Latest posts by April Hearne (see all)
Panama: Schools and Community Connection
Experiential Learning, Supporting Education, and Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding
This project is good for youth with a lot of energy and who are looking to practice their Spanish every day while interacting with local community members. It provides an immersive, rural community experience living with host families and working with local youth and kids.
Most meals will be typical Panamanian food, which can include a protein (meat, chicken, or eggs), a side of rice and lentils or fried dough, a salad, and either fried plantains or yucca.
Combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. For the first few days and the last few days of the trip, volunteers will be all together at group lodging sites. For the rest of the project, volunteers will be split into small groups with an AMIGOS supervisor in a rural community. The group will be divided into 2-3 communities, where they will live with host families and do daily activities within their smaller cohort. During the time the group is divided into rural communities, the whole group will come together on one occasion for a full group educational excursion.
The group lodging sites and the rural communities are located in the lowlands. The temperature ranges from the mid-70s to the high 90s. There is a lot of humidity in both locations, and it is rainy season, which means there will likely be tropical rain for a few hours every day.
aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay
buenas = hi, good morning
Earn 24 service hours.
| Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session A | 2 Weeks |
No Spanish Required Passport valid 6 months after project end date Pre-departure training, online or in-person Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring |
June 17–July 1, 2025 |
15–19 |
Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024 Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025 National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025 National Chapter - June Departures: April 8, 2025 |
$4,375 – National Chapter $4,075 – Local Chapters Fees include all in-country expenses Fundraising Support Available Flight costs are not included. |
| Session B | 2 Weeks |
No Spanish Required Passport valid 6 months after project end date Pre-departure training, online or in-person Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring |
July 8–July 22, 2025 |
15–19 |
Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024 Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025 National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025 National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025 |
$4,375 – National Chapter $4,075 – Local Chapters Fees include all in-country expenses Fundraising Support Available Flight costs are not included. |
| Session C | 2 Weeks |
No Spanish Required Passport valid 6 months after project end date Pre-departure training, online or in-person Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring |
July 28–Aug 11, 2025 |
15–19 |
Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024 Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025 National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025 National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025 |
$4,375 – National Chapter $4,075 – Local Chapters Fees include all in-country expenses Fundraising Support Available Flight costs are not included. |
No Spanish Required
Passport valid 6 months after project end date
Pre-departure training, online or in-person
Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring
June 17–July 1, 2025
$4,375 – National Chapter
$4,075 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included.
No Spanish Required
Passport valid 6 months after project end date
Pre-departure training, online or in-person
Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring
July 8–July 22, 2025
$4,375 – National Chapter
$4,075 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included.
No Spanish Required
Passport valid 6 months after project end date
Pre-departure training, online or in-person
Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring
July 28–Aug 11, 2025
$4,375 – National Chapter
$4,075 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included.
This project works directly with the school in the community where the group will be living and volunteering. Rural schools are an integral part of the community and a place that drives change.
Que hermosa experiencia la que vivieron nuestros jóvenes líderes locales de Panamá 🇵🇦, sin ellos esta inmersión cultural no habría sido la misma 🙌🏽🥹, gracias a ellos ➡️
1. Pudimos ver su liderazgo y empoderamiento a la hora de compartir sobre la cultura de su país 🇵🇦📚
2. Lograron conectar como familia, incluso con cada miembro de nuestros equipos 💙
3. Involucraron a los niños de las escuelas para despedirse con mucho color y amor ✏️
4. Aprendieron sobre la fauna y flora de su territorio 🌻🦋
5. Le abrieron las puertas a nuestros voluntarios en sus hogares, siendo familias anfitrionas 🏡
6-7. Trabajaron en varios proyectos comunitarios con el fin de hacer un cambio positivo en sus comunidades 🌳
8. Bailaron y gozaron al compás del folclor típico panameño 🪗💃🏻🕺🏽
9. Nos acompañaron en varias excursiones para profundizar sus conocimientos ✈️
10. Recibieron su certificado como agradecimiento a su gran labor y apoyo durante este verano 👏🏼
.
