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Horse Patrolling and Environmental Conservation Program
Horse Patrolling and Environmental Conservation Program

Porto, Portugal

Horse Patrolling and Environmental Conservation Program

Trip Highlights

  • Help in hippotherapy classes for disabled people
  • Project makes a double impact of social inclusion and environmental protection
  • Explore the city of Porto during free time and on weekends
  • Stay in a centrally located hostel in Porto city center
  • Meet other likeminded volunteers from around the world
  • Option to combine the project with another program in Porto
  •  

Overview

Overview

In this program volunteers will be immersed in an authentic farming and forest experience, surrounded by nature and farm animals with horses.

Volunteers are placed in an NGO focused on supporting the local community through environmental education and conservation projects, supporting hippotherapy classes  for disabled people and their social inclusion.

Volunteers work along with the organization’s staff as well as with the local youth community and will support the hippotherapy classes, give a hand on the vegetable garden, patrol the forest on a horse to prevent fires, supervise kids on their educational summer camps, reforest the wild areas with trees, collect seeds, and even herd a small flock of goats or sheeps.

The project is highly recommended for horse lovers. At the project, for the majority of the activities, horses will be your companion for the environmental protection and social inclusion activities and your transportation mode, so you can be able to help on the maintenance of the wild area, as well as support the horse school. This is also the best opportunity to learn how to ride a horse, if you haven’t yet. Extra horse riding classes are available at an affordable fee.

If you are keen to volunteer for a project which combines environment education activities as well working with disabled people then this project is highly recommended for you.

 


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants in the program should have a keen interest and love for animal conservation work. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. 


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer duties in the project generally include the following :-

  • Assist with Hippotherapy classes
  • Patrol the forest on a horse to prevent fires
  • Reforestation activities
  • Assist in the vegetable garden
  • Supervise kids on their educational summer camps
  • Collect seeds

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

After the orientation day, volunteers will be assigned a morning, afternoon or evening shift at the project and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day depending on the schedule of the project.

A typical daily schedule for an evening shift will look as follows:

  • 09:00 Travel to your project by public transportation and join the local staff to volunteer at the center
  • 13:00 Have lunch at the project site
  • 14:00 Explore the city and the surroundings and learn Portuguese during your free time
  • 20:00 Dinner with other international volunteers and other other travelers at the accommodation or on own.

Please note that the actual schedule can change according to the season.


Living

Living

Airport Transfer

You will be picked up on arrival at Porto airport and transferred to the volunteer accommodation. For those participants who will already in Porto beforehand just let us know and we will arrange your pick up from any location in Porto.

Orientation

On the first day of the program, all participants are given an introductory presentation with the group giving further details of the program along with a walking tour of Porto city center for approximately two hours.

Accommodation

Volunteers in Porto are accommodated at a hostel in front of the river located in a very central area. The hostel has gender-separated dormitories with 8 to 10 beds and a very nice atmosphere and staff. Breakfast is served in a buffet every day and Wi-Fi is available and free.It is committed to sustainability with its environmental goals published and core to its concept.

Meals

Portuguese food is delicious and during your time in Portugal, you will be sure to receive some incredible treats.The meals will be served in a local restaurant next to the accommodation. Volunteers can taste the best of Portuguese gastronomy prepared with local fresh ingredients.

During your Free Time

The weekends are free for you to get to know Portugal in a better way. We can help you to book the trips that you want to go to any point in the country. Besides that, we have one or two day programs, where you will have unique experiences on your own or in a group.

Some of the tours and experiences that you can enjoy during the freetime include :-

Douro, Port and Moscatel Tour –  You will visit these wines Estates, taste them and have a typical lunch with amazing views.

Minho and Vinho Verde Alvarinho Tour – You will visit the beautiful Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, and Monção, taste the Vinho Verde and some of the best Portuguese cuisine

Aveiro and Bairrada Sparkling Wine Tour –  Visit the beautiful city of Aveiro and get to know its wonders and traditions. The Lunch is going to be Roasted Suckling Pig accompanied by wine from the region of Mealhada.  

Dão and Coimbra Tour - Visit Coimbra, a magic place with the most ancient University of Portugal and full of history. Taste the Dão region wines and the typical food and bakery.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January
February
March
April

07

21

May

05

19

June

02

16

July

07

21

August

04

18

September

01

15

October

06

20

November

03

17

December

01

15

January

05

19

February

02

16

March

02

16

April

06

20

May

04

18

June

01

15

July

06

20

August

03

17

31

September

14

October

05

19

November

02

16

30

December

14

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

1 Week £761
2 Weeks £1062
3 Weeks £1363
4 Weeks £1665
5 Weeks £1966
6 Weeks £2267
7 Weeks £2567
8 Weeks £2869
Extra Week £302

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • Airport Pickup and Transfer to accommodation
  • Introduction session and Placement Orientation
  • Guided Porto City Center Walking Tour
  • Accommodation at a dormitory at a centrally located hostel in Porto
  • Three meals a day
  • Shared use of common spaces and free wifi
  • Volunteer placement coordination 
  • Suggestion of weekly activities with the other volunteers
  • In-country staff support 24/7 (and the best local tips to discover the city)
  • Pre Departure Info Booklet
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Round-Trip Flights to Portugal
  • Return Airport Drop
  • Visa Fees
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses

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Reviews

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