Volunteer abroad in Panama for 2 weeks! Choose to travel with a group to a turtle sanctuary or an animal refuge. Then, meet your new host family and spend a few days being embraced by a new community, where you'll work with kids and volunteer on a project specific to your community, earning 40 service hours. After a few days bonding with your family, head back to Panama City, where you'll do fun group activities and visit must-see spots like the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo.
Discover AMIGOS is a two-week introductory AMIGOS experience led by seasoned facilitators. Volunteers learn about the rich culture of Panama, practice their Spanish, learn about environmental issues and how they impact community health with the Ministry of Health, work with local communities, and stay with a host family.

About the Region

Climate

Tropical

Slang

refrigerio = snack

aguacero = rainstorm

Cool Spots

Panama Canal, Casco Viejo, Valle de Antón

 

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure
Travel to must-see spots in Panama! You’ll visit unique destinations like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites, and see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has lived in the country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with fellow volunteers and have fun!
Build Real Relationships
Do more than just travel — spend time living with a host family, sharing in their day-to-day life! You will become part of your host community, and you’ll connect with people you otherwise would never have the chance to meet. Bond with your host family, make friends, and spend time with your fellow volunteers.
Make an Impact
We work with trusted local partner organizations to identify communities that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on service projects, earning 40 service hours. You’ll get to collaborate on a service project with volunteers your own age as well as other members of the community. Plus, you'll get to work with animals at a sea turtle estuary or an animal refuge!
Improve Your Spanish
AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture as a local, not a tourist. You’ll lead activities in Spanish, learn local slang, and increase your confidence with real-world practice. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation everyday!
  • Discover AMIGOS Session A (Chitré)
  • Length
    2 weeks
  • Training Dates
    Online and incorporated into briefing
  • In-Country Dates
    June 12–26
  • Ages
    13–15
  • Price
    $3,750 (includes international airfare)
  • Discover AMIGOS Session B (Penonomé)
  • Length
    2 weeks
  • Training Dates
    Online and incorporated into briefing
  • In-Country Dates
    June 19–July 3
  • Ages
    13–15
  • Price
    $3,750 (includes international airfare)
  • Discover AMIGOS Session C (Chitré)
  • Length
    2 weeks
  • Training Dates
    Online and incorporated into briefing
  • In-Country Dates
    July 3–17
  • Ages
    13–15
  • Price
    $3,750 (includes international airfare)
  • Discover AMIGOS Session D (Penonomé)
  • Length
    2 weeks
  • Training Dates
    Online and incorporated into briefing
  • In-Country Dates
    July 10–24
  • Ages
    13–15
  • Price
    $3,750 (includes international airfare)
Ready to sign up?

Start your application today!

APPLY NOW
“
AMIGOS absolutely changed my life. Through the challenging experiences I faced as a volunteer and project staff member I proved to myself what I am capable of accomplishing and now when I face an obstacle I have concrete examples to look back on and prove to myself that I am capable of accomplishing whatever I set my mind to.
2013 Summer Program Volunteer
“
Program Requirements
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary
  • Receive required immunizations and medications
  • Be 13–15 years old at the start of the program
Resources
Schedule a call with us!
Still need more info?
Explore all programs RSVP for an online information session!

DISCOVER AMIGOS PANAMA Project Itinerary

*This is a tentative schedule. Dates and exact itinerary may be subject to change.

SESSION A – Chitre

June 12 – Volunteers arrive. Project Leadership Teams pick them up at the airport and the group spends the night in Panama City. Call parents.

June 13 – Travel to Isla Cañas Turtle Project after breakfast. First day of briefing.

June 14–16 – Isla Cañas Turtle Project conservation activities in the afternoon, briefing activities in the morning.

June 17 – Leave Isla Cañas. Attend presentation from MINSA (Panamanian Ministry of Health). See the city of Chitré.

June 18–24 – Community visit and host family stay.

June 24 – Despedida (goodbye party) in community, travel to Panama City. Begin debriefing.

June 25 – Debriefing. Visit Panama Canal and Casco Viejo.

June 26 – Fly home!

 

SESSION B – Penonome

June 19 – Volunteers arrive. Project Leadership Teams pick them up at the airport and the group spends the night in Panama City. Call parents.

June 20–21 – Country orientation at CEDESAM (Centro de Desarrollo Sostenible Ambiental) and training on environmental topics, plant nursery, and reforestation. During this time, travel to Valle de Antón and visit a serpentarium to learn about their animal rescue program. See snakes, alligators, crocodiles, and sloths!

June 22 – Head to host community. Students will be placed in groups in different communities, where they’ll stay with host families. A staff member will stay in their community as well.

June 23 – World Youth Day! Students will do an activity with youth in their host community.

June 24–27 – Community visit and host family stay. Lead activities for kids in the morning and work on a community-specific volunteer project in the afternoon.

June 28 – Despedida (goodbye party) in community.

June 29 – Travel to Río San Miguel for a reforestation work day with local youth, planting trees along the river.

June 30–July 2 – Leave community and head to CEDESAM for debriefing, reflection activities and fun excursions. See Panama City and Casco Viejo, the well-preserved colonial historic center of Panama City.

July 3 – Fly home!

 

SESSION C – chitre

July 3 – Volunteers arrive. Project Leadership Teams pick them up at the airport and the group spends the night in Panama City. Call parents.

July 4 – Travel to Isla Cañas Turtle Project after breakfast. First day of briefing.

July 5–7 – Isla Cañas Turtle Project conservation activities in the afternoon, briefing activities in the morning.

July 8 – Leave Isla Cañas. Attend presentation from MINSA (Panamanian Ministry of Health). See the city of Chitré.

July 9–15 – Community visit and host family stay.

July 15 – Despedida (goodbye party) in community, travel to Panama City. Begin debriefing.

July 16 – Debriefing. Visit Panama Canal and Casco Viejo.

July 17 – Fly home!

 

SESSION D – Penonome

July 10 – Volunteers arrive. Project Leadership Teams pick them up at the airport and the group spends the night in Panama City. Call parents.

July 11–12 – Country orientation at CEDESAM (Centro de Desarrollo Sostenible Ambiental) and training on environmental topics, plant nursery, and reforestation. During this time, travel to Valle de Antón and visit a serpentarium to learn about their animal rescue program. See snakes, alligators, crocodiles, and sloths!

July 13 – Head to host community. Students will be placed in groups in different communities, where they’ll stay with host families. A staff member will stay in their community as well.

July 14 – Students will do an activity with youth in their host community.

July 15–18 – Community visit and host family stay. Lead activities for kids in the morning and work on a community-specific volunteer project in the afternoon.

July 19 – Despedida (goodbye party) in community.

July 20 – Travel to Río San Miguel for a reforestation work day with local youth, planting trees along the river.

July 21–23 – Leave community and head to CEDESAM for debriefing, reflection activities and fun excursions. See Panama City and Casco Viejo, the well-preserved colonial historic center of Panama City.

July 24 – Fly home!

 

*Program fee does not include unaccompanied minor fees as set by each airline provider for volunteers considered unaccompanied per the airline’s policy. Volunteers under 15 at the time of travel are considered unaccompanied minors. Families will be responsible for paying this fee directly to the airline upon check in.

 

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