VOLUNTEER USA

• Population: 305,468,000
• Capital City: Washington D.C.
• Currency: US Dollar
• Languages: English
• National Day: Independence Day 4 July
• Climate: Extremely varied
• Highlights: New York City, the Rocky Mountains, California beaches, The Grand Canyon!

The USA may be known for its sheer size, diversity and world power but it is the incredible natural beauty of the States that is often underestimated and overshadowed by its famous cities. With spectacular natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the gorgeous old trees in Redwood National Park, there is a lot to be said for the American wilderness.

Volunteer USA gives you the opportunity to live and work in some of the most beautiful spots in America while playing a valuable role in maintaining and caring for these sites. Imagine camping in some of the most stunning national parks in the world (Yosemite, Grand Canyon) and waking up to unbelievable scenery.

Volunteer USA offers inexpensive volunteering opportunities for participants eager to contribute 40 hours of determined effort each week in exchange for housing and food on projects. You will be based in either Flagstaff, Arizona or Santa Cruz, California.

The projects you will be working on are located in the following states:

Arizona (e.g. Grand Canyon)

Utah (e.g. Bryce Canyon)

Nevada (e.g. Lake Mead)

New Mexico (e.g. Gila National Forest)

Transportation to the projects, as well as accommodation and food whilst you are at the project, are all included. You will be camping near your project so you get to experience those National Parks as never before. This is truly getting off the beaten track!

Download the full placement notes for Volunteer USA
Apply for Volunteer USA

VOLUNTEER USA - $1300* (10 week placement)

*$500 of the program fee will be used as a security deposit by IEP/ACE. This deposit will be returned to you after completion of your placement.

VOLUNTEER USA ARRIVAL DATES

VOLUNTEER USA ELIGIBILITY

• Applications should be lodged at least 3 months prior to departure.
• Placements are for a minimum of ten weeks (Flagstaff) or twelve weeks (Santa Cruz)
• Open to anyone over the age of 18
• Applicants should be open minded, comfortable in the outdoors and flexible

You are the ideal volunteer if:

• You truly enjoy exerting yourself on meaningful projects in beautiful locations and like a challenge
• You are an orderly person who likes to keep your housing clean
• You are the type of person who stays positive and enthusiastic through less than perfect situations, and believe that a positive attitude means everything
• You have a sense of responsibility
• You are flexible and able to adapt to sudden changes in plans
• You feel you have no problem understanding and expressing yourself in English
• You are a fit person between 18-40 years

VOLUNTEER USA INCLUSIONS ($1300 for 10 week placement)

Before you go:

• Personal support and advice from experienced IEP staff to help organise your trip (inc interview to determine suitability)
• Placement at a national park volunteer project
• Three months comprehensive travel insurance, extendable up to two years (worth $650)
• IEP can direct you to our travel partner for discounted flights (airfare and taxes extra)
• Moneywise Guide to the USA
• Phone card with US$5 credit
• Brochures and maps to familiarise yourself with USA
• Volunteer USA Handbook

While you’re there:

• Meet and greet by our local American partner at airport
• Comprehensive arrival orientation
• Trained professional supervision
• Project-related transport
• Accommodation
• Food whilst working on a project
• 24/7 support from our local partner and from IEP in Australia and BUNAC (our parent organisation) in the USA for the duration of your program

VOLUNTEER USA PROJECTS

Common projects include: trail maintenance, fencing and re-vegetation (planting and transplanting native species). There are also projects to help protect local endangered species (e.g. the Desert Tortoise and Apache Trout).
Volunteers work in teams of between 6 and 11 volunteers. The teams will normally work for periods of 4 days followed by 3 days off. Projects are rotated every 2 – 4 weeks to provide a variety of experiences. The work is physically demanding, normally in remote areas. Days are long (10 hours) sometimes in extreme weather conditions. However, the camaraderie and sense of achievement is immeasurable.
The volunteers will have the chance to work in some of the most magnificent parks of America including the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Arches National Park, Prescott National Forest, Yosemite and King’s Canyon. Project locations are remote and may involve a long hike - just to get to the base camp!

Download the full placement notes for Volunteer USA
Apply for Volunteer USA

VOLUNTEER USA FEEDBACK

"Restoring trails in the Grand Canyon was an awesome and rewarding experience. It's truly getting off the beaten track and a unique opportunity to work and live in astonishing National Parks" - Martijn

"It's a dream home for all kinds of wildlife - we see a bear close to the ranger station, families of deer roaming free, lizards scurrying in all directions, eagles, and a couple of snakes, which soon disappeared once we started banging away." – Andy

"My time on Volunteer USA has been superb, I'm so glad I came. I guess you hear this quite often, but you meet great people, get to see amazing places and even the work is cool, it's a win-win situation, as long as you have good projects with good supervisors, which you have." - Arthur

"I really, really enjoyed my time on Volunteer USA. It really gave me the opportunity to see my own limits and to experience a totally new world." - Laurent

"I enjoyed Volunteer USA far more than I expected and was really impressed by the landscapes in Arizona and Utah. I had the opportunity to meet great people and to find new friends all over the world." - Etienne

VOLUNTEER USA FAQ'S

How long are the placements?

Placements are for a minimum of ten weeks if based in Flagstaff, or twelve weeks if based in Santa Cruz. You will work on a variety of different projects during this time.

Can I choose which location I want to volunteer at?

You can choose to work on projects in either Flagstaff, Arizona or Santa Cruz, California.

Can I go at any time of year or are there specific arrival dates?

There are different projects running throughout most of the year with certain arrival dates in place each month when you can be picked up from the airport in Phoenix or San Francisco at 6pm on the specified date. Flights should be booked in accordance with this.

There are also other arrival dates you can choose which require you to make your own way from the airport to base by bus. Bus timetable information will be provided.

Arrival dates may be negotiable, so if in doubt speak to an IEP staff member.

If I make my own way from the airport what happens if I arrive outside of Volunteer USA office hours?

You will be required to provide your itinerary to IEP before you depart for the US.
You will be advised to either organise arrival accommodation for the first night or in certain circumstances a volunteer will greet you at the bus station. If possible it is best to plan your arrival within office hours.

Do I get time off?

Yes! Most projects will have you working 4 days for 10 hours a day with 3 days off to explore nearby cities and national parks.

Do male and female volunteers share accommodation together?

Housing provided between projects is on a shared basis, males and females share unless they request otherwise. During the project you will be given your own private tent.

How much money will I need?

This will depend on what you plan on doing over there. If you intend on cooking at the house, not going out or doing trips on your days of you could survive on US$50 a week. Otherwise US$150 to $200 if you plan on doing and seeing plenty on your days off.

When should I apply?

The earlier the better. In the summer time placements fill up quite quickly so we recommend applying at least 12 weeks before your planned departure.

Do I need a visa to volunteer in the US?

You will enter the US on the 90 day visa waiver program. You will present this together with your acceptance letter and an Official Letter of Invitation upon entering the US.