USIT Volunteer - Dominical Turtle Project, Costa Rica

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Turtle PROJECT Costa Rica

A DAY AT THE PROGRAMME HOURS ACTIVITIES 7AM-8AM Breakfast at your host family or residence 8:30AM-3PM Work at the Foundation (Morning Option).

3PM-open Free time to explore the city and diner. *This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 1. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly?

Maximum 6.

2. Has the organization received volunteers in the past?

They have received help from volunteers in all different areas.

3. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: They have received help from volunteers in all different areas.

4. Are there any special features to which the volunteers has to pay attention to when working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) No everything it’s included in the program.

5. Any requirements to attend this programme?

Only the strong desire to help and get involve in the project. Volunteers must present to be older than 18 years .

6. The project receives volunteers all year round?

Yes, but turtle’s season start in

.

7. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive volunteers: They receive volunteers all the time.

8. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project?

Two weeks 9. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project?

They can stay in the project as many weeks they want.

10. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer: The volunteer program will be assisting by the association of social programs of park, some of the projects that they will be part of are: Collecting garbage from the beach: by walking in the beach - approximately 4 km of the national wildlife refuge beaches- they will be collecting the garbage that is left there either by the visitors or by the ocean currents that throw it to the beach, and then separating it for the recycling in the storing center.

Assist biologists in the protection and research of the marine turtles during the nesting season.

The activities include night patrols, data gathering and nursery care, among others.

Night Patrols: The Night Patrol is your main responsibility as a volunteer. Also, you can be asked to baby-sit the eggs at one of our hatcheries when needed.

The Guides Patrol the entire beach, performing a variety of tasks: excavating old nests, looking for baby turtles, collecting data, etc.

In the Protected Areas Maintain trails, bridges and other public structures in the protected areas.

Assist, guide and educate visitors as they arrive at the protected areas. Help with the system of reservations for the tourists and visitors.

Make sure you bring with you:

light, batteries, bug repellent, sheet, towels, hiking shoes, hat,

aid kit and other personal hygiene products.

11. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: The work schedule on the project will be Monday to Friday from: 12:00 a.m. a 4:00 a.m.

8:00 p.m. a 12:00 a.m.

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 12. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. Dominical.

13. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE: TYPE COST TIME IT WILL TAKE Bus 0.25 30 minutes (from the home stay).

Taxi $9 20 minutes (from the home stay).

14. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town) Corcovado National Park is an undeniably beautiful place, considered to be one of the most important natural preserves in the Americas; this virgin rain forest park invites superlatives from all who visit.

At least thirteen distinct vegetation types in close proximity, including mangroves, palm swamps and bloodweed forest make Corcovado a botanist’s dream. Jaguars, giant anteaters, hundreds of white-lipped peccaries, tapers, and a host of rare rain forest animals inhabit the vast reaches surrounding the lagoon at the park’s center. The captivating visual beauty of its forest and of its coastline, with miles of uninhabited beaches and roaring cascades, draws visitors from all over the world.

ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 15. Type of Accommodation?

National Corcovado Refuge: they will stay in cabins that can be use for 5 people, for the program we will be lodging a maximum of 3 per room. It is important to mention that the lodge is own by a Costa Rican Family that live in the lodge, so they will have the possibility to be interacting with a family as well.

WHAT IS INCLUDED? Accommodation throughout your programme at a home stay or residence.

Breakfast and dinner (Home stay option).

Orientation upon arrival.

Airport transfer on arrival to San Jose.

Full on-site support and assistance.

On-site 24 hour emergency contact number.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? Personal travel insurance.

All items of personal nature.

Any extra activities and excursions not described on the planned itinerary.

Transfer back to the airport at the end of the programme.