Yes, the countdown continues. Only a few days until I arrive in Château-d’Oex Switzerland and we begin the action-packed PANGAEA Africa Expedition Selection Camp. The journey towards this day has not been one of effortless ease.  In fact, it's been quite the contrary.  In the past few weeks, my days have been filled with final exams marking the end of my first year of University at Mount Allison (Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada) where I am pursuing a double major in Geography and Outdoor Environmental Education.  I just arrived home to the west coast of Canada (British Columbia) from school in the east coast of Canada. With these other pressing constraints, it means that my training schedule has not been as consistent as I would like, however, I will divulge the nitty gritty of what I have been doing to prepare:

The activity that is a constant in my life is yoga. Being so, I do a yoga practice about every day. In addition to this, I really enjoy running, and have been trying to run as often as possible. I live a generally active and outdoor-oriented lifestyle so hiking, canoeing, and snowshoeing have also been activities that I have incorporated into my preparation for selection camp. I look forward to putting my training to the test, as I am sure that no matter how one trains, there is always room for improvement!

See you soon.  – Alyssa

It’s been exactly a month since I got THAT Email.

It would turn out to be an Email that would present the biggest opportunity of my life so far.

From the moment I read the word, “Congratulations,” my life has taken a whole new direction! At first I could not believe it. I had to read the message about 10 times before it really sunk in. I am going to Switzerland for the adventure of my life!!

Its been a crazy last few weeks preparing for selection camp, getting all the necessary documents in order for my travel to Switzerland, getting to know my fellow young explorers, doing research about South Africa, Namibia and Kenya and also about the action projects to be implemented on the expedition (like malaria education and the importance of mosquito nets, which is the topic my group got to work on). All this, not forgetting the physical preparations such as jogging, cycling, swimming, hitting the gym, etc. But all the work in the world couldn't make me regret applying for this amazing experience.

I first heard about The PANGAEA Project on a local TV program where two young explorers spoke about their adventure to Canada.  Since that moment I knew this was something I must do!! I immediately jumped on the computer and started reading about Mike Horn's Young Explorers Program, it all sounded so AMAZING and almost too good to be true!!  So I joined the Young Explorers online community and saw that the application window for the 12th (and FINAL) expedition was open and accepting applicants right then. So I took a chance and applied, I never dreamed that I would actually be selected! I am so happy that I tried! I am most grateful for this amazing opportunity I have been given. Words cannot describe my excitement!

I have not even gotten to Selection Camp yet, but just the preparations have already given me a new outlook on life, especially what I have discovered about malaria in Africa and the water conditions. It makes me so appreciative for all that I have, especially the little things, like turning on the tap and getting clean, safe water — small things we often take for granted– and this is only the beginning! I know that the PANGAEA Project is going to change my life in many more ways.
 
Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity, I am so grateful to have been selected to participate in the camp! I also would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me. 

-Nadine

Blog written by Sebastian Engelhart of Hong Kong, China

One month ago, on the 23 of March, I moved one giant step closer to realizing my great hopes and dreams. It was a typical school day and I was in class when I received the text from my twin brother Oliver announcing that we had BOTH been accepted among the 16 young explorers invited to Mike Horn's Africa Expedition Selection Camp! The text said it all and my heart nearly burst from my chest with excitement.  The ‘Power of 2’ had succeeded in reaching our first goal within the PANGAEA Project constructs. We had known it would be quite a challenge to persuade the Mike Horn team that siblings would be a valuable selection within the field of global applicants, thus our video application really focused on our strength in partnership and what we have achieved together. For those of you who are just reading about this project or selection camp you should know this — Oli and I are twins and proud! Without each other we aren’t quite whole, (forgive me if I sound cheesy) but while we may not look too much alike, we’ve shared far more than just DNA in the last 16 years. When making our video we were worried that our two-ness would be a significant handicap in the selection process, how could the Mike Horn team possibly choose one of us over the other.  So we put all our eggs in one basket and made a never-done-before joint video application. It was a leap of faith but as Mike says:  Fear is the only thing standing between you and success. And the possibility that one of us (or even both of us) may not succeed was not going to stand in our way.
 
‘The Power of 2’ is about how two people who know each other inside-out can work together to achieve something far greater than what one could achieve on their own. Together the two of us have been able to go places and do things that we would never have been able to do alone. And this is what Mike Horn’s PANGAEA project is all about! Mike has completed some amazing expeditions solo, but via PANGAEA, he has extended an invitation to the youth of the world to come together and share their passions in collaboration to achieve even greater results.

