The kids I taught were amazing. They were enthusiastic, full of energy and were willing to learn. This makes the experience so much easier to enjoyable because you can see the progress the kids are making. They trust and affection the kids shows you is so precious. Every weekend, I was able to see many of the beautiful sites in Guatemala, like Atitlan Lake, climbing Acatenango, Tikal and Semuc Champey. I was also able to learn some Mayan history and culture.
Volunteer Summer Camp for Teens in Guatemala - Antigua
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Are you 16 or 17 years old and wanting to volunteer abroad as a teen in Guatemala this summer?
International Volunteer HQ’s Summer Camp for teen volunteers is an awesome way to spend part of their summer holidays contributing towards important community initiatives and learning about Guatemalan Culture. Volunteers are able to take part in community volunteering, cultural and tourism activities for 1 week on this special summer camp project.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The Volunteer Teen Camp is a unique blend of community work, cultural immersion and activities available to solo volunteers aged 16 and 17 and it is fully chaperoned.
Participants will be volunteering in local community projects which will involve participating in community beautification initiatives and visits to childcare centers. The schedule will also include cooking lessons , going on cultural adventures, salsa lessons, and joining tours led by our professional guides and chaperones.
The Volunteer Teen Camp has a single start date on July 21st, 2025 and participants can join for a 1 week duration.
What’s included:
- Counselors 24/7, 8:1 student-counselor ratio
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Program and safety orientation
- Host family accommodations (laundry included)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 7 days/week
- All tours and social activities
- Private transportation to/from all activities
- Volunteer certificate
- Souvenir camp t-shirt
- WiFi and computer lounge
- Salsa dance classes
- Cooking classes
- On-site snack bar
- Emergency contact number 24/7
Why join the Volunteer Summer Camp in Guatemala with IVHQ?
When you volunteer as a teen in Guatemala, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Contributing to community-driven volunteer projects
- Developing your communication skills
- Immersing yourself in Guatemala’s culture, food, history
- Connecting with local people in an authentic way
- Discovering Guatemala’s cultural treasures
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers must provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program
- Volunteers must provide two character reference letters
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Guatemala photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
It was important for me to have my team gain exposure to a country and community that we could not easily access. The collaboration between IVHQ, the local team, and community partner brought the exact experience I wanted for my team. As my initial point of contact, IVHQ made the planning and preparation for the trip easy and seamless. I would highly encourage anyone looking to conduct a volunteer opportunity in a foreign nation to give IVHQ a try!
I learned so much during my time volunteering in Guatemala. I learned that I am capable of much more than I knew, I reached beyond my limits and expanded my comfort zone, I met so many amazing people who were supportive and kind, I learned about how much work and effort it takes to sustainably grow a variety of plants and vegetables, and I was able to see/immerse myself in a new culture that I would never have been able to fully understand without living and seeing.
I would 1000% recommend joining this program or one similar for all these reasons and so many more. I would say that if you are hesitant, just go for it!! Don’t hold yourself back from a wonderful experience!!
I think the biggest things I gained from this experience was learning Spanish, being emerged into a new culture, and helping people in a way I've never before. I would say stay open to any opportunities that come your way.
I gained a lot from this experience, an appreciation of the things we take for granted in the western world, an appreciation for what’s really important, it was humbling to see how important family is in the Mayan culture, a time to reflect and gain insights into your own intrinsic motivations and what’s important to you in life, so many great things came from this experience.
My advice would be to “just do it”, it’s the best way to experience a culture, it’s super well organised and life is short, so experience the world before it might be too late.
I feel like I gained a more well-rounded perspective on the medical standards of third world countries. This was an amazing experience that I would 100% do again. Not only was I able to help individuals in various communities throughout the week, I was able to interact with different age groups and provide much needed and much appreciated medical support. I could tell that our service meant the world to them and I wish I could express how much of an impact that they made on me as well. I would recommend this trip to anyone and everyone. I feel like everyone could pull something valuable out of this trip.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
When you walk the cobblestone streets of Antigua it is easy to see why it has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baroque architecture, Spanish colonial churches and brightly painted buildings can be admired on nearly every corner. The urban environment speaks to the rich history of the city which dates back to the 1500s and includes a number of destructive earthquakes which have seen it repaired and rebuilt over a long period of time.
