GoEco > Asia > Thailand > Elephants & Community Building for Teenagers

Thailand – Elephants & Community Building for Teenagers

Fast Facts

Now Open: July 2026 Dates!

Join fellow international volunteers aged 15–17 for two exciting weeks in Hua Hin, Thailand, where elephant conservation and community support come together with cultural discovery. Your days will be a rewarding balance of caring for rescued elephants, helping renovate a local school, and exploring Thailand’s rich traditions. Along the way, you’ll enjoy hands-on experiences such as a Thai cooking class, visits to markets, waterfalls, and beaches. With daily guidance from an experienced coordinator, this program offers a safe, structured, and inspiring way for Teens to make an impact while sharing unforgettable moments with new friends from around the world.

Program Highlights:

Contribute to an elephant care and conservation project that helps protect endangered Asian elephants.
Take part in a school construction and renovation project, improving facilities for local children.
Learn how to prepare authentic Thai dishes in a cooking class.
Explore Hua Hin’s bustling night markets, Pala U Waterfall and Huay Mongkol Temple.
Spend time at Khao Takiab Beach.
Travel safely with daily support and supervision from an experienced group coordinator.

Your Schedule at a Glance (Two-week commitment):

Day 1, Friday (Arrival Day): Airport pick-up in Bangkok and group transfer to Hua Hin. Settle into your accommodation, have a short introduction, and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2, Saturday: Program introduction and cultural orientation in the morning, followed by a project briefing and visit to local markets and supermarket. Evening visit to Hua Hin Night Market.
Day 3 to 7, Sunday-Thursday: Mornings are dedicated to caring for elephants and supporting the project. Afternoons and evenings offer a mix of free time at the center, trips to local markets like Pae Mai and Market Village Mall, and cultural activities, finishing with a visit to Hua Hin Night Market on Saturday.
Day 8, Friday: Excursion to Pala U Waterfall with free time to relax in the afternoon.
Day 9, Saturday: Thai cooking class in the morning and cultural workshop in the afternoon. Evening visit to Cicada and Tamarind Night Markets.
Day 10, Sunday: Morning visit to Chicken Drop Cave and Huay Mongkol Temple. Afternoon beach time at Khao Takiab.
Day 11 to 12, Monday & Tuesday: Mornings and afternoons are focused on the school construction and renovation project, with evenings spent visiting Market Village Mall and joining a volunteer meeting and group reflection.
Day 13, Wednesday: Final morning at the construction project, followed by a Thai souvenir-making workshop and farewell barbecue. Evening visit to Cicada and Tamarind Night Markets.
Day 14, Thursday (Departure Day): Group transfer back to Bangkok for your flight home.

Note: The schedule is flexible, subject to weather conditions and local considerations, ensuring a dynamic and memorable experience.
For parents: This itinerary is designed specifically for teenage volunteers, offering a higher level of supervision throughout the program. GoEco also offers the convenience of flight booking services to assist in coordinating participants’ travel arrangements after registration and approval.

Location of the Project: Hua Hin, Thailand

Project length: 2 weeks (14 days / 13 nights)

Arrival Airport: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Volunteer Work: Elephant care and school renovation

Age: Designed for teens aged 15-17

Number of Volunteers: Minimum 10 participants, accompanied by group leaders and chaperones.

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, single-gender rooms

Food: Three meals per day

Airport Transfers: Group transfers from Bangkok to Hua Hin on arrival and departure days.

Orientation: Volunteers will receive an orientation of the area upon arrival and will receive a program orientation on their first day of volunteering.

