“I AM CLEARLY ADDICTED TO NATURE CORPS AND SIMPLY CANNOT GET ENOUGH!”
- Ruth. H
All-Inclusive
Too busy to pack your gear? No worries. You’ll have the option to have everything ready when you arrive.
Rejuvenating
It’s more than volunteering, it’s a vacation too! Culinary treats, wine pairing, photography, nature walks, all to help you savor the Yosemite experience.
Rewarding
This is like no other experience. You will come for a volunteer weekend, but leave the legacy of a lifetime.
It’s an experience that will leave you with a lifetime of memories and personal rewards .
What makes Nature Corps so different?
Taking a Big Sur volunteer vacation is truly one of the most memorable experiences you can have. While a majority of organizations focus solely on volunteering, our award-winning program places equal emphasis on the vacationing aspect of your volunteer vacation. Our greatest desire is to provide you with a well-rounded and fulfilling experience as you leave your personal legacy in this spectacular natural wonder.
For over 30 years, Nature Corps has designed volunteer vacations with you in mind. We make all the arrangements so that you don’t have to. Our goal is to provide you with a “glamping” volunteer vacation that will leave you with new friends and a lifetime of cherished memories of this multi-faceted Big Sur volunteer vacation.
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Our all-inclusive volunteer vacation give you the opportunity to go behind the scenes with park staff to help preserve Big Sur's fragile ecosystems. You will meet quality people, who like you, are eager to leave their personal legacies in this world-renowned natural treasures. Led by Nature Corps staff, these professionally guided voluntours help the California State Park achieve critical conservation projects that are too large to complete without volunteer support.
Approximately half of the Big Sur volunteer vacation is devoted to preserving these national treasures, while the rest of the expedition is set aside for enjoying the park. Our experienced naturalists will lead you on a variety of recreational activities including photography/nature walks, fishing, strolling on moonlight walks, visiting vista points overlooking the pacific, and picnicking on beautiful white sand beaches. After a full day of exploring the great outdoors, you will enjoy cooking demonstrations and wine pairings as you prepare to satisfy your appetite on the savory aromas and hearty dishes prepared by our talented chefs. These exciting volunteer vacations can be part of a rewarding experience that will provide you, and family and friends with a lifetime of cherished memories.
Why Big Sur needs you
The Big Sur Coast offers one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world. From the crashing waves that pound the Big Sur cliffs to the teaming waters of the popular Monterey Bay, millions of visitors from around the globe come for an unforgettable vacation as they explore California's world-renowned coastlines.
To protect this unique biome, go behind the scenes with the California State Parks to preserve Big Sur's iconic coast and become the park's most esteemed VIP.
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The California State Parks turns to agencies such as Nature Corps to recruit and organize volunteer groups to preserve Big Sur's iconic coast and woodland habitats. Your participation will help the park service achieve critical conservation projects that are too large to complete without volunteer support.
Volunteers are urgently needed to help on a variety of habitat restoration projects including collecting seed of native flora, propagating seeds in the park nursery, and out-planting and irrigating newly planted vegetation to restore the most impacted habitat along the Big Sur coast. Your involvement is vital to the region’s ecosystems and the wildlife they support.
Through our Big Sur voluntours, you will have a unique opportunity to work along park biologist to preserve this unique habitat and leave your personal conservation legacy in this spectacular state park.
“Thanks for the work you do and for creating a platform that makes it possible for us to give back to the parks. I feel uniquely connected to the parks now – more so than just from a casual visit. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.”
“The three days surpassed our expectations on all counts: the beauty, the photography walks, the meals and especially the comradery of people. Overall, a fantastic experience"
- Cliff M., MD.
“There are certain milestones in your life like getting married and having a child and then doing something really special like this."
- Jeff L.
“What a great way to experience the beauty of the Big Sur coast!! This past weekend really re-fueled my spirit and reminded me how much I love being in the outdoors. I’m eternally grateful for this opportunity.”
- Katherine H.
What is included in the voluntour
Program contributions include park entrance fees, camping fees, all meals, the chefs, cooking demonstrations and wine pairings, guides, photography nature walk, and Nature Corps t-shirt and water bottle.
Your contributions are tax-deductible and the proceeds from you vacation support our veteran and low-income student volunteers.
