FAQ for
Campers 🏕️ and Outlanders
(GO-ON)s

GOOD-TO-GO encourages students, adults, professionals, campers, outlanders and even families to be GO-PROs. We believe that every individual is born with skills. Some find them early, some discover them late. There is no bar for any age, gender, or skill. However, people with political and criminal intent are a strict No-No. The kind of work allocated to each however, will be decided based on the need at the Grassroot NGOs, as well as the skill set and capability of the GO-PROs.

There will be an Orientation and some training (if required) that you will receive from Facilitating NGO (GO-GREEN) before you go to the rural area. You will be given information and training on the local area, the customs, the stay you can expect as well as project level details. You will also be given information on the background of the Youth, the Community and the Grassroot NGO itself.

• Declare your availability in the GOOD-TO-GO network about the places you are visiting / crossing, during your travels.

• Camp closer to the Grassroot NGOs / Villages, for safety assurance and logistics support.

• Understand the landscape, psychology of the youth, local/community problems and needs, existing livelihoods, respect the livelihoods and give dignity to labour.

• Share your own skills in a simple manner, encouraging jugaad technology tools.

• Help the local community solve their problems and needs, through their own livelihoods. 

• Teach the youth entrepreneurial approaches and business skills, so as to create local products for local consumption.

• Help improve the quality of locally made products considerably.

• Help create publicity campaigns for locally made products to enhance local / community consumption.

• Promote collaboration instead of competition, through group entrepreneurship.

• Discourage rural to urban migration, and encourage urban to rural migration.

• Help set up business models to integrate multiple livelihoods in the area / community, and make them interdependent.

• Help local youth design and implement local marketing strategies, for their products.

• Empathise with the underprivileged youth and become their dependable friend and counsellor.

• Share honest feedback about the Grassroot NGO (Go-Red) Partner and own contribution after every trip to the Go-Green Partner, and online to the national database.

GOOD-TO-GO is committed to working everywhere, from the urban proximity villages to the remotest, virgin, nature rich villages of rural India. India has many sparsely populated villages which are extremely remote, a majority of which are reachable by road, but there are also a few which require a small trek to reach. Depending on your skills and the needs of the village / community, you will be offered choices from which you can choose. You can choose to go to different villages on different occasions during your travel, so that you can enjoy different flavours. Villages that require a trek to reach will only be for those who declare themselves physically fit to trek.

You will be contacted by the Facilitating NGOs (GO-GREENs), who find your skill matching with the skill needs of the Grassroot NGOs connected with them. Therefore, the projects you visit, will relate to the livelihood skill needs of the youth there. Broadly, the projects will relate to teaching livelihood skills, entrepreneurship skills, marketing skills, setting up business models, product design, product profiling, setting up distribution infrastructure, social media workshops, gender workshops, multimedia workshops, youth camps, health camps, and anything that is desired by the youth there, except money and material. The objective is not to give them the fish, but teach them how to fish.

You can declare a particular project or area that you would like to volunteer with, when you make yourself available. Accordingly your profile and skills will be flashed to the Facilitating NGOs (GO-GREENs) in that area. However, there are other factors that will be taken into account when choosing the project for you to volunteer in. For e.g. a) projects with very desperate needs b) the amount of attention a project has already received, c) your performance rating etc.

Absolutely, since it will depend on where you plan to go camping and when.

You can declare your availability and location to the GOOD-TO-GO network at least 15 days in advance, by filling in a simple online form. Accordingly your profile will be shared with the Facilitating NGOs (GO-GREENs) in those regions. After match making your skills with the needs of Grassroot NGOs (GO-REDs) in their region / network, the GO-GREENs will get in touch with you directly, detailing the projects, requirements, facilities, tourism opportunities, and costs. You can choose any of them, and lock your engagement through an online form. The other GO-GREENs will be informed immediately, so that they do not bother you any more. You can lock multiple periods with different GO-GREENs depending upon your availability. 

Please remember, that your locked engagement will start a series of groundwork at the Grassroot NGO (GO-RED), and mobilising the youth there, giving them some hopes and expectations. It would be unfair to cancel any such commitment, until and unless you are stuck in an emergency situation. Any such cancelled engagements (except for emergencies) will affect your performance rating. However if the engagement is cancelled because of the GO-RED or GO-GREEN (except for emergencies), it will affect their performance rating as well, and your profile will be flashed again in the GOOD-TO-GO Network with a high priority tag, so that you get a quick engagement in the location of your choice, and your planned vacation is not wasted.

