★★★★★
Lloyd.W, Turtle Conservation, Greece
Head of Year 11/ PE Teacher, Eastbury Community School
We worked with Flooglebinder going to Greece on the turtle conservation project last year. It’s a partnership that has grown into a friendship! The team are so enthusiastic and committed to delivering both conservation and education that you cannot help but commit to reflecting on your practice both as a professional but also your behaviour as a human!
The team were professional throughout, ranging from their sessions in school months before we set off, teaching the students the customs, cultures, language and cuisine of Greece, not to mention positioning the students on the affairs they were about to experience. Their relaxed, friendly and knowledgable attitude endeared itself with the staff and students alike. The lessons learned have shaped the practice and procedures when returning from Greece, with recycling, reduction of plastic and conservation being explored at school which has been driven by the students - all enthused by the lessons and experiences gained whilst in Greece.
The Greece trip was a once in a life time experience for everyone involved. Getting the students out of their routines and watching them turn back into children - away from social media, technology and returning to their natural caring nature was a proud experience as a teacher. I can’t wait to see what our relationship with Flooglebinder grows into both for us, but also for the wider society. Thanks guys!
★★★★★
Ellie, Turtle Conservation, Greece
1st Year Further Education/Animal Management
“Being apart of the turtle conservation project in Greece was an amazing opportunity. I have extended my knowledge on the protection of turtles and it has been an eye opener seeing environmental issues first hand. I made lots of new friends and would certainly like to continue doing conservation work. Flooglebinger are certainly a company I would recommend, very well organised and definitely a company I would travel with again. Their key skills to educate, connect and change are so true, these are values I have already taken onboard. Overall I would recommend Flooglebinder to any one seeking a life skill experience.”
★★★★★
Matt.O, Turtle Conservation, Greece
Head of Year 10/ Geography Teacher, Eastbury Community School
“Flooglebinder are a company every school and individual should want to work alongside! Having worked with them for a couple of years they have already had a major impact on the students, staff and school ethos.
The journey they lead students through before our trip to Greece was exceptional. Prior to our visit Flooglebinder and their team arrange lessons to pre-teach the culture, language, food and background behind our work as volunteers on a Turtle conservation project. The trip itself introduces students to a whole new way of living with sustainability and conservation as a key focus. The whole journey challenged our students to try new things and the adventure offered a very unique experience.
Since then Flooglebinder has worked with us to change the whole ethos of our school. Introducing recycling schemes and working towards use reducing the amount of single use plastics at our school. Furthermore, they have organised for whole year groups to camp and learn how to become sustainable citizens from Year 7 and 8. This we hope, is the start of a new progressive program that can continue throughout the whole school. A partnership we are very proud to have!!!”
★★★★★
Zoe H, Turtle Conservation, Greece
1st Year Further Education/ Animal Management
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for the most amazing 12 days ever! Before I went I didn’t know anyone and now I have made 5 life long friends. I learnt so much, not just about conservation but about Greek culture and our impact on the environment. The trip has really made me think about how I can reduce the waste that I send to land fill and how I can live more sustainably. Me and my friends have started to come up with ideas on how we can campaign and help spread the word about how plastic is a huge problem and we are planning on raising £7000 for a plastic bottle recyclable machine for a supermarket. We are also planning on going back to volunteer next summer. It was great to go to Athens and see the Acropolis and learn about Greek legends and try some of their traditional foods.
It was definitely worth getting up early each morning to find the turtle nests and protect them! It was so interesting and very enjoyable. It was great to have afternoon activities too such as cutting bamboo and making shadings as well as going off site to put more grids round the nests to keep the predators away. It was great to be able to rest in the evenings with everyone and play cards and go on the beach to play volleyball and make friends with the locals! There was never a dull moment the whole trip.
The trip also helped me to overcome some mental problems and ask for help which I would have never done if I didn’t go. Everyone was so supportive the whole trip and there was always someone around to talk to if you needed someone. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone because it’s such an amazing experience and it has changed my life forever and made me even more determined to pursue a career in conservation. Bring on Sri Lanka 2019!”
★★★★★
Amber.B, Turtle Conservation, Greece
Level 3 Course Manager of Animal welfare, Moreton Morrell College Warwickshire
“As a Teacher, seeing my students digging for turtle eggs and doing beach cleans filled me with happiness. In all my lessons I have tried to be excited and educate my students with stories of my own travels and my passion for hands on conservation. Now, after returning from my second Greece study tour it has come apparent that this trip is what I have named ‘ The coming of age trip’ For some of my students this has been their first time away from home, from parents or even their first time in the Ocean. In both years watching my students become more independent, confident, socialising off of their phones, engaging with people on the Turtle conservation project and learning first hand the difficulties with the conflict between humans and animals and what they can do to change their future.
I am pleased to hear that at the end of both trips students have said to me that this is what they want to go into as a career and some of my students have now gone on to study marine biology as a result of the Greece trip. I am so honoured to be a part of all of these experiences.
It is clear that the Flooglebinder team share the same passions as myself. I found that communication with the team was always quick and helpful. I feel that the students enjoyed having Brad on the trip as it was good to see that he had been on the project when he was their age. I think they are a fantastic company for young students to gain knowledge on conservation and what to do next in their lives.”
