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Location
  • Scotland
Length
2 to 4 weeks
Project Types
Climate Change Youth Conservation Environmental Conservation Reforestation

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
24
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter
Housing
Tent
Groups
Small Group (1-15)

Pricing

Starting Price
0
Price Details
2 Weeks $1,295
4 weeks $2,355
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Domestic Airfare
Sep 29, 2023
Mar 09, 2022
Wish List
11 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Contribute to sustainable projects through Raleigh International’s first UK volunteer program – Re:Green.

In 2021, we launched a new program designed to increase your skills, knowledge, and ability to directly address the climate emergency. Using our expertise in youth leadership and youth environmental campaigning, we partner with a recognized conservation organization to deliver this vital piece of work.

Re:Green is a conservation and youth leadership programme for 18-24-year-olds taking place in remote areas of Scotland on 2 and 4-week placements. You will help restore Scottish rainforests, get a crash course on climate campaigning, and take on some of the UK’s most challenging and beautiful terrains on an 11-day adventure leadership trek.

Raleigh Expedition is an international volunteering program delivered by the youth-driven development charity, Raleigh International. We have been developing and providing responsible volunteer programs for over 35 years.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with Raleigh International for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

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Re:Green Logo
Volunteers on trek in Scotland
Volunteers relaxing by a warming camp fire
Volunteers trekking by a beautiful serene lake
Volunteers removing invasive species during the environmental project
Volunteers preserving Scottish rainforest and ancient woodlands
Volunteers preparing a healthy dinner
Volunteers creating a wooden support for tree planting
A volunteer enjoying the beautiful view over the Scottish Highlands
Volunteers wild camping in Scotland

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Program Highlights

  • Work directly with experienced environmentalists to improve your conservation skills
  • Develop your campaign and social action skills so that you can continue your important work
  • Challenge yourself on an exciting youth leadership trek through the Scottish Highlands.
  • Support and take part in the removal of invasive plant species, restoration, rewilding green spaces, tree-planting, habitat and wildlife monitoring, as well as trail maintenance.
  • After the program be invited to join our global campaign Action Not Excuses

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
George
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Raleigh Re:Green

Mar 9, 2022

I had no idea that Scotland had it's own rainforest! On Re:Green I worked directly with the National Trust to remove invasive species, plant new trees and protect this beautiful environment. I made new friends, learnt more about climate activism and saw some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. Because the programme was only 2 weeks and in the UK, it made it really easy to fit in alongside work, although I wish I had gone for longer now. 10/10 would recommend to anyone looking to make a difference and see some cracking views.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I was constantly surprised by just how beautiful the highlands are. Being able to work in the Scottish Rainforest to help combat the climate emergency whilst also waking up every day to see wild deer, waterfalls and peaks was incredible. I wish I had stayed longer!
74 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Frederick
24
Male
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Re:Green

Mar 9, 2022

When I joined Re:Green I was living in a homeless charity, not knowing what the future held for me. I didn't think I had any value whatsoever. During my trip I met some of the most incredible people who showed me who I really was and what I could achieve. Thanks to this programme I have found my calling and I am proud to say I now work for Raleigh International, the charity who brought this programme to life. Through them I have discovered my capability in leadership and I now aim to inspire others just as all those people did inspire me, so that we can all be our best selves.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
On day 8 or 9 of our 2 week trek through the Scottish Highlands, we had to cross a mile long bog infested area. It was my day leading the group. The route we had planned to take was not a viable option at that point so we had to go off course.
We spent about half a day trying to cover that mile because we kept getting stuck in impracticable areas. At one point one of us got stuck waist deep in a bogged pool. In that moment I thought we were going to be stranded in that bog for the rest of the trip.
Through teamwork and resilience only we managed to get clear of that area. After that morning the bond between all of us was truly formed.
68 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Even after a hard day I still look incredible
Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Frederick Melaert

Program
Volunteer in the UK and Help Fight the Climate Emergency
After experiencing the harsh reality of homelessness, Freddy was given an opportunity to go on Re:Green, a programme provided by Raleigh International set in the Scottish Highlands. Freddy is now back on his feet and currently works as Year Of Service intern at Raleigh
Frederick Melaert in a field with two other volunteers

Why did you choose this program?

I was actually offered to go on Re:Green through the charity that was housing me at the time: the Amber Foundation. The two charities had already partnered up in the past with very positives outcomes.

I guess the reason main reason I actually wanted to go was for the adventure aspect of the trip. I love being outdoors, doing physical stuff and being part of a team so this opportunity was a Godsend.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I was extremely lucky as I was granted Raleigh's access fund, which gives young people with low income the chance to go on Re:Green. Even the travel to the programme locations is mostly taken care of by Raleigh. All I had to do was prepare my personal kit and get physically ready for the trip. Both charities were all extremely helpful in that aspect: Amber provided me with the space and equipment to train while Raleigh was assisting me with all kind of enquiries and kept checking in to see how I felt.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Re:Green is just as intense as Raleigh's programmes abroad. If you want to have the best experience possible I would suggest to prepare for the diversity of activities. That being said you can always rely on your team to help you out. When I first arrived I was very apprehensive of others but very quickly we became each others pillars we could lean on.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Well, there are two types of days. On conservation (where we help a local partner in various ways) we would wake up at around 07:30 or 08:00, and have breakfast while getting a quick briefing of the day ahead. At 08:30 we would get our kit squared away and then engage in a teambuilding exercise. At 09:00 our local partner would pick us up and take us to where ever we were working that day. After a good day of work we would pack up and be back at our living quarters at around 17:00. From then some people might prepare dinner, and others will get some downtime. Dinner was always around 19:00. After clearing up and washing up we were free to do as we saw fit.

Now on a trek, it is a very different story. We would wake up as the sun would rise, get a quick breakfast and then pack up our tents and kit in our bags. We would walk on average 15 miles a day, crossing mountains, bogs, and a few rivers all the while carrying around 25 kilos on our backs. We would always stop and set camp at around 16:00 to get a good time of sunlight, enjoying a hard-earned dinner made of ration packs ( which are actually quite nice). We would then go to bed as soon as possible.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was being judged for my situation (I was still technically still homeless then). Very fortunately everyone, staff, and fellow volunteers alike were all so considerate and understanding. They made me confident enough to actually share my experience for the very first time with people who weren't in a similar situation as mine.

Location

Location:
Scotland
Currency:
English Pound
Weather:
Jan-Mar
48/34
Apr-Jun
67/43
Jul-Sep
67/48
Oct-Dec
54/34
Airports:
Aberdeen International Airport
( ABZ )
Edinburgh Airport
( EDI )
Glasgow Airport
( GLA )

Scotland is much more than its ancient castles and timeless highlands -- it’s a forward-thinking, creative, thriving country filled with some of the UK’s most vibrant cities and picturesque towns.

About Raleigh International

Raleigh International run life-enhancing journeys and transformational experiences for young people through international volunteering Expeditions to Costa Rica, Borneo, Kenya, and South Africa. At the heart of Raleigh is empowering & equipping young people to create positive change in the world. So far we have supported more than 55,000 young...

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