Since you will be travelling in your own Campervan and taking care of your travel insurance, food and stay, the only cost that you may incur is :

1. Translator's costs (if required)

The Translator's cost (1) will be shared and agreed upon with you, prior to your visit.

Foreigners are restricted in certain areas of India, and some other areas require special permits. If you are of foreign origin and your selected project is in an area, which require permits; please ensure that the Facilitating NGO (GO-GREEN) obtains one for you, before you travel to the Grassroot NGO (GO-RED). In areas where there are absolute restrictions for foreigners, you will not be assigned to a project there if you are a foreign national.

The language and dialects of different regions in India vary a lot. The Facilitating NGO (GO-GREEN) will ensure that a Translator (if available between your language and the local language/dialect) accompanies you, as he/she will facilitate the interactions that will do wonders for the youth's confidence and your performance. However the Translator's expenses will be shared in advance and billed to you along with other expenses. Wherever the Grassroot NGO (GO-RED) has staff who know both languages, they will organise for the same without billing you. 

If you wish to bring a Translator along, please register him/her as a GO-PRO with GOOD-TO-GO Network, and take care of his/her expenses during your visit. GOOD-TO-GO may also professionally hire the services of your Translator for other GO-PROs, whenever required. Youth in remote areas, are however, extremely shy, and we encourage you to build a rapport with them and help them speak out. Village youth with urban exposure might understand and speak English/Hindi and you can use their help to interact with other people in the community.

Yes you may take pictures and videos. Please be mindful however of the fact that you will be living in a village and will be working with the community. Do respect the sentiments of the Community and their culture, while taking pictures. Do take permission of the Grassroot NGO before taking videos of your training session. 

GOOD-TO-GO will request access to your pictures and videos for uploading on their website, with due credit to you. Please note that you will get space on our website to share your own volunteering experience.

Yes, GOOD-TO-GO will expect a feedback at the end of your project, the format of which will be given to you electronically, before you leave. You will be required to keep some basic log of your entire stay, and submit your feedback after the trip. Your feedback will help evaluate the quality of the training, facilitation by the Grassroot NGO and services of the Facilitating NGO. Your Volunteering hours will get logged in only after your feedback and experience sharing is received.

GOOD-TO-GO will also take a feedback from the Grassroot NGO, some of your skill Trainees, Facilitating NGO, and the driver of your vehicle, to evaluate your performance rating. The Facilitating NGOs would generally contact and prefer Volunteers (GO-PROs) with higher performance rating, for such Voluntourism opportunities.

Absolutely! We are a not for profit working to improve lives in the remotest areas of rural India and we truly respect and appreciate the part that you are playing in it. Whenever you wish, we can give you a Certificate for the same, that will also speak volumes about your contribution and performance. Our only pre-requisites to the certificate is that you contribute at least 15 days (not including travel), and your performance rating is above average (eg. at least 3.5 on a scale 1 - 5). 

With ENSURED - GOOD-TO-GO, you will get:

• Facilitated Treks into the wild and waters.

• Celebratory evenings, Campfire stories from Villagers.

• Local Recipes.

• Assured safety of your stay and vehicle from the villagers.

• A Genuine Purpose along with your fun-filled travel.

• Opportunities to design Campervans professionally, for the GOOD-TO-GO network. 

If you have not registered as a Volunteer with GOOD-TO-GO yet, please do so immediately here. You do not need to take a subscription right now, as the first Voluntouring opportunity is without any subscription, to give you a flavour and experience. If you are satisfied with your performance and the facilitation done for your visit, take a yearly / multi-year Subscription by clicking here. Your subscription amount helps this Not-for-profit network maintain its database and web based operations.

Once subscribed, declare your availability and preferred locations / regions to the GOOD-TO-GO network by clicking here. Accordingly your profile will be shared with the Facilitating NGOs (GO-GREENs) in those regions. After match making your skills with the needs of Grassroot NGOs (GO-REDs) in their region / network, the GO-GREENs will get in touch with you directly, detailing the projects, requirements, facilities, tourism opportunities, and costs. You can choose any of them, and lock your engagement through an online form. The other GO-GREENs will be informed immediately, so that they do not bother you any more. You can lock multiple periods with different GO-GREENs depending upon your availability. 

You can also keep visiting the 'EVENTS' page of the website frequently, to see events that coincide with your vacation time.

The answer is no, not usually. Most villages in India are accessible by road, and only those who are fit to trek will be assigned projects that require a bit of trek.

Yes, it is GOOD-TO-GO's responsibility to reach you to your destination, and have you picked up from there at the end of your project. Villages requiring a trek will also be taken care of by the Grassroot NGO (GO-RED).

