Teen Volunteers Help Educate Visitors
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Teen Volunteers Help Educate Visitors
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Are you looking for teen volunteer opportunities for 2021 or 2022 that provide a rewarding experience for high school students to be immersed in new cultures while giving back to communities around the world? Whether you’re looking for volunteer opportunities for high school students or mission trips for teens , International Volunteer HQ is the world’s most trusted provider of teen volunteer programs.
With more than 13 years experience in delivering impactful teen volunteer programs, IVHQ enables teen volunteers to give back on meaningful community development and conservation projects in destinations like Bali , Costa Rica , Croatia , Guatemala , Peru , Portugal , Romania , Sri Lanka , Tanzania , Vietnam , Zanzibar and the USA .
Volunteering abroad as a teen is a rewarding experience that will stay with you for life and every year thousands of teens choose to volunteer abroad with IVHQ - the trusted provider of safe and affordable volunteer programs for teens . Teen volunteer abroad opportunities are available in more than 50 destinations and there are 14 teen volunteer programs which offer independent volunteering opportunities for 16 and 17 year-olds. And, if you’re wanting to travel and volunteer with a group of students from your high school , IVHQ can customize an itinerary for your group too!
Volunteers between the ages of 16 to 18 years-old can travel and volunteer independently on select IVHQ programs with parental/guardian consent.
Volunteers under the age of 18 can participate on the following programs:
Teen volunteers under the age of 18 will be required to provide IVHQ with parental consent and two character reference letters in order to participate, and may be asked to provide further documentation to the local team depending on their chosen project.
If you are volunteering abroad under 16 years of age, you can volunteer with a parent, guardian, or relative who is 18 years or older. Volunteering with a family member can be an awesome experience that brings you closer and gives your family holidays a greater sense of purpose. This means you can roll up your sleeves and get stuck in on the same meaningful project and when you have downtime you can head out together and explore all your destination has to offer.
There is no doubt that volunteering as a teenager is a meaningful way to extend to your education and add credentials that will stand out on your college application and resume. After all, nothing teaches you more than traveling and accumulating real world experiences. Our local team will ensure you are matched to a placement which will allow you to make a valuable contribution to the project and community you are volunteering in. Crossing boundaries to work side-by-side with people from different parts of the world fosters global understanding and is something every volunteer on an IVHQ program takes away from their time abroad. Not only that but living in a country different to your own means that you will be immersed in a new culture, cuisine, and way of thinking. This time abroad will shape you and how you work as a team, manage time and communicate with others.
Already having experience living away from home is an added bonus when it comes time head off to college, suddenly freshman year doesn’t seem quite so daunting when you’ve traveled all the way to Bali and back again. Actually, you’ll find that you feel that way about most situations you face when you return home.
As the world begins to open for international travel, IVHQ’s volunteer programs are reopening in destinations where the local health situation, government advice and border restrictions allow this. Please refer to our Program Reopenings page to see when our volunteer programs are scheduled to reopen and the additional safety precautions that IVHQ’s local teams are following to protect the health and safety of our volunteers and the communities we support.
We understand that the uncertainty around travel restictions is top of mind for many of our volunteers. That’s why we’ve made it easy to change your volunteer program should you need to – or if you simply change your mind. As long as you cancel or reschedule at least 15 days before your program start date, you can change your start date, volunteer program or destination free of charge. Our flexible booking policy means that once you’ve paid your registration fee, your money is protected.
With some border restrictions still in place, many of our volunteers are choosing to take teen volunteer trips closer to home. For example, American volunteers have a wide range of domestic US volunteer programs to choose from. This is also a fantastic opportunity to prepare for volunteering abroad while being immersed in a new culture and experiencinf life in a new city without having to cross any borders.
Chances are your parents will also want to learn more about IVHQ, whether or not they will be traveling with you, so this resource for parents will come in handy as you continue explore our teen volunteer opportunities. No doubt you have already fielded questions around your safety while abroad. You aren’t alone - having placed more than 113,000 volunteers abroad, we’re always happy to speak with parents to ensure all their questions are answered and they feel comfortable with your volunteer trip plans. Through our online safety training, comprehensive information booklets, ongoing support from experienced Program Managers, and round-the-clock support from our local teams - IVHQ volunteers are well supported to make the most of their time abroad.
By: Grace Dalton, USA, IVHQ teen volunteer
Going into the IVHQ program, I didn’t really know what to expect at all. It wasn’t until I arrived with my sister and mom at the school where we would be teaching music for the next six weeks that the whole thing truly hit me. Volunteering in Kenya as a teenager completely changed my perspective on the world.
We come from Virginia, United States of America, and to see, teach, and even live with all these children who are so full of smiles and laughter but have a life completely different to mine was both eye-opening and heartening to witness.
Volunteering was a really humbling experience. I consider traveling a huge part of my life, thanks to my mom who has given my sister and I the great opportunity to see the world at a young age. In my experience, volunteering is the best way to travel. You get to live in a completely new corner of the Earth but help other people in the process. I encourage anyone, if the funds and time are available to you, then go and experience this.
It’s definitely hard work, and it can be tiring. Working with children can be difficult, especially as a teenager, because sometime kids will try to question your authority. On the flip side, they also see you as a friend because you’re closer in age. But one thing you can know without a doubt is that working with children pays off. Seeing the kids enjoy themselves, singing all together and laughing, makes it all worth it. Knowing that you’ve made an impact in their life, no matter how small, drives me as a volunteer. I’m sure it’s true for all the projects. Hard work pays off, every time.
