What does the price include?
The price includes one week of classes on how to write content for travel guidebooks. It also includes transportation that is an integral part of the course, e.g. to field-trip sites. The price does not include accommodation, food, transportation from your home country or any transportation in and around the host country that is not a direct part of the week-long course (e.g. transportation costs to and from the course from your accommodation are not included).

How much money do I need to budget for the trip?
For most Boot Camps, V!VA recommends that you budget $30 USD a day, which should cover all additional costs including accommodation.

What will I learn?
You will learn practical skills for writing interesting and relevant guidebook features, sidebar featurettes and travel guidebook-style reviews. In particular, the course will focus on improving your travel guidebook writing skills. You’ll learn what editors want and how to give it to them through daily feedback on your writing; you’ll learn the skills necessary to immediately identify where to go and what to review in unfamiliar locations; you’ll learn online research skills; and you’ll learn about the other requirements of travel writing—mapping and photography—through a series of hands-on sessions. Finally, you will gain a real insider’s understanding of life as a guidebook writer, helping you to decide if this really is the career for you. Check out our outline syllabus for more information, or visit our testimonials page. The week before the course starts, V!VA will send you a packet including detailed in-country transportation information and the full course syllabus.

Will my writing be published?
Any original reviews that you write will be published on the V!VA website and are likely to make it into the appropriate country’s guidebook. Should you stay on to write for us after completing the course, and if your writing meets the required standards, your work will be published in the appropriate guidebook and you will receive a byline (with brief details of your specific contribution) in our “Contributing Authors” section.

Am I guaranteed a job after the course?
It’s no secret we’re looking for a select army of talented and adventurous writers to work for us. While we can’t guarantee anyone a job upon completion of the course, it is our hope that participants will emerge with the skills to be a paid writer for V!VA or other travel publications. Should you be selected to work for V!VA upon completion of the course, payment is per review. Should you complete 200 reviews for V!VA, your Boot Camp course fee will also be refunded. V!VA will also give preference for future travel writing assignments to those who attended its boot camps.

Will V!VA take care of lodging?
V!VA provides suggested accommodations that are close to where the course is being held. Though no one is required to stay at one of the suggested locations, it is recommended in order to minimize time spent traveling to and from the course, as well as to be closer to other participants. It is ultimately the responsibility of each participant, however, to make arrangements and pay for a place to stay.

What should I pack? 
V!VA requires that you bring a digital camera, which is essential for completing reviews. Laptops are optional but highly recommended.

Are there any future dates planned for Boot Camps?
V!VA is currently planning to offer Travel Writing Boot Camps on the following
dates in 2010:

January 4th to 8th: Ecuador (Quito)
January 18th to 22nd: Peru (Cusco)

Can I attend one or two of the classes and not the whole course?
It is essential that you attend the whole course if you really want to understand how to write for guidebooks. One or two classes will not be sufficient to help with your future travel writing career. In addition, many of the classes are linked to one another, with a practical session one day followed by a review of your writing and what was learned the next. By missing sessions, you will significantly cut down on your learning. It is especially important if you decide to stay in the country and write for V!VA that you complete every part of the course. There are two reasons for this: (1) V!VA requires the reviews you write to be of a high standard, and (2) V!VA will give preference for future travel writing jobs to those who completed one of our Boot Camps.

Will I get college credit for it?
V!VA can provide documentation and help complete forms required by your university.

Do I have to speak Spanish?
Speaking Spanish will be a distinct advantage for being able to operate effectively as a travel guidebook writer in Latin America. It is recommended that you are able to speak intermediate Spanish. Preference will be given to those who can speak Spanish at an intermediate level, or who show a commitment to taking classes as part of their visit to the country.

Who will teach the course?
The teachers will be seasoned V!VA Travel Guides writers and editors, all of whom have significant travel guidebook writing experience. Meet the instructors.

What are the deadlines for applying?
The deadlines for applying depend on how quickly the courses fill up. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, provided they meet the minimum requirements. V!VA will keep courses open for applications as long as there is space available. 

Do I need experience?
You don’t necessarily need professional writing experience, but you do need to be able to write to a high standard. Our application process requires you to submit two writing samples. From these we will be able to assess whether you have the level of writing talent appropriate to take part in the course. See our essential applicant characteristics page for more details.

What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation 60 days prior to bootcamp, 100% refund of course fee.
Cancellation 45 days prior to bootcamp, 75% refund of course fee.
Cancellation 30 days prior to bootcamp, 50% refund of course fee.
Cancellations less than 30 days prior to bootcamp can receive credit towards another bootcamp, but the course fee is non-refundable.

If your question was not answered here, please check out our recent testimonials, or write to us instead: write@vivatravelguides.com