Volunteering in ARCHELON
Welcome to the volunteer projects of ARCHELON!
With your help, we record and protect sea turtles, their nests and hatchlings on the nesting beaches, as well as treat injured or sick turtles at the Rescue Centre. We invite enthusiastic and dedicated people to participate as volunteers in our actions!
We invite enthusiastic and dedicated people to participate as volunteers in our actions. Read below about the requirements for volunteering with accommodation in the sea turtle conservation field projects. If you want to help without changing your location of residence and you are a resident of Attica, Zakynthos, Ilia, Messinia, Lakonia, Rethymno, Chania and Heraklion of Crete, learn more about local volunteers below.
For the most fulfilling experience, we recommend volunteering with ARCHELON at the nesting beaches for 6 weeks. This duration allows you to witness the full nesting cycle, bring your skills to blossom, integrate fully with the project team, and sample the Greek culture. While shorter stays are possible, feedback from previous volunteers over the years suggests that a participation of 6 weeks offers the optimal experience in order for you to make a significant impact and fully appreciate the rewards.
The application process for volunteering with accommodation in the field programs is followed according to the following steps:
- Submit your online application: Complete the application form on the ARCHELON website. We will respond to your request within five business days.
- Receive your acceptance letter: If accepted, you'll receive a letter with instructions for submitting a medical certificate, a passport-sized photograph, proof of contribution and two signed entry forms.
- Complete the enrollment process: Submit the required documents and pay the participation fee within 30 days.
- Receive confirmation: ARCHELON will send you a confirmation email.
- Notify ARCHELON of your arrival: Send your arrival details via email at least five working days before your expected arrival date.
Do you want to help us in our actions? Apply now!
Important information for the Field Projects
- Volunteers are selected on an individual basis. As a rule 3 fiends can be accepted at the same period of time and project at maximum.
- The voluntary participation fee covers the cost of accommodation, training and administration costs, insurance coverage in the event of an accident (up to a limit) as well as subscription to ARCHELON for the current year
- In all projects, students from various academic fields are given the opportunity for an internship
- Upon completion of voluntary participation, a corresponding certificate can be provided upon request.
- More favorable participation conditions apply for a certain number of Greek-speaking volunteers in the nesting beach projects.
- No previous experience is needed. Volunteers are trained and supervised by Field leaders and experienced Project Managers.
- Returning volunteers are welcome as they enhance team performance with their experience. Volunteers with previous experience can also apply to become Field leaders or return as experienced volunteers.
- Time off is arranged in half or full days off and is granted according to the needs of the project. The general rule is one day off for approximately every ten days of participation and days off cannot be taken in a row.
- Privacy policy is applied in all projects
- Specific policies regarding cancellations and date changes are applied
- A valid driver’s license greatly contributes to the functioning of the project.
Volunteer Requirements
- Applicants must be over 18 years old.
- You should be able to communicate very well in English, which is the official language used in all projects.
- Volunteers must be covered by a personal health insurance policy.
- Volunteers must submit all the documents listed on the acceptance letter by email and pay the fee, in order for their participation to be confirmed by ARCHELON. Field projects applications are submitted online, while other volunteer roles, like local volunteers, field leaders, and interns, apply via email.
- The minimum period of participation in the Field Projects is 4 weeks and for the Rescue Centre 5 weeks.
Especially for volunteering in the field projects:
- Have passion for work, nature observation and communication with people
- Volunteers must be prepared to share in a communal life, and to live and perform their duties in both populated and secluded areas, often as members of small teams
- Although no previous experience is needed, it is essential to be able to live and work with people of different mindsets and backgrounds.
- Applicants must be in very good health and in good physical shape due to the projects' physically-demanding tasks and living conditions. Fieldwork includes duties in the heat and walking long distances or up/downhill to reach some of the sites.
- A combination of participation in more than one projects is possible if the duration of stay in the second/ third of them is 4 weeks or longer.
- For the beach projects, volunteers must bring their own camping gear (e.g. sleeping bag, tent, torch, alarm clock, etc).
Join ARCHELON's field projects and experience a worthwhile adventure!
Step outside your comfort zone, collaborate with like-minded individuals, gain valuable knowledge and skills, embrace cultural exchange, and make a lasting impact on sea turtle conservation. Volunteering with ARCHELON offers a unique and rewarding experience that benefits both you and the future of sea turtles. Watch the video of ARCHELON volunteers in action and hear their inspiring stories.
