This is a Public Institution with over 20 years of experience in nature conservation, monitoring, educational workshops, scientific research, interpretation, big EU projects and a lot of knowledge.

It has 5 employees who have experience in conservation theory and practice, 5 Park rangers and several staff members who will guide you through your activities. There will also be present: your mentor, the visitor center manager, it’s staff and some students who will be present. After the meet and greet we will follow a strict work schedule but we managed to fill it with enough extra fun content and space to enjoy your free time.

Maintaining grasslands is one of our top priority. You will learn theory and practice and help us in mowing and removing shrubs to keep the forest at bay. This way more grasslands will remain a safe home for various protected plants and animals that depend on this open habitats, like orchids and butterflies.

What will you gain from your stay with us?

spending 10 days in a rural area with clean air and untouched nature
pleasant locals to hang out with and spend your days
local food and drinks
1 new & modern visitor center (dorms, café, etc.),
knowledge (e.g. flora, fauna, habitats, cultural heritage, language, etc.),
workshops (e.g. heritage interpretation),
outdoor activities (e.g. fieldwork, hiking, educational trails)
letter of recommendation from the Institution
confirmation of all your activities and gained knowledge
an inspiration and duty to do a fun activity back home after return

Rough workday schedule:

7:00 – 8:00 breakfast (prepared by members of your team)
8:00 – 9:00 "me-time” and/or teambuilding
9:00 – 12:00 working activities
12:00 – 13:00 lunch (hot meal)
13:00 – 16:00 working activities
16:00 - 18:00 workshops & free time
18:00 – 19:00 dinner (prepared by the members of your team)
19:00 - free time

Weekends: free time (meals at the same time as weekdays) – we encourage you to go on a
hiking trip and discover the most beautiful areas of our Park

Correct and detailed timetable for 10 days of the programme will be sent later to the
organizations and volunteers. The timetable can be adjusted to the needs of the volunteers
and activities. The PI has the right to change the timetable.

Your home for 10 days will be here in the village of Sošice (population of 50 people). The village has our visitors center, 1 local bistro, a parish and 2 churches and a small monastery.

Meals: 

- On site, 3 meals a day + fruit and snacks (you’ll prepare breakfast and
dinner together in our kitchenette and lunch will be cooked in a restaurant
nearby)

Hiking, sports (football, basketball), kayaking, horseback riding, watching movies in our conference room

What do we expect from you?

to be a nature lover
to have environmental awareness
to have interest in learning and doing outdoor physical work
to be responsible and committed to work
to be serious about your stay, schedule and activities
to be a team player, but also independant with your free time
to be flexible and open to new ideas during your stay
to be respectful and helpful to the locals

Our typical continental summer weather suggests you should pack T-shirts, shorts, sneakers and light footwear, a few long sleeved shirts and a pair of trousers, but also a jacket and waterproof shoes for those windy and rainy days (keep in mind we don’t have a washing machine).
There’s little chance that you will suffer unpleasant „heavy” heat in the mountains, but you will need sunscreen and a hat. 

- after the arrival to the bus/train station, we will drive you to the Visitor
center (same goes for the departure)

- you can search for travel tickets for Zagreb (but also Karlovac or
Jastrebarsko if you’re travelling by bus or train)

- you have to arrive day before the 1st day of activities
- you depart day after the last day of activities

We have been preparing for your arrival a long time and we thought of everything. We also know that unexpected things might happen and we expect your cooperation.

Example:

1. There is unlimited free wifi in the center and in the village but keep in mind you’ll be visiting rural mountanous area with poor signal so we hope you’ll connect more to Nature when outdoors.

2. Power shortages are really rare, but don’t be surprised if it happens for a couple of hours during your stay.

3. Public transportation is really poor, connecting the village with the nearest city with a bus line just a couple of times during the day.

Health insurance will be arranged for you during your stay. 

Participation fee: 25 euro per day per person (250 euro total)