Accomodations

Cost of accommodations?

As long as we have space for you in our volunteer accommodation, this is free.

How is cooking handled?

The main accommodation has a small kitchen with a fridge, stove, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker. Often, volunteers choose to purchase food collectively, and share cooking responsibilities. If you share any food with other volunteers, do be mindful that food costs are more expensive here, and be sure you are contributing your fair share of the costs. Here is an example of typical food and toiletry costs:

Grocery Item - CI$ Cayman Island Currency | US$ US Currecy

Baked Beans - Heinz (24oz) .......... CI$ 1.99 | US$ 2.43
Batteries - pack of 4 (AA) .......... CI$ 3.49 | US$ 4.26
Beer - pack of six .......... CI$ 9.50 | US$ 11.87
Bread - fresh whole wheat loaf .......... CI$ 2.89 | US$ 3.52
Basmati Rice (32oz) .......... CI$ 4.45 | US$ 5.56
Cereal - Kellogg's (12oz) .......... CI$ 3.45 | US$ 4.31
Chicken - whole roaster .......... (CI$1.69 per lb) CI$ 9.50 | US$ 11.59
Cigarettes - per pack (20) .......... CI$ 5.00 | US$ 7.00
Coca Cola - 6 pack cans .......... CI$ 3.39 | US$ 4.24
Coffee - Nescafe (200g) .......... CI$ 6.49 | US$ 7.91
Disposable diapers - Huggies (28) .......... CI$ 14.99 | US$ 18.28
Eggs - imported free range (6) .......... CI$ 3.75 | US$ 4.57
Ice Cream - Haagen Daz (1 pint) .......... CI$ 4.75 | US$ 5.79
Laundry Detergent (36 loads) .......... CI$ 16.99 | US$ 20.72
Milk 2% (1/2 gallon) .......... CI$ 3.09 | US$ 3.77
Shampoo (13 fl oz) .......... CI$ 3.99 | US$ 4.87
Razor Blades (Mac 3 x 5) .......... CI$ 9.89 | US$ 12.06
Filet Mignon (2 steaks. CI$18.99lb) .......... CI$ 15.98 | US$ 19.48
Soap bar (pack of 2) .......... CI$ 4.35 | US$ 5.44
Still water - Evian (1.5 litre) .......... CI$ 3.05 | US$ 3.72
Tampax - Super (pack of 40) .......... CI$ 8.39 | US$ 10.23
Toilet paper (pack of 4) .......... CI$ 2.99 | US$ 3.74
Tuna (5oz can) .......... CI$ 2.09 | US$ 2.79
Wine - (table 750ml) .......... CI$ 20.00 | US$ 24.39
Yoghurt - natural (32oz) .......... CI$ 3.63 | US$ 4.43
Sugar (2lb) .......... CI$ 1.27 | US$ 1.55
Tomato soup - Campbell's (11oz) .......... CI$ 1.77 | US$ 2.16
Dog food (16lb dry pellets) .......... CI$ 22.99 | US$ 28.74
Cat food (5oz can) .......... CI$ 0.75 | US$ 0.91
Toothpaste (6oz tube) .......... CI$ 4.29 | US$ 5.23

Must I bring towels and bedding?

Not unless you prefer to use your own!

What are the sleeping quarters?

Sleeping accommodation is limited, and is the main constraint on how many volunteers we can accommodate at any one time. For this reason it is quite likely you will be sharing a room with two single beds, with a member of the same sex (or as a couple). You may also be expected to do some rustic camping in our new protected area, where there is limited access to fresh water.

What if I have a traveling partner?

Couples (of any kind) are welcome if both partners are willing and able to join in the voluntary work. You should both apply separately, but indicate your connection with each other.

What laundry facilities are available?

A small washing machine is available at the volunteer house. There Is a clothesline for air drying your clothes.

Communication

Is there cell phone access?

Some do, some don't - it depends on which provider you use at home. Check http://www.time4lime.com/ky/personal/mobile/roaming.jsp
and http://www.digicelcayman.com/en/coverage_roaming to get information relevant to your particular phone and provider. Alternately, if your phone is quad band, you could purchase a sim card here from either Lime (http://www.time4lime.com/ky/) or Digicel http://www.digicelcayman.com) and use their pre-payed rates. An international texts costs 20 cents, and all incoming texts and calls are free.

