Description

Appreciative and poor Indian children are just waiting for you to come help make their summer camp a success! Volunteer your time and transform their school holidays into an enjoyable learning experience at Summer Camp by creating a safe environment where they can play, laugh, learn, and create memories that last a lifetime. School holidays last about 2 months and unfortunately, many of the children come from poor families and have no way to entertain themselves during the summer holiday.. so if you've got nothing planned and you have a couple a weeks or longer free this summer, why not come to India and have fun with the kids! Be the best part of their summer camp memories. They will never forget you!

Project Overview:
This is a special Summer project arranged the children something to do during the holidays that will be fun, entertaining and perhaps teach them some skills at the same time.

This is our first year being involved with the Madurai Summer Camps and it's a very exciting opportunity for us, the children and you! The main appeal of the summer camps is that you can give hands-on attention to all the children in an informal setting. We have run a very similar project at summer camps in Ghana since 2005 and have received comments like, "the best time of my life", "I loved every minute of it and I'm going to miss my children!" and the best one, "I'm coming back for next year's camp".

Camp Activities:
The activities on offer for the children are so wide-ranging that there is something for everyone:
--> Many sports, including football, badminton, karate, yoga, chess, gymnastics and there is even a cricket coaching camp for those of you who share the nations love for the bat and ball!
--> A great range of creative activities including dance, art, design, drawing, puzzles, Indian folk music, drums, Western dance, even skating!
--> More academic activities are also available mental maths, handwriting, spoken English, English grammar, computers, current affairs and amazing facts.
--> We also have a 'kiddies camp' for those of you who love nurturing the little ones! This is aimed at providing an all-round and total learning and growing environment for them. You can help with story time, audio/ visual, music and dance.

The kids will be learning to use English at the same time, so they'll not only have fun, they'll also benefit from the activity. These activities also benefit the children by improving their team-work skills, social interaction and building their confidence.

The Summer Camp will take place in the grounds of several schools where our teaching volunteers assist during normal school term time. There are 7 schools running the camps this year and their dates all differ slightly. There are normally around 3 hours available each day at each summer camp.

During the holiday period it is likely the school will have only a few members of staff present as the rest of the staff are likely to be away on holiday. For this reason you will have the opportunity to become quite involved in the structure, running and development of the camp, which will require you to work on your own initiative for a lot of the time. For this reason, being creative is a must.

You may work with large or small groups of children, so you need to be diverse and organised, but you are encouraged to utilise any skills or passions you have, whether these are playing sport, music, drama or just games. Past volunteers made a real difference by introducing a fun and creative way for the children to express themselves and learn about new things. You'll be rewarded by how much fun the children will have!

So if you haven't got anything planned and you're free for a couple a weeks or longer from April onwards, why not come to India and have fun with the kids.

Our India Manager and his team will look after you well. You'll get lots of advice about the do's and don'ts of Indian culture, what to do and where to go.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!

Additional Activities You Can Do While on This Project:
Add to your travel experience in India by doing some additional exciting optional extra activities.
--> Yoga and Meditation Classes: Learn or improve your Yoga skills. Kick-start your days with Yoga followed by Meditation, it'll set you up for the day!
--> 2-Hour Basic Tamil Language Course (only GBP7). You'll learn some basic phrases to kick-start your placement
--> 4-Week Tamil Language Course: (GBP49) taken at the same time as doing your main project.

Lessons are by a retired Professor of Tamil. You'll appreciate the benefits of having some Tamil during your placement.. and the locals will love you for trying to speak their language.

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in India, such as Sports or Work Experience, Teaching or various Care, giving you a varied and broad experience of life in India.

Highlights

What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you.

Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Accommodations:
You will most likely share a room with up to 2 other volunteers in our Travellers house in the Northern part of Madurai. The house is situated close to internet cafes, banks and snack shops and it's just a 10 minute tuk-tuk ride into the centre of town.

The house has 3 bedrooms (2 ensuite) with showers and western style toilets. All bedrooms are fitted with mosquito netting but for added protection we also provide mosquito nets. The house is very light and airy with tiled floors, a small garden, 2 balconies and a rooftop terrace. There's a communal lounge with TV, DVD, a good selection of DVDs, a stereo and a guitar!!

We have a wonderful local cook who prepares delicious South Indian food for lunch and dinner. You can choose to have an Indian breakfast too but most volunteers prefer a more western breakfast and we provide you with bread, cereals, eggs, fruit and fruit juice.

If you're looking for that complete Indian experience we can arrange for you to stay with one of our host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and you will be made to feel part of the family. All of the hosts live just a minute walk away from the Travellers house enabling you to socialise with the other volunteers in the evenings.

Qualifications

No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Varies depending on length. Starts at 1,195 for 2 weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range

Our projects are open to those 17-70+!!!

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

within 5 working days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement

Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded

1995