Volunteering in the rainforest - what to bring
I volunteered on Puerto Rico's Rainforest last year, and I'm very glad I read the briefing thoroughly before I went, as it had lots of good suggestions. Here's what I found most useful to bring:
- lightweight boots - on this particular project, you're climbing hills and it's often muddy and slippery, so ankle protection is really necessary. And you either want boots that dry quickly, or that are waterproof. I chose quick-drying, and they were fine - but my feet did get wet every day.
- non-cotton pants with zip-off legs - I'm soooo glad I got these - they're quick to dry, not too hot to wear, and if you're in an area that's just too brushy or thorny for shorts, you can leave them half-zipped and get some air circulation.
- wickers or other non-cotton quick-drying shirts. I got long sleeved-tshirts, but other people had button shirts with vents that they loved
- flip-flops - you don't want to clump around in your dirty boots, and you don't want to shower barefoot, so this is what you need around your living area.
- a really good, small flashlight, with extra batteries. I know $30 - $40 sounds like a lot for a 4" flashlight, but when you're looking for tiny frogs, or trying to get to the toilet in the middle of the night, it's worth its weight in gold. Check out brightguy.com
- little packets of Crystal Light - these are great for any expedition, if you don't like the taste of tepid water that's been in a jug or bottle for a while. Most people don't drink enough during the day, which makes you tired and cranky by quitting time.
- separate clothes for non-work time. All of your work clothes get damp and muddy, and you don't want to look too disreputable on your days off - or your flight home :)
In general, expect to get wet, muddy, and sweaty every day, and to never quite get dry - like when you go on vacation in Florida and your swimsuit never really dries...
By the way, I had a WONDERFUL time - the staff is awesome, the work is fun, the coqui frogs are great - and you learn to salsa dance!
Kathy, the Earthwatch Webmaster
- lightweight boots - on this particular project, you're climbing hills and it's often muddy and slippery, so ankle protection is really necessary. And you either want boots that dry quickly, or that are waterproof. I chose quick-drying, and they were fine - but my feet did get wet every day.
- non-cotton pants with zip-off legs - I'm soooo glad I got these - they're quick to dry, not too hot to wear, and if you're in an area that's just too brushy or thorny for shorts, you can leave them half-zipped and get some air circulation.
- wickers or other non-cotton quick-drying shirts. I got long sleeved-tshirts, but other people had button shirts with vents that they loved
- flip-flops - you don't want to clump around in your dirty boots, and you don't want to shower barefoot, so this is what you need around your living area.
- a really good, small flashlight, with extra batteries. I know $30 - $40 sounds like a lot for a 4" flashlight, but when you're looking for tiny frogs, or trying to get to the toilet in the middle of the night, it's worth its weight in gold. Check out brightguy.com
- little packets of Crystal Light - these are great for any expedition, if you don't like the taste of tepid water that's been in a jug or bottle for a while. Most people don't drink enough during the day, which makes you tired and cranky by quitting time.
- separate clothes for non-work time. All of your work clothes get damp and muddy, and you don't want to look too disreputable on your days off - or your flight home :)
In general, expect to get wet, muddy, and sweaty every day, and to never quite get dry - like when you go on vacation in Florida and your swimsuit never really dries...
By the way, I had a WONDERFUL time - the staff is awesome, the work is fun, the coqui frogs are great - and you learn to salsa dance!
Kathy, the Earthwatch Webmaster
