infringe upon the rights of others, or disrupt or disturb the trip or trip members; and b) act in accord with policies shared by Padma trip leaders at all times.
    11. Refrain from behaving in ways that knowingly support, assist, or in any way attempt to enable another person to engage in any violation of the Code of Conduct. This includes the obligation to report any observed violations of this Code of Conduct to trip leadership.
    12. Attend all meetings and activities on time and participate appropriately.
    13. Be on time to all scheduled events, including daily check-ins on free day(s).
    14. Participants are not to go into the homes of locals unless express permission is granted by trip leaders.
    15. All tools and equipment used during project work are to be used as instructed.
    16. Padma trip leaders are to know all trip members' whereabouts at all times.

    ​        Violations of this Code of Conduct can result in disciplinary action, which could include (but is not limited to) activity restrictions, additional duties, or expulsion from the trip at student's/family’s expense. In situations where the violation is deemed egregious, students may be immediately required to return to the United States, bearing responsibility for the cost of transportation to and from the airport as well as airline fees associated with flight changes. Any disciplinary actions are entirely at the discretion of Padma trip leaders.
             Consult trip leaders during your trip if you have any doubts or questions about the legality or appropriateness of a given act. If you commit a crime while on a trip, there is no guarantee Padma leadership can or will protect you from prosecution, fine, arrest, or incarceration. Jails and prisons in the countries we travel to are not fun and US Embassies tend to help very little, if at all. If any trip member engages in illegal or inappropriate behavior during a trip, or witnesses another trip member doing so, and posts photographs or writes about such behavior in a public form such as on social media platforms the member will be asked to leave the trip and fined up to $1000. This pertains to trip related media posts made both during and after trips.      
    By writing your name below, you authorize and recognize that you have read and understand the above code of conduct, and willingly enter into this agreement with the Padma Organization for the purpose of joining a Padma Expedition.

    LIABILITY WAIVER

     
    STUDENT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & ASSUMPTION OF RISKS & AGREEMENTS OF RELEASE AND INDEMNITY)
    Please read this document carefully. It must be signed by all students and a parent or guardian if the student is a minor. “Student” includes adult and minor students.

    In consideration of the services provided by Padma Organization, I agree, for myself (and for the minor student if I am signing as a parent or guardian), to the following:

    ACTIVITIES AND RISKS
    I understand that Padma expeditions are held in a variety of locations and environments and acknowledge that the activities of these trips have risks, including certain risks which are inherent. Inherent risks are those which cannot be eliminated. These elements can cause loss or damage to equipment, accidental injury, illness, or in extreme cases, permanent trauma, disability, or death. I understand that Padma considers it important for me to know in advance what to expect and to be informed of the activities’ inherent risks. The following describes some, but not all, of those risks.
    • Trip activities may be strenuous, physically and emotionally.
    • Padma expeditions may include remote environments. They may also include public environments, where trip members are exposed to the acts of persons not associated with Padma. Communication and transportation may be limited or challenging on roads with pavement and regulations of limited standard. Evacuations and medical care may be significantly delayed depending on location.
    • Physical activities may include, but are not limited to, walking, hiking, swimming, diving, repetitive lifting, carrying, and working with tools. Students will be in close physical proximity to one another or trip leaders at times. Certain activities will require travel by foot and other means, over unimproved roads, hiking trails and rugged off-trail terrain. Students may encounter potential downed timber, river crossings, rain, sand, reefs, waves, currents, steep slopes, slippery rocks,  and other features. The risk of these activities includes falling, drowning, cuts, infections, bites, stings, becoming lost, and other incidents associated with such activities, and environmental risks.
    • Environmental risks and hazards include, but are not limited to, flowing, deep and/or cold water; harmful insects, snakes, animals; falling and rolling rock; lightning, falling timber, vehicles, and unpredictable forces of nature, including all types of weather which may change to extreme conditions without notice. Possible injuries and illnesses include wounds, bruises or infections; sunburn, bites or stings and insect or animal-borne diseases or infections; hypothermia, frostbite, heatstroke, flu-like or respiratory illness, gastrointestinal issues and illness, and other debilitating or life-threatening conditions including COVID-19 and other diseases caused by coronaviruses.
    • Equipment may fail or malfunction.
    • For project work, training, under close staff supervision, includes instruction on all duties prior to completing them. Students are expected to use all tools and equipment as instructed. Using equipment not in accord with instruction increases the risk of injury or equipment damage.
    • During trips, scheduling and activity decisions made by trip leaders, other staff (including volunteers), contractors, and students will be based on a variety of perceptions and evaluations, which by their nature are imprecise and subject to errors in judgment. Misjudgments may pertain to, among other things, a student’s capabilities, environment, terrain, water and weather conditions, natural hazards, travel routes, and medical conditions.
    • Padma is not responsible for students, including minors, before the start or after the end dates of their course or if they depart early. Between the start and end date of the trip, students are not supervised before or after the established trip itinerary. International travel plans are prepared and communicated to students before departure dates. Student’s are responsible for adhering to travel plans and maintaining communication with trip leaders during airport meetings, transfers, layovers, and arrivals.
    • During trips students are considered to be “participating” in their trip. Participation includes, but is not limited to, involvement with activities, time spent learning and/or practicing project or adventure activity techniques, and participating in meetings.
    • Padma expeditions in foreign countries are exposed to laws, legal systems, customs and behaviors, animals, diseases and infections not common to the United States; in addition, these trips may be subject to dangerous road travel, political unrest, riots, demonstrations, banditry, terrorism, and other criminal conduct, including drug related activities.

