Volunteer in Manuel Antonio National Park - Costa Rica - The most beautiful park in the world.
Written by Conservation Department
Tuesday, 08 November 2011 12:41
The Eco Preservation Society's volunteer program in the Manuel National park provides the traveler with a unique vantage to experience what Forbes Magazine listed as one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s National park system. Working behind the scenes assisting park rangers, EPS volunteers are exposed to a unique vantage point to experience the wonders of Manuel Antonio in a way that is not possible on a 3 hour visit. Volunteers will be working to create and maintain visitor trails and other park infrastructure, while at the same time experiencing the park in a more intimate way that is only possible with the type of immersion this program provides. Volunteers share meals with park ranger staff in their brand new facility in the heart of the park. Volunteers will have an opportunity to interact and learn from the experienced nature interpreters that know every aspect of this complex and dynamic eco system. Volunteers are housed in the historic Zona Americana, constructed during banana republic days when the local economy was dominated by United Fruit Company from 1935 to 1955. The campus like setting featured a stunning vistas, community pool, tennis courts, schools, a movie theater (now a meeting hall) and even a one lane bowling alley.
7:00 AM Breakfast (Long Term Only) 7:30 AM Public Bus to Manuel Antonio 8:00 AM Arrive Manuel Antonio Park - Volunteer 10:00 AM Break 10:15 AM Resume 12:00 Noon Lunch w/ Park Rangers 1:00 PM Resume (Expect Tuesday – Tuesday PM Activities) 3:00 PM Relax in the Park – Return at Leisure
Volunteer Tasks: Repair Trials / Tree Planting / Assist Park Rangers / Repair Volunteer Quarters / Make Signs / Hand Out Flyers
More information:Playa el Rey National Forest Coastal Rainforest Rehabilitation Project 7:00 AM Breakfast (Long Term Only) 7:30 AM Depart for Playa el Rey – Catholic Church 8:15 AM Arrive Playa el Rey – Briefing – Establish Teams 10:00 AM Break – Snacks - Presentation 10:15 AM Resume – Ice Breaker Game 12:30 PM Lunch and Relax 3:00 PM Depart for Quepos 3:30 PM Arrive Quepos
VolunteerTasks: Tree Planting / Tree Maintenance / Beach Clean Up / Camp Maintenance
Monday: Playa el Rey Tuesday; Manuel Antonio Park Wednesday Manuel Antonio Park / PM Activities Thursday Community Projects / EPS Headqurters Friday Manuel Antonio Park Saturday Playa el Rey Sunday At Leisure Note: In November we will have extra days in Playa el Rey.
We should start thinking about how we can make a better guest experience at the camps. Short Term Suggestions: Tree Nurseries / Natural Water Purification / Composting Toilets / Other?. Over the longer term we need to think about on-going enhancements.
Volunteer for Free - Participation Fees for Service
No one pays to volunteer at EPS. All those that are able to provide their own transportation, equipment, meals and lodging are welcome to join us. Bring your shovel and your lunch and lets go to work. For all those that are less self-sufficient and want to enjoy a quality expereince, we have created a volunteer program to support your participation. The volunteer program is designed to be finacially self-suffient so as not place a finacial burden on our other conservation programing. Thus there are participation fees associated with our participation service packages.
Long Term Volunteer Service Package Includes: Lodging / 3 Meals per day (one meal Sunday) / Transportation Unique Volunteer Experience /Activity Discounts Lodging: EPS Quepos Headquarters Meals: Breakfast / EPS Lunch / On Site Dinner / On Site or EPS Rates: Registration Fee $15 First Week $235 Second Week $215 Third Week $200 One Month $800 Second Month $700 Third Month $600
Playa el Rey One-Day Service Package Includes: Transportation, Snacks, Lunch, Volunteer Experience, and 90 minutes to relax on perhaps the largest undeveloped beach in all of Costa Rica. Adults $35 Children $20
just applied for the summer i finish sixth form college. I want to help in this park. But i do not speak spanish at all and havn't ever volounteered before except a bit of work experience in a vet and dogs home :\ is that important? and i do not understand the pay rates, i also want to help in the park not the church :S
Hi Jake ..... Please fill out our application form and we will get you into the program.
Thanks very much for the reply. May I ask how long this window of opportunity will be open for? There is a possibility that I can only visit in 2013. Thank you!
_______________________________
This is a permanent ongoing program and we are going to be adding more locations and more programs in 2012. So come anytime, but get your reservations in early!
Hello there! I'm Davina from Malaysia. I am extremely keen on applying. I have a huge passion for environmental conservation... However, I have no previous experience in volunteering. Is this a big factor in considering your volunteer recruitment? Thank you very much!
-------------------------------------------
It is a factor, but we look at a lot of things. The main thing is that you have a passion for conservation.
Will be in Manuel Antonio Nov. 2012 for a wedding. 8 yr old and I will be there for approximately 4 days and would like to use one of the days to volunteer in the Nat'l Park. Please advise on volunteer opportunities. Thank you.
In addition to helping conserve and protect a beautiful place, would a longer stay also afford a volunteer the opportunity to enhance his Spanish language skills? Or is volunteer interaction pretty much limited to speakers of English?
Hi Jim, volunteers will be working with park rangers that speak entirely Spanish. The park guide are bi-lingual, however they however when they speak mostly Spanish in conversations among themselves. Thanks for your interest. Let us know if you have any more questions
In addition to helping conserve and protect a beautiful place, would a longer stay also afford a volunteer the opportunity to enhance his Spanish language skills? Or is volunteer interaction pretty much limited to speakers of English?
Hi Jocelyn, May/June is a great time to come! Eco Season in Costa Rica is May to December ..... Planting trees / Sea turtle conservation, we will have a lot going on ..... so come on out!!
Quoting Jocelyn C:
Hi there I'm interested in this opportunity in the future... maybe in May or June? Will these opportunities still be available then?
The Eco Interactive Vacation Experience is a blend of Travel, Education, Conservation and Reforestation. Through Eco Interactive you will engage in the natural world in unique and meaningful ways, providing fresh perspectives and a fulfilling experience not available through traditional vacation travel.
EPS is seeking Volunteers to assist in our Turtle Conservation Project at Costa Rica's Playa el Rey. Live, work and grow on one of Costa Rica's most secluded and lovely beaches.
Comments
Hi Jake ..... Please fill out our application form and we will get you into the program.
http://www.ecopreservationsociety.org/site/index.php/the-news/application-form-volunteer-program
_______________ _______________ _
This is a permanent ongoing program and we are going to be adding more locations and more programs in 2012. So come anytime, but get your reservations in early!
-------------------------------------------
It is a factor, but we look at a lot of things. The main thing is that you have a passion for conservation.
Hi Jim, volunteers will be working with park rangers that speak entirely Spanish. The park guide are bi-lingual, however they however when they speak mostly Spanish in conversations among themselves. Thanks for your interest. Let us know if you have any more questions
Quoting Jocelyn C:
Thanks,
Jocelyn
RSS feed for comments to this post.