Discover AMIGOS: Panama | Amigos de las Americas

Travel to Panama with a group of students to learn about environmental issues like conservation preserving endangered wildlife! From exploring beaches for turtle eggs to hiking through nature reserves, you'll earn 20 service hours. See how local youth are getting involved with issues they care about. Enjoy Panama's unspoiled Pacific beaches and immerse yourself in the tropical forests of the Azuero Peninsula.

	Length	Training Dates	In-Country Dates	Ages	Application Deadline	Price
Session A	2 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	June 9–23	13–14	April 19, 2022	$3,975
Session B	2 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	June 15–29	13–14	May 17, 2022	$3,975
Session C	2 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	June 30–July 14	13–14	May 17, 2022	$3,975
Session D	2 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	July 6–20	13–14	May 17, 2022	$3,975
Session E	2 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	July 21–August 4	13–14	May 17, 2022	$3,975

Session A
Length

2 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

June 9–23
Ages

13–14
Application Deadline

April 19, 2022
Price

$3,975
Session B
Length

2 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

June 15–29
Ages

13–14
Application Deadline

May 17, 2022
Price

$3,975
Session C
Length

2 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

June 30–July 14
Ages

13–14
Application Deadline

May 17, 2022
Price

$3,975
Session D
Length

2 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

July 6–20
Ages

13–14
Application Deadline

May 17, 2022
Price

$3,975
Session E
Length

2 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

July 21–August 4
Ages

13–14
Application Deadline

May 17, 2022
Price

$3,975

About the Project

Project Type

Group experience. Maximum enrollment is 20.

Slang

aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay

Food

Sancocho de gallina – chicken soup with vegetables and yucca
Hojaldres – fried dough
Tamales – spiced meat filling in corn dough, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked

What makes this project unique?

You’ll get to practice your Spanish while making new friends and volunteering with two amazing community-based organizations! Help protect sea turtles and learn about marine conservation from experts at a local agency. Then, travel to the crater of an extinct volcano surrounded by mountains and cloud forests!

Azuero Peninsula, Panama

Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

What You'll Do

Climate Change & Conservation

Understand the importance of natural resource conservation to community well-being and native flora and fauna. Hear from local people about the challenges of climate change and its impacts on people’s lives.

Partner Agencies

Volunteer with a sea turtle protection organization, a sustainable development organization, and Panama’s Ministry of the Environment. Earn 20 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

Example Activities

Nocturnal sea turtle monitoring on the beach
Hike Cerro Gaital and see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
Learn to process sugarcane through a trapiche field visit
Earn 20 service hours volunteering on environmental projects

A Day in the Life

Days 1–7*

Wake up and have breakfast in small groups
Morning: Rotating schedule of activities, including Spanish classes, orientation, explore topics like environmental conservation, natural resources, and sustainability in action, and volunteering activities.
Lunch outside
Afternoon: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, briefing, etc. in small groups
Free time to explore the grounds
Dinner in small groups
After Dinner: free time, fun group activities

*Approximate

Day 8 through End of Project

Wake up and eat breakfast as a group
Morning: volunteer on a community service project, take part in fun intercultural and leadership activities
Lunch outside
Afternoon: participate in leadership and cultural activities. Meet local community members and take part in fun activities led by the group!
Dinner
After Dinner: fun group bonding, free time to relax

Program Pillars

Ethical Service

Learn how to create ethical service initiatives by working with–not for–a community, engaging local organizations and partners, and evaluating the impact of your work. AMIGOS works with trusted local partners that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is a process of both self-reflection about your own culture as well as learning about other cultures. You will examine your own beliefs and cultural identity and gain an understanding of how structural racism has impacted societies and the roles that communities can take to lead systemic change.

Leadership

Learn, grow, and discover your leadership potential! Explore your sense of purpose and start to establish your personal goals and values through introspection and inquiry.

Apply Now

Click here

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure

Travel off the beaten path and to must-see spots in Panama! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like extinct volcanoes, cloud forests, and waterfalls. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has spent time in that country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with their fellow volunteers and have fun!

Travel with Trust

AMIGOS is the industry leader in health and safety management. Our staff is prepared to help you with any situation that may arise. Each volunteer receives a personalized emergency plan, as well as support from local staff teams and a professional 24-hour On-Call Safety Team of travel specialists, doctors, and mental health specialists. A Health and Wellness Coordinator is on staff with the group throughout the duration of their stay. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Training for AMIGOS and Beyond

Prepare for AMIGOS through guided training in topics like: cultural humility, health and safety, emotional intelligence, travel safety, Spanish, leadership, and team building.

Upon arrival in the field, you’ll start country-specific training with your group. During your time abroad, you’ll meet regularly with an AMIGOS staff member who serves as your mentor.

AMIGOS has just been an opportunity for me to grow as a person and become the best version of me possible. That’s pretty much why I came here—just to grow and have a great experience and learn more about myself and other cultures. It’s just been fantastic.

—Lex, Volunteer in Costa Rica

Program Requirements

Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary.
Receive required immunizations and medications
Be age 13–14 on the project start date

Resources

Apply Now

Field Notes

Reflections

On Bravery and Making an Impact

Midterm this Weekend

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Oct 22

Open

What is a pampa mesa?

This communal meal is a tradition in the Andean region of Ecuador, specifically in the provinces of Azuay and Cañar. Typically, everyone at the event will contribute food and lay it out on a cloth that everyone eats from.

This photo is from this summer in Ecuador when volunteers took part in this celebration! ...

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Oct 21

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When thinking about Ecuador, the Andes come to mind, but what about the country's Pacific coast? This region has a lot to offer! Find out why we love the Ecuadorian coast at the Newest Blogs link in our bio. ...

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Oct 21

Open

Have you reserved your in-person or virtual tickets to the Lifelong Leaders Luncheon yet? Join us for a fun and celebratory fundraising benefit the Friday before Thanksgiving!

Your donations will support AMIGOS international youth leadership programs and financial assistance fund for students joining AMIGOS like Alexa Lara, who spoke at our 2019 Breakfast Benefit in Houston.

Reserve your tickets at the link in our bio! ...

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Oct 19

Open

Did you know that Mt. Chimborazo in Ecuador is the closest place on Earth to the Moon? ...

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Oct 18

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This week, we're celebrating Ecuador! Share your favorite memories from Ecuador and tag us! ...

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Oct 15

Open

Tonight is the early bird deadline for the spring Gap Semester in Costa Rica!

Apply by midnight PT and get $500 off your program fee. ...

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Oct 13

Open

Get your tickets to the Lifelong Leaders Luncheon in Houston on November 19th!

Virtual and in-person tickets are available. Find out more on our website! ...

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Oct 12

Open

Meet our team and ask your questions about our programs at an online info session!

Tomorrow: Gap Program Info Session at 5pm CT/3pm PT
Thursday: Summer Programs Info Session at 7pm CT/5pm PT

RSVP link in bio. ...

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