The Washington, DC Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of product sales and a letter-writing campaign and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. All volunteers are required to fully take part 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 to join AMIGOS is $4,250, which may be reduced through need-based financial assistance. Volunteers are als required to take part in three 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: the $50 application fee; 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; 200 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 12 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 (provided by the chapter) to their families, friends, parents’ colleagues, and more. These sales are popular, with many previous buyers asking the chapter each year if they can buy some more. Some volunteers even get asked about the product sales after they come back from their summer with AMIGOS. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to sales strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!

You may also purchase citrus fruit for donating to a local food bank. Learn more about donating to food banks here.

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out 100 letters to friends and family, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. Collectively, the DC Chapter typically experiences a very high response rate to these letters.

Additional funding opportunities

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.

Fees

Application Fee: $50

Family Fee: $4,250 (payment plan options available)

• Group Fundraising:
  • Product Sales: Citrus fruit, coffee and nuts (only applicable to early applicants)
  • Letter Writing/Donor Contacts: 100 letters to friends and family
  • Group fundraising activity participation required

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 with distribution determined by 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 November 4th. Please contact your 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
• One day-long service learning retreat
• Online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

TRAINING CALENDAR

Washington, DC Chapter Training begins in Spring 2020.  More calendar details will be announced soon.