PROGRAM TERMS & CONDITIONS

Effective September 24, 2026

These Terms & Conditions govern participation in programs administered by Worldwide Conservation, Inc. ("WWC"), a U.S. nonprofit corporation, in collaboration with Wild Sun Rescue Center ("Wild Sun"), a nonprofit association organized in Costa Rica.

WWC administers applications, enrollment, and collection of program fees. Wild Sun serves as the in-country implementation partner responsible for delivering the onsite components of programs conducted in Costa Rica. Participant communications may be provided by representatives of either WWC or Wild Sun depending on the nature of the communication.

These Terms & Conditions may be published on websites operated by WWC or Wild Sun. Each publication is intended to represent the same Program Terms & Conditions governing enrollment in programs administered by WWC and conducted in collaboration with Wild Sun. In the event of any discrepancy, inconsistency, or conflict between versions published by WWC and Wild Sun, the version published by Worldwide Conservation, Inc. at worldwideconservation.org shall control.

Participants are bound by the version of these Terms & Conditions accepted at the time of application or enrollment. Later revisions apply only to future applications unless otherwise agreed.

By checking the box indicating acceptance of these Terms & Conditions during the application or enrollment process, the participant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions. Payment of any application fee, reservation deposit, reservation fee, program fee, or other amount following such acceptance is subject to these Terms & Conditions.

RESERVATIONS, DEPOSITS & PAYMENT

Unless expressly stated otherwise, a reservation deposit or reservation fee is required to secure placement in a program. Reservation deposits and reservation fees are non-refundable.

Any remaining balance for a program, accommodation, meal plan, or other reserved service must be paid according to the payment schedule applicable to the participant's program.

Wildlife Biology Internships

Once accepted into a Wildlife Biology Internship, the full required reservation fee, including the applicable program fee and selected accommodation fees, is required to secure placement.

The reservation fee is non-refundable.

Full-Term Volunteers & Other Programs With Security Deposits

Certain volunteer, internship, and other programs may require a conditionally refundable security deposit when expressly stated in the applicable program materials.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, a conditionally refundable security deposit will be returned following successful completion of the participant's full agreed term, less any applicable deductions or non-refundable third-party transaction costs.

The security deposit will be fully forfeited if the participant:

• Cancels the reservation;

• Leaves the program before completing the agreed term for any reason; or

• Accumulates three unexcused absences.

The security deposit may be partially forfeited for:

• Damage to property belonging to Wild Sun Rescue Center or Jungle Lodge at Wild Sun Rescue, based on the reasonable cost of repair or replacement; or

• Unexcused absences, at $50 per day.

Veterinary Externships, Pre-Veterinary Internships & Continuing Education Programs

For Veterinary Externships and Pre-Veterinary Internships, a non-refundable $55 application fee is required to process an application. This fee is separate from and in addition to the program fee.

Once accepted into a Veterinary Externship, Pre-Veterinary Internship, or applicable Continuing Education program, a non-refundable reservation deposit equal to 25% of the program fee is required to secure placement.

Unless otherwise specified in writing, the remaining program balance is due 60 days before the program start date.

Other Internship & Volunteer Programs

Certain programs, including volunteer veterinarians, veterinary interns, social media and marketing interns, ICU and rehabilitation assistants, junior managers, and similar positions, may require a conditionally refundable security deposit.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, such security deposits will be returned following successful completion of the participant's full agreed term, less applicable deductions and non-refundable third-party transaction costs.

The security deposit will be fully forfeited if the participant cancels their reservation or leaves before completing the agreed term.

The security deposit may be partially forfeited for:

• Damage to property belonging to Wild Sun Rescue Center or Jungle Lodge at Wild Sun Rescue, based on the reasonable cost of repair or replacement; or

• Unexcused absences, at $50 per day.

REFUNDABLE SECURITY DEPOSIT PROCESSING

Refundable security deposits will be processed twice monthly, on the 15th and the last day of each month, following the participant's departure.