★★★★★
Bethany, Turtle Conservation, Greece
“Greece was the best experience I ever took part in. I bonded and worked with everyone who took part in the trip. I enjoyed beach clean ups and it made me feel like a better person, however when I started to pick up the litter, I was determined to not stop. As I’m a really competitive and sporty person I really enjoyed the evening sports games of rounder’s and rugby. It really developed our teamwork and leadership skills and also kept us active. Even though the walk to the waterfall was very long and exhausting, it was really worth it as the water was pure blue and refreshing. As well as the time spent on the beach, we did get a taste of city life for a few days and nights. Including a museum tour, an amazing view of the acropolis as well as the remains of ancient Olympia. When we visited Olympia it was really fun as we got to take part in a race to win the wreath. I loved spending time in the sea with my friends watching the sun go down. Waking up at six in the morning to do beach patrols looking for turtles and nests. We actually saw a turtle slide back into the sea after laying eggs and it even swam back to shore and said hello to a student. When searching for eggs the sand was warm and the excitement of finding them was unreal. I really loved the Greek meals we were given, they were not only healthy, they were delicious and refreshing. The travel wasn’t bad at all either, I loved travelling on the coach and aeroplanes. I am so glad I got to go on this amazing trip, I have learnt so much from it especially about ocean plastics and what they can do to marine life. This has not only improved my life. This is the start of a new beginning, as this is the start of my travels. My dream has always been to travel the world. I also thank Brad and Ian for helping me have an eye opener to what career I want to do when I’m older. I just want to go back to Greece!”
★★★★★
Rhiannon, Turtle Conservation, Greece
July 2017
“It was good to be part of a group and I got on well with them and those that wanted to filled the spare time doing different activities together (paddle boarding, windsurfing, swimming, snorkelling, volleyball and card games which I really enjoyed) It was great during the morning surveys when we found the turtle tracks and nests and walking along the beach at night looking for turtles during the night walks was very special. While staying in Athens the rooftop pools at the hotels were great- especially the last hotel with the clear view of the Acropolis. It was a great introduction into conservation abroad and has made me eager to go on similar trips around the world.”
★★★★★
Elias, Turtle Conservation, Greece
“The experiences I had were absolutely amazing. Having the chance to see turtles in a sanctuary, having the chance to contribute to their survival by clearing the beaches and relocating nests, studying their tracks to see how they came up the beach and using that to monitor their behaviour, also the rare chance to see one in the sea, it was all just so wonderful. I enjoyed every part of the trip, camping under the stars was an experience that I don’t ever want to forget and the hiking up the mountain; it was a bit much for some but for me I relished every moment. Going all the way up, dipping my legs into the icy, cold waterfall to just walk/ run all the way back down, I am truly glad that I accomplished something like that.
This trip had filled me with a new sense of purpose as I now know that even the littlest piece of rubbish could still harm the giant, majestic turtles, as well as other animals. I have managed to cut down on my use of non-biodegradable products such as plastic wrappers or Bn cans to try and further contribute to a greater cause. Flooglebinder has really helped me and have inspired me to one day experience the thrill of exploration, conservation and to help protect endangered animals and their habitats. I truly thank them for giving me such an unforgettable experience. I’m absolutely positive that given the chance, more people would love to do these types of things and they would love to work alongside such an amazing company.”
★★★★★
Kian, Turtle Conservation, Greece
“The trip to Greece was very inspirational and was a great eye opener. There were many memorable experiences such as the time we visited the turtle rehabilitation centre. The reason that this was such an inspirational moment is because it was very moving and had a lot of meaning for us to understand and it also showed how the world is not always a nice place and that still applies for other species. This event was also amazing because we got to see the turtles in person and not through a television or on the internet.
Moreover, the trip had more happy times such as when we walked along the beach searching for eggs. On the first day at the camp, my group didn’t find eggs which was a little sad. However, the rest of the beach walks were very fun and we saw many of the turtle nests on the second and third days.
Another thing I enjoyed was the time were we went to the teaching area, and learnt about the Caretta caretta. This was very informative and was helpful as it gave use a lot of information about the turtles and also an insight to the locals ideas of the turtle and how there are being taught to co-exist with the turtles and not to harm them or kill them if they are in the fishing nets or other scenario’s which are similar.
In addition, I also enjoyed the food as it’s not similar to the foods I normally eat and gives a more global view on the worlds types of food. Likewise, the accommodation was great as we were in a very nice hotel with a nice area for us to go and play pool and other activities. I also liked the idea the hotel also gave a leaving breakfast for the journey.
In conclusion the trip was an amazing trip with a lot of things we did in such a short amount of time and with a great group of people. Furthermore, the trip was a lot of fun as there was so much to do and a great life time experience so I would like to thank you all for giving me the chance to go on the trip.
★★★★★
Hannah.J, Turtle Conservation, Greece
July 2017
“The Flooglebinder team were knowledgeable, approachable and positive. The trip was a great experience and ran very smoothly. Very few problems did arise; and the ones that did were resolved quickly in a professional manner. The money was pretty good value for the whole experience. Therefore, I would definitely recommend Flooglebinder to friends and family.”