Catalina Island News

Volunteer Vacations Offered by Catalina Island Conservancy

2007-05-06
Catalina Island Conservancy

Volunteers Will experience the best of Catalina While lending a hand to protect its natural beauty. The Catalina Island Conservancy once again offeres Volunteer Vacations with dates available from late May through late September. Volunteer Vacations provide outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to get away from it all, while performing much-needed tasks in stunning backcountry locations on Catalina Island.

Vacation dates include: May 28-June 2, June 11-16, June 25-30, September 10-15,  and September 24-29, The cost is $175 per person, which includes accommodations for five nights, five dinners, on-island transportation, project training, work supplies, a trip to a remote beach and a naturalist activity. Transportation to the island is not included.

The Catalina Island Conservancy relies on volunteers all year long to support its mission to preserve and protect more than 42,000 acres on Catalina Island. The Volunteer Vacation program allow people from all walks of life to immerse themselves into the Island's natural environment while vacationing at a private campground at a fraction of the cost of staying at a hotel in Avalon.

"We will get out and do a lot of exciting projects this spring such as monitoring oak seedling plots that overlook the channel and shifting native seedlings at our native plant nursery," said Matthew Sutton, Volunteer Groups Coordinator.  "At the end of the day, volunteers will sit down to a nice meal and meet staff and volunteers who will bring the story of Catalina to life." Each week can accommodate between six to ten participants. After Monday's orientation day, the Tuesday through Friday work day will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays will be spent enjoying one of the Island's beautiful beaches.

Cost for the week-long vacations is $175 which includes tent bunkhouses at the Laura Stein Volunteer Camp located on a bluff overlooking the San Pedro Channel and the mainland. Three to four-course dinners are served each night by a consortium of local restaurants and local volunteers. Volunteers are responsible for their own breakfasts and lunches. Cooking facilities are available at the volunteer campground. Round-trip transportation to the mainland is not included.

"All volunteers are fully briefed before they arrive on the Island, so they know what clothing, equipment, and food items to bring," Sutton said.

Additional information about volunteer opportunities is provided at the Conservancy web site. The volunteer department can be reached at volunteers@catalinaconservancy.org or 310-510-2595 extension 109 or 112.

Many volunteer vacation participants extend their visit to Catalina Island and enjoy staying in Avalon, traveling to Two Harbors, or camping at some of the local campgrounds. Many opportunities exist to further explore the natural beauty of the island.