Kids Saving the Rainforest wouldn't be where we are today without the help from our amazing volunteers! If you have a passion for wildlife and you're looking for a way to volunteer your time to make a positive change in the world, check out our program details!
We have life-changing programs for all ages. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with our full-time Kids Saving the Rainforest staff. Volunteers also help monitor, observe, and care for the wild animals that we host at our Sanctuary.
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE VOLUNTEER INFO SHEET
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INFORMATION
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PACKING LIST
Programs
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Full Day Program
For group rates of 8 or more, please contact: chip@kstr.org *Does not include room or transportation Volunteer Program
For more information about volunteering with us, download full program details. For overnight stays and longer volunteer opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator: volunteer@kstr.org |
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Internship Positions
● Zookeeper Intern:
This internship will help prepare you for a career in the field of Zookeeping.
You will assist our Sanctuary Manager/Biologist & Zookeeper in our Wildlife Sanctuary elevating the quality of life of animals in captivity. You will be performing animal husbandry to include assisting in the daily feeding, cleaning, and enrichment of enclosures.
You will assess behavior, and may be called upon to assist in capturing or restraining animals for necessary medical procedures.
● Veterinary Clinic Intern:
This internship will help prepare you for a career in Veterinary Medicine.
You will assist our veterinary team in the clinic performing exams, treatments, surgeries, and various procedures.
You will assist in the intake of injured and orphaned wildlife, provide routine daily cleaning and feeding for the animals currently residing in the clinic, and assist in necropsies to determine cause of death. Interns should expect a busy, highly variable environment with a high number of emergency cases coming in at a moment’s notice.
● Rehabilitation Intern:
This internship is well suited for students or recent graduates with a concentration in biology, wildlife management, animal conservation, and similar fields of study.
You will work in RAR, Rainforest Animal Rescue, helping prepare animals for their release. The tasks required of you will vary greatly depending upon the animals in our care and where they are in on their journey to release.
Activities will include enrichment, observation, ethograms, care and feeding of animals in our rehab and boot camp areas, and more.
You may be called upon to perform studies of suitable habitats, and/or to track individuals after release.
● Nursery Assistant Intern:
This internship requires a selfless dedication to the care and rearing of orphaned baby wildlife.
You will assist our Nursery Manager in a variety of duties that may include syringe feeding, preparing special diets for the babies, collecting wild leaves, and supervising the climbing and foraging of young animals as they practice for their lives in the wild.
This position requires long hours, a willingness to work some night shifts, and foregoing personal comfort in rustic conditions in the interest of the babies you are working hard to help save.
A preference for a 6-month placement is given for this internship given the extensive training required
This internship will help prepare you for a career in the field of Zookeeping.
You will assist our Sanctuary Manager/Biologist & Zookeeper in our Wildlife Sanctuary elevating the quality of life of animals in captivity. You will be performing animal husbandry to include assisting in the daily feeding, cleaning, and enrichment of enclosures.
You will assess behavior, and may be called upon to assist in capturing or restraining animals for necessary medical procedures.
● Veterinary Clinic Intern:
This internship will help prepare you for a career in Veterinary Medicine.
You will assist our veterinary team in the clinic performing exams, treatments, surgeries, and various procedures.
You will assist in the intake of injured and orphaned wildlife, provide routine daily cleaning and feeding for the animals currently residing in the clinic, and assist in necropsies to determine cause of death. Interns should expect a busy, highly variable environment with a high number of emergency cases coming in at a moment’s notice.
● Rehabilitation Intern:
This internship is well suited for students or recent graduates with a concentration in biology, wildlife management, animal conservation, and similar fields of study.
You will work in RAR, Rainforest Animal Rescue, helping prepare animals for their release. The tasks required of you will vary greatly depending upon the animals in our care and where they are in on their journey to release.
Activities will include enrichment, observation, ethograms, care and feeding of animals in our rehab and boot camp areas, and more.
You may be called upon to perform studies of suitable habitats, and/or to track individuals after release.
● Nursery Assistant Intern:
This internship requires a selfless dedication to the care and rearing of orphaned baby wildlife.
You will assist our Nursery Manager in a variety of duties that may include syringe feeding, preparing special diets for the babies, collecting wild leaves, and supervising the climbing and foraging of young animals as they practice for their lives in the wild.
This position requires long hours, a willingness to work some night shifts, and foregoing personal comfort in rustic conditions in the interest of the babies you are working hard to help save.
