Quick Facts
Program code
CL-WN109
Category
Volunteer Work, Nature Protection
Country
Chile
Location
Santiago de Chile
Program start
year round, flexible start and end dates.
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
This project combines the beautiful experience of working inmidst of nature, with the advantages of a modern metropolis: Volunteers will be working in South America´s largest urban park in, the green lung of Santiago de Chile! In your spare time, gastronomy, culture, sports and many other offers await you right around the corner - and of course many interesting people!
the part is really huge and there is something to be done in every corner of its 700 hectares, so much, that even the several hundred permanent employees can hardly keep up. With numerous hiking trails, playgrounds, two swimming pools, mountain bike trails, a zoo, several themed gardens, a cable car and a funicular, picnic and barbecue areas and large areas of forest and bush, the park is an important green oasis for the residents of Santiago de Chile.
The viewing platforms on the top offer a great view over the city and the Andes. The cable car and funicular are particularly popular among tourists, some of whom do not speak Spanish. Here, volunteers who have fun dealing with people from around the world in different languages, are very welcome to help out.
The park is nos only a nice place to stroll, but it is also of enormous importance for the general well-being of Santiago. It considerably improves the city´s air quality, which is plagued by smog, especially during the winter months. Maintaining trails, pruning, reforesting, watering and planting plants are the tasks of the "nature squad" to keep this green lung intact.
In recent years, environmental awareness has developed strongly in Chile. The park, in partnership with schools, provides environmental education for children and adolescents to teach how to act responsible with the environment, and to achieve a better quality of life in Santiago in the long term. This is where children-loving volunteers and educators can get involved.
Depending on your interests, you can work in one or more areas, of course taking into account the needs of the park, the workload and the number of volunteers.
Tasks
The tasks are distributed on site depending on interest, needs, weather and season, and can include:
- Working outdoors: maintenance work, cutting back trees and plants, watering, etc.
- Environmental education: teach children and young people on environmental issues through practical examples and workshops.
- Environmental protection & reforestation: restoration of biodiversity in the park, assisting in the greenhouse, etc.
- Visitor Center: Participating in the Visitor Center at the entrance of the park, informing visitors and giving instructions on how to use the park (in different languages).
- Independent projects: Dedicated volunteers and those who have the appropriate (technical) knowledge or ideas are encouraged to independently develop projects to improve the park and/or environmental education and/or environmental protection measures.
Regardless of whether you prefer to work hands-on, whether you prefer to work with people in a service-oriented manner or whether pedagogy is your thing: in this project there is a lot to do for everyone.
Working hours are between 20 and 40 hours/week.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
We offer accommodation in a homestay. This means that you live in a local private household in which one or more rooms are sublet. Hosts can be single persons, e.g. lovely señoras, young professionals, couples, families or students.
You will have a single room with access to living room, kitchen, bathroom, etc. Internet is included. All accommodations are in a safe location with good public transport connection. Half board with breakfast and dinner can be added upon request.
Note: Only our premium package includes accommodation placement.
Location
The capital of Chile is an amazing city and one of the few metropolises in the world where you can actually ask yourself: "Going to the beach today and skiing tomorrow, or the other way around?", since world-class ski slopes (and trekking routes in summer) await you in the high Andes. Santiago divides Chile into the fertile south and the dry, mineral-rich north.
Santiago itself offers fun for everyone: There are beautiful places to relax, old colonial buildings and a lively urban culture with museums, street artists, theaters and more; small craft markets and green meadows, countless restaurants and pubs in beautiful nightlife areas.
And above all, there is the flair of a metropolis, which combines the characteristics of a modern capital with those of a colonial city. Santiago is where the heart of Chile's economy and progress beats and whare about one third of the Chileans are at home.
The Santiaguinos are usually friendly and helpful people and as a foreigner, you can quickly connect to them. Santiago is also home to numerous universities, which has led to a lively international student life.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level, so that you can communicate with the staff in you volunteer project, understand work instructions and get actively involved.
For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Chile, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Chile directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Chile!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel health insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office in Santiago de Chile you will be supported by an on-site volunteer coordinator.
Costs & Services
Volunteer Work Basic includes:
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Application fee: US$ 150
Placement fee: US$ 250 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
Volunteer Work Premium includes:
- Single room in homestay
- Internet access at homestay
- Airport pick-up in Santiago
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Application fee: US$ 150
Placement fee: US$ 915 (minimum duration 4 weeks)
Extra week: US$ 170
Additionally, you can book:
- US$ 75/week for half-board suplement (breakfast & dinner)
- Spanish course in Chile
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
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All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!