Your Questions Answered
What is the duration of an expedition?
The duration of an expedition varies from as few as 6 days to as many as 18 days, with most lasting between 10 and 14 days. There may be up to 20 teams of volunteers in one research season. Ten days to two weeks gives people who have limited paid leave from work the opportunity to volunteer. Earthwatch projects can be very demanding, and most volunteers are ready for a rest after the two weeks!
How fit do I need to be?
Many expeditions are suitable for every fitness level, but some are far more demanding than others. When searching for expeditions, look out for activity levels ranging from ‘very easy' to ‘strenuous' and sort according to your preference.
Please read the research project conditions and health information sections in the expedition briefing carefully and make sure you are confident of your fitness before you make your booking. If you are unsure, call your Expedition Consultant.
Do volunteers need any special skills to undertake research?
The research projects Earthwatch supports are suitable for volunteer participation, e.g. the data collection is easy to teach and undertake. There are a huge amounts of data to collect, and with training, volunteers are very efficient and accurate at data collection. That's the beauty of the Earthwatch model. All you need to know will be taught to you by the research staff on the first day (or occasionally two days) of your expedition. The majority of tasks are simple and you will quickly master them. In fact, you will undoubtedly discover skills you never knew you had!
How many volunteers will be on my team and what will they be like?
The expedition team size will vary from research project to research project. The range is four to twenty volunteers, with the typical expedition team numbering six to ten volunteers.
Earthwatch volunteers range in age from 18 to 85*, come from different countries around the world, and have a variety of jobs and backgrounds. Of the 4,000 volunteers who go on expeditions each year, one-third are repeat volunteers and many have been on more than ten expeditions! You are likely to find that you share many of the same interests and a spirit of adventure, becoming close friends on your expedition. We will send you a team list approximately four weeks before the start of your expedition so you know who you will be with.
*The minimum age for participation on a standard Earthwatch expedition is 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, in which case it may be possible for 16 or 17 year olds to participate. Family teams usually have a minimum age of 10 years old, although on some projects it may be older, and teen teams are exclusively for 16 and 17 year olds. There is no maximum age limit for standard teams.
Do most volunteers travel alone?
Some volunteers travel as couples or in small groups, but the majority of volunteers travel alone.
How luxurious will my expedition be?
Earthwatch tries to provide the most comfortable experience possible, while trying to keep participation within the economic reach of most people; some expeditions, therefore, offer more creature comforts than others. As a general rule, you will travel, work, eat, bathe, sleep, and experience the same lifestyle as that of real field research scientists. Your work hours may be long and tiring. You may get drenched by sun or rain. Your tasks may require that you get dirty. But, you'll get where you need to go; be taught what you need to know; enjoy three meals a day; gain new knowledge, skills, and perspectives; and enjoy the special company of others on your team. Volunteers seeking luxury holidays do not typically join Earthwatch expeditions.
Food
Most expeditions cater for a wide range of dietary needs. However, when working in more remote areas, food will tend to reflect what is available locally. When in doubt, check with your Expedition Consultant before booking.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from simple hotels to hammocks, from wildlife lodges to student dormitories, from field stations on mountaintops to tents in the rainforest. There may be private bathrooms or pit toilets, hot or cold showers. Accommodation varies tremendously by research project.
Can I stay after or leave early?
Unfortunately, you cannot stay on the expedition longer than your team or leave before the end of your team. It is possible, however, to join two teams back-to-back, if dates are appropriate. And, you may decide to travel elsewhere in the country or region either before or after your expedition at your own expense
How is my contribution spent?
Your price of participating on an Earthwatch expedition is called a contribution.
On average in 2009, your contribution will be spent in the following ways:
- 57 percent of your contribution is spent by the scientists managing your expedition. Typical costs include supplies, equipment, rents, utilities, and the hiring of local cooks or drivers as well as your food, accommodation, and local transport costs.
- 20 percent of your contribution is spent by Earthwatch on political, climate, and meteorological risk assessment, health and safety policies, 24-7 crisis response and emergency management procedures, and associated training of research scientists.
- 20 percent of your contribution is spent by Earthwatch to promote expeditions to the public and service your participation, including printing an Expedition Guide, maintaining a web site, taking your booking, reviewing your registration forms, sending you a briefing pack, and thoroughly preparing you before departure for your expedition.
- 3 percent of your contribution will be spent on medical and evacuation insurance coverage and offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions of your travel.
Conducting quality scientific research with volunteers in a safe manner is an expensive proposition. It typically costs between £30,000 and £50,000 to start up a new research project. You may be surprised to hear that your contribution does not cover all costs related to starting up and running research projects. In fact, Earthwatch must actively raise money from other sources to cover outstanding costs so they are not passed to you in the form of higher prices.
How much does an expedition cost?
For 2009, the average price of a standard expedition is approximately £1,300*. The most expensive expedition is £3,195, and the least expensive is £550. More than half of all expeditions are priced between £1,000 and £1,500.
*Teen only and family team expeditions carry additional costs and are therefore priced higher than standard team expeditions.
What other expenses will I have to pay?
Your contribution does not include your travel (including airport taxes) to the project rendezvous, costs incurred before or after the project, or the cost of passports, visas, and vaccinations. In some circumstances you may be required to pay additional costs for excursions during the project. You will also need to arrange and pay for your own travel insurance.
Why do the prices of expeditions vary for different times of year?
In Europe, most people tend to travel during their traditional holiday period - June to September. However, for many expeditions, the research runs throughout the year, and hence expedition teams that run between October and May are at risk of being under-subscribed. We use seasonal pricing to encourage people to go on expedition teams during off-peak travel times, thus increasing the chances that these vital research projects get well supported.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes. You can earn a 5% discount:
- If you book at least 90 days before the team start date and pay in full on a non-refundable, non-transferable basis.
- If you have previously paid to participate on ten or more expeditions.
- If you are part of a group booking of at least four places.
- If you are a student currently studying full-time. (A letter from your educational institution attesting to your student status will be required.)
Discounts can be combined, but the maximum discount you can earn is 10%. Discounts cannot be applied to Special Offers, however.
We can provide advice and support to enable you to fundraise for the cost of your expedition; many volunteers have done this. Websites like www.justgiving.com make fundraising easy. Simply select Earthwatch as your chosen charity and your friends, family and colleagues can all donate quickly and securely online.