Izi joined the gap year and life team last month and helping gappers and families organise their trips for 2012/2013. She comes with a great camps history having stayed for 3 months in Camp Kenya in 2005 so has a lot of insider knowledge. Great pic here the one with only one eye is Izi!

My Name is Izi Dragonetti

The best thing about working for Camps is the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that greets you everyday, oh, and also being a part of something worthwhile!

Ideally I’d like for Camps to send me to all of our destinations. Then I will truly be able to speak with authority about the projects we run and the uniqueness of each destination. But if I had to pick…Borneo or Cambodia!

I think probably the best and most memorable place I have been is Kerala, India and in particular the backwaters of Cochin.

I think my favorite  camps project is probably Camp Kenya, simply because I have been a gapper there in the past, and I feel quite protective of the project work I was involved in.

My best advice for someone considering taking a gap year would be to JFDI. Also go on your own and travel light! follow the gap team on twitter @campsgapyear

What do you do if you have three hours to kill in a tiny airport, it is 32°c and the only thing in the airport – a very small café – is closed?  You write a blog.

I am on my way back from a great weekend on the coast.  I came down here to see the guys who are leaving on Thursday – they are the core of our first group and they are coming to the end of their three months.  Somewhat like their arrival, this feels like a really big event: a big mark in the life of Camp Ecuador.

The Equator monument near Camp Maqui

Camp Costa looks great and the weather has been fabulous.  Today some of the group were diving and the rest were visiting Isla de la Plata.  Project work is done and holiday time is here, and there could hardly be a better place for a few days chilling out.

The group have, since arriving; cared for abandoned animals; built an organic vegetable garden, which will feed the kids at Santa Marianita school for years to come; maintained paths in the cloud forest, to help in the conservation of the spectacled bear; painted the tables at Camp Maqui to leave their mark; built a river beach for yellow-spotted turtle nesting; helped in the construction of a community tourism scheme; ridden a llama; taught English; learnt Spanish; built octopus houses out of recycled materials; visited the Andes, the Amazon and the coast (and some of them fitted in the Galapagos as well); spent lots of money in Otavalo; stood on the equator; been tubing and ziplining; seen butterflies hatch and chocolate being made; visited Quito old town, the best preserved of the early colonial cities in Latin America; spent time in indigenous communities; walked to 4800 meters on one of the world’s highest active volcanoes; travelled many miles by road, air and both river and ocean going boat; laughed and cried and probably argued, but I don’t know about the last one: not a bad way to spend a few months away from the drought in the UK.

Working at the aquarium while at Camp Costa

A permanent reminder of the first group at Camp Maqui

Pre ascent to Refuge on Cotopaxi at 4800 meters, and subsequent descent by mountainbike.

They are now going on to various universities and careers and we wish them well.  It has been a great pleasure having them here and maybe one day they’ll come back and see us.  For us it is time to push on, to build on the good work that the first group has been so important in helping establish and make sure we do this great country justice for those who follow.

A’Level results are out today… After such a long wait we’d like to congratulate you if it went well and offer the chance to help if they didn’t. If you are thinking of taking some time out this year, even a whole Gap Year  and want to see the world then consider a bit of volunteering. 

What makes Camps International stand out from the rest you ask?

We own and run our own camps and projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Borneo, Cambodia and Ecuador. When you book with Camps International, you travel with Camps International.

Where will your money go?

This should be your first question to any company to ensure your hard earned cash doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. If you take a Gap Year with Camps International, 40% of  your money goes on projects that benefit the local community, wildlife and environment where you will be travelling. You will see first hand your money in action, its very exciting.

How else do your trips benefit the local communities?

Camps International employ over 150 local staff worldwide. The Camps Managers, drivers, cooks and guides are all from the local area and are full time employees. This alone makes a huge impact financially and allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and community the instant you arrive.

What do people have to say about Camps International?

Camps International have won the Responsible Tourism Awards “Best volunteering organistation”. Camps International have also been awarded the eco-warrior award in Kenya for “Best sustainable volunteering organisation” . Have a look at our project blog to see what has been going on for the last few years and check our Facebook page to see  what clients think of us.

Why should I volunteer on my Gap Year?

Camps International are an accredited ASDAN centre and you can sign up to the Cope Level 3 Award giving you the chance to get 70 extra UCAS points. Over 70% of our clients raise most of the money themselves through fund-raising or work. This combined with the type of projects you will be involved in will enhance your university application or job application above any other.

If you want  more information enquire here or call us on 0844 800 1127