Volunteer summer camp in Sri Lanka for 15 to 17-year-olds

Two volunteer projects suited to teenagers

Renovation and improvement work in Kandy

Four mornings, from day 3 to day 6, are devoted to renovating and improving a space used by the local community. Depending on needs and availability when the group arrives, the work may take place at a nursery school, a school, a Buddhist temple or a care centre.

Activities may include painting, cleaning, gardening and brightening up the spaces. No heavy construction work is planned. The project focuses on improving the premises: it is not a care or teaching placement.

Turtle conservation in Ambalangoda

From day 9 to day 13, five mornings are devoted to the turtle conservation project. Tasks are assigned by the project team according to the weather, current needs and local conditions. They may include preparing food, feeding and cleaning the turtles, cleaning the tanks and collecting litter on the beach.

Cultural discoveries during the trip

• A hike of about 6 km on the Pekoe Trail through the tea plantations.
• Lunch with a local family.
• An introduction to Ceylon tea and a visit to a spice and medicinal plant garden.
• Visits focused on batik, woodcarving and gemstones.
• A visit to Kandy and its viewpoint.
• A walk in a forest reserve.

Day 1: Welcome to Sri Lanka

Airport welcome, transfer to Kandy, settling into the accommodation and dinner. Night in Kandy.

Day 2: Finding your bearings and first discoveries

Presentation of the programme, document check and explanation of the house rules. Visit to a spice and medicinal plant garden, local lunch on site, then an introduction to how Ceylon tea is made. Dinner and night in Kandy.

Day 3: Start of the volunteer project

First morning at the renovation site after breakfast. Lunch at the accommodation, then a visit to Kandy. Dinner and night in Kandy.

Day 4: The gemstones of Sri Lanka

Renovation project in the morning. After lunch at the accommodation, visit to a gemstone museum. Dinner and night in Kandy.

Day 5: A walk in the forest

Renovation work in the morning, lunch at the accommodation, then a walk in a forest reserve. Dinner and night in Kandy.

Day 6: Crafts and panoramic views

The renovation project continues in the morning. After lunch, an introduction to traditional woodcarving and a visit to a batik workshop, then a stop at a viewpoint over Kandy. Dinner and night in Kandy.

Day 7: In the heart of the tea plantations

A hike of about 6 km on the Pekoe Trail through the tea plantations and the surrounding landscapes. Lunch with a local family. Dinner and last night in Kandy.

Day 8: Heading to Ambalangoda

Brunch, then transfer to Ambalangoda for the second part of the trip. Settling in, dinner and night in Ambalangoda.

Day 9: Introduction to the turtle conservation project

First morning at the project. Following the team's instructions and depending on local conditions, participants help with preparing food, feeding and cleaning the turtles, and cleaning the tanks or the beach. Lunch at the accommodation, then free time to relax. Dinner and night in Ambalangoda.

Day 10: Taking part in the turtle conservation project

Morning at the project, with tasks assigned by the team according to needs and the weather. Lunch at the accommodation, then free time to relax. Dinner and night in Ambalangoda.

Day 11: The turtle conservation project continues

Project work in the morning, following the team's instructions. Lunch at the accommodation, then free time to relax. Dinner and night in Ambalangoda.

Day 12: Another morning at the project

Morning devoted to the turtle conservation project, with activities adapted to current needs and local conditions. Lunch at the accommodation, then free time to relax. Dinner and night in Ambalangoda.

Day 13: Last project day and review

Last morning at the turtle conservation project. After lunch at the accommodation, a review of the experience with the group and packing for the next day. Dinner and last night in Ambalangoda.

Day 14: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

This programme is a guide only and may change depending on the weather, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Activities at the turtle conservation project are set by its team.

The trip includes 7 nights in Kandy and 6 nights in Ambalangoda.

Ambalangoda

Accommodation is in shared single-sex rooms in the volunteer house, 100 m from the turtle conservation centre and the beach.

Kandy

The group stays in the volunteer house or a local guesthouse, depending on availability. Rooms are single-sex and shared by 6 to 8 participants. The accommodation has fans, shared bathrooms, Western-style toilets and cold showers. There is no air conditioning.

Internet or Wi-Fi access is not guaranteed; participants will be able to buy a local SIM card to stay connected during the trip.

Meals

Meals are Sri Lankan. Allergies and special diets must be reported before departure.

Included: dinner on arrival, three meals a day from day 2 to day 7 and from day 9 to day 13, brunch and dinner on day 8, and breakfast on the day of departure.

Supervision

A dedicated coordinator will be with the group throughout the programme. Each project will also have coordinators and staff to supervise the volunteers.

There is an evening curfew, and cultural and social activities will be organised by the host organisation for the young people during their free time.

Airport pick-up and return transfers are included. Travel set out in the programme is by private transport for the group. International flights are not included.

Since 1998, our local partner has been running development projects abroad and welcoming volunteers from all over the world. Its experienced local teams know the sites, the projects and the host communities well.

They welcome participants on arrival, brief them on safety guidelines and support them day to day.

Throughout the trip, the local coordinator is the participants' point of contact. Emergency assistance is available 24/7.

The programme is for 15 to 17-year-olds. A coordinator dedicated to minors accompanies the group on site. The programme and communication with the coordinator are in English. The house rules and arrangements for free time are explained to the group on arrival.

Bring clothes suitable for painting and gardening, closed-toe shoes, gloves, safety glasses and masks. Shorts are not allowed during project activities.