Volunteer Manager Training - Jungle Camp

As part of our training as Volunteer Managers, we were split into groups and issued with our kit for the three days - tents, trangias, food, radios and of course maps. We were given our grid reference and with fully loaded back packs headed off into the surrounding hills to find our camp for the night. A few hours and rain showers later we arrived in a small village where we set up our tents on the football pitch.

The next day we were up at 4am to make breakfast, clear up camp and leave without a trace. We then trekked back down into the valley to a river. Here we practiced two different types of river crossings - the huddle and the v rope.

Zoe, Chloe, Rachel and Wendell crossing the river using the huddle technique - a strong, supportive structure
Wendell and Rachel prepare for the river crossing...
...while David and Julian grab the chance for a 1-2-1 on the rocks
Lisa crossing the river using the V Rope technique
Wendell, Lisa and Ben anchoring the V rope on one side of the river
Laura, Gemma and Sarah anchoring the rope
Gemma crosses the river while Tim protects his head from the sun
Zoe loved her river crossing!
Carl crossing the river
Laura making it across
Julian jet skiing
Ross doing his particular style of 'BayWatch' river crossing
Alex, the last one over, wades across as the team wind in the rope

After the river crossing we trekked for about an hour to find our jungle camp. Here Ross taught us about how to set up basha beds and hammocks and how to set up camp in a jungle area.

Then after a night with creepy crawlies in the jungle we woke at 4:30am cleared up camp and began trekking back to field base. However on route we had a practice Casualty evacuation with Lisa and Alex pretending to be the casualties with broken legs. We had to stretcher carry then back to field base where they were magically cured by a mysterious vulture!

Tomorrow the PMs head out on the project planning visits throughout Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Sarah (me!) will be driving out with one of the treks so Oli and Rachel will be looking after the blog till my return.

Today’s weather

Temp 29°C
Real feel 41°C
Mostly sunny
Humidity 71%

Hello zero this is alpha one over................

Its been a busy week of training for the new project managers. We started with radio training. Firstly we learned the theory of how high frequency radios worked followed by how to give a SITREP (situation report). Then we were given radio packs and had to find a suitable local location to set up the radio and send our first exciting SITREP to field base! This involves getting the aerial about 5- 10 meters in the air, normally over a tree branch, and extending the leads to the right length for the channel while facing the direction of field base.

Lisa, Chloe, Wendell and Tim practicing with the radio

Tim and Carl setting up the aerial
Lisa and Zoe connecting the battery
Then we tackled first aid training lead by our two medics Lisa and Ben. We learned how to prevent common problems like dehydration, how to give CPR and place someone in the recovery position followed by a guide on how to give vital injections.

Lisa demonstrating CPR on Wendell
Lisa putting Alex into the recovery position
Carl learning to inject a banana!
In the afternoon we did health and safety training with a difference. We were split into teams and performed sections of the health and safety manual as skits. Team 1, Zoe, Ben, Chloe and Wendell taught us about Travel and Transport with a very special rendition of the wheels on the bus!
Team 2, Bec, Lisa, Sarah and Carl did a skit about wildlife involving Carl being attacked by a snake around the camp fire!
Team 3, Rachel, Gemma, Alex and David created a musical based on the Cultural and environmental impact and how this can be minimised.
Next we headed off to jungle camp......more on that later!

Today's weather

Temp 21°C
Real feel 19°C
Cloudy
Humidity 90%

¡Feliz Día del Padre!...

...or Happy Father’s Day!

The project managers, Carl, Ben, Alex, Zoe, Gemma, Laura and Chloe have all arrived safe and sound at field base and are settling into their new home. Here are a few Father’s Day messages from the team -

From Rachel
Dear Dad,
Happy Fathers Day – As always eternal thank yous for your support and advice, you’re always such a rock and manage to help me through the tough times. Hope you’ve managed to get all your endnotes completed and are ready to start your research for the novel! I’ve got a long list of good books for you to try :-)… Make sure you take some time to relax, very proud of you and can’t wait to read the new book – I definitely want a copy sending out!! lots of love Rache xxxxx

From Gemma
Happy Father’s Day Dad. Love Gemma x

From Carl
Happy Father’s Day Dad! Thanks for the Rugby League scores, looks like Leeds were lucky and Quins RL had an off day. Love Carl

From Laura
Happy Father’s Day Dad. Love Laura x

From Sarah
Happy Father’s Day pops. Thanks for all your help and support, loans etc!!!!! I’m loving Sarah’s little home town blog, a little taste of home in Costa Rica. Lots of Love Sarah xxx

From Lisa
Hey Dad. Thanks for being the best dad. Love you, Lisa.

From Zoe
Happy Father’s Day Papa! Thinking of you. Safe and sound, very exciting! Je vous aime. Bisous a tous. Zoe

From Guy
Neil, enjoy a well earned beer. Guy.

Today's weather -

Temp 21°C
Real feel 26°C
Mostly cloudy with heavy rain
Humidity 97%