A preference for a 6-month placement is given for this internship given the extensive training required
Accommodations
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We offer two accommodations: A hostel-style bunkroom and a Blue Banyan Inn luxury cottage. We offer tours and group packages for students and adults of all ages. Please email us at volunteer@kstr.org if you would like more information about our rates, programs, and availability. |
Blue Banyan Inn
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The KSTR Volunteer Center is run in conjunction with the Blue Banyan Inn - a peaceful Bed and Breakfast located 20 minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park. Click above for information and availability. |
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Contact Us
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You will enjoy this special program, the only one of its kind in the area and you will learn so much more about KIDS SAVING THE RAINFOREST and the importance of saving this incredible environment. See you soon! |
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For Overnight Stays and Longer Volunteer Opportunities, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator:
Manuel Antonio - Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio - Costa Rica
- Email Us: VOLUNTEER@KSTR.ORG
- Call Us: 506 4070 0340
Volunteer Testimonials
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"Volunteering at "Kids Saving the Rainforest" is among the best things I've ever done in my life and the experiences I made there were impressive and lasting! I fell in love with the animals and I'm so glad that I had the possibility to help taking care of them! I feel so honored that I had the chance to work with these amazing and dedicated people and to be a little part of KSTR! Meanwhile I've been there three times and I can't wait for the next time!" - Andrea (Germany) |
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"I have been a volunteer, an intern, and conducted research at Kids Saving the Rainforest. I first came to KSTR in 2010 while I was on a primate research trip with Broadreach Academic Treks. On that trip, I fell in love with animal conservation, specifically primates. I knew I wanted to take a break from school after high school in 2012, and I remembered how amazing my time was at KSTR. I sent them an email asking if they accepted interns, and sure enough they did! I went for 3 months and gained the best work experience I have ever had. While some organizations have volunteer programs that involve a good amount of observing, the program at KSTR is extremely hands-on. You get the opportunity to experience all aspects of working in an animal rehabilitation center and sanctuary. For example, you gain experience learning what it is like to be an animal caretaker: prepping food, feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, and designing animal enrichment. Long term volunteers are asked to give educational tours to visitors. I absolutely loved being a tour guide! Educating people on the importance of conservation is critical and can be very rewarding – something I learned at KSTR. Clinical Volunteers also gain experience working in a wildlife veterinary clinic. If you are considering becoming a vet, this is the perfect program because you get to work hands-on alongside a vet. The program allows you to get a feel for what being a wildlife rehab vet would be like. For me, I ended up not taking the vet route, but I am working towards a degree in animal behaviour conservation. In the summer of 2016, I returned a third time to KSTR to conduct research for my ungraduated senior thesis. KSTR was happy to have me there and worked with me to produce a project that I am now going on to get published! All in all, this volunteer program is one of the best out there. They are willing to work with you so that you can achieve your dreams, whatever they may be!"
- Martie Stothoff
- Martie Stothoff
"I interned for four months with Kids Saving the Rainforest. I absolutely loved my time spent with them! Not only did I gain the most incredible experiences but I made life-long friends! I truly felt as though I was welcomed into a family. I was able to work closely with the animals and vet, as well as conduct research. I would (and often do) highly recommend volunteering at Kids Saving the Rainforest to friends, or at least going for a tour if one doesn't have much time!"
- Elle McGraw
- Elle McGraw
"I volunteered for KSTR for a month and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Every day is different from another and is full of adventures. I was learning something new every day from the vet or other volunteers and I was constantly improving my knowledge about animals, welfare and nature. Every other animal organisation needs to learn from KSTR regarding their welfare standards, their handling practices and the way they care about animals. Highly professional people work there and they work around the clock to make sure animals are healthy and happy. The owners of KSTR are amazing people as well, they are very easy to get along with and they would always listen to you and help. I was doing my research on squirrel monkeys and KSTR was a perfect place to do that, they helped me a lot and together we did an amazing report. I gained a valuable experience by working with KSTR and I would recommend everyone to volunteer with them. "
- Margarita (Latvia)
- Margarita (Latvia)
"Our daughter, Jenny, is so happy to be there. She Skypes every week to let us know how she is doing and tells us about her experiences with the animals. She adores Pia and is thankful for all the opportunities you have given her through this wonderful organization. Please know how grateful my husband and I for offering her the chance to expand her knowledge in such beautiful surroundings. She's been passionate about animals her entire life but we never dreamed she'd have an experience like this."
- Mother of Volunteer
- Mother of Volunteer
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“This was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had in my life and I know that I will never be able to explain to my family and friends what happened here without getting emotional."
- Vernita (Philadelphia) |
"You can't help but give everything you can to the experience that KSTR gives you in helping make a difference to the rainforest and its many treasures. What you get back is far better than anywhere else out there."
- Charlemagne (Southern California)
"Muchas gracias everyone for being so warm and welcoming! It truly is like a family here! This has been such a unique and memorable experience. Everyone's love for the animals, hard work, and dedication is admirable. These animals are in excellent hands. I will miss you all."
- Jill Prevendar
- Jill Prevendar