If a scheduled processing date falls on a weekend or holiday, refunds will be processed on the preceding business day. If the participant's departure occurs on or after that processing date, the refund will be processed on the next scheduled processing date.

For payments originally made through PayPal or Stripe, refunds will be returned through the original payment method and to the original payer whenever possible. Participants whose payments were made through a third-party recruitment agency may provide the appropriate PayPal or Stripe account information for receipt of an eligible refund.

Any non-refundable payment processing fees, transaction fees, currency conversion fees, or similar third-party charges actually incurred in connection with the original payment or issuance of the refund will be deducted from the amount otherwise refundable. Such charges are assessed and retained by the applicable payment processor and are not retained by WWC or Wild Sun.

CANCELLATIONS, CREDITS & TRANSFERS

If a participant cannot attend on the agreed date, an otherwise non-refundable reservation deposit or reservation fee may be converted into a credit toward a future session of the same program or transferred to another specifically identified individual, provided that:

• At least 60 days' written notice is provided;

• The new program start date is within two years of the original start date;

• A person receiving a transferred credit has not previously enrolled in the program; and

• The transfer or rescheduling does not override existing waitlists or confirmed reservations and remains subject to program availability.

Credits may not be transferred to unnamed or future participants who have not been identified at the time the transfer is requested.

If a participant reschedules and subsequently cancels a second time, 50% of the original reservation deposit or reservation fee will be forfeited. The remaining 50% will remain available as a credit, and the participant will be required to restore the reservation deposit or reservation fee to its required amount before another reservation is confirmed.

If a participant cancels a third time, all remaining credits, reservation deposits, and reservation fees will be forfeited.

If cancellation occurs within 60 days of the scheduled arrival date, program fees, housing, meal plans, reservation deposits, reservation fees, and other reserved services are non-refundable.

CHANGES TO RESERVATIONS

Participants may request to extend their stay, subject to availability and approval. Additional housing, program, meal plan, or other applicable fees will be charged for the extended period.

Any conditionally refundable security deposit will remain subject to the original conditions through the newly agreed departure date.

If a participant voluntarily shortens their program after arrival or leaves before the agreed end date, unused program services are non-refundable and any security deposit requiring completion of the full term will be forfeited.

Short-term volunteers may lengthen a reservation subject to availability.

A short-term volunteer may shorten a reservation before the program begins, provided the revised reservation continues to satisfy the program's minimum time commitment. If more than 60 days' notice is provided, there is no additional processing charge.

If a reservation is shortened within 60 days of the program start date, a $100 processing fee will apply. Once the program has begun, no refund or credit will be provided for voluntarily shortening the reservation.

PROGRAM DELIVERY & PARTICIPANT CONCERNS

Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care, conservation, and field activities are inherently dynamic. Specific animals, species, cases, procedures, instructors, veterinarians, field activities, or hands-on opportunities cannot be guaranteed unless expressly stated otherwise in writing.

Wild Sun may reasonably substitute veterinarians, instructors, guest lecturers, field activities, schedules, or educational experiences because of illness, staffing changes, emergencies, animal welfare considerations, wildlife availability, regulatory requirements, weather, safety considerations, or other operational circumstances.

Such changes do not constitute cancellation of a program provided that the program continues to deliver substantially equivalent educational, volunteer, internship, or experiential programming appropriate to the program in which the participant enrolled.

If a participant believes that their program is not being delivered substantially as described, the participant agrees to notify Wild Sun in writing and provide a reasonable opportunity for the concern to be reviewed and, where appropriate, addressed before voluntarily withdrawing from the program.

Written concerns may be submitted to jeremy@wildsunrescue.org.

A program is considered canceled only when WWC or Wild Sun provides written notice of cancellation directly to the affected participant. Statements made by former employees, former volunteers, other participants, third parties, or through social media do not constitute official notice of cancellation.

Participation in classes, programs, internships, externships, or volunteer service is permitted only after all amounts due have been paid in full.

