Biological Station Volunteer Costa Rica
Description
We are a private reserve and field station located near Corcovado National Park, on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. For over 30 years, it has served as a nature preserve, education center, and ecotour destination in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Researchers, student groups, and visitors come to experience the remote location, the beautiful scenery, the unique wildlife, and enjoy some of Central America's last coastal rainforest. Visitors come by boat to stay in the jungle, hike the trails to Corcovado, or take day trips to snorkel near Cano Island. University and school groups often come for weeklong stays and hold field study courses. Campanario has also hosted scientists for many years, conducting research on wildlife, plants, and ecosystem dynamics. Campanario is remote, off the grid with no vehicle access. Visitors arrive by boat or a long walk from the nearest town. Power is provided by solar panels, and water is collected from a nearby stream. While we have a station phone, cell service is intermittent. The buildings include bunkhouses, kitchen/dining area, bathrooms, cabins, and staff housing. The station is right on the beach in a private cove, backed up on 170 acres (69 hectares) of private reserve adjacent to the National Park.
We are seeking volunteers to assist with visitors, station/trail maintenance, and ongoing research projects. Volunteers live and work onsite at the field station alongside fulltime staff. Volunteers and interns are expected to contribute the equivalent of 6 hours of work per day, six days a week. While not working, everyone has full access to the grounds, including the beaches and forest trails. Three meals a day are provided, and everyone is responsible for their own laundry and cleaning personal space. Housing for volunteers includes a bunkhouse room that may be shared during high occupancy. Volunteers pay a fee to cover their living expenses while they are onsite. They are also responsible for their own travel to and from the site, although Campanario staff will help facilitate this. Volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis, although the facility gets more crowded in the high season December-February. Minimum commitment is 1 month.
Details
Organisation:
Campanario Biological Station
Location:
Osa Peninsula (near Corcovado National Park)
Qualifications/Skills:
For volunteers, no experience is necessary. However, all applicants must be prepared for living in primitive conditions in a remote location in a foreign country. Specifically: Willingness to stay in a remote area with limited electricity, no warm water, and no internet/cell service. High tolerance for heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and the risk of animals in the living space. Ability to adapt to a foreign culture and navigate language barriers. Ability to stay in shared living conditions for an extended period of time. Good physical condition, can hike several miles uphill with no problems. Valid passport. Valid insurance.
Dates of program:
Year round
Duration of program:
1 month minimum
Age requirement:
Adults of both sexes 21+
Cost:
Volunteers pay a fee of US$25/day to cover food and housing. Volunteers must pay a deposit of US$400 prior to the volunteer period. The deposit is fully refunded on completion of volunteer assignment.
Other information:
Visit our website for more information. Volunteers are accepted year-round. We recommend applying at least a month in advance due to logistics.
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