You will have access to a BIRP issued cell phone for BIRP related local commnications only. Under no circumstances may anyone change out the sim card or make outgoing international calls or texts. You may give this number to your family if they occasionally need to call you, but its main purpose is for shared BIRP communications.

Is there internet access?

Most options for volunteer accommodation do not have internet connection, so you should not expect to have routine access to internet and email. There are several internet cafes in town, some within walking distance of the volunteer house. There is also wireless access at our captive breeding facility, which is 15 minutes drive. Other options for internet access may be available on an occasional basis or for emergencies. If you do not want to bring your computer, there is an internet café in town (within a mile of the volunteer house) that provides computers and charges approx $5 CI / Hour for internet access.

My cell phone doesn't work while traveling- is there a solution?

Program staff are always happy to help if this becomes a problem, we won't insist you fall into a communications black hole! But if you really need to communicate overseas several times a day, and your phone doesn't roam here, it may be best for you to buy a local SIM card or rent a local mobile phone.

Eligibility

Are there age limits for the program?

All volunteers must be at least 21 years old. Most of our volunteers in recent years have been from early 20's to mid 60's, but the upper limit is all about physical suitability to the task at hand, rather than age of itself.f.

Is there a minimum and maximum volunteer duration?

All first time volunteers may stay a minumum of 10 days, and a maximum of 30 days. There is more flexibility with maximum dates with repeat volunteers, and we have had some stay up to six months at a time in subsequent visits.

Financial

What is the basic cost of living?

We suggest an average budget of US$30 per day for food and other living essentials, assuming you buy and fix your own food. Obviously big eaters spend more, small eaters spend less. Please see this website for various cost of living scenarios http://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_10.html .

Those that are extremely budget-conscious could probably get by on less than $10 USD per day, but that mean preparing all your own meals and living very simply.

The following is a sample of grocery items and their costs in both Cayman Islands currency and US currency:

Grocery Item - CI$ Cayman Island Currency | US$ US Currecy

Baked Beans - Heinz (24oz) .......... CI$ 1.99 | US$ 2.43
Batteries - pack of 4 (AA) .......... CI$ 3.49 | US$ 4.26
Beer - pack of six .......... CI$ 9.50 | US$ 11.87
Bread - fresh whole wheat loaf .......... CI$ 2.89 | US$ 3.52
Basmati Rice (32oz) .......... CI$ 4.45 | US$ 5.56
Cereal - Kellogg's (12oz) .......... CI$ 3.45 | US$ 4.31
Chicken - whole roaster .......... (CI$1.69 per lb) CI$ 9.50 | US$ 11.59
Cigarettes - per pack (20) .......... CI$ 5.00 | US$ 7.00
Coca Cola - 6 pack cans .......... CI$ 3.39 | US$ 4.24
Coffee - Nescafe (200g) .......... CI$ 6.49 | US$ 7.91
Disposable diapers - Huggies (28) .......... CI$ 14.99 | US$ 18.28
Eggs - imported free range (6) .......... CI$ 3.75 | US$ 4.57
Ice Cream - Haagen Daz (1 pint) .......... CI$ 4.75 | US$ 5.79
Laundry Detergent (36 loads) .......... CI$ 16.99 | US$ 20.72
Milk 2% (1/2 gallon) .......... CI$ 3.09 | US$ 3.77
Shampoo (13 fl oz) .......... CI$ 3.99 | US$ 4.87
Razor Blades (Mac 3 x 5) .......... CI$ 9.89 | US$ 12.06
Filet Mignon (2 steaks. CI$18.99lb) .......... CI$ 15.98 | US$ 19.48
Soap bar (pack of 2) .......... CI$ 4.35 | US$ 5.44
Still water - Evian (1.5 litre) .......... CI$ 3.05 | US$ 3.72
Tampax - Super (pack of 40) .......... CI$ 8.39 | US$ 10.23
Toilet paper (pack of 4) .......... CI$ 2.99 | US$ 3.74
Tuna (5oz can) .......... CI$ 2.09 | US$ 2.79
Wine - (table 750ml) .......... CI$ 20.00 | US$ 24.39
Yoghurt - natural (32oz) .......... CI$ 3.63 | US$ 4.43
Sugar (2lb) .......... CI$ 1.27 | US$ 1.55
Tomato soup - Campbell's (11oz) .......... CI$ 1.77 | US$ 2.16
Dog food (16lb dry pellets) .......... CI$ 22.99 | US$ 28.74
Cat food (5oz can) .......... CI$ 0.75 | US$ 0.91
Toothpaste (6oz tube) .......... CI$ 4.29 | US$ 5.23

General

Are there any paid positions?

