Family Volunteering: Ecotourism & Community Development
Program Overview
Get your kids involved in projects that contribute to the greater good through this volunteer program in Ecuador! Our ecotourism program allows your entire family to enjoy living in a tight-knit community while supporting conservation projects centered on environmental preservation in a misty cloud forest.
Become part of a small community of local families working together to come up with economic alternatives without losing track of their traditions, values, and principles. The project started from humble beginnings, with its foundation in 1995 as a forestry conservation effort. It later received the support of NGOs and international cooperation, allowing it to execute sustainable productive activities (e.g. ecotourism, organic gardening, dairy processing, etc.).
Your family will assist with a variety of activities largely determined by the current needs at the time of your placement. No matter the responsibilities, look forward to acquiring a practical knowledge of organic agriculture while working alongside local families on farms. Get the chance to help with reforestation efforts and gardening tasks as well!
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Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.
Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- 1-2 Weeks
- Community Development
- Eco-Tourism
- American
- Australian
- Austrian
- Belgian
- British
- Canadian
- Cypriot
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hawaiian
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Irish
- Italian
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuanian
- Maltese
- Manx
- Polish
- Scottish
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Swiss
- The Vatican
- Welsh
Updated Jan 15, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Yunguilla, Ecuador
Eligible Nationalities
- American
- Australian
- Austrian
- Belgian
- British
- Canadian
- Cypriot
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hawaiian
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Irish
- Italian
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuanian
- Maltese
- Manx
- Polish
- Scottish
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Swiss
- The Vatican
- Welsh
- This Program is also open to Couples, Families
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- Spanish
- Education
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accommodation Options
- Guest House
- Home-stays
Application Procedures
- Online Application
Age Requirement
All Ages
Duration
- 1-2 Weeks
Starts At
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to all the most common questions about Kaya Responsible Travel.
Is the price the same for each person, or does it vary per age?
The price of the Ecotourism and Community Development program depends on the age of who is travelling! The prices are grouped into the following age groups;
- Small children from 0-4
- Children 5-9
- Children 10-15
- 16 and above
Where is the project located?
Family volunteers will be based in the small town of Yunguilla, an hour outside of the capital of Quito! High up in the cloud forest, the town is located between a private reserve and a national reserve. Every morning will feel like a ‘pinch-me’ moment as you wake up in the sunny tropics with stunning views of the mountains surrounding you.
Can small children take part in this Family Volunteering Project?
Yes! Kaya accepts families of a range of different ages, from younger children to teens! Children will enjoy taking part in less strenuous activities such as cheese making, fruit picking and making jams at a small eco-village! We encourage families of a range of different ages to participate in this project so the whole family can get involved in different volunteering activities!
Do all of the development activities require physical labor?
Not all of the activities included in the Family Ecotourism & Community Development Project require strength and manual labor! This means that family members of all ages can take part and spend time together!
Do we have to speak Spanish to volunteer in Ecuador?
A basic level of Spanish will be needed to communicate with the local community you will be working with! If you or any member of your family feel like you need to brush up on your Spanish skills, Kaya also provides Spanish language lessons that you can take before your adventure begins! Reach out to one of our Kaya advisors and ask any questions you might have!
Recognitions & Awards
Awards and accreditations earned by this provider
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