Join our special trip to Greece for 16 & 17 year olds

We are delighted to announce an extra date for our special U18 Turtle and Marine Conservation trip to Greece in 2025! 

After our July and August 2025 trips became fully booked in record time, we very excited to be able to offer an additional trip date. If you are 16 or 17 years old then you can join the 1 week hands-on conservation volunteer experience on the 6th August 2025. 

The trip focuses on the conservation of sea turtles and coastal ecosystems and is an amazing opportunity to monitor turtle nests, survey turtles and their habitats. You will be based on the stunning Greek island of Kefalonia which has sandy beaches, friendly locals and warm crystal blue waters. 

This is a fully supported group trip with Pod leaders from the UK living onsite with the group. The trip has been developed to allow participants to gain new life skills and return home with a deeper understanding of marine environments and the pressures that humans place on the natural world.  

How long is it and when does it take place?

The trip is 1 week long and starts on 6th August 2025. 

Can I join for my DofE Gold Residential award? 

Yes, this placement has been approved by the DofE as meeting the requirements for the Residential section of the Gold Award. Pod Volunteer is an Approved Activity Provider for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) and we will complete your assessors report online at the end of your trip.  

I don’t have any experience with research or conservation, can I still join? 

You don’t need any conservation or research experience to join, as you will be taught everything you need to know when you arrive. You will attend conservation presentations where the team will explain the research and how your work will help.

While you are on the island you’ll learn about turtle physiology, behaviours, habitat, the threats that they face as a species and what you can do to help protect them.

As part of the research, the team will snorkel to survey the seagrass meadows so you will need to be able to swim and you should try snorkelling out before you join. If you haven’t snorkelled before you can either head to the beach or your local swimming pool to give it a try, it’s incredible to explore the underwater world! 

Can I join with friends? 

Absolutely, this is a lovely project to join with friends. If coming on your own, you'll find there are lots of other solo travellers too and you will quickly settle in and make friends.

I’m not from the UK, can I still join?

Yes, any nationality can join this project! 

What support will there be for the group? 

This is a fully supported placement with 3 dedicated leaders from the UK. The leaders meet the group on arrival at the airport in Kefalonia and stay at the campsite with the group all week, available 24/7. It's an ideal trip for first time travellers. 

Hear from our recent volunteers and their parents here

May - volunteer on our 2024 trip “From the moment I signed up to volunteer with pod, I felt fully supported and any questions I asked were quickly answered. I joined the under eighteens turtle conservation project, it was my first time travelling alone, and the experience has been amazing. One of our leader met us off the plane at the airport, immediately welcoming and they were all really helpful from then right to the end of the week, making sure I had managed to make it through the airport alright. The whole experience, from booking to actually volunteering was straightforward and amazing. It's definitely an experience I will take with me for life.” 

Colette - Parent from our 2024 group - "My daughter loved the trip. The organisation both in the run up to trip and during the visit was excellent with fantastic leaders. Elise has talked so much about the conservation activities and everything she has learnt. Supporting hatching turtles to make their way to the sea was clearly an highlight! Such an amazing experience for a first trip abroad (without parents) which will leave lifelong memories."

Head over to our Under 18 Turtle and Marine Conservation page to find out all about the project and how you can join - www.podvolunteer.org/projects/turtle-and-marine-conservation-u18-trip