How Does it Work?

Our volunteers usually choose to arrive through gateway offices near major airports (please see location); however, once they begin the Conservation Experience they are likely to spend time in regional areas, returning to major cities only at the end of their placement.

Volunteers are placed in teams of 6 to 10 people.

A Team Leader manages each team. The Leader provides all training required on-site, explains the conservation aims of the project to the volunteers, and is responsible for the safe conduct and management of each project.

Projects usually run 5 days per week, with one or two days free per week for relaxing and sightseeing.

Project hours are from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily, although this varies on some projects.

Volunteers usually travel to a different project location every week or two. This means that in a 6-week Conservation Experience, volunteers will generally visit at least 3 different project locations and will usually undertake 2 or 3 different types of project activities. We incorporate as much variety into our program as possible while achieving our essential conservation goals.

We do not offer volunteers a choice of projects because these vary according to seasonal conditions and conservation priorities. We do our best to ensure a variety of projects or locations during each Conservation Experience.

Is the Global Crossroad Conservation Experience suitable for you?

The Conservation Experience is suitable for people who enjoy the outdoors and want to be actively involved in volunteer activities. Volunteers joining the Conservation Experience must have a reasonable level of fitness. At the time of booking we require details of any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions which may affect participation.

The Conservation Experience is an economical experience and is designed for active, independent travellers. Our programs are open to volunteers from 17 to 70. Most international volunteers are between 18 and 30.

Volunteers should be prepared to live and work as a member of a team which includes sharing accommodations and helping with domestic chores.

Although good health and a positive attitude are essential, volunteers do not need any prior skills or experience. We will provide all the required training.

We reserve the right not to accept volunteers who may endanger themselves or others while on the Conservation Experience.

Arrival Details

We do not arrange for airport pickup; however, we do offer a meet-and-greet service supplied by Nomads World. This is available at an extra cost. Please refer to the price list on page 8 if your client would like to purchase this service.

Meet and Greet Package – Optional

We offer an optional meet-and-greet service supplied by Nomads World. This is available at an extra cost, and is not commissionable. Costs for the Australia Starts Here meet-and-greet service are:

Rates include inbound airport transfer, shared accommodations (2 or 4 nights), breakfast daily, and an orientation tour. Please see the Conservation Experience brochure for details.

If you wish to book a 2-night Australia Starts Here package before your Conservation Experience, you should plan to arrive in Australia on a Wednesday, spend Wednesday and Thursday nights on the Australia Starts Here package, and then begin your Conservation Experience package on Friday.

If you wish to book a 4-night Australia Starts Here package before the start of your Conservation Experience, you should plan to arrive in Australia on a Monday, spend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights with the Australia Starts Here package, and then begin your Conservation Experience package on Friday. When we confirm your booking, we will send you a map, which includes full details of how to reach our partner’s office using public transport or taxi.

Fitness and Health Requirements

Because this is an active program, a reasonable level of fitness is required. You should be comfortable participating in active programs, such as planting trees or collecting seeds for seven or eight hours per day. It is essential that volunteers are prepared to participate to the best of their ability.

At the time of booking, we require details of any pre-existing injuries or medical conditions that may affect your participation. The booking form contains a space for this information.

Accommodations and Meals

All accommodations and meals are included from the Friday when your client arrives to the start of the program. The first meal is dinner on Friday evening; and accommodations are also included from Friday night onwards.

You will finish the program at 4 p.m. on a Friday. However, since volunteers may be returning from projects some distance away from the office, we recommend that you book any travel connections starting on Saturday. This also means that volunteers should book accommodations for Friday night. Our office will help and advise your clients as they near the end of their Conservation Experience program.

Accommodations: This varies according to project and location. Typical accommodations can include caravans, hostels, shearers’ quarters, bunkhouses, and camping (we supply tents). Volunteers should bring a sleeping mat as well as a sleeping bag and be prepared to share sleeping quarters.

Meals: For breakfast we supply cereals, bread or toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is normally a self-made sandwich and fruit; in the evening we enjoy a meal prepared by the group, typically something like pasta, roast, or a vegetarian option. Volunteers are expected to help with the preparation of meals and clean up afterwards in addition to other domestic duties as required. We rely on every volunteer to participate fully in the program, with the evening meal begin a popular part of the day.

Special Dietary Requirements

We can cater to vegetarians; however, if you have specific dietary requirements (for example, food allergies), you may need to provide your own food. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Luggage Allowances

As space is limited, we ask that volunteers keep their luggage to a maximum of 15 kilograms in a backpack or soft overnight bag. We suggest that volunteers include a small daypack to carry lunch, sunscreen, etc.

What To Bring

Your client should be advised to travel as lightly as possible. However, the following items are essential:

* We strongly recommend safety work boots with protective toe caps.
* Choose sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

Note that clients may purchase drink bottles, wide-brimmed sun hats, work gloves, and mosquito nets from our partner if required. Please advise us at the time of booking which items are required. We will bill you for the cost of these and have the items ready for the client upon arrival.

English Language Requirements

We will explain any technical words or instructions that volunteers are unlikely to know, but our staff members are not necessarily fluent in any other language.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of nationalities, and English is used as the common social language.

We offer essential Safety Guides in a number of languages, including:

• English
• Danish
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean

All other briefings and safety and project instructions are given in English.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Adding Extra Weeks

You may add additional weeks to any 2-, 4-, or 6-week package. Our program always starts and finishes on a Friday.

Cancellation Policy

If it becomes necessary to cancel a booking, either the agent or the volunteer must notify us immediately.

Cancellation is effective from the date we receive notification and is subject to cancellation fees as follows:

• If cancellation occurs more than 30 days before the start date, 15% of the cost of the Conservation Experience will be forfeited
• If cancellation occurs between 30 and 14 days before the start date, 30% of the cost of the Conservation Experience will be forfeited
• If cancellation occurs less than 14 days before the start date, 100% of the cost of the Conservation Experience will be forfeited
• There is no refund after beginning the Conservation Experience.

Travel Insurance

Personal travel insurance is included in the Conservation Experience.

Safety

International travel presents risks for travelers, especially with the threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings and advisories in many countries for U.S. travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country change. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own governments before participating in a Global Crossroad program. These links provide travel information:

British Foreign Office Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/

American State Department Advice
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Australian Government Advice
http://www.dfat.gov.au/

Canadian Government Advice
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/sos/warnings-en.asp

Global Crossroad is not responsible for any damage resulting from your negligence in failing to take appropriate travel advice offered by your home country.