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Una vez más GRACIAS 🙏🏼, porque sin ustedes esta aventura no habría sido la misma 🧡🙌🏽
It`s amazing how 15 days flew by!
This is a short recap of what Session C of the Anton Valley project was like ✨.
Diverse activities, such as going to a butterfly heaven, hikings, preparation activities, social sustainability projects and a beautiful interaction with the communities of El Águila and El Sofre, leave us with unforgettable memories. 🌱
See you soon Amigos! ❤️
_______
¡Es increíble cómo 15 días pasaron volando!
Este es un pequeño resumen de lo que fue la Sesión C del proyecto Valle de Anton. ✨
Actividades diversas, como ir a un mariposario, hikings, actividades de preparación, proyectos de sostenibilidad social y una hermosa interaccion con las comunidades del Águila y el Sofre; nos dejan unos recuerdos inolvidables. 🌱
¡Nos vemos pronto Amigos! ❤️
So there we were , listening to crabapple, having conversations about our life experiences and working hard to make an impact in our beautiful Guadalupe. There is no words to express how fun it was to share time with you, the most expressive, funny and hard working volunteers. Thank you for creating beautiful moments and let us take care of you, We will remember you in every “stale” plantain chip we eat, every farm we pass and every card game we play for the rest of our life. 🍓❤️⛰️
#dutch #AmigosdelasAmericas #corecurriculum #lore
Así que ahí estábamos, escuchando Crabapple, conversando sobre nuestras experiencias de vida y trabajando duro para generar un impacto en nuestra hermosa Guadalupe. No hay palabras para expresar lo divertido que fue compartir tiempo con ustedes, los voluntarios más expresivos, divertidos y trabajadores. Gracias por crear momentos hermosos y dejarnos cuidar de ustedes. Los recordaremos en cada chip de plátano “rancio” que comimos, en cada granja por la que pasemos y en cada juego de cartas que juguemos por el resto de nuestra vidas.🍓❤️⛰️
#dutch #AmigosdelasAmericas #corecurriculum #lore
🇵🇦🥳Panama Tierras Altas Session C⛰️⛰️
🤗These are some of the amazing moments our volunteers shared in this session🫶🎉
1) ☕️💐BOQUETE🤝 Enjoying the coffee tour and Centro Artesanal de Boquete 🫶
2) 👏Briefing: Volunteers enjoying, learning, and participating in activities CAMPAMENTO NUESTRO RANCHO 🏐🌳🦥
3) 💪🪴Time to make compost, at AMIPILA working together on preparation.
4) 🏞️🦋☀️ A spectacular morning surrounded by nature 🍃
5) 🎨🧑🎨Community service at Parque Internacional de la Amistad PILA🌳🫶
6) 💃🏻FUNDICEP: Learning to dance Panamanian music in the community 🇵🇦🥰
7) 💃🏻🕺Dancing at the DESPEDIDA party 👏🫶
8) 🎤🎶 Our volunteers and their great talent, singing at the DESPEDIDA party 🤗
9) 💐FINCA DRACULA 🧛: Appreciating the beautiful views of Tierras Altas ⛰️
10) 🇵🇦CINTA COSTERA 🌊🏙️: We couldn’t say goodbye without exploring the beautiful attractions of Panama City. ❤️❤️
Que viva PANAMÁ! 🇵🇦🫶
🇵🇦🥳Panamá Tierras Altas sesión C⛰️⛰️
🤗Estos son algunos de los increíbles momentos que compartieron nuestros voluntarios en esta sesión🫶🎉
1) ☕️💐BOQUETE🤝 Disfrutando del Tour del café y Centro Artesanal de Boquete🫶
2) 👏Briefing: Voluntarios disfrutando, aprendiendo y participando de las actividades en el CAMPAMENTO NUESTRO RANCHO🏐🌳🦥
3) 💪🪴Hora de hacer compost, en AMIPILA trabajando juntos para la preparación.
4) 🏞️🦋☀️ Una mañana espectacular rodeados de naturaleza 🍃
5) 🎨🧑🎨Servicio comunitario Parque Internacional de la Amista PILA🌳🫶.
