Adventure in Thailand & Laos: Eco Tourism in National Parks and Local Villages

  Laos

• Rural Areas: 
Rural Areas

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Hua Hin,  Udon Thani,  Surin
• Phuket: 
Phuket

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Ongoing projects

Description: Volunteer for sustainable ecotourism in Thailand and Laos. National parks benefit from responsible ecotourism to fund wildlife conservation work. Villages earn extra income from ecotourism, making them more interested in animal conservation.

A unique chance to have exciting nature and culture experiences. Why go as a tourist when you can work and go trekking with villagers and rangers where tourists never go?

Some of the wildlife you can be involved with include wild elephants, tigers, hornbills, crocodiles, leopards, sea turtles, bears, tapirs, and more. We have projects for wildlife surveying and management in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund. We have a need for survey divers in marine national parks.

Sustainable and community based ecotourism is about empowering local people, about protecting nature, culture and wildlife. Help local people to a larger share of tourism revenues.

Open Mind Projects works with national parks in Thailand and Laos. The parks are situated near Laos, Cambodia, and Burma with pristine forests, rivers and mountains. This is unique chance to go places off the beaten track of mass tourism, meet and work with the local Thai and Laos. These environmental conservation projects can be combined with other placements.

Pre Departure Information:

- Country and culture information
- Thai language
- teaching and volunteer advice
- travel information

A 3 day in country training is arranged every month for new volunteers.

Highlights: * Teach English, go trekking with park rangers.
* Create national park information material in English, even websites.
* Survey jungle, mountain and marine wild life.
* Create eco tourist packages.
* Teach English to villagers, adults and children.

Qualifications:
- No specific skills required
- Good command of English
- An active interest in nature, eco tourism and wildlife conservation

Cost in US$: See Our Website

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Students, career breakers, retirees

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Open mind projects's Mission Statement: Open Mind Projects is a bridge to knowledge and cross-cultural understanding, bridging digital and knowledge divides between rich and poor. Open Mind Projects arranges placements for international volunteers to schools, Orphan Homes, other institutions and projects, in Thailand and Laos. Open Mind Projects cooperates with these schools and institutions with learning ideas, technology and international volunteers. Schools and other learning/youth institutions in developing nations are understaffed and under resources. New information technology and international volunteers help offset this advantage. Open Mind Projects wants to facilitate valuable cross-cultural experience, personal development, for volunteers and local childeren and students. An opportunity to learn about other cultures while making local and international friends, within an affordable backpacker budget.

Year Founded: 2001