    I have read and understand the general information about Padma Organization and its expeditions including the Padma Code of Conduct. I acknowledge that the staff of Padma has been available to more fully explain to me the nature, physical demands, and the inherent risks, hazards, and dangers associated with this course.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF INHERENT AND OTHER RISKS
    I understand and acknowledge that the description above (“Activities and Risks”) of the inherent risks of Padma expeditions is not complete and that other, including unknown or unanticipated, risks, inherent or otherwise, may result in injury, illness, death or property loss. I acknowledge that my (or my minor student’s) participation in this Padma expedition is purely voluntary, and I wish to  participate (or have my minor student participate) in spite of and with knowledge of the inherent and other risks involved. I acknowledge and assume the inherent risks described above and all other inherent risks of my (or my minor student’s) Padma expedition as well as any other risks of enrolling, participating in, or being present on a Padma expedition or during free time.

    AGREEMENTS OF RELEASE AND INDEMNITY
    I hereby forever release, hold harmless and agree not to sue Padma Organization, its officers, trustees, agents, and staff including employees, contractors, volunteers, and partners, with respect to any and all claims of loss or damage to person or property by reason of injury, disability, death, or otherwise, suffered by me (or by a minor student for whom I sign), arising in whole or part from my (or the minor student’s) enrollment, participation, or presence on a Padma expedition. I agree further to indemnify (“indemnify” meaning to defend, and to pay or reimburse including costs and attorney’s fees) Released Parties against any claim by a member of my (or the minor student’s) family, a rescuer, another student, or any other person, arising in whole or part from an injury or other loss suffered by or caused by me (or by the minor student) in connection with my (or the minor student’s) enrollment, participation in, or presence on a Padma expedition. These agreements of Release and Indemnity are intended to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law and include claims of negligence, but not claims of gross negligence or intentionally wrongful conduct.

    OTHER PROVISIONS
    I understand that it is my responsibility to decide if this expedition is appropriate and that I (or the minor student) can participate fully. Padma is authorized to obtain or provide emergency evacuation, hospitalization, surgical or other medical care for me or for my minor student. I understand that situations may arise in which third party medical care is not available and which require Padma staff to provide first aid and possibly more advanced procedures, to the degree of their training. Such care will be provided under the guidance of the trip’s Padma medical staff member. Any such third-party medical care provider is authorized to exchange pertinent medical information with Padma. Costs associated with medical services, including evacuation beyond those paid by Padma’s insurance provider shall be borne by me. Padma may from time to time use the services of private contractors for certain tasks, including, for example, transportation, activity leadership, and food service. Padma is not responsible for the acts or omissions of such contractors. Padma uses students’ names, photos, and other images, in promotional materials, videos, on our website, and press releases. I agree to be responsible for any damage I (or the minor student) may cause to the property of Padma or others. Padma is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to a student’s personal belongings at any time during a trip, including storage by Padma or others. Any dispute between me (or the minor student) and Padma will be governed by the substantive laws (not including the laws which might apply by the laws of another jurisdiction) of the State of Utah and I consent to jurisdiction in Utah. Any mediation or suit shall occur or be filed only in the State of Utah. If any part of this agreement is found by a court or other appropriate authority to be invalid, the remainder of the agreement nevertheless will be in full force and effect. This Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks & Release and Indemnity Agreement shall be interpreted as me (or the minor student) releasing Padma Organization from liability for injuries, damage, death, or other loss to me (or my minor student) or others that may occur during an expedition and not caused by Padma staff gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. The student and the parent(s) or guardian of a minor student have read this page and the previous page and understand and voluntarily agree to its terms, which shall be binding upon them, their heirs, estate, executors, and administrators. Any modifications of this agreement must be approved by Padma Organization in writing. I intend an electronic signature or an electronic copy of my signature to be as valid as an original handwritten signature.
    By submitting my name below, I authorize and recognize that I ​have read and understand the above code of conduct, and willingly enter into this agreement with the Padma Organization for the purpose of joining a Padma expedition. ​

