Summer Camp Volunteers

  Dominican Republic

Las Terrenas

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: June 19-July 25, 2009

Description: Summer camp volunteers help produce the only event of its kind in Las Terrenas. Day camps consist of thematic opening sessions, followed by crafts, sports and recreational workshops that vary from day to day and week to week. Generally volunteers work in groups of 2-3 facilitators that coordinate events for groups of 10-15 children and youth. Groups are arranged by age (i.e., 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16) in either single-sex or mixed groups. For 2009 camps will be divided into morning programs for children 6-10, and afternoon programs for children 11 and older. Volunteers will participate in both events (9:30-12 am and 3-5:30 pm) and special attention is given to their talents, experiences and interests when determining age and activity groups. In addition, special events include sports days (on Friday), hiking excursions at botanical gardens and beach events. Camps will include a Reading Olympics component, a valuable program embedded in the activities that will conclude with plays and skits in which participants act out selected readings. Volunteers help put together the plays and skits based on the readings.
Day camps pursue educational, developmental and recreational objectives with camp volunteers using their creativity, energy and enthusiasm to help focus on children's holistic development. Volunteers are able to use their talents in the arts, music and small-group management, as well as their sports, health, academic and social skills. Small groups allow for greater interaction and the diversity of experiences allow participants and volunteers to get to know each other well, such as their participation in "family groups" that help create cohesion, foster leadership and support one-on-one interaction. Arts, crafts and sports help promote personal and motor-skills development. Generally 150-200 children participate in day camps with numbers and composition varying from week to week. When everything is done, children and youth would keep in their hearts the many memorable experiences shared with volunteers and with each other, would develop valuable social, psychological, and motor skills and would discover many aspects of themselves that they probably didn't already know.
Volunteers are expected to arrive June 19 with volunteer leadership training slated for June 22-27. June 20-21 are "down" days when volunteers recoup from jet lag, get to know the community and each other. Camps start on Monday, June 29, and a closing event is planned for Friday, July 24.   

Highlights: Las Terrenas is a great location with great beaches, hills and waterfalls. Children are generally well-behaved and enjoy working with volunteers. More than 100 volunteers have worked with us in the past 3 years and the camps is our larger program overall. This is a team setting where you will get to work with people from a variety of countries, ethnicities and languages. Volunteers come to share and to learn, while providing children and youth with wonderful opportunities for personal growth. We've learned that volunteers get as much (or more) as they give. We'd love to have you!!

Qualifications: Bilingual (intermediate Spanish or higher needed), previous camp experience helpful, teaching experience desirable, experience with arts and sports highly desirable. We are looking for creative, innovative, energetic and flexible individuals with a passion for children and youth and with a profound sense of respect for human dignity in a cross-cultural environment, particularly in a third-world country. If you don't have a lot of experience working with children and youth but you do have a great interest to learn and have a productive, meaningful experience in a great place and in a team environment, then this may be a good opportunity for you as well.

Cost in US$: $900.00 approx.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A recent college graduate or college student, female, 22-35, previous travel experience and/or volunteer service.

Age Range: 19-65

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Dominican Republic Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-3

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Fundacion Mahatma Gandhi's Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life of the people with whom we work, using suitable resources, in an authentic and continuous learning environment. [Mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas con quienes trabajamos, usando recursos idoneos, en un ambiente autentico y de aprendizaje constante.

Year Founded: 2005