6) 💃🏻FUNDICEP: Aprendiendo a bailar música Panameña en la comunidad 🇵🇦🥰
7) 💃🏻🕺Bailando en la DESPEDIDA 👏🫶
8) 🎤🎶 Nuestros voluntarios y su gran talento, cantando en la DESPEDIDA 🤗
9) FINCA DRACULA 🧛: Apreciando las hermosas vista de Tierras Altas ⛰️
10) 🇵🇦CINTA COSTERA 🌊🏙️: No podíamos despedirnos sin recorrer las bellas atracciones de ciudad de Panamá. ❤️❤️
Que viva PANAMÁ! 🇵🇦
#panamá
#amigos
The adventure with Session C just started! ✨
Days full of fun, learning and friendship are coming soon 💕
_______
¡La aventura con la Sesión C apenas comienza!
Días llenos de diversión, aprendizaje y amistad se avecinan 💕
Two weeks full of learning with El Valle Session B ✨
Getting to know new cultures, trying new food, hikings, beautiful landscapes and interacting with different communities in Panama left an impression on all our volunteers. 🎒🤍
Undoubtedly, two weeks that changed everyone`s life ❤️
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Dos semanas llenas de aprendizajes con la sesion B del Valle de Antón ✨
Conocer nuevas culturas, probar nueva comida, caminatas, paisajes hermosos e interacción con diferentes comunidades en Panamá; dejaron una huella en todos nuestros voluntarios. 🎒🤍
Sin duda alguna, dos semanas que cambiaron la vida de todos ❤️
Panamá Tierras Altas B🇵🇦.
It was an incredible trip, full of adventure and fun moments, We are going to remember this trip for the rest of our life .
From planting coffee to making compost all the way to casco viejo and Cerro Ancon, thank you all for sharing this moments and creating this wonderful memories!Hope to see you all soon! 💚🍌🐒. #panama #amigosdelasamericas
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Panamá Tierras Altas B🇵🇦.
Fue un viaje increíble, lleno de aventuras y momentos divertidos. Vamos a recordar este viaje por el resto de nuestra vida.
Desde plantar café hasta hacer abono ,hasta el casco viejo y Cerro Ancón, ¡gracias a todos por compartir estos momentos y crear estos maravillosos recuerdos! ¡Esperamos verlos a todos pronto! 💚🍌🐒. #panama #amigosdelasamericas
Hello to all our AMIGOS friends and family! 🤍
Thank you so much for a wonderful first session! ✨
We started in Santa Clara with briefing where we learned all about the work we would do in community, had the opportunity to help build a roof and repaint the school, and went to the beach! 🌱
Once we arrived in El Valle, a local dance troupe visited the campamento along with the local youth we would be working with🕺🏻💃🏻. We spent the afternoon with them to learn about Panamanian culture before heading to community the next day! We went in two groups to the schools in Sofre and El Aguila where we began with presentations and introductions to the schoolchildren. Each day we worked on service projects, held educational activities for the children, and engaged in cultural activities with community members like artisanal painting, traditional cooking methods, and visiting a local farm! 🎒
At the end of the project we had farewell gatherings with both communities that proved a lovely sendoff, culminating a week of hard work and lots of fun. The next day we visited the amphibian center to learn about the golden frog, helped clean their local habitat, and took a guided hike to the top of a local natural monument 🐸.
The next day found us in Panama City once again, visiting the historical neighborhood of Casco Antiguo and the Panama Canal. After a long day we headed back to the hostel to perform a candlelit ceremony that commemorated the trip and all that the participants had accomplished 🇵🇦.
Thank you all for a great project! Hope to see you again soon! 🌈
En pocas palabras, estas semanas fueron llenas de risas, aprendizajes y nuevas experiencias para todos nuestros voluntarios 🤍, algo, que sin duda alguna marcará la vida de todos nosotros. Cada uno dejó su huella en este lindo país y sobretodo recuerden que AMIGOS nos hizo "Amigos por siempre" 💕🌎
—Claire, Volunteer in Panama
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
See more projects like this one!