Seattle Chapter
Serving Seattle families and volunteers since 1972.
About this Chapter
The AMIGOS Seattle Chapter is part of a 9 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Puget Sound 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.
Since its incorporation in 1972, over 900 youth from the greater Seattle area have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer. The Seattle Chapter welcomed 26 volunteers for Summer 2025, ranging from freshmen to seniors, who traveled across Costa Rica, Paraguay, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
The Seattle Chapter Board of Directors has 11 active members who volunteer their time to make AMIGOS possible for more young people from the area, comprised of alumni, parents of alumni, community members, and professionals.
Current Seattle Chapter Volunteers Attend
Ballard High School
Bainbridge High School
Edmonds-Woodway High School
Garfield High School
Hazen High School
Lake Washington High School
Lincoln High School
Seattle Preparatory School
Shorecrest High School
Woodinville High School
SAAS
Support the Seattle Chapter’s volunteers and families.
Donate NowChapter Contact Information
Charity EIN: 23-7209800
PO Box 30129
Seattle, WA 98113
PO Box 30129
Seattle, WA 98113
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 Seattle Chapter
Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements. Learn more about the Seattle Chapter activities by exploring the different tabs of this webpage.
Attend an Information Session
Attend an HQ-led online information session or schedule a counseling call.
The Seattle Chapter recorded an information session covering program basics and chapter specifics such as financial assistance, funding, training, and service learning. We encourage interested students to watch with a parent or guardian prior to their family interview.
Apply Online
Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the deposit to hold your spot.
Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at admissions@amigosinternational.org.
Interviews
The chapter will host an in-person interview day. The interview is for the applicant and family and at least one parent or guardian must attend. More information will be shared soon.
Application Deadlines
January 20, 2027 is the Application Deadline to join the Seattle Chapter. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis until training starts. Please contact outreach@amigosinternational.org for more information.
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 Seattle Chapter training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their experiences, 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 Seattle Chapter incorporates service learning 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.
Training Calendar
Family Orientation: January 31st 12-3pm
Training #1: February 7th 11am-2pm
Letter-Stuffing Party: February 28th 11am-2pm
Training #2: March 8th 1pm-4pm
Training #3 (overnight retreat): March 21st 2pm – March 22nd 12pm
Training #4: May 9th 12-3pm
Despedida: May 31st 4-6pm
Bienvenida: August 22nd 4-6pm
Group Fundraising
AMIGOS Seattle provides chapter discounts and airline subsidies, offers financial assistance, and covers local program costs through fundraising activities. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances.
The Seattle Chapter’s operations and financial assistance pool are funded nearly entirely by its annual group fundraising effort involving a volunteer-driven letter-writing campaign. Fundraising skills are an important component of the AMIGOS training program and help raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will build important life skills!
Letter Writing Campaign
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 letters to friends and family to request tax-deductible donations. The Seattle Chapter provides fundraising tools and training for brainstorming contacts and personalizing letters, and each volunteer is paired with a fundraising mentor who offers individualized guidance and helps ensure they are prepared for the chapter-wide “Letter Party.” At this in-person event, families sign letters and stuff, stamp, and address envelopes, before turning them in to be mailed.
While the group needs to raise an average of $3,000 per participant, what each volunteer is measured by and held accountable to is 100% participation in planned activities and engaging with their mentor if assistance is needed.
Fundraising Resources
You can see the Seattle Chapter’s group fundraising page here.
Need Assistance?
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Last year, 40% of volunteers received financial assistance. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide financial assistance amounts of 10-90% of the program fee to qualified applicants. Program fees range from $450–5,275 based on family income, and assistance may cover a portion of the program fee and, depending on need, cost of flight as well.
On the application, students should select “Yes” that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Students must select “Yes” to this question in order for the Financial Assistance Application to appear on their dashboard. Then, at the end of the application, they should select, “I request a waiver”.
Applicants applying for financial assistance may request a temporary waiver of the $75 non-refundable application fee. The waiver is temporary while the chapter reviews the financial assistance application and determines an award offer (if any). If the volunteer and family accept the offer to join AMIGOS, they will then be required to pay the $75 non-refundable application fee.
Additional Funding Opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS are encouraged to apply for the Alumni Award.
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 contact the Chapter President at president@amigos-seattle.org for more information, or the AMIGOS Seattle Treasurer with questions regarding financial assistance via email at treasurer@amigos-seattle.org.
Board of Directors
Joni Brand
Co-President
Lauren Wong
Secretary + Head of Alumni Relations
Zachary Binz
Youth Representative
Rani Jacobs
Youth Representative
Violet Cepress-Chung
Youth Representative
Edward La Cava
At-Large
Katy Art
At-Large
Lucy Severns
At-Large
Get Started with AMIGOS Seattle
Explore new cultures, serve communities, and form lasting friendships along the way.
Start Your Application Today
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How To Join