To give you an idea of the volunteer programs available for teenagers, we’ve listed seven programs perfect for our teen travelers below…
“If you are looking for the ideal destination for your first trip abroad, then Bali should definitely be at the top of your list! Whether you’re wanting to meet like-minded international volunteers, explore a captivating culture, relax at the beach, or try to get a bargain at the local market, Bali is the location for you! Our teen volunteers in Bali can enjoy convenient travel around Bali in the weekends, cheap tourist activities and some awesome local cuisine. And during your week, you can will be supporting volunteer projects such as Turtle Conservation, Construction and Renovation, or Kindergarten. The IVHQ Bali program offers volunteers a unique insight into the Balinese culture right from day one of the orientation, so you’ll feel right at home and fully prepared for your upcoming volunteering work. If you are after a culturally-rich, exciting and worthwhile volunteer experience, you cannot look past Bali!” - Lena Wurm (IVHQ Program Manager)
“On the Philippines Program , teen volunteers can experience the best of volunteering paired with the stunning natural beauty of Palawan Island. The projects are all about making the most of your time abroad. It doesn’t matter if you choose the Kindergarten project, Teaching project, Construction and Renovation project or the Environmental project, the emphasis is on volunteering while enjoying yourself. How can you not when you are literally right on the beach? Downtime can be spent exploring Palawan and weekends island hopping. Volunteering just got a whole lot more exciting and what a great program to begin your IVHQ experience!” - Sean Markham (IVHQ Program Manager)
“Portugal is an awesome country for teens to volunteer abroad in. And, if you’re a first-time traveler the it doesn’t get any better than Lisbon, Portugal. While volunteering in Portugal you can contribute to 5 volunteer projects including a conservation-focused Environmental Scuba Diving project, Food Rescue or Youth Support. The program is based in Lisbon, the capital and largest city in Portugal, making it a great travel hub for heading to other parts of the country on your free weekends.” - Meika Watson-Burrows (IVHQ Program Manager)
“Costa Rica is one of the most popular volunteer destinations among our North American travelers . It has an impressive selection of volunteer opportunities and it also provides a very large foundation of energetic and efficient local support, plus a very welcoming network of volunteers in country. With a vast range of wonderful host families, you can be sure that your first volunteer experience or even travel experience is a safe, reliable and enjoyable one. Take advantage of the fantastic Spanish school, Salsa lessons or explore the surrounding rain forests, cloud forests, marine areas, and unique black and grey sand beaches. With a wide range of 12 project options, including Eco Agriculture Conservation, Construction and Renovation and Childcare, this program not only has the potential to spark a passion for exploring new cultures and traveling, but also add some great experience to your CV and start you on your way to a successful career.” - Rachel Ussher (IVHQ Program Manager)
“When looking at teen volunteer programs in Ecuador, you have the choice between the [Ecuador - Quito Program](/destinations/ecuador/, or the Ecuador - Santa Elena program . Both options offer structured programs and the opportunity to take advantage of private Spanish language lessons (optional) in conjunction with the volunteering schedule. On the Quito program, volunteers are hosted by local families in southern Quito, within close proximity to the program base and city comforts. Expect to remain focused during the week and (if participating for more than the one-week minimum) enjoy long weekends, with ample time to explore the urban attractions of Quito (a UNESCO World Heritage site) or travel further afield to beautiful destinations such as the Galapagos, the Amazon, Los Baños, Mindo, or the beaches of Montañita.” - Grace Stevens (IVHQ Program Manager)
“ Sri Lanka is the perfect location for young volunteers. Life in and around Kandy is a mix of traditional Sri Lankan charm with all the modern amenities, friendly people and a local team that is on hand 24/7. Youth volunteers have the opportunity to work in the local community with children and the elderly, or for those with a love for animals, consider the Wild Elephant Conservation project. During your free time, volunteers can check out the local markets and shops, discover the stunning Sri Lankan beaches or take a trip on one of Sri Lanka’s famous rail lines!” - Samantha Piggot (IVHQ Program Manager)
If you’re ready to pack your bags and experience a completely different lifestyle, culture and widen your global perspective, you can explore our full range of volunteer abroad programs . If you would like personalized guidance and recommdendations to help plan your teen volunteer abroad program for 2021 or 2022, please contact us and our team of Volunteer Travel Specialists will be more than happy to assist.
Want to volunteer abroad this summer can’t decide where to go? Take our quiz to discover which program best suits your budget, personality and travel goals.
Where are European volunteers traveling abroad this Spring & Summer 2021? Discover the most popular destinations volunteers from Europe are booking for right now with IVHQ…
Want to protect endangered animals in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations? Go into the wild on IVHQ’s Wildlife Conservation programs…
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Today’s teens participate in community service for a variety of reasons: school requirements, club participation, college resume building and a simple desire to do good. Finding service opportunities you are passionate about is vital to the experience, especially if you want to nurture a lifelong love for giving back.
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Remember, approach volunteering with an open heart. Ultimately, you’ll get much more out of it than you put in.
Laura Jackson is a freelance writer based in Hilton Head, S.C., with her husband and two teenagers.
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Today’s teens participate in community service for a variety of reasons: school requirements, club participation, college resume building and a simple desire to do good. Finding service opportunities you are passionate about is vital to the experience, especially if you want to nurture a lifelong love for giving back.
Organize volunteers for your nonprofit with an online sign up! SAMPLE
Plan a community clean up with an online sign up! SAMPLE
Gather spring cleaning volunteers with an online sign up! SAMPLE
Laura Jackson is a freelance writer based in Hilton Head, S.C., with her husband and two teenagers.
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