Ireland – Under 18 Bees and Biodiversity Conservation

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Europe or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

 

Contribute to the conservation of bees and biodiversity in Ireland! This unique program is specially designed for teenagers, ages 15-17. Teen volunteers will learn about environmental responsibility, provide hands-on care for the local environment and engage in positive cultural exchange.

Program Highlights

  • Gain hands-on experience working in biodiversity, environmental and wildlife conservation
  • Learn about environmental issues and work alongside conservation experts
  • Work alongside local volunteers
  • Experience authentic Irish culture while living with a host family
  • Enjoy organized group activities and cultural excursions
  • All transfers, accommodations and meals are included in program fee

Your Schedule at a Glance (Two weeks):

Arrival Day, Saturday: Arrive at Dublin Airport (DUB). The local team will pick you up and transfer you via public transportation to your host family. Meet your new family and enjoy your first dinner in Ireland.

Day 1, Sunday: Spend this day getting acquainted with your host family.

Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will receive a program orientation, including introductions to the local team and project site.

Days 3-6, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will work six hours per day, 10:00 AM – 4: 00 PM (except Friday, when volunteer work ends at 1:00 PM with free time in the afternoon). Volunteers will mainly be assisting in field tasks, such as removing invasive plants and planting bee-friendly fauna species. Presentations on nature, biodiversity and environmental issues will be given by local team leaders. Volunteers may have the opportunity to assist with additional activities, such as assisting in community building renovation, lending a hand at a local arts festival or helping to lead summer camps. Volunteers’ preferences can be discussed with the local team upon arrival and decided upon accordingly.

Every evening following dinner, there will either be free time or an organized group activity. Group activities may include learning to play Gaelic sports, partaking in Irish dance lessons or participating in team building activities.

Day 7, Saturday: Volunteers will go on a city tour of Waterford, including visits to the Viking Museum, the Waterford Greenway trail and more.

Day 8, Sunday: Volunteers will have a free day with their host family.

Days 9-10, Monday-Tuesday: Volunteer work days, followed by dinner and either free time or an organized, group activity.

Day 11, Wednesday: All-day excursion to the medieval town of Kilkenny. Volunteers will go on group visits to Kilkenny Castle, a design center and a national craft gallery. Volunteers will also have an opportunity to practice the national sport of hurling.

Day 12, Thursday: Rewarding volunteer work, followed by dinner with the host family and free time or a group activity.

Day 13, Friday: Following the day’s volunteer work will be a farewell, group barbecue.

Day 14, Saturday: Volunteers will be taken by the local team to Dublin Airport for departure.

Please note: Schedule is subject to change.

For parents: Because this project is specifically designed for teenage volunteers, there is a high level of supervision by well-trained staff and conservation experts. All host families are carefully chosen by a local team leader who has been working with the local community in Clonmel for over 30 years. Volunteers will have 24/7 support services from both the local team and GoEco.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Clonmel, Ireland

Project length Project length: Two weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Dublin Airport (DUB)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Conservation

Age Age:  15-17

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 12 international volunteers

Important Note Important Note: Please ensure that you are eligible for a visa to enter Ireland before registering for this project. The program cannot provide visa support; obtaining the proper visa is the sole responsibility of the volunteer.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Private rooms with a host family

Food Food: Three meals per day

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers:  Airport transfers are provided on both arrival and departure days

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses.

Ireland is a European island, located just west of the coast of England. Ireland’s tourism industry is growing, and its inhabitants’ abundant hospitality plays a large role in this. Ireland is also well-known for its lush, green landscape.

Clonmel is a friendly, bustling town just two and a half hours away from the capital city of Dublin. It is located in the midst of the Comeragh Mountains. This town is quite artsy, and hosts various arts festivals and activities year-round.

 

Volunteer tasks will be hands-on and involve fieldwork tasks, such as removing and planting fauna. The goal is to eliminate invasive species and replace them with plants that will attract more bees. Bees are an important pollinator of food crops, and are paramount to sustaining the world’s supply of farm-grown food. Pollination by bees is an important example of biodiversity in an ecosystem.

Some of your tasks may include:

  • Creating a bee-friendly environment to attract bees
  • Removing invasive plant species
  • Planting more friendly fauna species

 

Volunteers may have the opportunity to participate in additional projects, such as assisting in renovating community buildings, lending a hand at a local arts festival or helping to lead summer camps. Volunteers’ preferences can be discussed with the local team and decided upon accordingly.

Internet icon Internet: Internet is available at most home stays.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry is available at home stays.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will be staying with host families.Volunteers will have a private room.

Food icon Food: All meals are included.

 

 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Age 15-17
  • Parental consent
  • Flexible and adaptable
  • Motivation and personal responsibility
  • Basic level of English

Group excursions may include visits to the following travel destinations:

  • Medieval town of Kilkenny
  • Kilkenny Castle
  • National Design and Craft Gallery
  • City of Waterford
  • Viking museum
  • Waterford Greenway

 

Volunteer Experiences

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