All you need is a tourist visa to come into India. Any further permits to enter restricted areas in India, if needed, will be obtained by the Facilitating NGO (GO-GREEN) once you reach their office.

Since you are a Camper, you must be definitely carrying all your personal stuff. But here is a list of what will definitely be useful in rural India.

Flashlights, sandals, sunscreen, moisturiser, lip-balm, mosquito repelling cream, camera, batteries, light sweater (regardless of which season you come in), good walking shoes, (trekking boots, if you plan to trek), thick jackets if it is winter. There are not many things available in the local stores, so please bring the essential ones on your own.

But please keep some vacant space in your backpack, as you may like to carry some local souvenirs back home.

The biggest advantage for Campers and Outlanders participating in GOOD-TO-GO, is the safety and security assured by the villagers. Since you are there to help them without any expectations, they feel very obligated and go out of the way to treat you the best they can. You might actually get pampered by them. Knowing the locals is a huge advantage for Campers, as they are a big support in case of any emergency, and getting you logistics supply. They also know the surroundings better than you, and can take you with them on treks, and also keep you off any potential risks.

Electricity and connectivity have reached almost all villages of India, except for few unreachable or troublesome zones. However the bandwidth might not be constant and of high speed everywhere. In some villages, people have to reach high vantage points to get the best connectivity. 

In some remote villages there might be lights powered only by solar panels, which work for just a few hours in the night. Cell phone connectivity might also be limited and though there are multiple providers (BSNL, Airtel, VI, Jio and others, only BSNL might work in the remoter areas). Once you go into remote areas, you can enjoy cell phone detox as well.

We encourage you to inform your family ahead of time if you expect a phone silence from the area you will be going to. The Facilitating NGO (GO-GREEN) however, will be in touch with the Grassroot NGO (GO-RED) and local village through its ground network and messages will be passed on in case of emergencies. Though it may take some getting used to, volunteering in areas where there is no connectivity and/or electricity, we ask that you take the time to enjoy the surroundings, the people and the absolute serenity of nature around you. These people have stayed here for generations and have survived and learned from their surroundings.

GOOD-TO-GO strictly prohibits underage smoking or drinking. If you are an adult and must smoke, we ask that you choose a lonely spot to do so. Under no circumstances can we endorse any smoking in public. Taking drugs is strictly prohibited. Drinking during volunteering hours is also not allowed. It is possible that you may be offered any local drink in appreciation of your efforts or just to welcome you into the community. GOOD-TO-GO will not be responsible for any health discomfort resulting out of that. We ask that you practice restraint and take care to ensure that you do not behave in a manner that compromises your position, or the credibility of GOOD-TO-GO. Any untoward incidents caused by unruly behaviour can cause your volunteering to be immediately terminated and a forfeiture of the emergency amount deposited with us.

While we want you to enjoy your experience at the remote village, we ask that you treat the role that you are playing with responsibility and sincerity, and contribute to a positive and respectful experience with the community.

Language and dialect will vary from region to region. The Grassroot NGO (GO-RED) will try to find a Translator who knows the local language and Hindi / English, from among the youth in the village at no extra cost. If you know neither Hindi / English, nor the local language, then a Translator needs to be professionally engaged with you during your stay at the village. The expense of Translator will be discussed and agreed upon with you, before finalising your volunteering engagement at the Village, by the Facilitating NGO.

During the summer months of Mar – June, you can expect it to be extremely warm in the day times. A light sweater might be needed for the evenings. Since the weather is unpredictable at all times, we always recommend carrying a light sweater for emergencies. The winters (Oct - Jan) can get very cold, and you should pack accordingly from thermals, gloves, woollen socks to thick fleece jackets. As in the rest of India, we request that you wear clothing that respects the sentiments of the local people and avoid wearing revealing clothing. Villages in India are not exposed to clothings of multiple nationalities, and mosquitos like a variety of blood. It will be good to cover yourself up with comfortable clothing.

Villages are generally safe places for women and men alike. Many women trek alone in villages and have never felt threatened. The locals respect women and will treat you well. The local village women are also very friendly and we encourage you to build a rapport with them and involve yourself with them. As anywhere, dress so as not to draw extra attention, and do carry yourself confidently. The Grassroot NGO (GO-RED) whose project you are visiting, is responsible for your safety and security while you are at the village. During the commute to the village and back, the Facilitating NGO )GO-GREEN) and its vehicle Driver will be responsible for your safety and security.

In case you feel that you would need a companion, please mention the same when you declare your availability to GOOD-TO-GO Network.