2010 Culture Exchange Camp in Thailand

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Nong Khai

Term: Fall 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Please Contact Us for updates

Description: Join the April 2010 English, Computer, Nature Protection and Culture Exchange Camp in NongKhai, Northeast Thailand.

Take part in a Camp arranged for free for Thai and Lao children and students in NongKhai by the Mekong River.
Help and encourage children to learn and practice English, learn to use computers and Internet and respect nature.
Meet volunteers from other countries and the young, enthusiastic Thai and Lao students from poor village schools.

You are- a motivated, energetic, social volunteer who like to be a round all kinds of people while helping Thai students. Age not important.

What you do- help students speak English, to use computers and learn about nature.

Where you go- In Nongkhai, by the Mekong River, near Laos. At the OpenmindProjects Training Center for Indochinese children and students and international volunteers. You stay at our Center or in a guesthouse.

When - April 2010. You can combine this volunteer assignment with a normal school or other placement, before or after the camp.

How - Volunteers and students join in activity-based, learning by doing; Excursions also arranged.

Highlights:
For young Thai and Lao people, better English and some computer skills means better job opportunities. Our English camps are a fun and interactive way of motivating and helping the children to learn.

Working with a group of other volunteers our staff plus students, your role will be to teach English, computer skills and take part in cross culture and other activities. The camp involves much fun and interaction including games, role-plays, sports and songs.

Before arrival you get a detailed online information booklet with travel assistance. You have accommodation at our Training and Camp Center and chance to participate in a 3 day intense Thai language & culture training. OpenmindProjects provides guidance and ideas for the volunteer groups to run and manage the camp. The camp days start at about 10 am and finish around 3 pm.

During the week ends there is time off to rest and prepare or to travel and explore, and at the end there will be a diploma party with volunteers and students. You can explore the Mekong River valley and go wild elephant trekking in the Phu Wua Mountains, visit Laos, maybe practice Muai Thai (boxing at a camp for young Thai boxers). You will live at the center, a guesthouse if you prefer or with a Thai teacher family.

We focus on:

Social responsibility - before volunteers depart we provide them with a detailed online volunteer information pack. We provide regular and intense Volunteer, Teach English and Thai language and cross culture training. Our volunteer training is activity based much as the camp work will be too in and volunteers are helped to understand and respect the local cultures and customs.

Economic responsibility - No part of the fee is spent overseas! The full fee that volunteers pay is spent in Thailand, to support our work and Thai staff who support our volunteers as well as field projects. While volunteers are in-country, we encourage them to buy locally and support local businesses. No need to bring many clothes buy them cheap in Thailand r Laos instead!

Environmental responsibility - Our volunteers and staff and camp students are encouraged to discuss and learn simple steps to protect the local environment.

Qualifications:
A positive attitude to new cultures, people and simple living conditions
Energy and motivation
English
Social skills
Age unimportant

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Dedicated, flexible, curious, helpful

Age Range: 18 -75

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

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Open mind projects's Mission Statement: Open Mind Projects is a bridge to knowledge and cross-cultural understanding, bridging digital and knowledge divides between rich and poor. Open Mind Projects arranges placements for international volunteers to schools, Orphan Homes, other institutions and projects, in Thailand and Laos. Open Mind Projects cooperates with these schools and institutions with learning ideas, technology and international volunteers. Schools and other learning/youth institutions in developing nations are understaffed and under resources. New information technology and international volunteers help offset this advantage. Open Mind Projects wants to facilitate valuable cross-cultural experience, personal development, for volunteers and local childeren and students. An opportunity to learn about other cultures while making local and international friends, within an affordable backpacker budget.

Year Founded: 2001