Surf and Help Camp: Marine Biology and Wildlife Conservation (Pacific Coast Ecuador)

Tired of being in lockdown? Do you want to travel again?

! All of our PROJECTS IN ECUADOR have already been receiving volunteers again since October 2020 !

(All you need are two negative tests and you can volunteer with us in Ecuador!)

Did you miss our Xmas discount?

No problem... For a limited time we are now offering our "Ecuador is Open"-DISCOUNT again.

For every registration being made until March 01, 2021, we guarantee the following discounts:

√ 100 USD additional discount for every 1-month stay

√ 250 USD additional discount for every 2-3 month stay

√ 450 USD additional discount for every 4-5 month stay

√ 1 month for free at your chosen project site. 5 months+ stay

--> Simply go to our website and register with your email for your discount!

You can find all of our projects in Ecuador here: https://ngotaxi.org/projects/

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The Project:

On a typical day, you’ll work on the project in the morning. In the afternoon, you’ll practice your Spanish or learn a new trick or two riding the waves from winners of South American surfing competitions. In the evening, you might lounge around the barbecue at camp. Afterwards, maybe head out to the campfire on the beach where you’ll gaze in wonder at the sunset’s ever dazzling, ever changing play of color, directly over the sea. Feast your eyes on it! A fellow Surf and Volunteer team member’s comment sums it up: “We live and love surfing. We make a living, above all, doing the things we love, and the ocean is an integral part of it. That’s why we say: ‘El surf con objeto (surfing with a purpose)!’ Unfortunately, with increased tourism, keeping the ocean intact is getting more and more difficult. That’s why we’ve teamed up not only to surf together, but also to work collaboratively to help preserve our grand piece of paradise; its unique beauty and wonder never cease to amaze us.” If you share the same mindset, come join us!

Problem

PLASTIC! We’re treating the oceans like a trash bin: around 80 percent of marine litter originates on land, and most of that is plastic. Plastic that pollutes our oceans and waterways has severe impacts on our environment. When plastics enter the ocean they breakdown into small pieces, making them dangerous for even microscopic forms of marine life. Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, and other marine mammals, and more than 1 million seabirds die each year from ocean pollution because they are eating marine plastic pollution and dying from choking, intestinal blockage and starvation. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species and 43% of all marine mammal species.

Solutions

1. Marine wildlife rescue and environment conservation

We rescue animals from the beach and care for them until they can be released into the ocean again (if possible). We also create campaigns to educate the locals and tourists about our precious marine environment at the equator.

2. Local economical support and micro financing to make this project sustainable.

One of our project’s goals is to promote the work of native inhabitants from less trendy, backwater regions. We want to do this by helping them sell their handcrafted items at local tourist hot spots.

On the one hand, something needs to be done – even if it seems small – to help locals make a better living. On the other hand, a small percentage of the profits would also allow us to work – simultaneously and long term – on our nature and wildlife conservation projects as well as continue to conduct educational initiatives.

80% of the proceeds will go to the native population and 20% will help support the marine and nature work.

3. Addressing the root of the problem: AVOIDING PLASTIC!

The main objective, however, is to try and regulate the amount of plastic feeding into our oceans. We hope we can soon start with an initiative that convinces local shop, bar and restaurant owners not to hand out disposable plastic cups and bags but use reusable materials instead.

We need to microfinance this initiative with approximately 1000 reusable bottles/cups that will be given out against a small deposit. We also need to invest into local marketing, i.e. flyers, brochures etc. Every donation counts. Support us and help this goal come true! The less plastic goes into the ocean, the less animals we have to rescue or beaches we have to clean!

Objectives

• Rehabilitate marine life that has been affected by pollution so that they can be reintroduced back into their natural habitats and survive.
• Help local residents learn about the impacts of marine plastic pollutions and ways they can help to reduce this terrible problem.
• Help the local community improve their economic situation.
• Create a bond between the environment and the community.
• Microfinance initiatives to protect the environment.
• Protect seabirds, sea turtles, whales, and all other marine life from extinction so wildlife can continue to flourish and its splendor can be enjoyed by all.
• Provide an inspiring, educational and enjoyable opportunity for you so you learn about, protect and enjoy interaction with some of the most wonderful marine life in the world.

Please support us and have amazing fun at the same time!

