CVA – World Conservation Program Australia – California Youth Exchange Application Form 2009 Team 1: 18th September – 16th October (4 weeks) Team 2: 16th October – 13th November (4 weeks)
Overview of Exchange Program Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) have been exchanging teams regularly since 1988. The exchange provides an opportunity for CVA volunteers and CCC corps members to travel to a different country and experience a different culture while learning and applying conservation skills. The program offers significant learning and personal development experiences for young people, and enables each participant to represent their country with pride while helping tackle important conservation problems overseas.
Above – Australian Volunteer Team, Right – CCC team members
Project Activities This World Conservation program involves activities throughout the spectacular natural areas of California. Participants will experience a variety of projects in several scenic and urban locations. Typical activities include trail construction and maintenance, weed removal and revegetation activities. Participants will experience a diversity of natural areas while contributing their efforts to vital conservation projects. Participants will gain valuable skills as team members with the world’s longest running conservation corps program. The California Conservation Corps is funded by the Californian State Government. This World Conservation Program offers a unique opportunity to participate on CCC programs; participation is normally strictly limited to Californian residents who meet the criteria. Recreational Activities There will be plenty of exciting opportunities for site seeing and exploring. Activities may include visiting the famous coast of the Big Sur, Santa Cruz beach boardwalk and Pacific Garden Mall, a guided walk at Elkhorn Slough, or hiking through Yosemite National Park. Recreational activities outside the organised program are undertaken at participants own cost and risk. Program Fee The cost to each participant to cover meals, accommodation, and project-related travel for the duration of the program is AUD$1,000 per person. Participants will also be required to purchase their own airfare along with medical and travel insurance.
World Conservation Program Application Form
Name Address Suburb: Contact Number Email Address Work) State: home) Post Code: mobile)
Date of Birth Relationship of Emergency Contact Provide details of the person you would want us to contact in the event of an emergency during your placement. Name of Emergency Contact Relationship of emergency contact Phone Number of Emergency Contact Work) Program Information How did you hear about the program? home) mobile)
Why do you want to participate on this World Conservation Program? What are you most looking forward to?
What do you think you will get out of this particular project?
Have you volunteered before? Describe what you did. What did you like and dislike about your previous volunteer experiences?
Have you taken part on a CVA project before? Please state when, where and what you did.
What do you consider to be your good and bad points when thinking about living and participating as a team member? – try to be objective.
Travel Have you ever lived or travelled overseas? Yes/No
If yes, please specify where and when, and who you travelled with.
Personal Reference Please provide the name and contact number of someone(not a relative) who can describe your work, study or social activities, e.g employer, teacher, volunteer coordinator
Additional Information Do you have any medical conditions, allergies, disabilities or pre existing injuries that may affect your participation? Yes No
If yes, Please provide details (e.g. Asthma): A Conservation Volunteers Australia employee will contact you to
discuss the condition with you.
In relation to any disclosed condition, please provide details of your personal management plan etc. Please provide details of your Management Plan and Emergency Action Plan: (E.g. Management Plan – avoiding dust and pollen, carry medication at all times. Emergency Action Plan – seek medical assistance if having an asthma attack.)
(Please discuss with Conservation Volunteers Australia staff or attach details on a separate sheet of paper if necessary) Please provide details of any special dietary requirements you may have e.g. vegetarian/vegan. Food allergies etc…
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS If my application is successful CVA requires a non-refundable full payment of $1,000 within 21 days. If it becomes necessary to cancel my booking, I will notify Conservation Volunteers Australia immediately. My cancellation is effective from the date CVA receives it. CVA has not assessed the safety of any recreational options and therefore does not endorse or recommend any activity that may be available. I am responsible for holding a current passport that will remain current 6 months after my arrival. I am responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and costs associated with visa requirements. Food, travel and accommodation will not be provided outside the specific program dates. I am responsible for providing my own travel and medical insurance, covering the activities and duration of this CVA program. I have declared any medical conditions, allergies and pre existing injuries to CVA. I am responsible for obtaining any vaccinations for the chosen program. CVA and the host agencies take all care in program planning but no responsibility will be accepted for any variation due to circumstances beyond their control. I shall not be paid to participate in the program - I am a volunteer and not an employee of CVA or the host agency. I agree to abide by the rules and requirements of the host organization. I realize that failure to do so may result in me being asked to leave the program, in which case I will not be eligible for a refund. CVA requires all volunteers to act responsibly for their own safety and that of others. I will cover my own expenses during free time activities. World Conservation Programs involve physical activity and may take place in extreme weather conditions and / or remote locations. CVA advises that all volunteers must be in good health and excellent physical condition. In the event of a delay, cancellation or change of itinerary, CVA reserves the right to cancel any program prior to departure (including, but not limited to, by reason of too few bookings) in which case participants will be given a full refund. CVA is not responsible for any costs resulting from such cancellation (including, but not limited to, visa, passport and vaccination charges, gear purchases, airport or airline fares or charges). CVA reserves the right to increase quoted program prices in the event of unforeseen fluctuations in exchange currencies. Participants will be notified in writing of any price increase. Price quoted includes a program management and development fee. I agree to comply unconditionally with the above terms and detailed on this application. Signature: __________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Privacy Statement: This information is required by CVA to safely implement projects under its management and to better serve volunteers and project partners. Not supplying all the required information may result in the non acceptance of your application. This information will be stored in a secure manner in accordance with the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000. This information will be disclosed only to those responsible for the implementation of CVA managed projects and includes transferring the information outside of Australia. For more information on the information collected, used and stored by CVA, please contact CVA’s Privacy Officer.
Please return your completed application form to: Post: WCP Program Manager Conservation Volunteers Australia California Exchange PO Box 423 Ballarat VIC 3353 Australia Fax: 03 5330 2922 or Email: bookings@cva.org.au