KIDS SAVING THE RAINFOREST – a registered 501(c3) non-profit organization
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
Kids Saving the Rainforest has different projects on biodiversity conservation and research, and we have created a training/volunteer program that allows any animal or forest lover to join us, learn with us and work with us. We believe that we are all capable of changing our attitude towards nature.
Kids Saving the Rainforest has had a wildlife rehabilitation center since 2005. In 2010, we opened a Wildlife Sanctuary to keep those animals that cannot be released back into the wild. Some of the animals were pets and are used to humans and others are too injured to survive in the wild. The volunteers will learn the basics of zoo keeping in a tropical environment with tropically native species. This may include maintenance of facilities (cleaning, repairing, building and enriching cages, trails, etc.), diet preparation and enrichment, behavioral observations, health monitoring, and training. Also the volunteers will learn about tropical biodiversity and the natural history of some tropical animals.
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Kids Saving the Rainforest offers three different types of volunteer placements:
Day Volunteers: Mon., Wed, and Fri (space is limited)
(Minimum age requirement is 18years old(alone) and 8yrs-17yrs old with PARENTAL SUPERVISION.)
Seasonal Volunteers: Duration of the stay can be 14 days or more depending on your availability and participate in all aspects of the work. Applicants from any background are accepted and full training is provided.Volunteers should expect to work up to 40 hours per week.
(Minimum age requirement is 18years old)
Interns: Duration of the stay is 3 months. Applicants from any background are accepted, however this placement is more suitable for gap-year students, undergraduates or recent graduates who wish to gain more experience in wildlife management and conservation. Interns will work with KSTR staff, but will be expected to be independent and proactive and might receive extra training for specific tasks or research projects taking place.All Interns must go through an interview process.
(Minimum age requirement is 18years old)
Intern Positions Available:
Wildlife Education Intern
Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern
Wildlife Zookeeper Intern
Marketing Intern
Sloth Nursery Assistant
If you are interested in one of the Intern Positions, please let us know and we will send you a description of each job, all of the requirements and cost.
Participant’s General Duties (Seasonal Volunteers)
All participants will work under the supervision of the Wildlife Sanctuary Manager , KSTR Biologist and the Volunteer Coordinator while working alongside KSTR. Daily duties include preparing food for animals, feeding animals twice a day, recording animal behavior and health and cleaning cages.
Requirements
All participants are expected to fulfill certain requirements in order to participate in our projects. Work is demanding, repetitive, and can also vary from day to day. Participants must know that they will be working with wild animals that are not pets and should behave accordingly. These requirements are to ensure that volunteers bring the right expectations and enjoy their experience with KSTR.
-Need to enjoy working outdoors and be motivated
-Able to converse, receive and understand instructions in English and/or Spanish
-Travel and international medical insurance
-Flexibility to adapt to changing schedules and weather
CONTRIBUTION FEES TOWARDS PARTICIPATION
Kids Saving the Rainforest is a Non-Profit Organization and we rely on donations to function, as do many other NGOs in developing countries. Most of our budget is spent at our rescue center, which receives a great quantity of animals per year and has no means of making money.
Therefore we rely on volunteers to contribute towards their participation costs. These fees cover 3 daily meals, accommodation (shared rooms and bathrooms), Internet (WiFi), laundry and in country support.
Kids Saving the Rainforest
Volunteers Rates 2015/2016
Seasonal Volunteers(Bunk Rooms) / Registration Fee / Volunteers Fee / Per Person/Per Night / Total
14+ days / $100 / $880 / $70 / $980
21+ days / $150 / $1215 / $65 / $1365
30+ days / $200 / $1600 / $60 / $1800
60+ days / $250 / $4700 / $55 / $4950
90 + days / $100 / $2400 / $28 / $2500
Seasonal Volunteers
(Cottages) / Registration Fee / Volunteers Fee / Per Person/Per Night / Total
14+ days / $100 / $1720 / $130 / $1820
21+ days / $150 / $2370 / $120 / $2520
30+ days / $200 / $3100 / $110 / $3300
60+ days / $250 / $8750 / $100 / $9000
90+ days / $100 / $6,200 / $70 / $6,300
100% of the proceeds go to support KSTR projects.
Rates include the following:
* Bunk bed, sheets and towels, access to laundry, all meals and days off. (Bunk Room)
*King, Queen and Double beds (depending on the cottage) sheets and towels, access to laundry, all meals and days off . (Cottages)
*If you need to cancel for some reason, only the volunteer fee will be refunded and not the registration fee.
*Registration fee is non-refundable and must be paid once you submit your application. All other fees may be paid via PayPal one month before arrival.
Notes to Rates:
*Repeat Seasonal Volunteers will not be charged for the Volunteer Fee
* Special rate for 3 month volunteers/interns
Project Site
Costa Rica has long been renowned for the friendliness of its people, high standard of education, enlightened environmental policies and for its peaceful democratic government. Most of all, Costa Rica is famous for its stunning natural beauty and the density and diversity of its exotic flora and fauna.
