The National Chapter is a part of an extensive international network of professional staff, volunteers, educators, and alumni who support AMIGOS volunteers and their families. More than 4,000 volunteers have participated with AMIGOS through the National Chapter since its inception in 1971.
The National Chapter is a great option if you do not live near a local chapter or have a schedule that conflicts with local, in-person activities. Anyone can join the National Chapter, regardless of where they live.
You’ll apply to the National Chapter, complete pre-departure training, and may fundraise for your trip individually. National Chapter training is customized for each program and will include online webinars as well as in-person training depending on each program’s requirements.
Your online application will take approximately 30–40 minutes and includes questions to get to know you better, as well as your choice of project location and country. Start your application now!
Program fees are listed in the table below:
Program Option | Local Chapters | National Chapter |
---|---|---|
Ecuador - Cuenca: Gap Semester (15 weeks) | - | $13,775 |
Ecuador - Cuenca: Gap Year (30 weeks) | - | $24,795 |
Colorado: Western Slope (3 weeks) | $5,475 | $6,975 |
Costa Rica: Los Santos (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Costa Rica: Montañas y Mar (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Costa Rica: La Brunca (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Ecuador: La Costa (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Ecuador: La Sierra (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Ecuador: Santa Elena (6 weeks | - | $6,875 |
Nicaragua: Nueva Segovia (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Panama: Valle y Veraguas (3 weeks) | $4,375 | $5,875 |
Panama: Discover AMIGOS (2 weeks) | - | $3,975 |
Airfare is not included. To find out more about financial assistance and what’s included in your fee, click here.
Your fee includes the costs of all pre-departure training, onboarding, and travel support.
All on-site training and orientation, food, lodging and transportation costs, full-time program staff, 24-hour On-Call Safety Team, COVID-19 tests, PPE, global travel medical insurance, and program excursions are included.
You’ll receive credit for service hours, as well as access to the AMIGOS alumni network, leadership opportunities, and beyond!
We provide need-based financial assistance for our programs. To apply, complete your application and indicate that you would like to be considered for financial assistance. Application deadlines can be found here. Be sure to include your family financial information in the section that asks for it. If you have questions, please contact the Admissions team at [email protected].
Many volunteers choose to fundraise to offset their program fee. Once you’re accepted into an AMIGOS program, we’ll set you up with an online fundraising platform, give you tips and advice, and apply any donations you receive to your program fee. Volunteers typically raise an average of $2,000.
Check out this page or email our Admissions team at [email protected].
National Chapter training is customized and conducted by our professional staff, depending on each program’s requirements. Check out this blog about National Chapter training!
Training takes place at the beginning of your program.
Training is a chance to dive into the core values of AMIGOS and our corresponding curriculum. We cover topics ranging from community development, cultural adjustment, and resource mobilization. You’ll get to practice your Spanish, begin to develop your leadership skills, and make new friends from all over the U.S.!
The Project Information Packet (PIP) is released in two parts in the spring and will have specific information about your country, partner organizations, and packing instructions. Your Project Staff Team will also release a pre-recorded webinar going over the PIP and then host a live question and answer session. Further instructions and scheduling of these webinars will be shared in the spring.