Portland Chapter
Serving PDX-area families and volunteers since 1983.
About this Chapter
The AMIGOS Portland Chapter is one of nine Local Chapters that recruit, train, and support AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Portland, Oregon area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about participating in an AMIGOS summer program through the Portland Chapter on this page!
Since the Portland Chapter’s incorporation in 1997, over 550 youth from Portland and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
Portland Chapter Volunteers Attend
Cleveland
Lincoln
Ida B Wells
Central Catholic
Catlin Gabel
Grant
St Mary's
McDaniel
Corvallis
Lake Oswego
Support the Portland Chapter’s volunteers and families.
Donate NowChapter Contact Information
How to Join
AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom.
Get to Know the Portland Chapter
Check out our programs, review our admissions requirements, and learn more about the Portland Chapter activities by exploring this website.
Did you know? Because of group fundraising, the Portland Chapter is able to reduce the cost of participation by almost 40%!
Attend an Information Session
The Portland Chapter will be hosting in-person information sessions. These meetings review basic program information and chapter requirements for financial assistance, fundraising, training, and service learning. Alumni students and parents will share their experiences.
Apply Online
Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay your application fee. Once you complete an interview with the Portland Chapter, you will be prompted to pay your deposit to hold your spot.
Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at admissions@amigosinternational.org.
Interviews
Once you submit your application, you will be invited to sign up for a family interview that takes place in-person. The interview is an opportunity for you to learn more about AMIGOS and our chapter, and for us to learn more about you! It consists of conversations between chapter representatives, the applicant, and one or more of the applicant’s parents/guardians.
At least one parent or guardian is required to attend, and the interview lasts approximately 1 hour. In-person interviews will take place on:
- Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, December 20, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, January 10, 2027, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Project assignments are confirmed after interviews. We suggest interviewing early to secure a spot in your project of choice.
Application Deadlines
Key deadlines for the Portland Chapter include:
Thursday, October 30, 2026 – First Early Bird Deadline:
- Apply by this date and receive a $500 discount.
Thursday, December 10, 2026 – Priority Deadline:
- Apply by this date and receive a $300 discount.
- Portland Financial Aid Round #1 application deadline.
Wednesday, January 13, 2027:
- Portland Financial Aid Round #2 application deadline.
- Portland Chapter Final Application Deadline.
- NOTE: This is one week before the standard Local Chapter deadline.
For more information contact recruitment@amigos-portland.org.
Missed the Local Chapter deadline?
You can still join us for Summer 2027 through the National Chapter and complete training virtually!
Local Chapter Requirements
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
Pre-Departure Training
With over 60 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 Portland Chapter offer in-person, experiential learning following the AMIGOS Core Curriculum that prepares volunteers for their in-country experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS.
Training Program Highlights
Unparalleled leadership development
Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
Health and safety training
Opportunities to practice Spanish
Creating a community of young people with shared values
Service Learning
The Portland 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.
Schedule
National Office Onboarding Webinar – Facilitated by National Office staff. Volunteers and at least one parent or guardian are required to attend a country-specific onboarding webinar. These sessions are offered approximately once per month beginning in October. Portland Chapter volunteers may attend once they have submitted their deposit and receive a project assignment.
Portland Chapter Training Schedule (in-person)
Orientation – Sunday, February 7, 2027, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Training – Saturday, February 20, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Letter Writing Party – Sunday, March 7, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Community Service & Training – Saturday, April 17, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Retreat at Chrysalis Farms – Begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2027, and concludes at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, 2027
Despedida (Departure Party) – Sunday, June 6, 2027, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Welcome Back Party – Sunday, August 22, 2027 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Group Fundraising
The Portland Chapter offers significant reductions in program fees through a letter writing campaign in February-March. We chose this activity to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. Each family’s fundraising goal is approximately $3,000 to cover fee reductions and chapter expenses. Because of group fundraising, we are able to offset the cost of participation by almost 40%.
Letter Writing/Donor Contacts
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 letters to friends, family and other contacts, requesting individual tax-deductible donations to the chapter (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
Need Assistance?
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Portland provides need-based financial assistance (FA) with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances.
The Portland Chapter has $25,000 of FA for families who qualify. In some cases the chapter has assisted with over 85% of the cost. Priority for FA will be given to families with adjusted gross incomes of $160,000 per year or less. Families that earn more than this amount will be considered for FA if there are extenuating circumstances. Applications for FA should be completed on the volunteer’s AMIGOS dashboard.
On the application, students should select “Yes” that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Students must select “Yes” on this question for the Financial Assistance Form to appear on their dashboard. Students who choose to apply for FA will not be able to submit their application or pay their application fee until the FA form and supporting documentation (i.e., most recent copy of family’s 1040) has been uploaded.
Additional Funding Opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
Alumni and parents of alumni can earn discounts or cash payments for referring the next cohort of AMIGOS volunteers! Learn more about our Alumni Referral Program and sign up to receive your unique referral code.
Contact
- Please reach out to Alexi Bernagros, Portland Chapter Financial Assistance Contact, via email at abernagros@gmail.com with any questions about financial assistance.
Portland Chapter Family Fees
| Program Option | National Chapter Participant Fee | Portland Chapter Participant Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica: La Brunca 3 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,675 | $4,140 |
| Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros 3 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,675 | $4,140 |
| Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón 4 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,975 | $4,325 |
| Dominican Republic: Ritmos y Raíces 3 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| Dominican Republic: Barahona 4 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,475 | $4,015 |
| Panama: El Valle 3 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| Paraguay: Ruta del Mate 25 days, ages 15-19 | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| Paraguay: Tierra Guaraní 6 weeks, ages 15-19 | $6,975 | $4,325 |
* Please note that flights, travel admin fees, insurance, and gear are not included (learn more about Flights & Travel).
** Two-week programs not offered though Portland Chapter. Click here for information on how to apply and join a two-week program through the National Chapter.
Ready to Join the Portland Chapter?
Apply NowBoard of Directors
Jeff Spalding
Co-President/Fundraising (Grapefruit)
Alysha Catalano
Co-President
Eric Hill
Treasurer
Jennifer Schmidt
Parent Support/Recruitment
Linda Ganzini
Fundraising (Letters)
David Pribnow
Paperwork/Workspace
Riley Stevenson
Recruitment/Events
Alexi Bernagros
Financial Aid
Recruitment and Training Team
Get Started with AMIGOS Portland
Explore new cultures, serve communities, and form lasting friendships along the way.
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