Worthwhile Gap Year Volunteering Projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

  Costa Rica

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

  Nicaragua

• Other Cities in Nicaragua: 
Managua,  Rural Areas

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.

As a volunteer in Costa Rica you could be:

* Living and working among communities to improve health and educational services

* Helping to protect the countries' natural environment

* Trekking over mountainous terrain, beaches, jungles and volcanoes

We run different length gap year expeditions throughout the year to fit your study or work patterns. Choose from our unique 10 week (with 3 and a half and 7 week shorter options) or 5 week expeditions. You will be working with other young people from all around the world, on much needed community projects and environmental projects alongside our volunteer managers (aged 25+) and local skilled workers.

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.

* Meet people from all walks of life, nationalities and backgrounds and make friends for life

* Gain new skills and confidence that will help you stand out when applying for jobs or higher education

* Get off the beaten track - Live and work in remote destinations in Costa Rica few tourists get access to

* Combine community, environmental and adventure projects and experience an exchange of cultures, make a difference and challenge yourself physically and mentally.

"Raleigh was a massive life-changing experience for me, a perfect trip to go on just before university and definitely made life in a new country at university with new people much less daunting. It has improved my confidence and I have made lifelong friends due to it. " Charlotte Pratt, venturer, Costa Rica & Nicaragua

"Raleigh has shown me that I can achieve anything if I put mind to it. ...While away I realised what and whom are most important in my life/ Raleigh was an absolutely amazing and worthwhile experience for me." Kirsty McLeod, 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 Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-12

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

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