The family fee to participate in an AMIGOS Summer Program in the Washington, DC Chapter varies by project.* Please see the Fees section to the right to review pricing.

The Washington, DC Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of a Spring 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.

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.

To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2022 CauseVox Campaign here.

FEES

Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50

Summer program family fees vary by project length:

• 3-week projects: $4,375
• 4-week projects: $4,675
• 6-week projects: $4,875

*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Chapter Treasurer at treasurer@amigos-dc.org.

FEES INCLUDE

• 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.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides need-based financial assistance and determines distribution based on family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. The Washington, DC Chapter provides need-based financial assistance to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee.

The financial assistance application deadline is January 17, 2023. However, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible while funds are available. Financial assistance applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 55+ 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 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

TRAINING CALENDAR

The Washington, DC Chapter volunteers are required to participate in two retreats. The retreats will take place February 4-5 and April 1-2. The chapter will also hold another training/fundraising meeting in between these retreats and a Going Away Party.