    If the student is under 18 years of age at least one parent or guardian must also sign: I agree for myself, and on behalf of the minor student, to all of the terms in this agreement. I have legal authority to act on behalf of the minor student.

    MEDICAL INFORMATION

    Vaccinations 
    Covid vaccinations are encouraged for all trip members and may be required to travel to some countries. There are no additional required vaccines and it is up to each family to decide what other vaccines to get, if any. Feel free to consult with your primary physician, or the CDC’s travel website for your trip location for further information. 

    Water Safety
    Padma expeditions usually include water based activities in the ocean, lakes, or rivers. Some trips require Open Water or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification.

    Please rate your ability to swim (1-10) with a 1 meaning you are barely proficient to swim the length of a swimming pool, and 10 indicating an expert proficiency in all swim strokes and long-time experience on a swim team etc. Please rate your experience in the ocean on a scale of 1 – 10 with a 1 indicating little or no experience swimming in the ocean and a 10 indicating expert levels in ocean related activities such as surfing or scuba diving.
    Include in an email to [email protected] any additional information we should know about you in regards to unique medical or other needs. If there is anything you are uncomfortable writing here or wish to speak directly with a member of the Padma medical staff, feel free to contact us and we will arrange a phone call.

    PADMA SERVICE TRIP PAYMENT AGREEMENT

    The following details the processes, requirements, and policies related to service trip tuition payments. If any part of this is not clear, or if you have any questions related to trip payments, please contact us before signing below. 
    $200 Trip Deposit: This payment secures your place on a trip. You are free to change your mind for any reason for two weeks after paying your trip deposit. Once your trip application and deposit are received and reviewed, your place on a trip is confirmed. Following this, you will receive a copy of your completed application and be contacted by your trip leader.

    Trip tuition:
    Your trip tuition is listed on your specific trip materials along with the payment schedule if you plan to pay over three payments.  
    All payments can be made on our website, by Venmo to @padmaorganization, on Paypal to [email protected], or by check, mailed to:
    Padma Organization 8813 Saddleback Road Park City, UT 84098
    Late Fees
    There is a $50 late fee applied to each late payment. An additional late fee of $200 is applied if any amount of trip tuition is unpaid less than 30 days before your trip. In the unlikely event that collections or legal services are required to collect trip payments, late fees, or fines such as those related to inappropriate behavior during or expulsion from a trip, all additional costs related to collecting payment will be charged to the student and their parent/guardian.

    If you need to arrange an individual payment schedule, please contact us before the first tuition payment is due and we can accomodate most requests.
    Cancellation Policy
    Trip members can cancel for any reason up to sixty (60) days before their trip, and receive a 50% refund of all paid tuition, less the $200 non-refundable deposit. Cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the trip cannot be guaranteed a refund. In case trip members are unable to join a trip due to medical or emergency related reasons, a full refund may be considered at the discretion of Padma staff. If trips must be canceled due to unexpected travel restrictions, or for any reason such as a natural disaster, social unrest, etc., full refunds will be offered, pending refunds from trip partner companies and organizations, contractors, and third party vendors.
    By writing your name below, you authorize and recognize that you ​have read and understand the above payment agreement, and willingly enter into this agreement with the Padma Organization for the purpose of joining an international service trip to be held in the summer of 2023.

    ​Click below to submit your application then pay a Trip deposit below to secure your place on your expedition.

TRIP DEPOSIT

Click the link below to pay your trip deposit and secure your spot on a trip.
Service Trip Deposit

​After submitting your application and paying a trip deposit, you have two weeks to change your mind and receive a full refund of your deposit.
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