The family fee to participate in an AMIGOS Summer Program in the Portland Chapter varies by project.* Please see the Fees section to the right to review pricing.

The Portland Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of tulip sales (April), donor contacts through letter writing (February through March), and a family fee contribution. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. The individual fundraising goal is approximately $2,500.

All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity, as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Detailed financial information, including family fees, financial assistance and fundraising are discussed at our Information Sessions and then again more completely at Candidate and Parent Interviews.

PRODUCT SALES

AMIGOS Portland volunteers raise funds through the sale of tulips. This effort to sell 2 boxes takes place in April. Students receive considerable help with regard to sales strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills that can be applied in summer projects!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is also required to send out 100 letters to friends, family and other contacts, requesting individual tax-deductible donations to the chapter (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.

To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2022 CauseVox Campaign here.

Additional funding AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE opportunities

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of assistance to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee.

In order to be considered for financial assistance, applications must be submitted by January 24. If you apply for financial aid, please select “I would like to request a fee waiver” when prompted to pay your application fee. Your request for a waiver will be granted. Applications received after January 24 will be reviewed for financial assistance only if there are remaining funds. Apply here!

Please contact the Portland Chapter Treasurer at jeff@spaldingshome.com for more information.

FEES

Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50 (fee waived for financial assistance applicants)

Summer program family fees vary by project length:

• 3-week projects: $4,075
• 4-week projects: $4,375
• 6-week projects: $4,575

*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.

FEES INCLUDE

• Training materials and workshops
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
• Travel hotline and support

Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With over 55 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Portland Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and Portland Chapter Board of Directors.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Portland Chapter incorporates service learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Unparalleled leadership development
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
• Extensive health and safety training
• Opportunities to practice Spanish
• Creating a community of young people with shared values

TRAINING CALENDAR

• Feb 5, 12:30-5:30pm — Orientation
• Feb 11, 9am-4pm — Training
• March 5, 2pm-5pm — Letters Addressing Party
• April — Tulip sale & Possible Community Event
• May 20-21, Sat 10am-Sun 4pm — Overnight retreat
• June 4, 4-6pm — Departure Party