Description

Maintenance and reconstruction of the trails: it is a very rainy area, trails need constant cleaning and/or reconstruction.

General infrastructure maintenance: the humidity causes quick deterioration of structures and buildings need constant maintenance. General maintenance would include basic repairs on the building, painting and working with the rangers to ensure that none of the buildings have rotted.

Tourist attention: rangers did not have the opportunity to learn a second language, therefore, all of the local people need support with English speaking tourist.

Control Walks:
* The park protects the vital nestling grounds for green sea turtles (June-October)
* Giant leatherback turtles (Mid February-July)
* Female hawksbill turtles (July-October)

The Caribbean Coast has traded in the illegal sale of turtle meat and eggs for many years and the egg extraction levels on some unprotected beaches of Costa Rica are still extremely high -- up to 100% in some areas, showing that there is still a demanding market in many countries for turtles, eggs and their by-products. Rangers may request the help of volunteers with the control patrols.

Highlights

For the first time in its existence, Tortuguero seems to have a future full of promise. In the past, people have endured economic cycles of timber, hunting, fishing and agriculture. Tortuguero National Park offers an alternative to that life, which was so unstable. In recent years efforts have been made to organize and educate the people for this increase in tourism and to protect the area's natural resources. Volunteering has an important role in helping to monitor and maintain the natural resources in the park as well as to help with environmental educational projects for the people.

It is the third most visited park in Costa Rica, despite the fact that it can only be reached by airplane or boat. The exceptionally high rainfall and rich environment, where the freshwater meets the sea makes the beaches, canals, lagoons and wetlands of Tortuguero, areas of exceptional biodiversity. Many tourists come during the turtle season and the rangers need help to be able to take care of the many demands of the park.

Volunteers assistance is greatly needed at this placement because over 25% of the land in Costa Rica has been designated as protected areas. However, the Costa Rican Government can not afford to hire or provide enough resources to each park as the demand and cost is to high. Volunteers are greatly appreciated at Tortuguero National Park because of the large number of visitors the park receives and therefore the need for extra assistance to help maintain the park and ensure that endangered sea turtles are monitored and provided a safe place to lay their eggs. In addition volunteers are important to ensure that there is adequate staff available to: guide, complete daily tasks and do patrols of the park to ensure there has been no illegal poaching or logging.
Volunteers play an important role in the protection of the biodiversity of this park and assisting the rangers to help make the park always accessible and clean.

Qualifications

Although there are no specific skills required to assist at this park, it is certainly an asset if interested volunteers have an enviromental background. Must be able to tolerate and work outdoors in a tropical climate.

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 that volunteers are able to adapt to the varying conditions found in rain forests. Enthusiastic, compassionate with lots of stamina.

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