Environmental Education Youth Club

This project was established to work with the local children to gain awareness of their environment and acquire knowledge, skills, values, experiences, and also the determination, which will enable them to act – individually and collectively – to solve present and future environmental problems. In this project scope the participants will enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective decision-making skills, using workshops, presentations and support field trips to address environmental issues. Environmental education is a very important topic in these remote areas and in cooperation with Planet Conservation and other local entities the children of the community are learning about the importance to protect their natural habitat they are surrounded with.

With the local coordinator volunteers plan the activities of the week with a specific topic they would like to address. We usually visit a school and work with the local teacher, in the school garden or with extra curricular activities to involve the students in environmental issues that are important in the area like the importance of reducing waste, a proper waste management, responsible fishing, reforestation, food garden, ocean cleanup and more. Some afternoon the volunteers will be involved in the activities of the environmental education Kids Club which is an after school project free of charge to go further with the activities, beach cleanups, sign making, art projects, etc.

Puerto Viejo and surrounding offer a lot of great activities either near the beach, in the water or the rain forest. Volunteers receive support and discounts for local tours such as zip lining, rafting, visiting indigenous communities the chocolate farm or the local animal rescue center, kayak, surfing, SUP, horseback riding or just ride their bike along the beach front and enjoying a coffee or sipping chocolate while chatting with new friends.