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Summer Volunteer Abroad Programs
Use your summer break for short, structured volunteering in childcare, teaching and elephant welfare projects across India, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
Volunteering that fits your summer break
Summer volunteer programs are built around the school and college break, running for 1 to 2 weeks so a placement fits inside a fixed window of time. Most days are spent inside a childcare center or classroom, helping local staff with lessons, play and daily routines, or supporting elephant welfare work under the direction of local handlers. Volunteers work alongside local teams rather than taking sole charge of a class, a child or an animal, and every placement follows the same safeguarding rules regardless of country.
These programs run in India, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, with the busiest routes through India, Peru, Ghana and Kenya. Fees start from $817, including a $249 deposit, and cover accommodation, meals, airport pickup and in-country support for the length of your stay. Flights, visas and insurance are arranged separately. If your break is shorter or longer than expected, our Short Term Volunteer Abroad Programs cover the same countries with more flexible durations.
Projects you can join
9 programs across 7 countries, straight from our booking system — filter by country.
Where summer programs run
Each country page lists every program there with live prices, start dates and the local team's details.
Who can join, how long you can stay, and what it costs
Before you apply
- Age: 16+ to join, with 17+ on some programs and parental consent needed for younger applicants where allowed.
- Background check: a clean criminal background check is required for every placement, since all summer projects involve direct contact with children.
- Experience: no previous volunteering or teaching background is required; local staff lead each session and volunteers assist.
- Language: everyday English is enough on every program; a little Spanish helps in Peru but is not required.
- Fee: $817 covers accommodation, meals, airport pickup and in-country support, with a $249 deposit due at booking, see where the fee goes.
- Booking: fixed-date programs fill up ahead of school breaks, so reserve your week a few months in advance.
Cost by country
| Country | Programs | Minimum age | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2 | 17+ | 2 weeks | $817 |
| Nepal | 1 | 17+ | 2 weeks | $844 |
| Ghana | 1 | 17+ | 2 weeks | $1,089 |
| Kenya | 1 | 17+ | 2 weeks | $1,144 |
| Tanzania | 1 | 17+ | 2 weeks | $1,199 |
| Peru | 2 | 17+ | 1–2 weeks | $1,209 |
| Sri Lanka | 1 | 16+ | 2 weeks | $1,748 |
"From" is the all-in fee for the shortest stay and includes the $249 booking deposit; accommodation, the meals listed for the program, airport pickup where listed, orientation, placement and in-country support are covered. Flights, insurance, visas and personal spending are not. Each program page has the full week-by-week price table.
What do our past volunteers say?
“It was a special experience, the dream of a lifetime. When I chose to go to Tanzania, I had this mindset: we can't help everyone, but each of us can help someone. It was the turning point, it is impossible to tell the joy of children, I miss them already. Thank you Volunteering Solutions for this experience.” - Margherita M, Summer Volunteer Program, Tanzania
“This program is fantastic if you want to integrate yourself into the true spirit of volunteering in India. I spent four weeks at a school working with street children and would highly recommend this program to anyone who enjoys spending time making children happy and learning about how life is led in the slums of India.” - Sam H, Summer Volunteering Program, India
Boundaries we keep on summer placements
Every summer project is chosen because local staff already run it and want extra hands for a defined period, not because a placement was created to give volunteers something to do. Volunteers support the teacher, caregiver or handler in charge; they do not run a class alone, discipline children, or handle any part of an animal's care beyond feeding and habitat work under supervision. These limits stay the same whether you book for one week or two, and they follow our responsible volunteer travel policy.
- Volunteers never take sole charge of a classroom or childcare group.
- Contact with elephants is limited to feeding and habitat support, with no riding, bathing or performances.
- All child-facing placements require a background check before departure.
Our standards
- Safeguarding policyVetted placements, a code of conduct and background checks where you work with children or vulnerable adults.
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionHow placements with children are run and what volunteers may and may not do.
- Responsible volunteer travelCommunity-led projects, no work that displaces local jobs, honest about what a short stay can do.
- Certified B CorporationIndependently assessed on impact, transparency and accountability.
What our volunteers say
Summer Volunteer Abroad Programs: frequently asked questions
What are summer volunteer abroad programs?
Summer volunteer abroad programs are short placements timed for the school and university break, usually 1 to 2 weeks long. Volunteers join ongoing childcare, teaching support and, in one country, elephant welfare work, always led by local staff in India, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. The format suits students and young adults with a fixed window of time who want a structured, supported placement rather than an open-ended stay.
Who can join a summer volunteer program?
You need to be at least 16 to join, with a few programs open from 17+ depending on the country. No prior experience is required. High school students traveling as part of a school group should check the Teen and High School Volunteer Programs Abroad hub, since age and supervision rules differ there.
What does the work actually involve day to day?
Most summer projects are based in childcare centers or schools, where you support local staff with lessons, play and daily activities. One program in India adds elephant welfare work under mahout supervision. Volunteers assist rather than take charge of a class or a child's care, and no medical, clinical or disciplinary tasks are ever included.
How much do summer programs cost and what is included?
Summer programs start from $817, with a $249 deposit due at booking and the balance due later. The fee covers accommodation, meals, airport pickup, in-country orientation and 24/7 support from the local team. Flights, visas and travel insurance are arranged separately. See what a program fee covers for a full breakdown by country.
How long are summer placements and when do they start?
Summer placements run from 1 to 2 weeks, matched to typical school and college break windows. Most programs start on fixed dates rather than a rolling basis, so booking early secures your preferred week. The next available start date is 27 Sep 2026; check the start dates explorer for other options.
Where do summer volunteer programs run?
Summer programs run in India, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania, with the most bookings currently in India, Peru, Ghana and Kenya. Each destination runs a specific project type, so your choice of country also decides whether you are based in a childcare center, a classroom, or alongside elephant welfare work near Agra in India.
Is a background check required for summer programs?
Yes. Because summer placements involve direct contact with children, every volunteer needs a clean criminal background check before departure, in line with our child and vulnerable adult protection policy. This applies across every country and age group and is a standard part of preparing for the program.
Will I be left in charge of children or animals?
No. Volunteers support the local teacher, caregiver or handler; they never run a class alone, discipline children unsupervised, or take charge of a child's welfare. On the elephant program, contact is limited to feeding and habitat work under the mahout's direction, with no riding or bathing. These boundaries protect both volunteers and those they work alongside.
What support is available while I am abroad?
Every volunteer has a local in-country team available 24/7 for the length of the placement, along with orientation on arrival. Accommodation, meals and airport pickup are arranged before you land, and your local coordinator is the main point of contact for any issue that comes up during the program.
Can I change my dates if my summer plans change?
Yes, plans can change up to 45 days before departure at no extra cost under our flexible booking policy. This suits summer volunteers juggling school schedules, exam results or family travel, since you can move to a different start date or program without losing your deposit.
How do I book a summer volunteer program?
Pick a country and project type, then reserve your place with the $249 deposit. A program advisor confirms your start date, sends a pre-departure guide and answers questions on visas or insurance. Reach the team through the contact page or by email at info@volunteeringsolutions.com.
Book your summer volunteer placement
9 programs · 7 countries · from $817 · next start 27 Sep 2026
Free advice, no obligation. Change program, dates or destination free of charge up to 45 days before you start.