Iten, Kenya
Frequently Asked Questions

  • Athletes from any sport and of any level are welcome to come and will have plenty to do to train for their particular sport. Our locations feature full size swimming pools, basketball courts, soccer fields, weight rooms, and more. Since most sports involve running and aerobic endurance, doing a daily run (especially at altitude) can be of great benefit. In addition, bikes are available if you’d like to come along on a group run, but don’t actually want to run or want to get in a great cross training workout!  If you are a cheerleader, baseball player, soccer player, etc, we find the Kenyan kids love learning a new sport and you could help teach them as part of your community service. One summer we taught Wiffle ball and the Kenyan school kids ended up beating us.  Perhaps you’ll end up learning more new skills than you teach.

  • It’s a common misconception that Kenya is super hot in the US summer-time; it’s often much hotter in most parts of the US during these months. The locations we select in Kenya are at altitude, which means that the temperatures are generally very comfortable – most often in the low to mid 70s during the daytime – and can be pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings. It can also be cold if you hit rainy weather. We’ll send you a detailed packing list before departure, but layers and quick drying clothes are key items.

  • Generally no, because of the altitude in Iten, where we spend most of our time. However, mosquito nets are available at all of our Kenyan accommodations and, since we will also be traveling on safari, where malaria could be present, you should plan to discuss the best course of action for your child with his or her physician. In ten years of Strive programs, we have never had a participant or group leader contract Malaria.

  • Traveling internationally (or even domestically) always carries certain risks and Kenya is no exception. Students should take every precaution when traveling to be aware of their surroundings and to make sure that the group leaders know where they are at all times. Our group leaders are well-trained, conscientious, and have safety at the forefront of their minds regarding every program decision.  You will be in good, experienced hands for the duration of your program.

    As a company, we take student safety extremely seriously and have practices in place, which we review regularly, to maximize student safety for all programs. In our planning process we specifically search for locations which will allow our students to enjoy their experience and feel comfortable and safe.

    In Iten, the HATC is located directly next to the regional police headquarters. Iten is a very small town (population of approximately 5,000) with a small community feel, where people are incredibly friendly and look out for one another.  Before signing up for a program in Kenya, however, you must be aware that the state department has had a travel warning for Kenya in place since 2008 (click here for more). The warning primarily focuses on areas of the country far from our programs, but the warning is in place for the country as a whole. Please contact us if you have additional questions.

  • A good camera with lots of available memory, sunblock, and a hat are the 3 essentials while out on safari.  It is relatively dry at the Mara when we are there but as weather can be unpredictable it’s always a good idea to have a poncho or rain jacket on hand just in case.  Safari enthusiasts might find themselves purchasing an authentic safari hat and boots to fully embrace the safari experience.

  • While we can’t guarantee you will see anything in particular, we usually see plenty of lions, elephants, zebra, giraffes, wildebeest. More difficult to spot are leopards, panthers, rhinos, or seeing the Migration/Crossing.

  • Tap water is treated but we do not consider it safe to drink in Kenya. Purified water is provided by Strive and is readily available, while boiled or purified water is served with all meals at the HATC and at other places we stay. Purified water is also used to rinse dishes in Iten so there are no issues at the camp. We also encourage participants to brush their teeth with purified water to avoid swallowing the tap water.

    If you are a traveler, it might be worth investing in a SteriPen (click for more info)– a device which uses UV light to kill the nasty stuff in tap-water that makes you sick. Our group leaders and many Strivers have used these on tap water in Africa and had no problems with illness.

  • Yes! You are very likely to meet Kenyan runners, some of whom could have world records to their name and you will see them on the trails and at the track all the time. In past years, Strive students had the opportunity to meet World Record holders Eliud Kipchoge, Lornah Kiplagat, David Rushida, and Vivian Cheruiyot, among others.

  • For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or check out the Center for Disease Control website.  We at Strive are not medical professionals and we recommend you consult your own physician for any advice and recommendations regarding vaccinations and medications.

  • Yes! Strive has our own financial aid program. 

    Many students have also had great success with personal fundraising through traditional fundraiser, crowd-sourcing, pledging, etc.

    Lastly, you can always contact us if you have any questions or if you’re looking for more help.