Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Volunteer Project

As part of a project team of approximately 10 students, a High School Leader and an ISV Project Leader, you will volunteer for one week in either conservation (Australia and Costa Rica) or community development (Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic). ISV's volunteer projects are run in conjunction with local communities and host organisations and focus on making a difference in communities and natural environments. Groups may be completing a range of tasks including children's education, building school playgrounds, constructing houses and community facilities in developing nations, caring for endangered species (such as sea turtles, and other wildlife), data collection and ecosystem regeneration.

Conservation

ISV Conservation Projects are designed to broaden awareness of environmental issues worldwide and to introduce students to the challenges of balancing human needs with the need to conserve biological diversity. The projects provide a framework for students from various backgrounds to address topics in conservation and management of natural resources through supervised field experiences in habitat restoration, public education, data collection, scientific investigation and endangered species conservation.

Community Development

ISV Community Development Projects are coordinated directly with local communities and organisations and offer students a challenging hands-on experience where they learn what it's like to teach basic English, take part in recreational and social programs with children, and help build a home for a needy family side by side with the people who will live in it. Being immersed within local communities allows you to see life from a different perspective, where the culture, values and priorities of the hosts may differ considerably from your own. You will also learn the importance of working co-operatively within a community in order to maximize results.

Educational Adventure Tour

ISV's one-week educational Adventure Tour will allow you keep learning about your host country. Here, guided by an amazing ISV Tour Leader and a High School Leader, you will continue learning about your host country by experiencing a variety of locations, environments and the best adventure and cultural activities possible. It is a great way for you to discover more of your host country with like-minded students after spending a week making a difference through volunteering.

Safety

Every ISV program is operated with safety as the number one priority. Every element of the ISV program undergoes continual review and risk assessment to ensure every participant can enjoy their experience in the safest environment possible.

Our commitment to the safety and well-being of every participant takes top priority in the planning and operation of each international program. Thousands of young adults participate in ISV programs each year, and our staff are trained and experienced in responding to incidents and emergencies abroad. ISV will not conduct a program or activity that we believe will jeopardize the safety of any person.

While safety cannot be guaranteed at home or in any country, we take every measure possible to minimize risks in all aspects of the program. Pre-departure preparation of participants, screening and inspecting all project partners and tour operators, in-country office assistance, 24-hour emergency support, and First Aid certified field staff who are trained to assess and manage risks are all part of ISV's Global Risk Management and our commitment to providing a safe environment for all participants.

Check out why this program is for you!

Travel Types

• Nature Tours
• Summer Camp
• Trekking
• Tours

Minimum Education

High School

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• High School Study Abroad
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Programs vary in cost, see website for details.

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

* All accommodations during the ISV High School Program
* Support for host organizations
* All program ground transportation in host country including airport transfers
* All meals during the one-week Volunteer Project and more than half the meals in the one-week Adventure Tour.
* Adventure activities which may include white water rafting, snorkelling, rappelling, kayaking and caving, to name a few.
* ISV Project Leader
* ISV Tour Leader
* High School Leader (and associated program costs)
* Program set-up and project materials
* All administration costs and pre-departure support
* Participant Travel Manual and other materials provided by ISV
* ISV T-shirt

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Participants Travel to Australia

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Other
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement

To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded

1981