Who can join an expedition?
What is an average volunteer?
CCC volunteers come from such a huge range of backgrounds, ages and nationalities that it's difficult to generalise about the sort of person who joins a CCC expedition. It's one of the reasons why expedition life is so rewarding - you're living and working with all kinds of people. Fellow volunteers may be gap-year students or company directors taking a career break. They may be teachers. They be retired. Basically, the one thing that everyone has in common is enthusiasm and a willingness to take an active part in expedition life.
What you need
- Enthusiasm, dedication and a keen interest in conservation.
- A minimum age of 16.
- Teamwork spirit.
- Moderate level of fitness.
- Sense of adventure and fun.
- The ability to speak and read English as all expedition training is given in English.
What you don't need
- Science background or qualifications - we teach you what you need to know.
- Scuba training or specialist skills - training is provided.
- Lots of money - we provide you with advice for fundraising.
- Lots of time - expedition lengths start at 2 weeks.
Still not convinced if a CCC expedition is for you? Perhaps the following popular questions and answers will help you reach a decision:
Popular Questions and Answers
So, what do CCC volunteers do?
Since 1986, thousands of international volunteers have joined CCC projects worldwide to help protect threatened coral reefs and tropical forests.
Tropical forests? I thought CCC was just marine?
The fate of coral reefs and forests are often intimately linked. Destroy a forest and the unprotected soil simply washes into the sea choking the reefs. In the Philippines CCC is working with local conservationists to protect the country's last remaining primary forest.
It all sounds very scientific?
Effective conservation has to based on sound scientific knowledge. You can't protect something as complicated and diverse as a coral reef or a rainforest without first knowing what's there. That's where CCC volunteers come in. They gather the information that's needed.
So, are all CCC volunteers trained biologists?
No. The only qualifications CCC volunteers need are enthusiasm, dedication and a keen interest in conservation. They could be gap-year students, accountants or company directors. CCC's field scientists and other expedition staff provide all the training CCC volunteers need to survey reefs and rainforests.
You're saying that anyone can take an active role?
Precisely. A CCC expedition is hard work, but volunteers can learn new skills, make lifelong friends and take direct action to help protect the world's threatened coral reefs and rainforests - as well as the livelihoods of the millions of local people who rely on these habitats for basic necessities like food and shelter.
