activities · 8
what they do
direct service · 6
- Delivering supplies and educational materials internationally Children's Basic Needs Support in KenyaThe organization delivers supplies such as art materials and computers to schools in various countries, including South Africa and Kenya, often in conjunction with partners like the United Nations.
- Implementing Project Suitcase philanthropic initiatives Holiday Food and Gift DistributionThe organization implements philanthropic initiatives through "Project Suitcase" on every expedition, organizing donation projects where participants fill suitcases with items for children, animals, and natural environments. This includes providing financial support, clothing, and educational experiences, and partnering with other community causes for distribution.
- Organized Exploration and Educational Travel Trips Student Travel ExpeditionsOrganizes and facilitates travel expeditions for participants, including trips led directly by the organization or arranged through vendors, with unique educational and cultural experiences such as nighttime grape crush events at vineyards, airport visits for aviation education, and planned international trips to deliver resources like computers to schools in Kenya in partnership with the United Nations.
- Organizing and leading exploration trips Guided Environmental Field TripsThe organization organizes and leads travel trips for participants, which can include unique experiences like after-hours vineyard visits and educational components.
- Organizing aviation-related community events Aviation Stakeholder Engagement & OutreachThe organization organizes aviation-related events, such as "Fly-In" events and airport visits for children, to provide gifts and inspire interest in aviation.
- Project Suitcase Community Donation Program Holiday Food and Gift DistributionImplements philanthropic initiatives through Project Suitcase on every expedition, organizing participant-filled suitcases with donated items such as clothing, art supplies, and educational materials for children, schools, and communities in need. Partners with local causes and organizations to distribute goods, including Valentine's Day clothing drives and technology donations for schools.
research · 2
- Conducting paleontological and biological research Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisThe organization conducts research leading to the discovery of new species and significant fossil finds, including Saber-toothed Cats, Short Faced Bears, Giant Ground Sloths, and a new gecko species.
- Scientific Discovery and Field Research Archaeological Field Research & AnalysisConducts field research leading to significant paleontological and biological discoveries, including fossils of Saber-toothed Cats, Short Faced Bears, and Giant Ground Sloths over 740,000 years old, as well as the identification of a new gecko species.
strategies · 13
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Adventure travel with authentic experience focus adventure_travelDesigns trips to exotic and remote locations—featuring activities like bush flying and wild game drives—to deliver authentic, high-engagement travel experiences rooted in adventure and discovery.
- Adventure-focused travel model with third-party service coordination booking_agent_modelOrganizes adventure travel experiences to exotic locations involving bush flying and wildlife drives, operating as a booking agent on a best-efforts basis without guaranteeing outcomes, relying on third-party suppliers for service delivery.
- Best-efforts trip organization with traveler responsibility best_efforts_basisOrganizes expeditions on a best-efforts basis without guaranteeing specific outcomes, placing responsibility on travelers to evaluate and ensure their own satisfaction with the trip experience.
- Collaborative action with purpose-driven partners action_on_purposePartners with organizations and individuals committed to purposeful action and scalable impact, aligning expedition goals with broader missions of exploration, education, and service.
- Expedition-based experiential learning and geographic discovery experiential_learningAdvances geographic knowledge and personal growth through hands-on expeditions that combine aerial exploration, wilderness travel, and authentic cultural or environmental immersion, such as safaris in Kenya or outdoor excursions in Mammoth Lakes.
- Experiential learning through guided adventure expeditions experiential_learningFacilitates immersive wilderness and flying adventures that combine hands-on travel experiences—such as bush flying, game drives, and multi-day outdoor excursions—with structured guidance and local expertise to promote learning by doing.
- Local expertise integration through guide pilots guided_expeditionsEmploys local Guide Pilots to manage logistical and operational aspects of expeditions—including flight planning, aircraft handling, fuel, and regulatory compliance—ensuring safety and effectiveness through in-depth knowledge of local terrain, rules, and communication systems.
- Local flight integration for international expedition participation local_flight_integrationEnables pilot participants to operate in host countries by facilitating local license validation and aircraft checkout, primarily for common models like C-172, C-182, and PA-28, ensuring compliance and safety during international expeditions.
- Participant-led philanthropy through personal transport of donated goods participant_led_philanthropyIntegrates charitable giving into expeditions via the "Project Suitcase" initiative, where participants personally carry donated supplies such as medical equipment, books, and computers in an extra suitcase, ensuring direct delivery and fostering personal connection to aid efforts.
- Participant-led philanthropy via Project Suitcase participant_led_philanthropyIntegrates charitable giving into expeditions by enabling participants to personally transport donated goods in an additional suitcase, ensuring direct delivery of needed supplies while fostering personal engagement with communities in need.
- Pilot-led aerial expeditions with guided local support pilot-led_expeditionsConducts expeditions using licensed pilots who fly private aircraft to explore natural and man-made sites, supported by local Guide Pilots who manage logistics, flight planning, and regulatory compliance to ensure safe and effective operations in unfamiliar territories.
- Pilot-led expedition model with aerial exploration aerial_explorationConducts geographic expeditions using private aircraft led by licensed pilots, leveraging aerial perspectives to advance geographic knowledge and explore uncharted or remote areas, with an emphasis on unique access via flight.
- Third-party service facilitation via booking agent model booking_agent_modelActs as a booking agent for travel suppliers without assuming liability for the delivery or quality of third-party services, focusing on access rather than operational control.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Custom Itineraries
Personalized travel plans created for individuals or groups based on specific interests and destinations
Organized Group Trips
Travel experiences led or coordinated by IES, such as overnight winery visits and immersive cultural journeys
Sample Itineraries
Premade travel plans offered as templates for trips, including adventure and wine-region tours
relationships · 11
who they work with
- & Beyond Partner — Collaborates with &Beyond, an organization focused on conservation of land, wildlife, and care of people.
- Calistoga Family Center Partner — Received financial support, clothing, suitcases, and an educational experience through Project Suitcase.
- Conservation Corporation Africa Partner — Received coverage on Sossusvlei and Namibia.
- Flying Adventures Media Partner — Partners with Flying Adventures Media to engage influential travelers and promote global exploration.
- Mackinac Island School Partner — Received gifts and hosted a Fly-In event for students and staff.
- South African Federation of Waldorf Schools Partner — Recipient of art supplies for Waldorf students in South Africa.
- United Nations Partner — Collaborates with the United Nations as part of its global initiatives.
- United Nations Partner — Partner for an upcoming trip to Kenya to transport computers to schools.
- United Nations Partner — Partners on a philanthropic safari to Kenya.
- international organizations Partner — Collaborates with international organizations to identify community needs and guide philanthropic efforts through Project Suitcase.
- travel vendors Partner — Collaborates with travel vendors to book trips for participants.