The public schools which the Socio Camps program works with are located in several middle and low-middle class areas of Costa Rica. The children’s ages vary from 5 to 13 years, which go from kindergarten, preschool and the first six grades of elementary school. The schools’ curriculum and activities usually includes all the basic subjects (Spanish, Science, Social Studies and Mathematics). Additionally, most schools offer English as a foreign language, Music, Arts, Physical Education, Civics and (Roman Catholic) Religion classes.
Required skills and interests of the volunteer:
• To enjoy working with children
• To be patient and tolerant
• To be sociable
• To have a lot of initiative
• To be respectful towards the rules of the institution
• To have an intermediate to advance Spanish level (WE RECOMMEND AT LEAST 2 WEEKS OF SPANISH CLASSES)
4 volunteers (2 males, 2 females).
Project Fee: $75 per week /
Apart from the Project Fee per month, there is a Fee charged by ACI:
Weeks Socio Camps
1 to 4 $250
5 to 8 $350
9 to 12 $450
13 + $550
A minimum stay of 4 weeks at the project is required. Local transportation, international insurance and airfare will be covered by the volunteer.
English classes are one of the areas where the support given by volunteers is most valued (even if they are not native speakers as these classes would be at a basic level) as well as physical education. Sometimes, if a volunteer has some special knowledge or skills – for example in music, arts or sports – and if the school agrees, he/she can organize additional activities independently. Possible tasks for the volunteer:
• To assist the teachers in the classroom
• To help create didactic material
• To support in the special activities of the school
• To assist at the school’s library or with other administrative tasks
• To organize additional activities with the approval of those in charge of the kids
• To help children with their homework
The volunteers stay in a host family which will be near the project. 3 meals per day are provided by the family.
San Francisco is located around 7 km from the center of La Fortuna, in which you can find all the basic services (Banks, Supermarkts, Restaurants, Gyms).