Registration
(with employer matching gift*)
EmployeeMatching Gifts are donations an employer makes to match its employees' charitable contributions. Usually associated with corporate grantmakers, employee matching gifts often are dollar-for-dollar, but some companies will give double or even triple the original donation. Ask your company’s volunteer coordinator or community engagement officer if your employer offers has a matching gift program.
Registration fees do not include transportation to or in the park
*Initially, company matching-gift registrations will be charged the full tuition. Your contribution will be adjusted to the matching gift price once you forward an email from your employer confirming you have applied for a matching gift.
A Welcome Packet with Voluntour information will be sent in a confirmation email after you’ve registered.
Schedule
Day 1
The excursion begins at 3 pm at our secluded base camp in the beautifully wooded Big Sur Campground. After everyone has settled in, we will enjoy a festive dinner under California’s star studded skies. After dinner, we will hike up to Buzzards Roost to watch the sun set into the glowing pacific. We’ll return to our base camp to gather around the evening campfire and savor warm drinks and desserts as we discuss our schedule of activities for the week.
Day 2
After preparing for our day in the field, we will gather for a hearty breakfast buffet. Once we arrive at the project site, park biologists will provide further information and direct us on this important conservation effort to restore Big Sur’s unique ecosystems. The project will wrap up by early afternoon at which time we will head back to camp for an entertaining cooking demonstration and delicious dinner.
After our scrumptious dinner we will drive south on Highway 1 to Partington Cove, a little visited area but very beautiful section of Big Sur. From there we will head further south to photograph beautiful McWay Falls, the only waterfall in Big Sur that spills into the Pacific. Upon our return we will enjoy wine tasting and chocolate pairing around the campfire, a fitting way to conclude the day with laughter and great conversations.
Day 3
After waking up to the savory aromas of a bountiful breakfast, we will prepare for our day in the field. Today we will hike out to the spectacular cliffs and coastlines at Pfeiffer State Beach to enjoy a photography workshop. There are amazing coastal features and beautiful beaches where we can relax and take in the sites. After enjoying our last hike together we’ll gather for a Farewell Ceremony and reflect upon our shared experiences on this extraordinary volunteer vacation.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Schedule
Day 1
The excursion begins at 3 pm at our secluded base camp in the beautifully wooded Big Sur Campground. After everyone has settled in, we will enjoy a festive dinner under California’s star studded skies. After dinner, we will hike up to Buzzards Roost to watch the sun set into the glowing pacific. We’ll return to our base camp to gather around the evening campfire and savor warm drinks and desserts as we discuss our schedule of activities for the week.
Schedule
Day 2
After preparing for our day in the field, we will gather for a hearty breakfast buffet. Once we arrive at the project site, park biologists will provide further information and direct us on this important conservation effort to restore Big Sur’s unique ecosystems. The project will wrap up by early afternoon at which time we will head back to camp for an entertaining cooking demonstration and delicious dinner.
After our scrumptious dinner we will drive south on Highway 1 to Partington Cove, a little visited area but very beautiful section of Big Sur. From there we will head further south to photograph beautiful McWay Falls, the only waterfall in Big Sur that spills into the Pacific. Upon our return we will enjoy wine tasting and chocolate pairing around the campfire, a fitting way to conclude the day with laughter and great conversations.
Schedule
Day 3
After waking up to the savory aromas of a bountiful breakfast, we will prepare for our day in the field. Today we will hike out to the spectacular cliffs and coastlines at Pfeiffer State Beach to enjoy a photography workshop. There are amazing coastal features and beautiful beaches where we can relax and take in the sites. After enjoying our last hike together we’ll gather for a Farewell Ceremony and reflect upon our shared experiences on this extraordinary volunteer vacation.
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Day 3
Your excursion begins in the heart of Yosemite Valley. After settling in, we will enjoy a festive dinner and meet with park staff for an overview of our upcoming adventure. Afterward, we will hike to Mirror Lake Meadow to get an incredible view of Half Dome, one of the most dramatic displays of granite formation in the Sierra Nevada. After our hike, we’ll gather around the evening campfire to savor one of our chef’s delectable desserts.
Day 1
Your excursion begins in the heart of Yosemite Valley. After settling in, we will enjoy a festive dinner and meet with park staff for an overview of our upcoming adventure. Afterward, we will hike to Mirror Lake Meadow to get an incredible view of Half Dome, one of the most dramatic displays of granite formation in the Sierra Nevada. After our hike, we’ll gather around the evening campfire to savor one of our chef’s delectable desserts.