Orientation
All volunteers will arrive into Victoria on a Sunday. On your second day (Monday) you will make your way to our Victoria offices for a full orientation to the programme. The offices are located downtown, directly across from the main shopping area of Victoria. If you are volunteering in Vancouver you will need to attend your full orientation in Victoria and the following day make your way back to Vancouver for your volunteer programme.
Your orientation will provide you with the contact details of your volunteer project and the person in charge. You will also be given a bus schedule and details of the exact route you need to take from your accommodation to your project each day. Bus tickets can be purchased at the office during your orientation (monthly tickets available for CAN$65, approx. £28).
You will be taken to your volunteer site and have a mini “interview” with the project coordinator. This is simply a way for the volunteer manager to get to know you before you begin work. You will also be given a tour of the facility and you receive your volunteer schedule.
Accommodation and Meals
We can offer you two accommodation options whilst in Canada.
1. Homestay: you can choose to stay with a Canadian family during your volunteer project. Families will provide you with 3 meals per day and a private room.
2. Rental Accommodation: you can choose to stay in rental accommodation during your volunteer project. You may be staying in a private annex, or in private rooms within a family home. Meals are not included.
Free Time
Victoria is located on the beautiful Vancouver Island only 40km from the city of Vancouver. Victoria is also connected directly to Seattle, Washington in the USA by a 2hr 45min ferry ride. As you are in such close proximity to these large cities there is a variety of things you can experience during your time in British Columbia.
Victoria is well known for its mild climate, beautiful scenery and easy going pace of life. In your spare time you can sample the arts and entertainment on offer in local galleries and theatres, take in the variety of outdoor activities such as walking tours, whale watching, sailing, horseback riding, golfing, biking, etc., or simply take the ferry to Vancouver for hours of stunning scenery.
Many have referred to Vancouver, British Columbia as the most beautiful city in the world. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the majesty of the mountains, Vancouver truly has an awe-inspiring effect on its visitors.
Vancouver is home to more than two million Canadians and is rich in its ethnic diversity. The city boasts an arts and culture scene with moviemakers, actors and musicians notoriously "spotted" at many of the trendier restaurants and clubs. Vancouver is also the gateway to any possible activity the traveller may want to do: from whale watching and shark fishing in the summer to heli-skiing and glacier hiking in the winter. In Vancouver you can do it all!
As Seattle, Washington is so close by ferry from Victoria you may want to consider a weekend to this great northeastern American city.
Programme Support
Throughout your stay in British Columbia, Canada you will have the support and guidance of the staff onsite. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions, or advice you may need during your stay.
Before you depart, we will provide you with a contact number for onsite staff and a 24-hour emergency contact number, so that you can contact one of our UK staff in an emergency should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health.