Support: Teen groups have designated support staff to support and chaperone their itinerary, comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights
Visa (if required)
Travel health insurance
Personal expenses (snacks, souvenirs)

Location

Hua Hin is a vibrant coastal town located about three hours from Bangkok. It is known for its long sandy beaches, night markets, and a relaxed atmosphere that attracts both Thai vacationers and international visitors. The area offers a great mix of cultural attractions, such as Buddhist temples and street markets, alongside modern conveniences like malls and restaurants. Pala U Waterfall provides a peaceful escape into nature, while Khao Takiab Beach is perfect for a quiet stroll by the sea. The climate is tropical, with warm temperatures year-round and distinct dry, hot, and rainy seasons. Local life is lively yet welcoming, giving volunteers the chance to interact with the community. Hua Hin is an ideal place to balance meaningful volunteer work with fun excursions and cultural activities.

Volunteer Work

About the Program

This program partners with local organizations dedicated to animal welfare and education. The elephant project supports rescued elephants by improving their living conditions, while the construction and renovation project creates safer, more engaging spaces for children in the community.

Your role as a volunteer

Participants will alternate between helping at the elephant sanctuary and working on a construction and renovation site. The tasks are suitable for teens and are supervised by experienced staff. The goal is to provide practical support for the elephants’ welfare and improve facilities that benefit local students, while giving participants an educational experience.

Overview of volunteer tasks:

Clean and maintain elephant enclosures.
Prepare food for elephants.
Help with small construction and renovation projects.
Paint walls and playground equipment.
Assist with basic landscaping.
Participate in cultural exchange activities.

A Typical Day

A typical project day starts with breakfast at the center, followed by a morning project session from 9:00–11:30. Lunch is served at the center or as a packed meal if working off-site. Afternoon sessions run from 13:00–16:30 and focus on either project work or cultural activities. Evenings include organized outings or free time to relax with the group. Program coordinators and chaperones are present throughout the day and overnight to ensure participant safety.

Important Note: The volunteer work schedule is flexible, subject to the weather, needs of the elephants, local school schedules, and local considerations, ensuring a dynamic and memorable experience.

Example of a 2 week teen volunteering itinerary:

Meals: B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner

2 Week Teen Program	Meals	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Day 1: Friday	D	Pick up from the airport & transfer to Hua Hin	Short Introduction to Centre	Relaxing time
Day 2: Saturday	B/L/D	Welcome Introduction & registration	Introduction to Projects, roles & responsibilities for Week 1	Hua Hin night market
Day 3: Sunday	B/L/D	Volunteering with Elephants		Relaxing time
Day 4: Monday	B/L/D	Volunteering with Elephants		Pae Mai Market
Day 5: Tuesday	B/L/D	Volunteering with Elephants		Market village mall
Day 6: Wednesday	B/L/D	Volunteering with Elephants		Culture night activity
Day 7: Thursday	B/L/D	Volunteering with Elephants		Hua Hin night market
Day 8: Friday	B/L/D	Pala U waterfall		Relaxing time
Day 9: Saturday	B/L/D	Thai traditional cooking class	Culture lesson	Ciceda and Tamarine night market
Day 10: Sunday	B/L/D	Chicken Drop Cave & Huay Mongkol Temple	Khoa Takiep Beach	Relaxing time
Day 11: Monday	B/L/D	Construction Renovation in School		Market village mall
Day 12: Tuesday	B/L/D	Construction Renovation in School		Volunteer meeting & evaluation feedback
Day 13: Wednesday	B/L/D	Construction Renovation in School	Making Thai Souvenirs & BBQ	Ciceda and Tamarine night market
Day 14: Thursday	B	Departure

Please note that the schedule is flexible and may be subject to change.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation but may be slower than what you are used to.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry service is available locally for a small additional fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Teenagers will be placed in rooms with other teens participating in the same program, in single-gender rooms with 6–8 participants. The rooms are placed in a volunteer house with other volunteers of all ages as part of a larger program. The center features fully equipped security measures, providing a comfortable and safe living environment for participants.

Food icon Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily. Meals are typically Thai cuisine, with a mix of rice, vegetables, and meat or vegetarian options. Packed meals are provided during day trips and project days away from the center.