We understand that sending your child to volunteer overseas is a big decision. At Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, safety, ethics, and responsible care are woven into everything we do. From how our programs are run to how we support young people on their journey. This page is here to help you feel confident and informed, every step of the way.
Volunteers are generally required to be 18 and over.
We accept 17-year-old volunteers only on our marine conservation program. This program is operated directly by Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, allowing us to maintain strict safeguarding procedures and appropriate working-with-children controls. See below for more details.
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 with them directly via email in the first few days and remain available 24/7 should any issues arise.
We know it brings peace of mind to stay in touch while your child is abroad. WhatsApp and similar messaging apps are widely used across our project regions, and we recommend setting one up before travel for easy, free communication over Wi-Fi or data. Local SIM cards are readily available at most airports or phone shops in shopping centres, and staff can usually help with setup. Just make sure their phone is unlocked before departure.
Please keep in mind that your child may be working in the field, out on surveys, or spending time with new friends and may not always respond straight away. Time zone differences can also mean they’re asleep while you’re awake. Allow a little space, and trust that they’ll check in when they can.
Whether your child is caring for wildlife, restoring marine habitats, or learning conservation science in the field, they’ll gain skills and confidence that last a lifetime. These programs build independence, empathy, and global awareness and can even contribute to career or study pathways in animal care, marine biology, or environmental science.
Living and working alongside people from diverse backgrounds also encourages collaboration and adaptability, while being in nature and contributing to a greater purpose fosters resilience and self-awareness. Many past volunteers return home with a stronger sense of direction, having discovered new passions or clarified future goals. Volunteering with O2E offers a rare opportunity to grow through meaningful action, not just observation.
Every volunteer experience carries a level of risk, whether it’s travel-related, environmental, or project-based. At Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers, we take this seriously. Each of our programs is supported by a comprehensive risk assessment and a detailed action plan, developed in consultation with local partners and aligned with best practice in volunteer safety and international travel standards.
Our team regularly reviews risk protocols for each location and ensures that volunteers are briefed thoroughly on arrival. These plans cover everything from medical emergencies and wildlife safety to extreme weather and evacuation procedures. We don’t take shortcuts and we’re committed to keeping your child safe while empowering them to explore, learn, and contribute meaningfully.
You may choose to set up a power of attorney for your child while he or she is away. This can either cover specific areas or give you general powers to deal with your child’s affairs should the need arise. This means you can talk to the bank or the university should the need arise.
Ensure that your child knows that they shouldn’t hesitate to contact you if they run into any problems. Some children are too embarrassed or afraid to call home until things have gone wrong. Open the lines of communication with your child and make them feel that you are always there to listen and assist them should they require it, no matter what happens on their travels.
We’re always here to support you and your child before, during, and after their trip.
For general questions or non-urgent matters, please email us. Our team monitors the inbox closely and will respond promptly.
In case of an emergency, refer to the O2E emergency phone number listed in your child’s Information Guide. This number is available 24/7 during program periods.
WhatsApp is also a useful option for urgent messages or quick check-ins, especially when calling internationally.
As with your child, we ask that you allow for time zone differences and in-field work schedules when waiting for a reply. If something feels truly urgent, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.
All program staff hold the required permits, police checks and relevant clearances. During scheduled program activities, 17-year-old participants receive the same structured guidance, support and supervision as the wider volunteer group.
It is important to understand that O2E does not provide supervision outside scheduled program workdays or activities. Parents or guardians remain responsible for deciding whether the young person is mature and confident enough to manage their own time, transport and personal safety outside the program.
Accommodation also requires additional planning. The program’s standard hostel dormitories are shared with adult volunteers and other adult travellers, so they are not suitable for an unaccompanied person under 18.
Where a 17-year-old is travelling with a responsible adult, we may be able to arrange an accommodation upgrade at a nearby hostel. This will involve an additional cost. Alternatively, families may organise their own suitable accommodation and accept responsibility for those arrangements.
Some 17-year-olds are experienced, independent travellers, and their families may be comfortable with them managing their own time outside the program. We respect that decision, provided the parent or guardian clearly understands where O2E’s supervision begins and ends.
Participants are welcome to join optional social activities and spend time with the volunteer group outside program hours. These activities are voluntary and are not supervised program activities.
Before confirming a place, we will speak with the participant and their parent or guardian to ensure the program, accommodation and level of independence are appropriate.
Do volunteers need insurance? Yes. All O2E volunteers are required to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, trip cancellations, and participation in volunteer activities. This 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. Volunteers are expected to follow all project rules and instructions.
O2E accepts 17-year-olds only on our marine conservation program, which we operate directly. This allows us to maintain strict safeguarding procedures and working-with-children controls. All relevant staff hold the required permits, police checks and clearances.
Please note that O2E supervision applies during scheduled program workdays and activities only. We are not responsible for participants outside these hours.
What happens in an emergency? Every project has a risk and emergency action plan, including access to local medical services, evacuation procedures and 24/7 emergency support from O2E. Volunteers receive local emergency contacts in their Information Guide before departure.
During program hours, the project team will respond according to the relevant emergency procedures. Outside program hours, volunteers and, where applicable, their parent or guardian remain responsible for personal decisions and arrangements.
What if my child has concerns or something goes wrong? We encourage all volunteers to speak up early and often. If something doesn’t feel right, we want to know, not after the fact. Volunteers can talk to their project coordinator, email our team, or call us directly at any time.
For participants under 18, we may also contact their parent or guardian where there is a safety or wellbeing concern.
Can I contact O2E directly? Absolutely. For general queries, email is best and is checked regularly by our support team. For urgent concerns, use the emergency phone number provided in the Information Guide or contact us via WhatsApp.
Looking for more answers? Visit our full Volunteer FAQ page for more information.
