The San Diego Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. This approach allows us to keep costs to families low while teaching valuable fundraising and community outreach skills. 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.

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS/Online Giving Campaign

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends, family and supporters to request individual tax-deductible donations(the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the participant with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. Each volunteer is expected to fundraise $2,700. We will provide a template and provide support to volunteers throughout the process. In the past we have hosted letter writing parties.

Extra Fundraiser

We have also hosted restaurant nights, garage sales, and other creative events to raise money. We are always open to ideas!

Additional funding opportunities

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

FEES

Application Fee: $50

Family Fee: $4,250

Fundraising Goal: $2,700

FEES INCLUDE

• Round-trip international airfare
• 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.

DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Participants pay their family fees beginning December 2019. The fee must be paid by April 15, 2020.
• Fees can be paid online or by mail.
• Payment plans are available.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$2,000 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Please contact fundraising@amigos-sandiego.org for information and details about specific individual grants available.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 50 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 San Diego Chapter AMIGOS training is a 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 volunteers succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the San Diego Chapter Board of Directors.

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

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• Four weekend day trainings
• Three overnight retreats (includes one post-summer)
• Service learning project
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

Training Calendar

Saturday, 11/16
Country Expo
Encinitas Community Center

Sunday, 12/15
Welcome Meeting
Encinitas Community Center

Saturday/Sunday, 1/25–1/26
Overnight Retreat
San Clemente SB

Saturday, 2/22
Training – All Day

Saturday/Sunday 3/14–3/15
Overnight Retreat
San Clemente SB

Sunday, 4/26
Training
Encinitas Community Center

Sunday, 5/31
Despedida
Encinitas Community Center

Saturday/Sunday, 8/22–8/23
Bienvenida/Welcome Home Party

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. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends and family, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the student with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.