Description

Organic Farming Projects
Work with, and teach local communities the value of sustainability principles through food production in their own organic farms.

International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the chance to volunteer in a conservation program dedicated to the success and expansion of organic farms in these small, rural communities. After volunteering in your town, you will then reward yourself by participating in an incredible two week adventure tour, where you'll go rock-climbing, rappelling, snorkeling, horse riding, white water rafting and so much more, as you continue on the adventure of a lifetime!

About ISV's Organic Farming Projects:
ISV's projects in Ecuador work with many different organic farms such as bio gas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, permaculture, and environmental tourism. As an ISV volunteer, you will also be responsible for the care and feeding of farm animals and basic daily farm chores. All of these activities are directly related to supporting the organic farm and their community outreach program. These farms provide an alternate model to the type of farms you would be used to as they are self-sustaining and rely on producing their own energy, food, water and materials. A truly inspiring experience!

Other ISV Volunteer Projects in Ecuador:
Humpback whale community awareness programs, indigenous community support, school and playground construction, jungle management programs, Andean Spectacled Bear research.

Adventure Tour:
glacier climbing on the Cotopaxi volcano glacier, white water rafting, bridge jumping, mountain biking adventure, whale watching, surf lessons, visit to Otovalo markets.

Spanish language and dance lesson package available.

Adventure Tour
Participants will travel throughout Ecuador, exploring the Andes Mountains, tropical glaciers, the Amazon, the Pacific coast, scenic rivers, national parks, cloud forests and cultural attractions such as Ecuador's capital city of Quito and the world-famous Otavalo indigenous market. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* "Puenting", jumping off a bridge for a 30-foot pendulum over a raging river
* Rock climbing in the Andes beginner through advanced climbs at a local crag
* Waterfall rappelling repel down a 90-foot waterfall!
* Whale watching and snorkeling off Isla de la Plata chase after Humpback whales on their southbound migration!
* Horseback riding through the cloud forest access remote trails at the base of Tungurahua Volcano
* Learning glacial travel techniques on the world's highest active volcano, the Cotopaxi
* Whitewater rafting the Pastaza River from the Cloud Forest to the Amazon Jungle basin
* Going shopping in Otavalo, Latin Americas' largest market
* Getting personalized surfing instruction in Montanita, Ecuador's surfers paradise
* Visiting an Amazon indigenous Quechua community

Highlights

Key achievement from last year
Six garden and compost circles built.

Galapagos and Machu Picchu Excursion
After your ISV Program, take on the once in a lifetime six-day adventure exploring the incredible Galapagos Islands. See the giant tortoises, and snorkel with the seals and iguanas as you explore the world's most unique ecosystem! Or if that isn't right for you, perhaps you'd like to spend an incredible week exploring the magical colonial city of Cuzco before we embark on a four-day trek through Incan ruins and visit the mystical ruined city of Machu Picchu.

Spanish lessons
Before your adventure begins, ISV also offers you a five-day course of Spanish lessons in the morning and dance classes in the afternoon. This is a great way to brush up on your language skills and you will even stay with a local family.

Why travel with ISV?
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel- you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational - learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent -we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Travel Types

• Off Road / 4X4 Driving
• BackPacking Abroad
• Birdwatching
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cooking
• Cycling (Mountain)
• Cycling (Road/Touring)
• Dancing
• Downhill Skiing
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Horseback Riding
• Kayaking (River)
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Mountaineering
• Scuba
• Snorkeling
• Sports
• Surfing
• Trekking
• Volunteering
• Windsurfing/Windsailing

Qualifications

No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Program prices vary. Please see website for details.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Your program price includes quite a lot:
* All accommodation
* All meals in first two weeks (volunteer project) - delicious local cuisine!
* Approximately half of your meals in the second two weeks (adventure tour)
* All ground transportation in the host country (including all in-country airport transfers)
* ISV Adventure Tour activities (minimum five incredible activities per tour)
* An ISV Project Leader to accompany you on the volunteer project
* An ISV Tour Leader to guide you on the Adventure Tour and make sure you have an amazing time
* All in-country orientations upon arrival in the host country
* All administration and promotion costs
* All pre-departure training, manuals and preparation of participants
* In country offices set up to coordinate projects and programs for participants
* Training of all host organizations
* All materials for projects (for example, bricks, mortar, wood, tools)
* Twenty-four hour support for you during the program through our dedicated office and program staff

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range

18 +

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Independent living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 Week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement

To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded

1981