Spring Break Programs


Make the Break this Spring

Available February through April!  You only have 7 days, let us make the most of your break. Care for elephants in Thailand, teach novice Buddhist monks in Nepal - get off the beaten path and have an unforgettable spring break! 

Where?

Argentina  -  Costa Rica  -  Guatemala  -  India  -  Nepal  -  Patagonia  -  Portugal  -  Thailand

Thailand

Volunteer at an elephant nursery in northern Thailand. ELI is proud to partner with the Thai Elephant Home, located in the beautiful hills outside of Chiang Mai! The Thai Elephant Home is devoted to elephant and habitat conservation. After 2 days of orientation and exploration in Chiang Mai, then volunteers live on-site at the camp and assist the hill tribe staff Monday through Friday. Volunteers bathe, feed, play, clean, cut grass for meals, make medicine balls, and educate visitors about elephant conservation and deforestation. Volunteers must be reasonably fit and ready to get dirty! Includes: Airport pick-up, orientation, 24/7 support staff, accommodations in lovely shared bamboo bungalows at the camp, and three delicious Thai meals at the camp. $200 application fee + $800 program fee - Apply

Nepal

Teach at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. Learn about Buddhism and contribute at the same time! Novice monks are eager to practice their conversation skills with native English teachers. Volunteers typically spend 3 sessions a week at the monastery, and spend off mornings or afternoons at a nearby pre-school for poor families leading activities, playing, mentoring and tutoring children. Volunteers live together in our modern volunteer house, conveniently located near the tourist district.  Airport pick-up, orientation, 24/7 support staff, accommodations in ELI’s volunteer house, breakfast and dinner each day. $200 application fee + $275 program fee - Apply

Costa Rica

Volunteer with a kid’s program or an environmental conservation project in one of the most biodiverse locations on the planet, Costa Rica!  The land of pura vida is well-known around the world for its excellent environmental policies and conservation efforts. As an enviro volunteer you will be working in a natural reserve and helping the staff with trail maintenance, flora and fauna cataloging, feeding and cleaning the butterfly farm, greenhouse maintenance, assisting visitors, and making signs for the reserve.  As a volunteer in the kid’s program you will be assisting staff in the daycare by cleaning, cooking, playing games with the children, and teaching them basic skills. The government of Costa Rica provides partial funding to some day cares that aim to help single parents and low income households. Depending on availability, volunteers work with either a daycare or elementary school. Program includes a Tico homestay and two meals a day. Intermediate Spanish required. $200 application fee + $725 program fee - Apply

Guatemala

Join a low-income day care near the town of Antigua, Guatemala, where you can help care for young children by playing educational games, helping clean them up and cooking for them. You will also be assisting staff at the day care with day to day tasks such as organizing the daycare, creating educational materials, cleaning the facility, supervising the children.  Bring activity ideas with you!  Program includes homestay with a delightful family and 2 meals per day. Intermediate Spanish required. $200 application fee + $615 program fee - Apply

India

Hop a plane to the historic Indian city of Jaipur to volunteer with kids or animals. Volunteers with the children’s program work with abandoned and orphaned children by mentoring, tutoring, and leading fun activities. Or, choose to work with an animal rescue conveniently located in the city center. There are hundreds of animals and birds who have been injured or confiscated due to complaints by locals: dogs, cats, monkeys, pigeons, eagles, parrots, vultures, rabbits, camels, buffalos, cows, donkeys and more. The organization runs a helpline that people can call if they come across an injured animal or bird. The project team will collect the wounded animal and bring it to the center.  Airport pick-up, orientation, 24/7 support staff, accommodations in volunteer house or homestay, three meals a day. $200 application fee + $500 program fee - Apply

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Volunteer in dynamic Buenos Aires with a number of incredible organizations dedicated to making a difference! Volunteers can work with at-risk youth in a nearby poor neighborhood, leading fun activities and mentoring children. Or, do construction with an organization that uses eco-friendly materials and methods to build houses for people in need in San Fernandino. Volunteers meet at the main office in Buenos Aires and take a train together to the construction site each day. ELIers in both projects live in shared apartments in lovely neighborhoods, intermediate Spanish required.  $200 application fee + $500 program fee - Apply

Argentina: Patagonia

Work with an educationally focused Patagonian organic farm located within the majestic Nahuel Huapi National Park, about 25 km away from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. This program serves families, young people and adults who wish to learn and participate in the activities of an organic farm. Volunteers will have the option to collaborate on educational projects, learn about food production, marmalade and cheese making, organic harvesting, etc. all within a breath-taking natural reserve. Volunteers in this hands-on program will learn about sustainable and local efforts to preserve and protect the untouched natural wonders that make Patagonia such a special place. By getting involved directly with initiatives related to organic farming, gardening and environmental conservation, volunteers will not only gain valuable skills, but also help this wonderful project advance and meet its sustainability objectives. Participants live on-site, and three delicious meals are provided each day. It will be chilly, pack layers. Basic Spanish skills required. $200 application fee + $650 program fee - Apply

Portugal

Porto - Europe’s “in” destination. This historic harbor city and university town is lively, affordable, and amazingly scenic. You’re invited for a one week Spring trip to help out in this great destination, known for its sunny weather. Three very different opportunities await you: construction (home renovation), food distribution, and working with kids. Accommodations are at the YMCA. No need to learn Portuguese - English is widely spoken. You’ll have an orientation when you arrive, and get an introduction to the city. $200 application fee + $649 program fee Portuguese - English is widely spoken. You’ll have an orientation when you arrive, and get an introduction to the city. $200 application fee + $649 program fee - Apply