Over the last few weeks we have expanded our partnership and "gone global" to meet the Mike Horn team and contact the other 14 young explorers invited to the Switzerland Selection Camp. The Mike Horn team has gathered a group of smart and motivated young people from all around the world and it is an honor to be able to meet them and begin to work together with the PANGAEA community.  In partnership with all of our new friends I look forward to developing new skills, learning about new cultures, pushing outside of my comfort zone, and being tested through my limits both physically and mentally.
 
Oli and I are preparing ourselves, studying, exercising, cycling, raising money, and learning more about Africa. I am full of nervous anticipation as the adrenaline builds daily.  May everyone’s travels be safe on our pilgrimage to those beautiful mountains in the Swiss Alps! I look forward to meeting everyone, hearing your experiences and stories, and hatching new plans together.

PS. Contrary to what the sign in the photo tells me to do I am not smiling at the camera. It was a fantastic long bicycle ride for the Cycle the Planet challenge and I am happy, but extremely distressed to see so much shark fin for sale in one small fishing village here in China!

Sebastian

Blog written by Robert Finney of Oceanside, California, USA

With less than two weeks until the 16 Africa Expedition Candidates meet at the Mike Horn Expedition Center in Château-d'Oex, Switzerland, reality has begun to set in. It seems only yesterday that I was awkwardly filming my application video and dreaming about how amazing it would be to meet and work with 15 highly motivated, vivacious, and adventurous young adults. In preparation for the selection camp, we have been creating informative presentations and learning about social and environmental issues in Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa. What I am most excited about, however, is the opportunity to make a difference in so many peoples’ lives.

The plans we are crafting form the base of a multi-pronged aid initiative involving sanitation, water, first aid, and malaria prevention. Regardless of which Young Explorers are chosen to execute these plans with Mike in July, we will all be proud to have contributed our individual skills to such an important project.

The networking opportunity of the selection camp is incredibly important as well. It is very rare that so many motivated young adults are given the support necessary to actually act upon our ideas; and we have the Mike Horn team to thank for it. This is not an isolated expedition, but rather an unabated opportunity to gain the skills necessary to make our planet a better place. With the PANGAEA network in our corner, it feels as if anything is possible.

Robert

It all started with the hardest button I’ve ever had to click.  “Open.” It took me about 45 seconds to open the Email from Mike Horn Headquarters. Luckily, I chose to open the mail alone, because the way I proceeded to celebrate was quite a sight! And it is the heart of my story. When I read the word CONGRATULATIONS I lost control! I was so happy, I let go. I began to do laps around my house with my arms flung in the air, this is not the embarrassing part.  (The way I was squawking with joy, like my neighbors parrot, is!)  This was not particularly unusual for me, because I'm a quite excitable person in general — but never to this level!

Once the news finally set in, I came back to reality and began my preparations, which is actually much more exciting than it sounds, especially if you love the outdoors as much as I do. I have been riding my bike much more than I ever in hopes that in case we're asked to ride up there in the Alps, my legs and butt can handle it. Also, I have been running to work on my endurance. Plus, in the past month I have been able to do 20 more push-ups than I was able to in the previous months!  Today however was the most exciting thing I have done to prepare for the selection camp. I went rock climbing in a rock gym. It is the biggest rock gym in the entire south east of the United States. Rock climbing is helpful because it tests your mental and physical strengths. Hopefully all of this pays off during the selection camp. Wish me luck!  See you there. 

Blog written by Agustina Cozzitorto, Del Viso, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hi everyone, I’m Agustina and this is my first — but not my last blog for the PANGAEA Project!

From the day I sent in my application, dreams of the selection camp have been going around in my head like nothing ever before. I can hardly spend more than two hours without talking or thinking about it. Since the moment Michael’s all-important Email entered in my inbox to the moment I opened it to receive the news, I was so nervous, and anxious, and most of all scared. The first word I read was: CONGRATULATIONS, followed by a letter which I had to read about five more times to be sure I was not mistaken! What I felt at that moment was incredible happiness and for a few second, everything outside of this amazing news became irrelevant to me.

