Help Protect the Environment in Costa Rica - Volunteer with Raleigh

  Costa Rica

• Other Cities in Costa Rica: 
Rural Areas
• San Jose: 
San Jose

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: Raleigh is a youth charity that inspires people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Based in Costa Rica's National Parks, volunteers live and work alongside park rangers to help maintain and improve the national parks. These environmental projects are hugely important in helping to preserve natural resources and habitats and protect important species of plants and animals.

Here are some examples of volunteer projects you may be working on. Please be aware that these may change and are just a guide to the types of environmental projects we work on during a Raleigh expedition:

* La Cangreja - viewing platform and trail
La Cangreja is Costa Rica's newest National Park which owes its name to the striking 1,305 metre peak Cerro Cangreja. The park has a mixture of Tropical Humid forest and Pre-Montane forest with a number of species of plant found nowhere else in the world which makes the area important for research purposes and for conservation. The park is also blessed with amazing waterfalls only to be found through exploring the forest. At present the government is developing the facilities in the park and Raleigh volunteers will build a viewing platform near to the main park headquarters that looks over the national park and a trail for local school groups and other visitors.

* Camaronal - Tree planting and turtle conservation
This is the first time we have worked in this unique protected area famous for its nesting turtles. In 2008 they reported over 5,000 turtle nests during the period of June to November on this 3km long beach found in the Nicoya Peninsula. Raleigh has been invited to help with the turtle egg collection and hatchery, construct a trail that runs behind the beach and plant trees to reforest the area behind the beach.

Highlights: * Our permanent presence in Costa Rica means that we know what is needed to really make a positive difference out there. Because of this all of our volunteer projects are sustainable and genuinely needed by the communities we work in.

* A unique opportunity to spend time living in the middle of the jungle or on a stunning beach surrounded by amazing wildlife

* Learn about the politics of conservation and develop an environmentally founded conscience.

"The dense green jungle itself gave a very romantic and mysterious feel to it, which made our work more exciting. What was great though was how the tourists walking along the paths would say thank you and you are doing a great job, which was hugely motivating for us." Alex Jaggard, venturer, Costa Rica & Nicaragua

Qualifications: * Venturers must be aged between 17 and 24 and up for a challenge!

* Our expeditions are tough, but enable you to develop key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, perseverance and leadership, all of which are sought by universities and employers and will help set you apart from the crowd.

* We advise venturers to sign up between 6 and 12 months before the expedition departs, the reason being the earlier you apply the better chance you have of getting your first expedition choice. This also gives you more time to raise funds and you'll benefit from our training workshops.

Cost in US$: 1500 - 2995 GBP

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17-24

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Raleigh 's Mission Statement: We are a youth and education charity. Since 1984 we have inspired over 30,000 people from all walks of life, nationalities and ages to get out there and rise to the challenges of life on expedition. We run programmes in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India. Our expeditions are a challenging, but extremely rewarding combination of sustainable community, environmental and adventure projects.

Year Founded: 1984