Volunteer

Long-Term Volunteer Internships (Caminos)


Semester and Summer Service-Learning Opportunities

In Spanish, Camino means path or road, and in our Caminos Long-Term Volunteer Program, volunteers play a crucial role in providing a path out of poverty for disadvantaged children in Latin America. As a Caminos volunteer, you’ll be working in the community to provide powerful and meaningful education programs that pave the way to a new life for the children we serve. A life with options. A life of choice. And, as you journey with Outreach360 in empowering children to transform their lives, you’ll discover that they've transformed yours. 





Changing Lives through Education

Caminos volunteers are changing the lives of children every day. By fulfilling a critical role as teachers at the Outreach360 Learning Centers, Caminos volunteers give children the educational opportunities they need to escape the limitations of poverty and to live a life they choose. In addition to teaching at the Learning Centers, Caminos volunteers also support the Outreach360 Community Outreach Programs, and have the opportunity to take on leadership roles working with the on-site staff to support short-term volunteer teams. 


As a Caminos volunteer you will...
  • Gain international teaching experience
  • Learn about sustainable development through education
  • Experience personal growth
  • Develop global awareness
  • Enhance your Spanish competency
  • Strengthen your leadership skills
  • Experience cultures through vibrant cultural interaction
  • Make a difference in the lives of impoverished children
  • Have fun!

Nicaragua Program
Life as a Caminos volunteer in Jinotega



Nicaragua is considered one of the safest countries in Central America but also the poorest. This couldn’t be more true in the misty town of Jinotega, where the country’s rich coffee growing industry is contrasted by the extreme poverty of its outlying communities. Its here in Jinotega where Outreach360 focuses on providing educational opportunities for the children in these impoverished neighborhoods. As a Caminos volunteer in Nicaragua, you’ll work in this socially conservative mountain town to support the Outreach360 Learning Academy as a teacher, providing meaningful and empowering learning activities. When you work with the local children at the Learning Academy in Jinotega, you’ll be an integral part in providing them with a future of opportunity and choice.

When not teaching or supporting outreach programs, Caminos volunteers have the opportunity to learn about Nicaragua’s charming culture through Outreach360 organized cultural activities and excursions. A critical component of global awareness and effective development is understanding both the beauty and complexity of the country where you are serving. That’s why we plan activities for Caminos volunteers to experience the culture authentically. So, whether you are learning about traditional indigenous pottery at a local women’s co-op, or indulging in some of Nicaragua’s delectable nacatamales, the Outreach360 organized cultural activities will offer you a deeper understanding of the community you are serving.

Dominican Republic Program
Life as a Caminos volunteer in Monte Cristi



The Dominican Republic’s vibrant culture and island vibe add to it’s allure as a tourist destination, and often mask its severe poverty to a holiday vacationer. However, the social injustices bred by European conquistadors are still very much present in contemporary Dominican society and a contributing cause of the poverty its residents face every day. The town of Monte Cristi is no exception, and although it enjoyed a period of prosperity at the turn of the 19th century, its current residents strive to fight the limitations of living on one dollar a day, either making a living fishing the local waters or working plantations in the nearby banana industry. It’s here in Monte where Outreach360 continues to focus on education as a sustainable solution to poverty. As a Caminos volunteer in the Northwest region of the Dominican Republic, you’ll work in this slow-paced beach town to support the Outreach360 Learning Center as a teacher, providing relevant and engaging learning activities. At the Learning Center in Monte Cristi, Caminos volunteers are the difference between a life of poverty and a life of choice for local children.

In addition to teaching at the learning center, Caminos volunteers broaden their cultural understanding through Outreach360 organized cultural activities and excursions. At Outreach360 we believe that part of what makes a semester or summer service-learning experience powerful, is the opportunity to compliment your volunteer work by learning about the Dominican culture and the people that you are serving. From enjoying a refreshing swim in turquoise Caribbean waters, to learning traditional Dominican Merengue rhythms, cultural activities are an invaluable part of the Caminos experience in Monte Cristi.

Program Details
Dates, Fees, and Logistics

Program Dates
There are specific start and stop times for the Caminos program. This is to ensure that Caminos volunteers have consistent training and development opportunities, enjoy the camaraderie that comes from doing a consistent program with other Caminos volunteers, and most effectively meet Outreach360 volunteer needs.


Summer 2013 (8 weeks)

Summer 2013 (12 weeks)

June 1 - July 28

June 1 - August 24

June 29 - August 24

Program Donation: $2,800

Program Donation: $3,300


Fall 2013 (16 weeks)


Spring 2014 (20 Weeks)


Fall 2013 / Spring 2014

August 24 - December 14

January 4 - May 24

August 24 - May 24

Program Donation: $3,800

Program Donation: $4,300

Program Donation: $6,300


Summer 2014 (8 weeks)


Summer 2014 (12 Weeks)


Fall 2014 (16 weeks)

May 31 - July 27

May 31 - August 23

August 23 - December 13

June 28 - August 23

Program Donation: $2,800

Program Donation: $3,300

Program Donation: $3,800


Fund-Raising 100%
We are both a volunteer and fund-raising organization; our volunteers commit to help raise funds for the programs we sponsor based on the length of their stay. We encourage volunteers not to pay any of their program donations, but instead raise funds through the sponsorship of family and friends. When you sign up, you will receive an on-line fund-raising page that will allow you to easily send out informative emails to family and friends, inviting them to sponsor you through donations on-line, or checks sent through the mail. 
View program donation requirements | View our fund-raising guide

Eligibility

Caminos volunteers must be age 18 or older, with a willingness to begin to learn or to improve their Spanish during their time with Outreach360. Caminos volunteers will need to complete the on-line registration form, as well as complete a phone interview with an Outreach360 staff member.


Admission

We encourage Caminos candidates to submit their application well in advance of the Caminos program start date. Application approval and the submission for flight information and funds must be complete no later than 30 days prior to the program start date.


The Program Includes:

checkboxProfessional Staff

 checkboxComplete orientation upon arrival

checkboxContinued development opportunities

checkboxInternational medical insurance

checkboxHousing and meals

checkboxGround Transportation

checkboxIn-country culture activities and excursions



The Program Does Not Include:

checkboxPassports

checkboxFlights

checkboxPersonal expenses

checkboxPersonal spending money

checkboxPersonal items