Since then, I have already been in touch with my fellow PANGAEA Africa Expedition candidates and was immediately surprised by the dedication and interest we all have in common. We introduced ourselves to each other and shared general information to get to know each other. Now that the camp is approaching, we have divided into groups for the important part — the investigation and exploitation of our minds to the fullest of ideas is just beginning! Each group must bring a solution to a problem facing Africa and seek ways to help local people, either by building facilities, or sharing knowledge. This keeps us busy and it's difficult to handle all the commitments I have these days with school and extracurricular activities. But, I may possibly never receive a chance like this at any other time in my life, so the importance and priority I give this amazing PANGAEA adventure is more than anything else.

There are no words to describe how thankful I am to have this exciting opportunity. I can’t even describe my motivation and what I feel inside when I start thinking that in a few days I will be in Switzerland, meeting other 15 amazing teens and the wonderful team of Mike Horn's.

The countdown has already begun and is declining fast; I cannot wait to experience the wonders that await me!

Greetings from Argentina!

Blog written by Valerie Cleland, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Even at this early point in my life I can start to point to the big events in my life that have and will shape me. Expeditionary training and evaluation with Mike Horn’s PANGAEA Young Explorers Program is going to be one of those events.

To say I’m excited to attend the selection camp would be a gross understatement. While my life as a college student is incredibly busy, the selection camp is always on my mind. It’s still hard to believe that in less than two weeks I’ll be ending my first year of college and on a plane heading towards the adventure of a lifetime.

Ten days in the Swiss Alps with a famous explorer, and fellow passionate youth, learning new skills and ways to interact with extreme environments is only the beginning. The people I meet will help me stretch my mind in new directions and come up with new ways to engage my community in environmental issues. I want to learn how to push myself, not just physically, but mentally. Too often we stay in a safe zone, and I, like most of us, have yet to discover my limits. This program will re-inspire me to give everything I’ve got. It’s an experience that will continue to shape me and the influence I have on those around me. I can’t wait to come back and share what I’ve learned.

I’d still argue that this isn’t just about me; it could be about anyone. The urge to go out there and do something is huge. Give in to it! Engage. Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. Reach beyond your comfort zone, become a bigger person, and make a difference. There is something for all of us. Mike Horn’s PANGAEA Young Explorers Program is my idea of the ultimate expedition. What’s yours?

-Valerie Cleland

Boston, Massachusetts, USA
 

Blog written by Nora Bergner, Freinsheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

The first time I heard about the PANGAEA Project was two years ago in a magazine. From that moment I dreamed about joining the movement. I followed the project nearly every day on the homepage and it was great to have the chance to meet some of the young explorers already in the program at the PANGAEA meeting in Freiburg in December.
My big dream came true on Thursday, March 22nd, 19:25 when I received the Email notice telling me that I had been selected. The first moment, when I read the word "Congratulations” I couldn’t believe it! But then excitement and happiness came over me and from that moment on it has only been growing bigger and bigger with every day the selection camp gets closer (only 17 days left!!!). With that mounting excitement also comes the growing number of Emails from Michael Scholl with work to do!

Nevertheless, I like the things we have to do in preparation for Selection Camp. The research about Africa (going to library, internet, reading), the sportive preparation (jogging, cycling, etc.), the presentation about myself, the media outreach. Also, a really important part of the process will be working with three other young explorers (who I will meet at selection camp) on a project which will be done in Africa. I’m researching simple and alternative ways to clean water. Did you know that every 15 seconds a child dies because of diarrhea? The reason for that fatal sickness is polluted drinking water. Fortunately, there are several ways to face this problem and I strongly believe that it will be possible to save a few of these lives by informing locals met during the PANGAEA Africa expedition methods they can use to clean their water.

To manage all the things in a few short days, it is helpful to do several things at the same time (like you can see on the picture!). But a better way to meet the goals is to work on each assignment step-by-step. I've already made small progress. Today I found a possible way to ten first aid kits for the program. And yesterday, I had a successful shopping trip to complete my equipment list.

Thanks to my family and friends for supporting me so much and thanks to the Mike Horn team that you give me this great opportunity!!! I can’t wait to meet the other selected Young Explorers from all around the world!!!

Greetings from Germany,

-Nora

One would assume that when an expedition comes to a close, the activities would grind to a halt and the intensity of it all would slacken slightly. However, nothing could be further from the truth on a Mike Horn Young Explorers Program expedition to the Amazon.

