Start exploring Conservation summer programs

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Gaborone, Botswana

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential (Homestay)

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field research on wildlife conservation with an expert guide; stays partly at Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Excursions to Khama Rhino Sanctuary and the Okavango Delta, including camping in pristine parks.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,300

Location:

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field observation in the Monteverde Cloud Forest; Pacific coast excursion covering marine wildlife and lowland forests.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$6,900

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Deadline:

Jan 20, 2027

Field research across marine, coastal, and bushland ecosystems with a local conservationist guide; includes snorkeling at Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, a Blue Mountains excursion, and a traditional Aboriginal Bushtucker Tour.

Dates:

Jul 16 – Jul 30, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$6,200

Location:

Kenya (Nairobi and Rift Valley region)

Grades:

Completed 9th-11th grade (15 to 17 years 6 months)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Apr 15, 2027

Group program in Kenya focused on wildlife conservation and Maasai culture, with a Maasai homestay, community volunteering, and a Masai Mara safari.

Dates:

Jul 11–17, 2027

Length:

7 days

Cost:

$3,325–$3,695

Location:

Placencia and a private island, Belize

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential

Marine conservation and optional PADI Open Water scuba certification on a private island; students not already certified earn their PADI during the trip (certification/eLearning fees additional). Intra-trip flight from Belize City to Placencia is required.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 8–Aug 10, 2027 (8 days options)

Length:

8 days

Cost:

$2,895

Location:

Camaronal Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Group Housing

About 26 service hours protecting Olive Ridley sea turtle nests at Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge: hatchery monitoring, night beach patrols, beach cleanups, and trail work, plus a surf lesson and a dolphin-watching boat tour. Maximum 18 students. Lodging is rustic, with open-air shared bathrooms and unreliable phone service.

Dates:

Jul 1–8, 2027

Length:

8 days

Cost:

$3,099

Location:

Costa Rica (Camaronal Wildlife Refuge & Puerto Carrillo, Nicoya Peninsula)

Grades:

Completing grades 9-11

Format:

Residential

8-day sea turtle conservation program on Costa Rica's Pacific coast with 20 service hours at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge - night nesting patrols, hatchery work, and hatchling releases - plus surf lessons and ziplining.

Dates:

5 sessions between Jun 12–Aug 7, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$3,599

Location:

Costa Rica

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–11)

Format:

Residential

Residential program in Costa Rica. Students spend the session on hands-on service or learning, with cultural excursions and adventure activities.

Dates:

Jul 12–25, 2027

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$6,488

Location:

Belize

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential

Marine biology and coral reef conservation program on a private Caribbean island; includes PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification, lionfish removal, and a visit to Xunantunich Mayan ruins.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 18–Jul 18, 2027 (14 days options)

Length:

14 days

Cost:

$5,780

Location:

Costa Rica

Grades:

Completing grades 9-12

Format:

Residential

Credit:

Yes

Hands-on sea turtle hatchling data collection; 2 natural science college credits available. No experience required.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 20–Aug 7, 2027 (2 weeks (14 days) options)

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$3,370

Location:

San Cristóbal, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Conservation in the Galapagos Islands — based in San Cristóbal, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in a lodge.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 5–Aug 15, 2027 (14 days and 21 days options)

Length:

14 days–21 days

Cost:

$6,495–$7,895

Location:

British Virgin Islands (Leeward Islands for some advanced/older tracks)

Ages:

12-18 (completed grades 6–12)

Format:

Residential (live-aboard)

Credit:

Optional college credit available for PADI certification courses completed on program (confirmed on Scuba Diving Camp page); not confirmed for other programs

Marine science sailing program. Lessons cover coral reef ecology, fish and invertebrate identification, nocturnal adaptations, sharks, sea turtles, plankton, ocean conservation, and regional geology, with guided snorkels and surveys. 14-day and 21-day sessions. Academic credit is available for the field research.

Dates:

Jul 23–Aug 7, 2027 (includes travel days on group flight from Los Angeles)

Length:

2 weeks in Australia (16 days incl. travel)

Cost:

$5,995

Location:

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Australia (with a weekend in Sydney)

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

Credit:

Optional (2 University of Findlay credits for an additional fee)

Two-week pre-vet wildlife conservation program at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Australia's Gold Coast, where students in groups of up to 15 work with a teaching veterinarian on Australian wildlife care, zoo medicine, and conservation, including behind-the-scenes visits to the wildlife hospital and a mid-program weekend in Sydney with a visit to Taronga Zoo.

