Ecological Bear Tour Lodge

Find the silence and solitude of another era.

Eco-Bear Lodge is located 50 air miles from the northern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The fully self-contained floating lodge is situated at an outstanding wildlife viewing location. This is a place of spectacular beauty. From this location the project host operates a Grizzly Bear viewing program. The wind and solar powered lodge is in keeping with their commitment to low-impact ecotourism. This is a commercial business providing eco-tours and you are invited to volunteer as a hospitality worker and experience this unique experience of authentic Canadian Wilderness. You will not be working in conservation or with animals; you will be working in the lodge.

The Work at the Eco-Bear Lodge

Working at the lodge is an incredible opportunity to work in a remote wilderness environment. We want you to have a good idea about the realities of working at the lodge before giving a commitment to work here. The job title is Volunteer Housekeeper. As Volunteer Housekeeper, you will spend five hours a day working on housekeeping tasks and helping to host the guests in exchange for accommodation, food and wildlife viewing opportunities! This position offers a unique opportunity to work in customer service in ecotourism while living in a spectacular wilderness setting. Your duties include: Housekeeping tasks for the guest lodge. Those tasks may include changing rooms following guests’ departure, washing dishes, vacuuming floors, sweeping docks, cleaning windows, washing floors, acting as a welcoming host to the guests when they take breaks from wildlife viewing by greeting them and providing warm drinks/snacks. Assisting the Lodge Chef in beverage and meal service and clean-up is also part of the job. The lodge staff is a small team and occasionally you may be called upon to assist with other tasks that are outside of this job description. You will be required to wear a uniform and will be an integral part of the guest service team, not just a helper.

Minimum Age: 18
Duration: 3 week work placement (can add 3 weeks of English classes prior to volunteer work)
Location: 50 air miles from the Northern tip of Vancouver Island
Visa: Even though applicants on the volunteer program are not paid participants, they must have a work permit to volunteer in Canada.

Applicants can get a work permit in one of two ways:

1. through the Working Holiday Program if the Working Holiday Program is offered in their country and they qualify for it,
2. by taking an equal number of weeks of English classes and volunteering (eg: 3 weeks of English + 3 weeks volunteering)

To be eligible for the program:

• Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are physically fit and interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available
• Minimum age 18
• Open-minded, flexible, hard working, self motivated and team orientated
• Able to live in basic living conditions with minimal comforts
• Not looking for a comfortable holiday activity, but is interested in working and learning while having fun
• Work permit to volunteer in Canada (through the Working Holiday Visa, or taking an equal number of weeks of English Classes and volunteering, or if they are offered a placement with a Canadian Registered Charity)

The Ecological Bear Tour Lodge Volunteer Project is a Full Service Program.

Full Service

Participants are offered a volunteer position before leaving their home country. They will know before arriving in Canada where they will work, when they will work and what they will do.

Program includes:

• Volunteer Placement for 3 weeks
• Accommodation and food at Placement
• Orientation at GO International Offices in Vancouver covering everything you need to know about volunteering and travelling in Canada
• One night dorm style accommodation at Vancouver hostel, includes breakfast and welcome drink
• Support from the GO International Volunteer Team Leader in Vancouver while on your project
• Emergency Contact number
• Social activities ranging from pub nights to ski trips in Vancouver
• Room and board at placement

Program Fee Does Not Include:

• Travel between Vancouver and Placement
• Booking Services to travel to Placement

Optional Services

• English Classes at Tamwood International College in Vancouver or Whistler. Course options: General English, International Business English, TOEFL, Cambridge Exam Preparation, Private Tuition and English plus programs as golf, mountain bike, skiing and snowboarding
• Extra night(s) accommodation in dorm room at a central hostel in Vancouver (includes breakfast, linen, a towel, and a welcome drink)
• Medical insurance

For a list of fun activities, please visit our affiliate website using the button below.

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CAD $1,265.00 + HST (Updated as of January 2012)

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Note: 12% HST will be added to program fee if program not sold as a work and study program. English courses are tax exempt so if taken as a 50/50 English Internship Program then the program fee and English tuition will not be subject to tax.

Placements are 3-4 weeks long.

Ecological Bear Tour

Deadline to apply - At least 8-12 weeks before intended arrival.

For further information or to book the program, please fill out an Info Request Form.