We started out the day cruising down the Amazon, burning up the distance to Belem. After a few hours of leisurely boating; if you could call sailing down the largest river in the world in an exploration vessel leisurely, we hit a massive storm, and as 40 knots of wind suddenly hit the rigging and masts of Pangaea, the boat started to heel over. This was tremendously exciting, and all 10 of us young explorers could have been found out on deck, creating sails with our bodies and floating in the breeze.

The storm wrapped up pretty quickly, as has often been the case on this expedition. We then pushed on until we arrived at an island that was 1km across and 4km wide. Mike gathered us all into the conference room, sat us down, and told us that we were going to have to cross it solo. My chest suddenly surged with excitement and joy, understanding that this would be a culmination of the best experience of our life. Mike then said we would have the possibility to partner up, and the room was then split in half, with one side solo hopefuls, the other side team players. 

I must confess that I was one of the prospective solos, and although I thought that Mike wanted us to go alone, he was really just testing us to see who was brave but irrational, and who was sensible and would go on to survive many expeditions. In the end, we all set out together into dense, tropical primary rainforest. In ten minutes, we advanced 5 meters through the bush, and I was shocked to think that at an earlier point in the night I cold have gone on alone. There is a reason why Mike Horn is as of yet the only man to walk along the Amazon, and there is still so much I can learn from him as our expedition draws to a close.
 

Blog written by George Legget

To quote Mike Horn, “If a day goes past and you do not learn anything, it is a waste of a day.” I think it is fair to say that throughout our entire adventure in the Amazon, not a single day has gone past where we have not absorbed something new. In most cases, we have discovered things we would never have learnt in the shelter of our protected home environments. Today, we were given responsibility and thrown way out of our comfort zones. We listened to Mike, to each other and to ourselves and we were inspired by the stories we heard and the unforgettable experiences we shared together. We read books and wrote diaries, played music and enjoyed the incredible atmosphere of the Amazon River. Most importantly, we had a lot of fun learning more than we ever thought possible.

During the expedition, we have opened our minds to different ways of learning. This morning, we created a rap, rhyming lyrics to a beat with gangster style. Shruthi, Lani and I soaked up the morning sun on the bow while writing a song about PANGAEA and the Young Explorers Program. We were trusted to work in teams to navigate the boat around floating grass, submerged logs and sand banks as we cover huge miles on route to Belem. In these situations of responsibility, we ventured outside our comfort zones in order to open our minds and learn about our environment and ourselves. We chatted with Mike and heard some stories of his many life experiences.

Mike has met some of the world’s most inspirational people, and his extraordinary achievements have shaped who he is. He knows himself and what he wants in life so well, making him confident in everything he does. However, he has never stopped learning and I am sure this is one of the key reasons that he is so successful at what he does.

I know that the entire experience of the Amazon Expedition has immeasurably taught us lessons of life, our changing environment and above all, ourselves. I have never had so much fun stretching my limits or been so inspired by my surroundings. I have loved sharing these unforgettable experiences with everyone on board PANGAEA and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn so much on this wild adventure down the Amazon!

Blog written by Tim

Although we may not have seen exotic animals or trekked through the rainforest, today was so special because of the unique, unexpected experiences that we were lucky enough to have!

The first thrill of the day came in the form of a Brazilian police boat. With little notice, three members of the national police force boarded Pangaea to ensure that we all had our passports in order. Although these officers would have intimidated most people, Mike has a special way of breaking down barriers between different cultures or languages. By the end of the exchange, we were all laughing and learning from each other like we were old friends.

The next unexpected issue arose around dinnertime. All of a sudden, the river depth changed from 30 meters to less than 1 meter! Our hull dug deep into the river sediment and we were temporarily stuck. After some quick thinking by Mike and a good group effort (including both of our inflatable dinghies pushing into Pangaea at full power), the boat was freed and we continued down the river.

As soon as we thought the excitement was over, we learned that our night had just begun! Mike told us to put our running shoes on because we would be going on an evening run through the city of Santarem. In all the hours that I have spent pounding concrete, I have never had such a unique running experience.

Mike and his team are remarkably good at connecting Young Explorers with the regions we encounter, whether they are lush jungles or dense cities. This run allowed us to truly bond with the city of Santarem, and to begin to understand what life might be like within its limits. We didn’t merely jog along the river or run down the main street – for several kilometers, we darted through residential alleys, uneven streets, and hidden parks. As we quickly observed snapshops of life in the city (boys fishing in the river, couples walking through the park, women hanging their laundry out to dry) we could feed off the energy of the city, learn about a different culture, and quicken our steps.