Dates:

June 16 - July 1, 2027 (single session)

Length:

16 days

Cost:

$7,750

Location:

Athens, Lefkada, Kefalonia

Grades:

Completing grades 9-12

Format:

Group Housing

Coastal conservation in Greece. Participants bring their own snorkel gear. Tents hold 2 to 4 students. 20 to 30 service hours.

Dates:

June 28 - July 25, 2027 (single session)

Length:

4 weeks

Cost:

$8,970

Location:

Yogyakarta, Dieng Plateau, Wakatobi (Sulawesi)

Ages:

16-18 (completed grades 10–12)

Format:

Residential

Credit:

Optional 1 course (COLS 191, CTE 191, or CTE 292)

Described by the provider as one of its most adventurous and diverse Asia programs: a Yogyakarta homestay with mentored apprenticeships (batik, gamelan, martial arts), the 7th-8th century Hindu temple complex and geothermal lakes of the Dieng Plateau, and a final stretch in Wakatobi living with the Bajau 'sea nomad' community in stilted homes over open water, snorkeling coral reefs and learning from marine conservationists.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 16–Aug 5, 2027 (9 days options)

Length:

9 days

Cost:

$3,495

Location:

Kefalonia Island & Athens

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Group Housing

~20 hours of hands-on loggerhead sea turtle conservation fieldwork in partnership with Wildlife Sense (a Mediterranean Action Plan-recognized research organization): dawn nesting-beach surveys, harbor turtle monitoring, seagrass habitat snorkel mapping, and beach cleanups. Since 2018, Rustic Pathways students have helped protect 340+ loggerhead nests. Includes a full-day boat tour and a Cave of Melissani visit. Max 20 students; domestic Athens-Kefalonia flight included in tuition.

Dates:

Jul 15–24, 2027

Length:

10 days

Cost:

$4,045–$4,495

Location:

Greece

Grades:

Current grades 9-12

Format:

Residential

Sea turtle conservation service program in Greece.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 29–Jul 24, 2027 (12 days options)

Length:

12 days

Cost:

$5,999

Location:

Greece

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–11)

Format:

Residential

12-day residential program in Greece. Students spend the session on one itinerary, traveling with the group. Sea turtle conservation program.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 30–Jul 25, 2027 (12 days options)

Length:

12 days

Cost:

$3,995

Location:

Chiang Mai & Lampang

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Group Housing

About 20 hours of community service with elephant conservation and forest restoration: reforestation on Doi Suthep, several days at a government elephant center in Lampang, plus Thai cooking, Muay Thai, and whitewater rafting on the Mae Taeng River.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jun 13–Aug 7, 2027 (2 weeks (14 days) options)

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$3,820

Location:

Soysambu, Kenya

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Conservation Volunteer Work in Kenya — based in Soysambu, Kenya, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in a lodge.

Dates:

Jul 25–Aug 7, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$3,370

Location:

La Peñita de Jaltemba, Mexico

Ages:

15-18 (completed grades 9–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Conservation Volunteer Work in Mexico — based in La Peñita de Jaltemba, Mexico, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in a guesthouse.

Dates:

Jul 18–31, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$5,070

Location:

Barcelona, Spain

Ages:

14-18 and in grade 9 or above (completed grades 9–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Diving & Marine Conservation in Spain — based in Barcelona, Spain, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in a homestay.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jul 4–Aug 14, 2027 (2 weeks (14 days) options)

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$4,720

Location:

Koh Tao, Thailand

Ages:

14-18 and in grade 9 or above (completed grades 9–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Diving & Marine Conservation in Thailand — based in Koh Tao, Thailand, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in a hotel.

Dates:

Jul 17–30, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (14 days)

Cost:

$3,545

Location:

Sen Monorom, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Cambodia

Ages:

14-18 (completed grades 8–12)

Format:

Residential

2-week fully supervised Projects Abroad high school program — Elephant & Bear Conservation in Cambodia — based in Sen Monorom, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, with structured project work, social events, and sightseeing, staying in varied accommodation.