CANCELLATION BY WWC OR WILD SUN

If WWC or Wild Sun unilaterally cancels a program in its entirety and does not provide the participant with the program for which they enrolled, payments made for that canceled program will be refunded in full without deduction of payment processing fees.

WWC and Wild Sun are not responsible for separate expenses incurred by participants in preparation for or in connection with a canceled program, including airfare, transportation, travel insurance, visa expenses, equipment, or other third-party costs.

TRAVEL DISRUPTIONS, PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES & INSURANCE

Costs or losses resulting from travel delays, flight cancellations, illness, injury, personal emergencies, government restrictions, or other circumstances affecting an individual participant are the participant's responsibility.

Once a program has begun, unused reservation fees, housing fees, program fees, meal plan fees, and other program-related charges are non-refundable if a participant arrives late, misses activities, voluntarily withdraws, or leaves before the scheduled end of the program.

All participants are required to obtain and maintain personal travel insurance for the duration of their program. Coverage must include medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and trip interruption. Proof of coverage must be provided to Wild Sun prior to arrival.

Participants are responsible for ensuring that their insurance policy provides appropriate coverage for their travel and planned program activities. Failure to obtain or provide proof of the required coverage may result in the participant being unable to participate in the program and does not entitle the participant to a refund of otherwise non-refundable payments.

MEAL PLAN

The Wild Sun meal plan is intended to provide convenient meals to participants while keeping the cost of the program reasonable.

The meal plan provides three meals per day Sunday through Friday and breakfast on Saturday.

Meals may include chicken, seafood, fish, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.

When a meal plan is not already included in a program, participants may purchase one week as a trial. Additional weeks may then be added with a minimum commitment of one month or for the remainder of the participant's stay if less than one month remains.

Once a meal plan period has been reserved, the meal plan fee is non-refundable.

Participants may request dietary accommodations including no chicken, seafood, fish, gluten, or dairy, as well as exclusions for specific ingredients due to allergies. Participants are responsible for informing Wild Sun of allergies and dietary restrictions.

Participants who remain hungry after a meal may request additional food when available.

Participants who expect to miss a meal should notify the kitchen in advance to help avoid food waste. When a participant will be late because of a Wild Sun scheduled activity or excursion, reasonable efforts will be made to set aside their meal.

Meals may not be transferred or given to another person. Meals generally will not be saved for later when a participant voluntarily misses the scheduled meal period. Mid-week dietary preference changes may not always be accommodated unless medically or otherwise reasonably necessary.

These policies help Wild Sun manage food preparation, food safety, kitchen storage, staffing, waste, and the overall cost of providing the meal plan.

ROOM UPGRADES

Discounted room upgrades may be available to long-term volunteers and other eligible participants, subject to availability.

Room upgrades require a minimum reservation of one week, generally Sunday through Sunday.

If an upgrade begins mid-week, the first partial week may be prorated by day, but the reservation must extend through at least the following full Sunday-to-Sunday period.

During peak periods, including Christmas, New Year's, and Easter Week, a minimum four-week reservation may be required to receive the discounted participant rate.

Once a room upgrade has been reserved, the upgrade fee is non-refundable.

Room upgrade reservations must end on a Sunday unless otherwise approved.

Smoking is prohibited in participant rooms.

Overnight visitors are not permitted in participant accommodations unless appropriate private accommodation has been separately reserved. Visitors who are not program participants must reserve their own accommodation at applicable hotel rates.

Participants are responsible for damage to or missing items from their accommodations. Reasonable repair or replacement costs may be deducted from an eligible refundable security deposit or otherwise charged to the responsible participant.

GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions and the participant's enrollment relationship with Worldwide Conservation, Inc. shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to limit any rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be limited or waived under applicable law.

ORGANIZATIONS

Worldwide Conservation, Inc.
U.S. nonprofit corporation
EIN 41-4735282
Program Administrator

Wild Sun Rescue Center
Asociación Rainsong Wildlife Rescue Center
Costa Rica cédula jurídica 3-002-884809
In-Country Program Implementation Partner