Not currently. The Programme depends very heavily on volunteer support, and is in no financial position to hire a large staff. Vacancies, if and when they do arrive, are first advertised locally.

Is there any recreation time?

Think of this as a working holiday - we have to have somebody working every day of every week- but the amount of rest time depends on which project and task you are involved with. Typically you can expect at least a day's break each week.

What is the weather like?

Depending on the season, it gets decidedly hot and very humid - high 90's in both degrees and % relative humidity, with heat index ratings upwards of 120 Degrees Farenheit in the summer months. If you are going to be doing fieldwork in the summer you need to take sun protection and water supply very seriously. Temperatures are more comfortable in the winter, but the risk of sunburn is all year round.

Health

Are there dangerous animals?

Not really - the snakes are not venomous to humans, the iguanas only bite if you handle them badly, and the crabs will only grab you if you grab them! There are wasps which sting, fire ants which bite. In the sea you need to know about fire coral and avoid sea urchins.

Are there dangerous plants?

One of the first things to lean is to avoid Maiden Plum, which is like poison ivy on steroids. If you are already allergic to poison oak and/or poison ivy, you will be sensitive to Maiden Plum and should take precautions and bring any medications you find useful for poison ivy etc. Also once you're here make sure you learn to recognize Manchineel, and the Lady Hair bush!

Health and Safety

Please see the Field Safety Manual for further information.

What do I do in case of illness or injury?

The Cayman Islands has a good basic health care system, and can take care of any common injuries or medical conditions. You should have your own medical insurance: the programme can't cover medical expenses for you.

Packing

What should I pack?

Multi-day backpack – big enough to carry 3 days worth of camping supplies.

Sleeping bag / blanket – even though it’s the tropics, it gets chilly at night in the Reserve!

Flip-flops or sandals – for hanging out around camp after a long day of hiking in boots.

Boots - tough hiking boots (ideally with steel plated insole) with ankle protection, and expect them to get punished. The terrain is extremely savage, and has been known to destroy boots in 3 weeks! You may even want to bring 2 pairs down, depending on your length of stay.

Daypack - to carry food and water for a day.

Water Bottles - enough to keep you going for a day (2 L minimum - you'll be working in open sunlight with no shade)

Hat

Raincoat, only necessary from May - November (if you have one – if not, we have spares)

Sunscreen

2-3 of lightweight long hiking pants

Lightweight tshirts / tank tops

beach towel and bathing suit (if you like the beach)


anything else you may require to spend a few days in camp with no running water or electricity.

Camera, with a waterproof bag.

Recreation

Is there any recreation time?

Think of this as a working holiday - we have to have somebody working every day of every week- but the amount of rest time depends on which project and task you are involved with. Typically you can expect at least a day's break each week. Some volunteers who are looking for some relaxation book additional days at a hotel before or after their volunteer time.

Safety

How safe is Grand Cayman?

Like everywhere, there is some crime, and you should not leave valuables around unlocked. Stay clear of anyone who offers you drugs - penalties for illegal drug possession and use are very severe in the Cayman Islands.

Transportation

Can I drive in Grand Cayman?

As long as you are older than the minimum on the insurance policy (currently 23 years of age), all you need is your own full driving license which will allow you to get a temporary Cayman Drivers License, and time to get used to driving on the left side of the road, and using roundabouts. http://www.caymannewresident.com/page_id_9.html (if you're used to driving on the right).

What is the method of transportation?

We normally ensure that a vehicle is available for shared use by program volunteers. This is used primarily so you can get to and from the areas were we are working! At nights access to the vehicle is by mutual agreement among volunteers sharing it, with a sober designated driver. - more often than not you'll end up traveling to the same places together anyway. Depending on vehicle availability and volunteer numbers, a second vehicle may be added to the pool.

Travel

Is travel and airline information available?

Volunteers make their own travel arrangements once their application is approved and the time period agreed. All on-island, volunteer related transportation is provided by BIRP, including airport pickup and dropoff.