The Central Pacific area of the country hosts a wide variety of ecosystems because it is where the dry forest of the north and the very humid forest of the south overlap. Some estimates of the biodiversity of the region are 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds.
The Volunteer Center, Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue Center are located in the quiet surrounding area of the Blue Banyan Inn ( 7 Km (4 miles) from the nearest town of Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The property is surrounded by forest of different ages, palm, beech, and teak wood plantations.
The volunteer center has shared rooms and bathrooms, a mini-lounge where you can share the day’s activities with fellow volunteers. This area includes a refrigerator, sitting area, sink and cabinet space.
There are mountains nearby and a network of dirt roads to explore the area. The town of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park are a few kilometers away and volunteers can explore these areas during free time.
Not available to stay for a long period of time? Less than a 2 week stay volunteers are considered Day Volunteers – see below for rates.
Day Volunteers
KSTR does not provide rooms or transportation.Activities for day volunteers will vary depending on what is needed at the time but we will always try to include at least help with one of the animal feedings.
Volunteer Individuals FULL DAY 8am-4pm(M,W,F)
(2 to 8 people)
$125 per Adult
$100 per Child (8-12yrs)
PRICE INCLUDES:
* Long term Volunteer Leader
*Supplies needed for project
*Tour
*Mid-morning Snack
*Typical Costa Rican Meal (please specify any food issues)
*Volunteer Project
TRANSPORTATION NOT INCLUDED
Group Individual for a FULL DAY 8am -4pm (M,W, F)
(8 or more people)
$100 per Adult
$75 per Child (8-12yrs)
Includes one CPL
PRICE INCLUDES:
*Professional Guide
*Supplies needed for project
*Tour
*Mid-morning Snack
*Typical Costa Rican Meal (please specify any food issues)
*Volunteer Project
TRANSPORTATION NOT INCLUDED
Notes to Rates:
*All Costa Rican Nationals will receive a 30% discount.(Proof required)
Wish List Donation:
KSTR is solely run on donations and whenever it’s possibly we would love if you could bring items from our “Wish List” that could fit into your baggage.
Please go to our website for the Kids Saving the Rainforest “Wish List”
TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS
My experience at Kids Saving the Rainforest was awesome! I expected to fall in love with some animals, to get my hands dirty and my muscles sore, but what I didn't predict was how wonderful the people would be. The dedication and passion of all the people behind Kids Saving the Rainforest blew me away. I'm so grateful to have gotten to know them and taken part in the important work they are doing. I'll never forget them and the beautiful animals they care for. I hope to return very soon! – France Wetherall
My husband, sons, and I have visited and volunteered at the KSTR Sanctuary five times over the last four years, and we enjoy it for a few different reasons. We started coming because KSTR is doing life-saving work for the animals, and helping to restore the rain forest, and we wanted to be part of that work. Over time, we saw, too, that they provide excellent care for the animals; we respect how they take care of them, and this is a top priority for us. Our trips are also rich in learning about the animals and the environment, and ways we can all help; we appreciate that educational piece. Furthermore, the owners and staff engage our sons and get them involved in the work when they are there, which is empowering them to become advocates for the protection and care of all animals, which is important to us as parents. Finally, the owners and staff are so warm, friendly, caring, and professional, volunteering there is a very satisfying, meaningful experience for us. We are proud to be part of this organization and look forward to continuing to be involved and support it.- Elizabeth Eastman
For the past three summers, I've spent a few weeks volunteering with Kids Saving the Rainforest. This organization, grown from the dreams of two young girls, amazes me every time I visit. Whether responding to a middle of the night call to pick up an injured animal or coordinating an educational service experience for a group of college students, the individuals who work with KSTR do so with passion, dedication, and ingenuity.
One of my most memorable experiences was with an anteater named Al. Each day, I'd bring him to a different tree and watch him while he ate ants. When we started, he was timid and only climbed a few feet high….but soon enough he became bolder…until he decided to climb eighty feet high in a cecropia tree…and take a nap. A four hour long nap! I was so worried…but he eventually came down. Many months later, Al was released to the wild and I felt like a proud momma!
I'm an educator from California and would have had no clue how to begin rehab with an anteater without the leadership and support of the KSTR staff. The diversity of animals who reside at KSTR staggers me and I commend the staff and volunteers for taking the time to research the specific dietary, environmental, social, and behavioral needs of each. With minimal resources, the staff provides excellent medical care and nurtures sick, injured, and orphaned animals back to health.
I don't want to think about how many animals would be lost if not for KSTR.
That said, KSTR's impact stretches beyond the immediate benefit to thecreatures of Costa Rica. Children and adults from around the world have embraced the stories of KSTR's miracle orphans and, as a result, developed a respect for the rainforest and appreciation for its critical importance. –Kerstin Johnson
To Find Out More About Becoming a KSTR Volunteer, Please contact ,or you can email KSTR’s President, Jennifer Rice, at
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. We hope to see you soon!