Sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica summer camp
A 2-week summer camp in Costa Rica for 15 to 17-year-olds: protect sea turtle nests, clean up beaches and explore Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Where
- Costa Rica
- Length
- 2 weeks
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
from €2,210 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
This summer camp is ideal for young people aged 15 to 17 who want to contribute to the protection of sea turtles. The aim of this project is to preserve the beach environments where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. You have a role to play in these conservation efforts!
In addition to this project, you will take part in leisure activities with other participants to immerse yourself in the local culture!
This summer camp will be held in English, as participants come from a variety of countries. Supervision is provided by an English-speaking team, present at all times to meet the needs of participants.
The Volunteer Project
To help local teams protect sea turtles and their environment, your tasks are varied and may depend on the timing. In general, you will:
- Protect new nests
- Assist in flipper tagging
- Participate in beach clean-ups
- Help classify plastics
- Release the newborn turtles!
Taking part in this project raises young people’s awareness of environmental conservation issues. It’s also a great opportunity to improve your English while engaging with the local community and having meaningful and enriching exchanges.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
A typical week
Here is a schedule summarizing the main stages of the camp.
- Day 1: Arrival in San José, welcome dinner.
- Day 2: Transfer to Arenal (about 3 hours); night visit to see the frogs.
- Day 3: River safari, tortilla-making workshop.
- Day 4: Transfer to the project (about 5 hours).
- Days 5 to 11: Volunteering.
- Day 12: Return to San José (about 5 hours). Farewell dinner.
- Day 13: Departure.
Accommodation and meals
You will stay in shared rooms with other minors participating in the programme.
A coordinator dedicated to the group will be available on-site 24/7 for all projects.
Meals
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are provided.
Arrival and transfers
Upon your arrival, a project coordinator will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name and will accompany you to your accommodation, where you will be welcomed by the rest of the team.
Free time and activities
During the trip, participants are supervised and can join activities with others from the programme during evenings and weekends.
Here are the typical activities offered:
- Hiking in San José
- River safari on the Peñas Blancas River
- Visit to La Paz Waterfalls
- Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
- Discovery of the sea turtle conservation project
Constant supervision is provided and a group leader is present to support the young participants at all times.
Budget
Length of stay
This 2-week programme starts on July 14th and finishes on July 26th, 2027.
What is included
- All listed projects and activities
- Accommodation in shared rooms with full board (all meals are included)
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Orientation and training upon arrival
- Local transport for all projects and activities
- Dedicated group coordinator for all projects and activities
- 24/7 local emergency assistance
- Donation to the project
Not included
- Flight tickets
- Travel and repatriation insurance
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Authorisation for a minor to leave the country (French Cerfa form, for French residents)
- Parental consent
- Passport valid for 6 months after return
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
Questions
What are the vaccination requirements for a summer camp?
Check with your doctor before you leave, and with a travel health service such as the Institut Pasteur: pasteur.fr/fr/centre-medical/preparer-son-voyage/
What are the benefits of a school work placement abroad?
A work placement abroad brings a great deal, personally and professionally. It gives you international experience, builds your language skills, immerses you in a new culture and lets you make a real contribution to projects with a social impact. These experiences are also worth highlighting in your studies, your career and your personal life.
Can you do your school work placement in another country?
Of course. Whatever course you are on, you can take part.
Our placements abroad cover a wide range of fields with a positive impact on local communities. You can choose to join:
- Education: supporting teaching in schools, running educational workshops for children or taking part in awareness campaigns on crucial subjects such as the environment.
What is a youth work camp?
A youth work camp is a stay where teenagers take part in solidarity projects, often centred on building, renovation or protecting the environment. Run in several countries, these camps let young people help improve local living conditions while gaining valuable practical and personal skills.
How do you sign up for a summer camp abroad?
Signing up for a summer camp abroad usually takes several steps:
- Choose a programme that suits the teenager's interests and language level.
- Check the conditions for joining: age, language level, paperwork required.
What does a week at a summer camp look like?
Most youth camps follow a similar pattern:
- Day one: on arrival, participants are welcomed by the staff, introduced to the others and shown around, so they feel at ease.
- Monday to Friday:
What is a summer camp?
A summer camp is an immersive experience that lets teenagers and young adults take part in educational, sporting and cultural activities over the summer holidays.
These programmes offer a safe setting in which to discover new cultures and activities, improve language skills (English or Spanish) and meet people from all kinds of backgrounds. They carry a strong educational purpose: teenagers learn a great deal about the culture and the language of the country they visit.
Another question? Ask the team, and someone who knows the project will answer.
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