Spreading Environmental Awareness in National Park Conservation (Asociacion ASEPALECO)

  Costa Rica

• Central Pacific Coast: 
Puntarenas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Volunteers work with ASEPALECO, a non profit organization which is operating in the south of the Península de Nicoya, in the province of Puntarenas. Volunteers can choose from three projects. Jicaral village is based on increasing environmental awareness and other related matters. The nearby Reserva Karen Mogenen Fischer and the Cabo Blanco National Park where the work is more conservation-based. Daily duties include teaching the community about recycling and the environment, constructing new nature trails in the forest while maintaining existing ones, and planting.

Volunteers need to stay in San José at least for the first two nights where you will receive an introduction to the country and specific information on how to go to ASEPALECO and more details about the project, conducted in English.

In Jicaral, volunteers get to live with a host-family. They have simple house, with electricity and running water and will provide you with lodging, typical food, and the opportunity to wash your clothes. When working in the Karen Mogensen Reserve, you will live in a dormitory at the ranger-station there. This reserve, although close to the village, is relatively inaccessible. In the Cabo Blanco National Park, you will live in the home of one of the park rangers. You will have the opportunity to spend time in all three parts during the project.

Cost in US$: 1 week USD 1395

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: United Planet requests five things of you: Flexibility, Courage, Open-mindedness, Tolerance and Compassion. Volunteer and educational travel around the world is often filled with unpredictable surprises, such as transportation delays, local holidays, etc. Cultures vary greatly. Some things may appear shocking and you might feel outside of your comfort zone in some situations. You might also experience disturbing poverty or suffering in certain areas. People, including the local population and fellow Quest participants, might have vastly different religious, ideological, racial, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. In short, you will be challenged and stimulated in ways that you may not be able to currently imagine. If you remember the UP code and maintain flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, tolerance, and compassion, you will build greater bonds with the people around you, attain a rich cultural understanding, and truly experience the ultimate educational adventure of a United Planet Quest, while having lots of fun along the way.

Age Range: All Ages

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Costa Rica Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

United Planet's Mission Statement: As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded: 2001