Become A Summer Camp Counselor
Volunteer with us next summer !
Yspaniola is a non-profit organization working to increase access to quality education for a marginalized community of Dominicans and Haitians in the Dominican Republic’s Cibao region. Working in Batey Libertad since 2005, we manage a University Scholarship Program that makes higher education attainable for young people in the batey and operate a learning center that works to address the academic and social development challenges faced by children aged 4 – 17. In addition, we promote global citizenship and advocacy by coordinating service-learning trips for international high school and college students to learn about the history of the island and serve the Batey Libertad community.
Yspaniola is seeking volunteers to support our 2023 Batey Libertad Summer Camp. Every summer, Yspaniola supports the Batey Libertad community as they organize a two-week camp catered to youth ages 4 – 16. During camp, youth participate in a number of different guided activities including art, sports, social studies, music, and interactive games, culminating in an all-camp celebration.
Camp volunteers will act as camp counselors or project leaders and work side by side with local volunteers and Yspaniola staff. They will be assigned to a specific age group or be responsible for leading a daily activity with local volunteers. In addition, they will support Yspaniola staff with camp logistics and general organization. The volunteer experience will also include a trip to the beach, as well as afternoon volunteer activities such as Spanish/Creole class, dance class, local hike, etc.
Volunteer Qualifications
-Experience teaching or working with children
-Conversational Spanish and/or Creole skills (fluent speakers are preferred)
-Must be 17 or older
-Passionate about educational equity
-Comfortable living in new environments and interacting with diverse populations
-High-energy, enthusiastic, and flexible
Expectations
-Lead a camp activity or class as a camp counselor
-Collaborate with local volunteers and Yspaniola staff
-Willing to stay for the duration of summer camp
-Willing to take on a leadership role in a small nonprofit setting
Physical Requirements
-Able to stand, walk, and be active for long periods of time
-Able to work in the hot and sunny local climate
Pricing
The fee for participation is $1,500 and includes all in-country meals, accomodation in our volunteer’s house, in-country excursions, as well as airport pickup and drop-off to Santiago airport (STI, Aeropuerto Internacional del Cibao). Volunteers will be expected to cover the cost of their own flights.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis!
What’s Summer Camp all about?
☀︎ Collaboration
You’ll be working alongside dedicated counselors from the community, young adults just like you! You will assist in classroom management, arts and craft activities, co-teaching, and most importantly, keeping the kids engaged and enthusiastic each day! Along the way, you’ll build meaningful relationships with children, teachers, and parents alike.
☀︎ Brighter Futures
Schools in the Dominican Republic operate on a half day schedule, and education has been really impacted by distance learning for over a year. Yspaniola fills the gaps in educational opportunity by providing supplementary, small-group instruction when children are not in school. We continue this commitment to learning in the summer, when children are most at risk of regressing in their reading skills and cognitive development.
☀︎ Community
You’ll be living and breathing the energy of Batey Libertad, a dynamic community comprised of Dominicans, Haitians, and Dominicans of Haitian descent. For the duration of camp you will spend most of the day within the community. In the process, you’ll learn about the unique cultures, people, and challenges that coexist in this vibrant place.
☀︎ Engagement
When Camp activities conclude for the day, you’ll have the opportunity to hone your Spanish skills, dabble in Haitian Creole classes, practice traditional dances like bachata and kompa, and participate in discussions with members of our Youth Committee! You’ll come away with a newfound understanding of community development and cross-cultural communication – all while having the time of your life!