Description

We are a remote site located in the Belizean jungle in the foothills of the Mountain Pine Ridge. Our primary mission here is catering to our campers who are mostly backpackers traveling around Central and South America . Additionally, we operate a tropical plant and palm nursery as well as a seasonal citrus grove. Our volunteers assist in those endeavors.

Volunteers work in a beautiful environment and enjoy discounted pricing on trips to amazing waterfalls, swimming holes, caves and canoeing. We ask for a minimum commitment of 90 days. Your time with us usually consists of 5- 6 hour workdays and helping with evening meal preparations/cleanup in the course of a 6 day workweek. We encourage longer stays and our longer term volunteers enjoy periodic additional days off as well as more time in nearby San Ignacio.

Depending on the time of year the work includes landscaping, nursery work with our tropical flowers and palms, however our primary focus is assisting visiting campers in various capacities, lots of general cleaning, building & equipment maintenance and plenty of kitchen work. If a meal is cooked, volunteers help. We sometimes have special projects like trail building, construction and selling at the local market as well. Our volunteers work hard and we appreciate an ongoing positive attitude.

It is in a remote location and working with us is not for everyone. Some people fit with here better than others and there are times when this is obvious in the first few days. In those cases we release volunteers from their commitment and they move along. In these cases the issue is always work ethic. While we try to put our volunteers in situations that make the best use of their skills our primary goal is to accomplish our daily mission with the people we have helping us. Additionally, we are a family run business with our children around all the time so potential volunteers should be comfortable dealing with them on a daily basis.

The Lonely Planet Guidebook named us as one of the top 5 highlights of Belize, Barton Creek Outpost is an amazing place. Volunteering here is not for everyone, we are remote and surrounded by jungle. Weak-hearted & overly sensitive need not apply, if you are scared of bugs, spiders and snakes then Central America in general is not for you. This is not the Disney version of the jungle. I say again, it is not for everyone. If you want adventure, are willing to rough it and work hard, check us out. We are always looking for good people.

Highlights

Besides the work there are also many opportunities to visit local Mayan ruins, waterfalls and other sites deep in the bush.

Qualifications

We are looking for people who are motivated, good natured and can work hard.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

None

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Motivated, honest, eager to learn, eager to pitch in, loves to laugh, loves kids.

Age Range

17-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Barton Creek Outpost's Mission Statement

Our primary mission here is catering to our backpackers. The Outpost also hosts community service oriented trips in Belize. We work with local community leaders to set up worthwhile projects and facilitate groups coming to Belize to work in the community and do some site-seeing as well.

Year Founded

2004