The Washington, DC Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of product sales, a letter-writing campaign, and a family fee. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers regardless of family financial circumstances. All volunteers are required to fully participate in each fundraising activity, as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community.

Family Fee

The family fee is $4,250 for those who apply by November 4. This fee may be reduced through need-based financial assistance. Volunteers are all required to participate in group fundraising activities to cover the remaining costs of the program.

Program cost includes: round trip domestic and international airfare; seven months of training and training supplies in the United States; in-country training, room and board; in-country transportation; supplemental medical insurance; all in-country project supplies, and other administrative costs associated with the program.

Program cost does not include: a physical exam by the volunteer’s doctor; any required immunizations; any passport fees if the participant does not have a current passport; a mosquito net; 150 postage stamps for letter writing fundraising; or the cost of any incidentals the participant chooses to purchase while in Latin America. Volunteers are responsible for paying visa or entry fees up to $50.00. If the visa or entry fee exceeds $50.00, the Washington DC Chapter will cover the additional costs. The program cost also excludes any fees for additional training if the volunteer misses 7 or more hours of chapter training, as per the Attendance Policy, and all fees connected with a premature return from Latin America.

The Washington DC Chapter Board is committed to keeping program costs as low as possible; however, the entire program cost is ultimately the responsibility of the volunteer and his or her family.

PRODUCT SALES

Every year, AMIGOS DC volunteers sell citrus fruit, coffee, and nuts to their families, friends, and community. They also accept donations to provide citrus fruit to local food banks. These sales are popular, with many previous buyers asking the chapter each year about buying more. Volunteers receive considerable help with sales strategies and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer will send out 75 letters to friends and family requesting individual tax-deductible donations for the chapter.  The revenue from this effort is pooled and helps support access to the program for an economically diverse cohort.  Volunteers receive support from the chapter during the process. Collectively, the DC Chapter typically experiences a healthy response rate to these letters.

Fees

Application Fee: $50

Family Fee (early): $4,200 (apply by Nov. 4)

Family Fee (standard): $5,000 (apply by Dec. 9)

Payment plans and financial aid available. Ask the Chapter recruiter or treasurer for information.

FEES INCLUDE

• Round-trip international airfare
• Training materials and workshops
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
• Travel hotline and support

Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.

Contact Us:

• treasurer@amigos-dc.org

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance and determines distribution based on family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide need-based financial aid to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due by January 12th. Please contact the Chapter Treasurer for additional information.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Washington, DC Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help volunteers succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guests from the community and the Washington, DC Chapter Board of Directors.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Washington, DC Chapter incorporates service-learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service‐learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. As part of one of the overnight retreats, volunteers will work with a local Washington, DC organization that serves the Latino community in the area.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Unparalleled leadership development
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
• Extensive health and safety training
• Opportunities to practice Spanish
• Creating a community of young people with shared values

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• One overnight retreat
• Seven Sunday afternoon training sessions
• Online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

TRAINING CALENDAR

Washington DC Chapter activities begin in November and continue through June 2020.