High School Community Service & Volunteering Programs in India

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At THINK Global School (TGS), the world's only traveling high school, students live and learn across four countries each year, gaining the skills, perspectives, and friendships needed to thrive in today's interconnected world. In an age of constant digital connection, TGS prioritizes authentic human experiences through real-world immersion and genuine cultural exchange. Students ages 16–18 experience life in up to 8 countries over two years while earning a fully WASC-accredited diploma. Instead of textbooks and lectures, students dive into project-based learning through TGS's innovative Changemaker Curriculum, tackling real-world challenges while drawing inspiration from each host country's culture, environment, and community. With a 4:1 faculty-to-student ratio, students receive individualized guidance from multicultural educators who act as mentors. Since 2010, TGS has called 34 extraordinary countries home, creating a truly global classroom. TGS uses sliding-scale tuition based on family circumstances, ensuring accessibility for qualified students from all backgrounds who have a passion for travel and a desire to improve the world.

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of prevalent social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in the oceans of Greece, visit the jungles of Costa Rica, or the rolling Incan valleys of Peru, all while contributing to sustainability, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and how the mighty Himalayas affect coastal communities downstream, you can start to explore your purpose and the role you want to play in a globally interconnected world. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 5

Join us for a trekking intensive program that explores environmental and rural community resiliency among one of the most stunning landscapes on Earth. This four-week summer abroad in North India is for students interested in engaging in environmental and cultural preservation, honing their trekking skills*, and learning about Tibetan Buddhism. Clinging to the far western flank of the Tibetan plateau, jagged peaks and windswept valleys have preserved mainly the indigenous mountain cultures of Ladakh. Our exploration begins close to the regional capital, Leh, where we acclimatize to the elevation. We examine how the unique Ladakhi heritage and fragile high desert ecosystem interact with the region's shifting cultural, ecological, and economic pressures. * Note: Participants receive Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification.

Kaya Responsible Travel welcomes teen volunteers ages 16 and 17 to this unique program abroad. You will develop into a global citizen while spending time with peers from India and working within local communities. For 2 – 8 weeks or longer, you will genuinely gain an insight into Indian culture and contribute to the overall goals of your chosen project—Childcare, Women Empowerment, or Teaching. You will also participate in extra activities, apart from volunteer responsibilities. These may include sharing meals with a local family, a sari-dressing workshop, and yoga sessions. As a 16 or 17-year-old volunteer in India, you need to be ready to travel and meet new friends. You should be open to new ideas and situations, from eating local food to working in communities that are highly different from anything you have seen before. You should be self-motivated and able to work in a team.

OSAAT is seeking middle and high school students interested in utilizing their skills in art, leadership, public speaking, and digital technology to contribute to their initiatives during summer or winter breaks in India. This is a unique opportunity for students to make a meaningful impact while experiencing a culturally rich environment. By volunteering with OSAAT, students can actively assist in the organization's efforts to rebuild school infrastructure and empower children in rural areas. Whether through artistic endeavors, showcasing leadership abilities, delivering public speeches, or utilizing digital tools, students can play a vital role in supporting OSAAT's mission. This experience not only allows students to develop their skills but also fosters a deeper understanding of global issues and the transformative power of education. Join OSAAT in making a difference and create unforgettable memories in India during your summer or winter break.

Sports coaching involves developing and nurturing the talent and personal development of children from disadvantaged communities through sports. Our Football volunteers will be training children in local schools and community centers. To join this program you don’t need to be a qualified coach, you just need bags of energy and to be passionate about playing sports with children. Our Sports Volunteering Program aims to impart sports training as well as life skills such as teamwork and endurance to students. Extensive research and studies have shown that participating in a sport can help in the development of a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Simple gestures, such as a high-five or a pat on the back, build confidence and improve bonding between children. Our sports coaching projects involve helping a local sports coach with football training in the mornings and evenings and joining our teaching program as well. Volunteers are expected to be knowledgeable about the sport they wish to train and work with local sports coaches to formulate an effective training plan. Coaching sessions are generally held in the mornings or early in the evenings.