Capítulo de Portland
Serving PDX-area families and volunteers since 1983.
Serving PDX-area families and volunteers since 1983.
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.
Support the Portland Chapter’s volunteers and families.
Dona ahoraAMIGOS te ofrece una emocionante oportunidad de vivir una aventura y explorar el mundo fuera del salón de clases.
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%!
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.
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.
¿Preguntas o problemas técnicos? Comuníquese con nuestro equipo de admisiones enadmissions@amigosinternational.org.
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:
Project assignments are confirmed after interviews. We suggest interviewing early to secure a spot in your project of choice.
Key deadlines for the Portland Chapter include:
Thursday, October 30, 2026 – First Early Bird Deadline:
Thursday, December 10, 2026 – Priority Deadline:
Wednesday, January 13, 2027:
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!
La experiencia transformadora de AMIGOS comienza antes de salir de casa.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
Todos los exalumnos interesados en volver a ser voluntarios con AMIGOS califican para postularse al Premio de Exalumnos. Les recomendamos encarecidamente que soliciten asistencia financiera.
Los exalumnos y los padres de exalumnos pueden obtener descuentos o pagos en efectivo por referir a la próxima generación de voluntarios de AMIGOS. Obtenga más información sobre nuestro Programa de Referidos para Exalumnos y regístrese para recibir su código de referido único.
| Opción del programa | National Chapter Participant Fee | Portland Chapter Participant Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica: La Brunca 3 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,675 | $4,140 |
| Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros 3 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,675 | $4,140 |
| Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón 4 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,975 | $4,325 |
| Dominican Republic: Ritmos y Raíces 3 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| República Dominicana: Barahona 4 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,475 | $4,015 |
| Panamá: El Valle 3 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| Paraguay: Ruta del Mate 25 días, de 15 a 19 años | $6,275 | $3,890 |
| Paraguay: Tierra Guaraní 6 semanas, de 15 a 19 años | $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. Haga clic aquí for information on how to apply and join a two-week program through the National Chapter.
Co-President/Fundraising (Grapefruit)
Copresidente
Tesorero
Parent Support/Recruitment
Fundraising (Letters)
Paperwork/Workspace
Recruitment/Events
Financial Aid