Description

Depending on the season that volunteers come to assist at this placement they may be helping with monitoring and documenting the species and frequencies of turtles laying their eggs on the beaches of Romelia. Volunteers may need to assist with the construction and maintenance of the turtle hatcheries by completing such tasks as carrying driftwood up the beach to make fences, filling and placing sand bags, maintaining the roof the of the structure and keeping the beach surrounding the hatchery free of debris. Volunteers may be asked to assist coordinators and staff members in documenting the size, weight and other biological information of both laying and hatching turtles.

Volunteers may assist with turtle hatchling release by ensuring that baby turtles are released during low tide, when there is not too much sun, and by walking with turtles to the water and remaining on watch until the last turtle has swum away. Volunteers may need to lend a hand with the construction and maintenance of the public paths and walkways to and from the project site: this tasks consists mostly of clearly leaves from the path. Volunteers may also be needed to help with keeping the beaches clean and clear of debris so that laying turtles can easily make their nests.

Highlights

This organization's aim is the preservation of endangered species of turtles; a large part of the organization's emphasis is on promoting worldwide environmental awareness. This process is facilitated by having international volunteers contribute their energy and share what they have learned from their experiences.
Currently ASVO and the Romelia Sea Turtle Conservation Project are facing several challenges:

* Ensure that there are sufficient volunteers at all times to keep the project operational,(need a minimum of six).
* Increased volume of poachers for both the turtle eggs and the turtles themselves, despite awareness campaigns in Costa Rica and increased effort by the National Coast Guard to deter poaching activities.
* Increased risk for newborn turtles when they "free hatch" or emerge from their nests into the open beach. When this occurs, they are vulnerable to predators, hot sun, and poachers.
* There is minimal research completed as to when, where and how hatching happens, what the survival rate is, and how many nests a turtle will lay in her life.
* Data constantly needs to be recorded re: measuring and weighing baby turtles, documenting nest size and location and tagging mother turtles.

One of BaseCamp International Centers goals is to provide sufficient volunteers to support this worthy cause; thus helping the organization to meet the various challenges in their effort to ensure that sea turtles live on for future generations.

Qualifications

Experience working with large groups and a background in biology or a related field of conservation would be very beneficial, but not required at this placement.
Intermediate Spanish or higher would also be an asset.

Minimum Education

High School

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2.595 for 4 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

It is important the volunteer have a willingness to work, are responsible, positive and able to adapt to tropical conditions. It is also vital that volunteers interested in this placement enjoy the outdoors and rustic living, because the accommodations are very simple!

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998