Description

The Ecotourism intern position is available for those either studying Ecotourism, recent university graduates with a degree in Ecotourism, or those with a passionate interest in the field. This position involves learning the information pertinent to conducting education tours of the area, and facilitating sustainable ecotourism for visitors to the center. Some of the tasks for this position will be:

Meeting and greeting the groups Presenting welcome presentation Translating for groups Motivating the visitors performing community service projects if necessary Assisting with implementation and management of community service projects Coordinate staff schedules for cultural tourism activities such as dance and cooking classes. Supervise, manage and conduct SCLC's nightly tourism activities. Maintain log of activities conducted. Assist Community Development coordinator to schedule activities. Arrange, participate and lead local conservation/community service projects for tourists with Community Development coordinator.

Highlights

In contrast to its biological richness, Sarapiquí is the sixth poorest county in Costa Rica (76 out of 81) and has experienced staggering population growth (616%) over the past 3 decades. Much of this is due to an influx of workers coming to labor on the Dole banana plantations and, more recently, pineapple plantations that supply multinational companies. Literacy rates in Sarapiquí are much lower than the Costa Rican average, and over ¼ of all children born in the county are to teenage mothers.

The SCLC is working to link community and conservation through education and ecotourism in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica. The SCLC believes strongly that ecotourism can be an effective tool for sustainable development in the rural tropics. True ecotourism encompasses economic, environmental, and social sustainability, and the SCLC seeks to connect conservation with the well-being of the local community by facilitating interaction between tourists and local residents. In this effort, the SCLC provides educational programs and organizational capacity building directly to the local population. The SCLC has all the right ingredients for making sustainable development a success a young generation with open minds and knowledge of environmental issues, organized communities, and international visitors with an interest in helping build a greener future in Sarapiquí.
The SCLC's major initiative is a small-scale native species reforestation program working with small farms and a diversity of native tree species. Reforestation is a clear environmental need that is beginning to receive more attention worldwide. It is something that interests many farmers and can be offered at low cost and minimal sacrifice to them. Indeed, reforestation can be done by nearly everyone and for multiple purposes, such as shade, riparian zone protection, soil recuperation, nitrogen fixing, living fences, wildlife attraction, and wood for home/farm and artisanal use. Small-scale reforestation of this type is a key component of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC). As part of the MBC, the SCLC falls within the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor (CBSS) that attempts to form ecological connectivity between the Braulio Carillo National Park and the newly created Maquenque National Mixed Wildlife Refuge in the northern part of the country. SCLC was recently chosen as the local office for the CBSS, and will soon begin offering community outreach talks and workshops about conservation and biodiversity issues.

In addition to these programs, the SCLC also has a public library with bilingual coverage of many subjects and computers for use by local students. The SCLC also offers a comfortable and well-equipped meeting room that is available for use by tourist and professional groups from Costa Rica and abroad.

Qualifications

Experience in tourism management or guiding. Familiar with concepts of eco-tourism and sustainable community based tourism. Experience in sales, marketing. Experience in event promotion. Basic computer skills, organizational skills, and leadership skills.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Tourism

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

Motivated, adaptable, and open-minded. Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written communication) with tourists from many different countries, local community members, community Development Coordinator and Tour Operators and their guides

Volunteer Types

• Community Development
• Eco-tourism
• Reforestation
• Tourism

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