Okay, if this thread sparks any interest for anyone else, someone just sent me this link over icq......
http://www.equipped.com/srvschol.htm
They have a ton of what he is saying are reputable programs listed. I skimmed the list briefly, and many look very intriguiing to say the least. That one in Australia looks quite interesting, and there is one where they take you down to the jungles of central America, I love what it says on their listing......
"Randall specializes in primitive and jungle survival in the jungles of Central and South America. They "do not guarantee you'll have fun," but they advertise that you will learn a lot. Randall is co-author of "Adventure Travel In The Third World."
too cool.