Teen Summer Programs in Central America & The Caribbean for High School Students
Costa Rica
Take your Spanish language skills to a new level when you volunteer abroad on our 14-day or 21-day cultural immersion service trip. No prior Spanish education is required, as this program combines classroom instruction with immersion experiences that reinforce every lesson. Tutor students in English; contribute maintenance labor; and organize weekend day camps for children. Recreational opportunities include camping, surfing, snorkeling through coral reefs and zip lining through the rain forest and hiking to the nearest volcano. Read more about volunteering in Costa Rica.
Experience five distinct ecosystems during a 14-day trip to Costa Rica. Volunteer at one of Costa Rica’s National Marine Parks and explore issues critical to sustainable coastal development. Live in an experimental forestry station and collect specimens for a team of researchers. Volunteers interested in marine biology, oceanography, botany or sustainability are perfect for this trip. Swim in natural forest hot springs, ride horses in the forest or go tubing down a river. Read more about volunteering in Costa Rica and how it can change your life.
Dive into Costa Rica’s beautiful marine paradise as you live for 10 days in a village at the edge of Salinas Bay. This service trip involves improving the lives of this area’s residents. Teach English, provide after-school supervision and help local development associations and grassroots organizations. Adventure opportunities abound in Costa Rica. You can ride inner tubes down a roaring river in the jungle, surf or zip line through the forest. Read more about volunteering in Costa Rica and how the experience can change your life.
Experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park. Learn the steps to protect the area from ruin and volunteer to plant biogradens to prevent greywater from reaching the ocean. Support a project that uses geospatial technology to identify waste areas and build recycling stations for residents. Learn to surf, snorkel along a reef of an Island Biological Reserve, kayak through the nation’s largest Mangroves and zip line through the rainforest. Read more about volunteering in Costa Rica and how this experience can change your life.
Get game-ready for this special Sports Service Adventure! This experience provides you the opportunity to teach soccer and English lessons during the children’s downtime. This work allows kids to develop higher self-esteem and motivates them toward success in other areas of their lives. While they’re in school, you’ll make improvements to their soccer field. Recreational opportunities include surfing, zip lining through the jungle or hanging out with new friends. Read more about volunteering in Costa Rica and how the experience can change your life.
Dominican Republic
Summer Family Service Adventure w/ National Peace Corps Association
Spend the summer in the Dominican Republic with our Summer Family Service Adventure Program. Volunteer work includes helping build a rural community school and constructing clean burning stoves to improve community health. You’ll also enjoy the area’s recreational opportunities, hiking to 12 stunning waterfalls and riding a catamaran in the Caribbean. Read more about volunteering in the Dominican Republic and making a difference as a family.
Spring Break Service Adventure
Provide a helping hand to native Dominicans during this unique high school service trip. Volunteer projects include building clean-burning stoves, installing water filtration systems, reforesting the lowlands and activities involving local Dominican and refugee Haitian children. Adventures include a hike to enchanting waterfalls, a catamaran ride, enjoying a white-sand beach and even a game of baseball with the locals. Read more about volunteering in the Dominican Republic and how your experiences can change your life.
During your 10-day adventure, you’ll spend time in impoverished communities — both rural and urban — working to improve the lives of the residents. Build clean-burning stoves, install water filtration systems, reforest the lowlands and volunteer with Dominican and refugee Haitian children. Adventures include a hike to a chain of hidden waterfalls, a Caribbean catamaran ride, sunbathing on a pristine white-sand beach and even a game of baseball with the locals, a sport that holds special significance in the country’s culture. Read more about the benefits of volunteering in the Dominican Republic.
This 21-day Flagship Program is ideal for students interested in ecology, sustainability, environmentalism or humanitarianism. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with leaders, local community activists and NGO leaders in the field. Community service projects vary from clean-burning stoves, water filtration, reforestation, agriculture and activities involving local children. Recreational activities include diving and snorkeling around the island’s coral reefs and a Caribbean catamaran ride. Read more about how volunteering in the Dominican Republic can change your life and the lives of others.
Guatemala
Summer Family Service Adventure w/ National Peace Corps Association
Spend the summer in Guatemala with our Summer Family Service Adventure Program. Volunteer work includes refurbishing a local school dedicated to preserving indigenous Maya culture and language. We will also work with the World Map Project in a rural community painting. Explore the colorful market of Chichicastenango and ride the calm waters of Lake Atitlan. Read more about volunteering in Guatemala and how the experience can change your family.
Travel to Guatemala’s second largest city, Quetzaltenango, for a two-week experience volunteering at a Maya school and exploring the area. Your service trip will include building classrooms and working with the children doing arts and crafts, playing sports and games and teaching basic English. Journey across sacred Lake Atitlan, attending a ceremony conducted by a Maya shaman and exploration of archaeological ruins. Read more about volunteering in Guatemala and how your experiences with the nation’s children can change your life.
Spanish, Service & Maya Culture 
Advance your Spanish language skills with our 21-day and 28-day high school service trips. No prior Spanish education is required, as this program combines classroom instruction with cultural immersion experiences. Your service experience will include volunteering at a unique Guatemalan school that emphasizes the children’s Maya ancestry and teaches them their indigenous language. Hike to the crater of a dormant volcano and attend a ceremony conducted by a Maya shaman. Read more about volunteering in Guatemala and how your experiences there can change your life.
