Do volunteers need insurance?

Yes. Every O2E volunteer must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, trip cancellations and participation in volunteer activities. It is a condition of joining any program.

How are volunteers supervised?

Each project has an experienced local coordinator or team leader responsible for safety briefings, program guidance and day-to-day support during scheduled activities. O2E supervision applies during scheduled program workdays and activities only.

What happens in an emergency?

Every project has a risk and emergency action plan, with access to local medical services, evacuation procedures and 24/7 emergency support from O2E during program periods. Volunteers receive local emergency contacts in their Information Guide before departure.

What if my child has concerns or something goes wrong?

We ask volunteers to speak up early and often. They can talk to their project coordinator, email our team or call us at any time. For participants under 18, we may also contact a parent or guardian where there is a safety or wellbeing concern.

Can I contact O2E directly?

Yes. For general queries, email is best and is checked regularly. For urgent concerns, use the emergency phone number in the Information Guide or message us on WhatsApp.

A conservation experience for families and young volunteers

For parents

Volunteering abroad: a parent's guide

Safety, ethics and responsible care are built into how our programs run and how we support young people on their journey.

Sending your child to volunteer overseas is a big decision. Safety, ethics and responsible care are built into how our programs run and how we support young people on their journey. This page is here to help you feel confident and informed at every step.

Age requirements and eligibility

Volunteers are generally required to be 18 and over. We accept 17-year-old volunteers only on our marine conservation program, which O2E operates directly so we can maintain strict safeguarding procedures and appropriate working-with-children controls.

Safety and supervision

Every project site follows strict health and safety protocols and is staffed by experienced local teams. Volunteers receive a full briefing on arrival and are supported throughout their stay by on-site coordinators. We also check in by email in the first few days and remain available 24/7 during program periods should any issue arise.

Staying connected

WhatsApp and similar messaging apps are widely used across our project regions, so set one up before travel for easy, free contact over Wi-Fi or data, and make sure the phone is unlocked before departure. Remember your child may be in the field, out on surveys, or asleep across a time zone, so allow a little space and trust that they will check in when they can.

Travel preparation and risk

Every program is supported by a comprehensive risk assessment and a detailed action plan, developed with our local partners and reviewed regularly. These plans cover medical emergencies, wildlife safety, extreme weather and evacuation. Comprehensive travel insurance covering volunteer activities is a condition of joining any program.

Arrangements for 17-year-olds

All program staff hold the required permits, police checks and clearances, and during scheduled activities a 17-year-old receives the same structured guidance and supervision as the wider group. O2E does not provide supervision outside scheduled program workdays, so parents or guardians remain responsible for their child's time, transport and personal safety outside the program.

Standard hostel dormitories are shared with adult volunteers and travellers, so they are not suitable for an unaccompanied person under 18. Where a 17-year-old travels with a responsible adult we may be able to arrange an accommodation upgrade at additional cost, or families may organise their own. Before confirming a place, we speak with the participant and their parent or guardian to make sure the program, accommodation and level of independence are appropriate.

Parent FAQs

Do volunteers need insurance?: Yes. Every O2E volunteer must have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, trip cancellations and participation in volunteer activities. It is a condition of joining any program.
How are volunteers supervised?: Each project has an experienced local coordinator or team leader responsible for safety briefings, program guidance and day-to-day support during scheduled activities. O2E supervision applies during scheduled program workdays and activities only.
What happens in an emergency?: Every project has a risk and emergency action plan, with access to local medical services, evacuation procedures and 24/7 emergency support from O2E during program periods. Volunteers receive local emergency contacts in their Information Guide before departure.
What if my child has concerns or something goes wrong?: We ask volunteers to speak up early and often. They can talk to their project coordinator, email our team or call us at any time. For participants under 18, we may also contact a parent or guardian where there is a safety or wellbeing concern.
Can I contact O2E directly?: Yes. For general queries, email is best and is checked regularly. For urgent concerns, use the emergency phone number in the Information Guide or message us on WhatsApp.

For more, read the full Volunteer FAQ or contact our team.

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