Description

Join Rustic Pathways in Australia to provide vacation care for Aussie elementary school kids. Over the last two years, Rustic students have volunteered at Beerwah State School, one of several elementary schools in The Glass House Mountains region. As an extension of our service to the community, in 2012, Rustic Pathways will offer a vacation care program to local families. Come and support this new service initiative and spend your summer working with young Aussie kids!

The Australian school year has a different schedule to the USA. Aussie kids have their long summer break in December-January, and a short two-week break at the end of June. Most Aussie families do not take vacation during the June-July holidays, and parents continue to work while their kids are home from school. Parents of this community need structured activities for their children, and the local kids are craving fun, exciting opportunities during their break. So in 2012, Rustic Pathways will be offering an exciting day care program through both weeks of the school vacation. This is your opportunity to be part of creating an amazing vacation experience for little Aussie vegemites (kids)!

The program starts by touring the area, visiting local schools and learning as much as you can about Australia. Your program leaders will put you through a training course that teaches you the skills you need to help run an amazing program. We'll teach you the essentials of managing groups of kids; you'll learn how to plan lessons and teach in engaging ways; and there'll be training sessions on working with children, child protection and occupational health and safety.

Then it's time for the fun to begin! From 8:30am - 4:30pm each weekday, you'll be helping run the vacation care program! Your role will vary each day - one day you might be running sport games on the oval, then the next day helping with arts and crafts. You'll lead party games, help with cooking challenges and give away plenty of prizes! There will be excursions to the beach, drama performances, dance competitions and more! Each day will have a variety of activity sessions, and you'll contribute with your new skills and existing talents. And throughout the program you will be swarmed by Aussie kids who will make this program an experience you'll never forget!

After five (or ten!) days of vacation care, you'll head off to explore one of the jewels of Australia Fraser Island. The largest sand island in the world is also home to the purest strain of dingo and one of the most stunning freshwater lakes in the world. You will travel around the island by 4x4, and the beach will become the highway! Then if you're looking for a truly unique experience, you can take a scenic flight over the island (optional) with the plane taking off and landing on the beach! Then, the program heads down to Brisbane where you'll finish with a celebration in the city.

Highlights

HELP run a vacation care program for elementary school students in the community surrounding Rustic Pathways' Australian Base.

ENGAGE with young Aussie students and provide a cultural exchange experience during their winter holidays.

DEVELOP your leadership skills, learn how to teach, and facilitate games and activities during an exciting new program in Australia.

TOUR the magnificent Fraser Island, relax on the pure white sands of Lake Mackenzie, walk through stunning rainforest and see dingoes play in the wild.

FLY in a plane (optional) that uses the beach as a runway, and photograph the beauty of the Fraser Island from the air.

Qualifications

Students must be 15-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2,895

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation within country, 3 meals a day, accommodation, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions as listed in the itinerary.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Community Development
• Education
• Teaching

Age Range

15-18 years old

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-20 students

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983