The core crew at Padma has spent decades travelling the world, diving into different cultures and traditions, and engaging in works that truly fulfill us. Since 2017, we have committed to share our favorite places, people, and projects with like minded individuals with altruism in their hearts. To this end, we design all-inclusive trips for teenagers to see the world, and learn to give back to others. When putting together trips, we ask ourselves, what would the ultimate life changing and life enriching adventure have been for us at sixteen years old? Then we make those trips happen for today's teens.
Trip members can choose between a number of project types and various locations around the world. All trips include leadership training activities, cultural site visits and educational, and adventure activities. Most trips offer multiple service projects including skills training and education.
Volunteers help build a high elevation earth sheltered
greenhouse for the residents of Chiwang Monastery
in the Everest Region of Nepal.
greenhouse for the residents of Chiwang Monastery
in the Everest Region of Nepal.
Service trips run around two weeks, although longer stays are often available for interested individuals or groups. On every trip, once the service work is complete, we offer optional adventure tours. These packages are designed based on the particular region, such as surf camps in Bali, Himalayan trekking in Nepal and India, or scuba diving in Borneo.
Participants in a medical camp at Thupten Choling Nunnery
in Nepal spending time with some superstar meditator Tibetan Buddhist Nuns.
in Nepal spending time with some superstar meditator Tibetan Buddhist Nuns.
Padma team members hard at work building coral reef restoration structures.
Padma team members with local scientists and divers preparing to deploy structures to support coral growth and repair fish habitats.
Service Trip Philosophy
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Safety
Safety comes first at every level, from planning to completion. Medical staff join each group and prepare medical plans and kits specific to each site, and for trip members with specific medical needs. At every place group members travel to, we do our best to ensure food and water hygiene. Accommodations are selected based on familiarity with the area and in consideration of protecting trip members. Orientation at each new location and a high staff/chaperone to student ratio help ensure the focus remains on service and that potential risks are mitigated before they can become problems. |
Worthwhile Projects
When choosing projects, we first consult with local leaders to learn more about the immediate needs of the communities we aim to serve. Our goal is to only select projects that are vital and unlikely to be accomplished without international partnerships. After completion, Padma members periodically visit project sites to evaluate continued viability, functionality, and effectiveness. Leadership Training & Team Building Every trip includes daily activities focused on group cohesion and promoting positive leadership qualities such as empathy, compassion, humility and the self-awareness of one's own strengths and weaknesses. These elements are drawn from proven outdoor leadership programs, university leadership institutes, and are also largely drawn from Buddhist based contemplative traditions. |
Cultural Immersion
Part of Padma’s mission is to share with others the marvelous worlds of south and southeast Asian cultures. Trip participants often stay in homestays with local families, work on teams together with locals, tutor local children, and participate in community activities. We don’t want you to see new places from a bubble, but instead, want you to make lifelong connections by experiencing being welcomed into the midst of new communities. Fun Although the majority of time on every trip is service focused, a number of activities are always incorporated that are just meant to be a really good time. In each location we travel to, Be it surfing, freediving and exploring rainforests in Indonesia, Himalayan treks in Nepal, pickup baseball games in Nicaragua, or hanging with sadhus in India, we find the best possible ways to take a break from work, and have fun local style. |
Trip Tuition
It is our goal to provide the opportunity for a safe, meaningful, and life-changing experience while keeping costs as low as possible. All selected accommodations and home-stays are highly reputable yet modest, to ensure cleanliness and safety, while also considering cost. Padma maintains a minimum international staff, choosing instead to employ local professionals wherever possible. This not only reduces the overall budget for trips but also supports local economies directly while promoting cultural interaction.
Trip tuition includes
- Lodging
- Most Meals
- Project design, management, and materials
- Local transportation
- Cultural and adventure activities
- Medical staff
- A minimum of 15% of trip tuition is allocated to the Padma Project Fund in support of our ongoing work across Asia.
- We take pride in striving to keep all US admin expenses under 15% of trip budgets.
How to Sign-up
1-Schedule a phone interview or attend an in-person meeting. This is to make sure our trips are a good fit for you, answer any questions, and help you decide on which trip is ideal for you. To schedule a call, send us a message and we will find a time that works for you. To Schedule your phone interview click here.
2-Complete our online Trip Application including a $350 trip deposit.
3-One of your trip leaders will contact you to go over the timeline to your adventure and send you a trip welcome package.
2-Complete our online Trip Application including a $350 trip deposit.
3-One of your trip leaders will contact you to go over the timeline to your adventure and send you a trip welcome package.
Trip Payment Deadlines
Trip payments can be made all at once or in three payments by check or via PayPal at padmaorganization.com. As we have expense deadlines throughout the year if payments are not made on time a $25 fee will be assessed for each late payment.
Medical Considerations/Vaccinations
There are no required vaccinations for traveling to Bali. The US Center for Disease Control updates a list of suggested vaccinations annually. It is up to each individual to decide which vaccinations they receive. For specific questions regarding vaccines contact us at info@padmaorganization.com. For the Center for Disease Control’s suggested vaccinations go to:
Ocean Safety
During our trips there may be opportunities to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and surf in the ocean. Riptides, large waves, sharp reefs, stings and bites from marine life are some of the inherent risks we will face. Trip participants are never to swim alone and careful consideration of individual swimming ability and experience in the ocean must always be considered.