What can I do?
The opportunities for volunteering with Beyond el Campo are endless.
There is direct work to be done with the library itself: expanding its collection, organizing the books, working with the librarian. There is literacy work that can done in conjunction with the library: hosting teenage book clubs, after school tutoring, women’s recipe swaps, family read-alouds and so on. We also encourage our volunteers to think of new ways we can use the library as a productive resource for the community.
Besides the library, Beyond el Campo is always working on a variety of community development projects. Currently these projects include English lessons, child nutrition, arts and crafts activities, recycling programs, eco-tourism and so on. We welcome volunteers to work on these projects, or generate new ideas to make Santa Cruz an even more vibrant community.
In addition to community engagement projects, volunteers have the opportunity to utilize their skills in other areas of the project. These may include: grant writing, web development, public relations, blogging, fundraising, and any other essential function to a growing nonprofit.
There is direct work to be done with the library itself: expanding its collection, organizing the books, working with the librarian. There is literacy work that can done in conjunction with the library: hosting teenage book clubs, after school tutoring, women’s recipe swaps, family read-alouds and so on. We also encourage our volunteers to think of new ways we can use the library as a productive resource for the community.
Besides the library, Beyond el Campo is always working on a variety of community development projects. Currently these projects include English lessons, child nutrition, arts and crafts activities, recycling programs, eco-tourism and so on. We welcome volunteers to work on these projects, or generate new ideas to make Santa Cruz an even more vibrant community.
In addition to community engagement projects, volunteers have the opportunity to utilize their skills in other areas of the project. These may include: grant writing, web development, public relations, blogging, fundraising, and any other essential function to a growing nonprofit.
What are the volunteer hours?
The hours are self-determined and depend on the nature of the projects that you decide to become involved with. There will always be field interns in the community to help connect you to the community in the case that you are unsure of what you can be doing to help out. But trust us, there is always a lot of work to be done!
How long can I stay?
Volunteers are encouraged to stay for at least two weeks. Placements of up to 9 weeks is possible.
Where do I stay?
We set up housing in homestays with a local family. Home stays include breakfast, lunch, dinner and laundry service and cost $20 a day. We try and pair volunteers and families together with similar interests and gender preferences.
How do you choose the homestay family?
We have a group of families that we work with in Santa Cruz. All are friends of Beyond el Campo and many have been involved with our work in the library. We will choose the home stay based on availability and time. Usually, we will not be able to tell volunteers who their home stay family will be until close to the time of arrival.
How much does it cost to volunteer?
Volunteers are only expected to pay for their personal expenses (homestay (which covers housing and 3 meals a day), airfare, and incidental expenses). The only program expense is that we ask that all of our volunteers make a donation of $200 for a summer stay and $100 for a January trip that goes directly to library and helps keep it running and growing.
What activities are there to do in the area?
There are many different activities and excursions in the area, as well as day or weekend trips. Locally, there are indoor soccer games, hiking, local dances classes, visits to coffee and avocado plantations and the occasional fiesta. Further afield, there are easily accessible trips that can be planned on the weekends to the beautiful beaches, volcanoes and rainforests of Costa Rica!
Is Santa Cruz Safe?
Crime is very low in Santa Cruz. As a very small, tight knit community, everyone looks after one another and helps create a peaceful, safe environment. Because of the relative isolation and demographics of Santa Cruz, the town is largely absent of the types of crime that are more common in the Central Valley and other large cities. It is always best to take the standard safety precautions as you would in any unfamiliar environment.
How do I apply to Volunteer?
Below is the 2014 application for the January trip, due by November 15th with a resume to lewing15@amherst.edu.
Want to know more?
Click below for the complete FAQ sheet distributed to volunteers.
