Info

Canada is as famous for its awe-inspiring scenery as for its friendly locals! You can explore the many sights and sounds of the great Canadian outdoors and contribute to worthwhile wildlife or community volunteering.

You can take your pick of a range of volunteer projects such as community support, working with children or wildlife rehabilitation. Your options fall into two main categories:

Option 1:

If the great outdoors is your thing, this is the choice for you! Get hands-on with nature volunteering helping with trail maintenance, gardening and public education initiatives or opt to assist with wildlife volunteering activities such as working with native Canadian species, feeing animals, cleaning cages and caring for injured animals at a local sanctuary.

Option 2:

If you’re more of a people person, you can take part in social assistance programmes, help at shelters and housing projects or lend a hand at health and therapy programmes. You can get involved with small local initiatives or take part in a government-sponsored programme.

Option 3:

Creative and artistic volunteers are needed to help out greeting visitors, checking coats and showing youngsters around at a gallery or you can choose to work at other heritage sites and arts & culture centres. There may also be an opportunity to lead classes for people with physical and developmental disabilities or senior citizens.

Option 4:

Working with youths and children you’ll be able to help with a variety of different projects and activity areas; give horseback riding lessons, get involved with sports and sailing rehabilitation projects, teach at a pre-school or elementary school or volunteer at a summer camp.

What's included?

* Orientation on arrival
* Volunteer Project
* All Accommodation
* All Meals
* Airport Transfer upon arrival
* Full support and assistance from your co-ordinator throughout your time in Victoria and Vancouver
* Buddy list of other volunteers before you go
* 24-hour support number and contact for emergencies

What's not included?

* Flights
* Travel Insurance
* Transport to and from volunteer project (approx. £28/38€ per month)
* Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Canada

Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Start Dates

Real Gap Experience offer gap years, career breaks and adventure travel from 2 weeks to 2 years with weekly/monthly departures for most trips that aren’t dependant on seasons or weather to operate. Set departure dates means you’re always together with other young like-minded travellers and making new friends is guaranteed.

Costs / Benefits

Prices range depending on activity and duration. Volunteering starts from £389 for 2 weeks, Adventure Travel starts from £799 for 2 weeks and our Paid Work options start from £299 for up to 12 months. All trips come with, accommodation, some food, transfers, support and back up in-country and 24/7 emergency contact numbers. Before you leave full comprehensive information is provided through an Online Accounts and our expert travel advisers are always available to give help and advice.

Requirements

There are no specific qualifications or requirements needed to take part on this trip. We do however require that all travellers have a sense responsibility for other travellers, project staff and local community and most importantly... a sense of fun and adventure!