YOUR VOLUNTEER TASKS

During the mornings you’ll work with your volunteer group. The following are some areas of the project that you may assist with:

• Assist the Ecuadorian Ministry for the Environment with the location, rescue, and relocation of stranded or injured marine wildlife
• Make observations of the sea turtle breeding area and check their nests for eggs
• Construct and place wooden boxes to help protect baby sea turtles
• Feed animals at the local aquarium, clean/repair their tanks
• Occasionally assist with the medical treatment of the animals
• Help design books, fliers, and posters for kids in order to help them learn to appreciate how unique and special their environment on the equator is
• Co-organize (and maybe conduct) workshops for children and adults related to the topic of protecting nature and the environment
• Assist with beach conservation events, build and place signs, construct containers for plastic to be recycled
• Assist with monitoring tasks by filing reports for NGO Taxi
• Maintain a diary of your time with the project (photos and blog)

The exact tasks you will be asked to carry out will depend on the current needs and priorities of the project as determined by the camp manager and NGO Taxi management. The tasks stated here are therefore examples of some of the possible types of activities you will be asked to do.

Working hours

As a volunteer, you’ll work on your project 30 hours per week. If you so desire, you are welcome to work more.

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LOCATION

Your work will take place right on the equator, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast, a favorite travel destination for surfers and divers. On weekends, instead of getting a buzz on with mosquitos, mix it up and get it on with a couple of mojitos – a favorite local rum concoction! Then, rise and shine well-rested. Hop out of bed in our volunteer dorm or your personal bamboo hut, right onto your board… because our Surf and Help Camp is located just a stone's throw from the beach!

However, with this project, you’re not bound to one location. Together with other surfers, you can take off and explore pristine coves and bays, idyllic aldeñas and fincas (villages and farms) – all located nearby. Grab a mountain bike and explore the area at your own pace or in a group. Your project leader, an experienced marine biologist, can teach you all about Ecuador’s tropical climate, its history, and the unique characteristics of the flora and fauna on South America’s west coast. With this project, you’re guaranteed to learn to appreciate what makes the precious sea and all forms of life, in and around it, so special.

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INCLUDED SERVICES

• Lodging: in the volunteers' dorm at camp (or, for a surcharge, in a bamboo bungalow)
• Usage of all facilities (incl: a swimming pool, jacuzzi, DVD and TV, WiFi etc.)
• Group pickup and transport from airport. Individual transportation can be arranged at an extra charge in case you want to arrive and be pickup up at an earlier date (extra nights or weeks apply at your own cost, e.g. if you want to book a language course with accommodation that precedes our camp start dates)
• Pre-arrival pack
• Welcome dinner (BBQ)
• Complimentary t-shirt
• FREE 20 hour Spanish course
• FREE 1 week surf course included! Take a course with pros, taught by pros (for beginners, intermediate and experts)
• FREE whale watching excursion (only during September’s camp)
• FREE Christmas party and New Year’s buffet (only during December’s camp)
• Surf and Help Challenge: A surf competition for all levels and a competition on tasks within your area of commitment (only if a minimum of 15 people has been reached)
• Comprehensive NGO Taxi Support Packet (see below)
• 24 hour support

Comprehensive NGO Taxi Support Packet:

• NGO Taxi Pre-Arrival Packet
• NGO Taxi online Drive Box for your personal use
• Cultural orientation, along with help obtaining the expertise you’ll need for the project
• Project assistance provided by the NGO Taxi team and management
• Onsite support through your local coordinator
• NGO Taxi Post-Departure Packet
• NGO Taxi Alumni Group

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PRICING

Official Camp Dates:        

• USD 1299 - 3 Weeks stay 
• USD 429 - Each additional week

Individual Camp Dates:      

• USD 1499 - 3 Weeks stay 
• USD 499 - Each additional week

Start dates every 1st/3rd Sunday of the month!

(Our prices are calculated at fair level. They always include your accommodation and, depending on the project, meals are included too. Your contribution also helps us cover our organizational and administrative costs which allows us to support our projects, goals and provide you with a network you can rely on. If you want to help us reach our goals and objectives even faster we would be extremely grateful for a little donation to our causes!)

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For more information about the camp please visit our website and have a look at our Surf and Help Camp