Environmental Clean up in Peneda-Geres National Park

  Portugal

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: August 1 - August 15

Description: Peneda Geres National Park was the first protected area to be founded in Portugal in 1971 and it is the only National Park in the country. Having once been the home of the brown bear and the mountain goat, Peneda-Geres is today one of the last refuges of the great predators, such as the wolf and the royal eagle. Health Adventure Association is a youth association that aims at promoting man-environment binomial. Within the accomplished activities, pedestrian courses, mycological activities (mushrooms), national and international workcamps, environmental activities in protected areas, can be mentioned.

The project's theme is related to the environment and consists of carrying out cleaning tasks in Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês National Park of Peneda-Gerês, up-keeping the Park's nursery, works in the newer Garrano centre, and fluvial beach cleaning.

In the spare time, the volunteers will visit the region, especially Terras do Bouro and Braga, will hike in the National Park Peneda-Gerês, will have nautical activities, will swim in the river, will play paintball, bow shot, horse riding, create leather objects, attend a cithara concert. The participants will also have the opportunity to attend some local festivities (Terras de Bouro).

Cost in US$: USD 290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 - 30 years old

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Portugal Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.