Top volunteer trips abroad for 17 year olds

Volunteer Experiences / 24 September 2025

With so many options available around the world it’s often hard to pick the right trip for you. We’ve spoken to volunteers who have chosen to join a Pod trip overseas in all parts of the world to pin down the top 5 volunteer projects for 17 years olds! These trips not only allow you to explore new locations, meet new friends + make unforgettable memories on your first solo adventures abroad but also help around the world!

Volunteering with Pod Volunteer is also an exciting way to complete your DofE Gold Residential award.

Here is the run down of our top volunteer trips for 17 year old:

Find out all about the trips and hear from recent volunteers below:

1. Turtle and Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica

Sophie joined our Turtle and Wildlife Conservation project in Costa Rica during July which is turtle nesting season, so she was able to head out on the beaches at night to find new turtle nests as well as help exotic wildlife conservation. She met new friends from around the world who she lived with, cooked evening meals and explored the local beaches and waterfalls together.

Here all about Sophie’s trip to Costa Rica here:

“Volunteering with the turtle conservation was honestly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The project gave me the chance to be surrounded by nature and contribute to protecting endangered sea turtles.

One of the most enjoyable moments for me was releasing some of the baby turtles into the ocean for the first time. Watching these tiny baby’s make their way to the sea was both emotional and rewarding. Night patrols along the beach to protect nesting mothers and helped relocate their eggs to the safety of the hatchery, was one of the best experiences as it was so satisfactory The work was physical and sometimes tiring, but it felt incredibly meaningful.

Aside from turtle work, I helped with wildlife monitoring, including birds, butterflies, and crocodilians. I also got to explore the nearby beaches, whale watching and waterfalls on my day off, which made the experience even more special.

The team at Pod was super supportive from the start, both before and during the trip. The accommodation was simple but comfortable, and I really enjoyed the sense of community with other volunteers — we cooked, ate, and worked together, and I made some great friends.

If you’re looking for something a little different and want to make a real impact while being surrounded by nature, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It challenged me, inspired me, and gave me memories I’ll have forever.”

2. U18 Turtle and Marine Conservation in Greece

Each summer Pod Volunteer run special 1 week trip to Greece which allow 16 and 17 year old to help the island charity protect turtle nests, release baby turtles and support conservation. It’s a truly meaningful project to join as you will join interactive conservation presentations, explore the stunning island of Kefalonia, help endangered turtles and not forgetting make lots of new friends!

It's not all hard work - the team visit caves, beaches, olive mills and coastal towns during their time off, making the most of living on the stunning island of Kefalonia.

Aaliyah shares her experiences of the trip: “Wow, Wow, Wow! What an amazing trip! Life changing and affirming. I have met some of the most incredible people who will be friends for life.

The whole experience was phenomenal. The organisation of Alex, Gemma and the Pod volunteer team was second to none. Everything was taken care of, collection from the airport, educational presentations, food, trips out to the capital, the caves, a music festival, olive oil tasting.

Early morning beach surveys, snorkelling surveys and the opportunity to observe turtles in their natural habitat and provide a positive environmental impact was just wonderful.

I would recommend this trip - Turtle Conservation in Kefalonia to anyone. If you can go, please do as you will have the experience of a lifetime. I am looking forward to trying another trip with Pod Volunteer.”

3. Elephant and Wildlife Conservation in Sri Lanka

Travelling to the tropical island of Sri Lanka is a real adventure and gets you truly off the beaten path and following elephant footsteps! On this trip you get to learn make new friends from around the world, about the local culture and wildlife from the amazing charity team. Waking up at dawn for bird surveys, tracking elephants in the forest, speaking to local farmers then ending the day watching the sunset over the lake each day on the Elephant and Wildlife Conservation trip is full of new experiences to write home about.

Harry and Louis were both 17 years old when they joined the team in Sri Lanka over the summer.

“This was an incredible experience eye-opening and extremely interesting I learnt many things about the culture and mostly about elephants and their behaviours etc. The whole experience was very smooth from the transfer being there when we arrived and everyone being very lovely. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an adventure of a lifetime.”

“I had an extraordinary stay, I discovered and learned so many things! All the guides are very attentive and the organisation is perfect. I hope to be able to do this type of trip again!”

4. Big 5 Conservation in South Africa

If you dream of spending your days out in a jeep on safari tracking the famous Africa Big 5 then this is project for you! Not only do you get to explore the vast wildlife reserve you will also support local communities by getting involved in gardening, sports coaching and helping local dogs too. Our volunteers help monitor and track the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard) which lives on the reserve on their doorstep as well as maintain their natural habitat.

It’s a real adventure to experience life living on a wildlife reserve with this incredible wildlife as your neighbour. You can join your new friends exploring the coast, surfing, sky diving or exploring the local towns. Evenings are spent you’re your new friends around the bbq and watching the infamous golden African sunsets!

Marion joined the group of volunteers at the Big 5 Conservation team this summer.

“Wonderful time! These few days have been full of discoveries in the reserve and in the villages nearby. The volunteering was wonderful, a perfect mix of community work in villages and conservation in a beautiful reserve.”

5. Elephant Care and Research in South Africa

Heading to our Elephant Care and Research project in South Africa allows you to help African elephants and learn so much about them. It’s a fantastic project to meet people from all around the world and explore the famour garden route during your free time. Walking with the majestic elephants and helping care of them is a truly special experience.

Fergus and Mina headed out to join the project this summer and they share their experiences here:

“This was my first time volunteering abroad alone and Pod Volunteer couldn't have been any more organised and supportive of trip to South Africa. I had the most incredible time with the elephants and made many unforgettable memories. I would definitely recommend Pod Volunteer and the Elephant Care and Research in South Africa to anyone interested in nature conservation and animals!”

“I had a very great time looking by after the elephants, and was able to learn some new things about the elephants. The people were very kind and I loved meeting them and then the guides as well. The activities were engaging and I was able to engage in new hands on activities. I also was able to cook for myself which I liked a lot”