IVHQ’s Guatemala program is based in Antigua with placements in the city and surrounding areas. At these placements you’re likely to see the struggle faced by many Guatemalans living with limited resources. Despite the beauty of the place and its busy tourism industry, Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Its citizens can benefit greatly from the support volunteers can give local initiatives which strive to improve their lives.
Antigua is located approximately 30 minutes from Guatemala City.
Arrival and orientation
Arrive - Sunday, 20th July and Depart - Sunday, 27th July 2025
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Antigua.
Volunteer schedule example
Sunday, July 20th | Airport pick-up and transfer to Antigua, orientation, dinner with host family |
Monday, July 21st | Mayan Cultural Immersion activity, volunteering, and Night Photo tour |
Tuesday, July 22nd | Pacaya Volcano hike, volunteering, and Field Games |
Wednesday, July 23rd | Visit to Jade Museum and Chocolate Making Class, volunteering, and Movie Night |
Thursday, July 24th | Nature Hike and picnic lunch, volunteering and Salsa Dance Class |
Friday, July 25th | Ziplining, volunteering, and Cooking Class |
Saturday, July 26th | Day trip to Lake Atitlan and farewell dinner |
Sunday, July 27th | Airport drop off |
Accommodation and WiFi
Participants are accommodated in homestays with local families who have been vetted and approved by our local team, and their chaperone is also accommodated in the homestay in a separate room. We have been working with these families for 10+ years and the homestays provide participants with a cultural immersion experience like no other.
Living is comfortable with electricity, running water and western bathrooms. Low pressure showers should be expected and the water is not always heated. You will need to bring your own towel and toiletries, but bed linen is provided. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. You can expect to share a room with 4 - 6 other volunteers of the same gender.
WiFi is available at the homestays. However, the connection may not be as reliable as what you are used to at home. You will also have access to computers and WiFi at the local team’s office in Antigua.
Meals
Volunteers are provided with breakfast at their accommodation. Volunteers can expect breakfast to be bread or tortillas, spreads, fruit and eggs with tea or coffee.
Lunches and dinners will also be provided and will take place in local restaurants or at the accommodation. These meals commonly consist of meat, beans, starches and vegetables.
As this is an all inclusive camp, participants do not need to budget for things like tours, meals, or activities. However, we typically recommend between US$80 - $100 spending money per week for additional snacks and souvenirs.
Tap water in Guatemala is not potable and drinking water is not provided for you in your accommodation, however bottled water is easy to purchase and inexpensive throughout Guatemala. Tap water can be used for showers and brushing your teeth.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$441) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
---|---|
1 week | $1,995 Equivalent to $285/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$441) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- We recommend budgeting between US$80 - $100 per week for spending money if you wish to purchase additional snacks or souvenirs.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Return transportation to volunteer placement and activities
- Chaperone supervision
- Laundry
- Tours listed in the schedule
- Activities listed in the schedule
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Flights
- Visa (if required)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Vaccinations
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Antigua
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Antigua program.
Step into the world of coffee excellence in the lush highlands of Guatemala
See all of Guatemala’s major hot spots on this 1-week Mini Adventure tour.
Enhance your volunteer experience by mastering the language with our flexible, daily online Spanish Lessons.
Check what's required to visit Guatemala
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
Capital | Guatemala City |
Population | 15.08 million |
Languages | Spanish |
Currency | Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) |
Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
Weather and climate: Guatemala has a range of micro climates and the high altitude of Guatemala City results in a subtropical highland climate in this region. There aren’t distinct seasons in Guatemala and the temperature is typically mild year round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F) during the day, and 12°C to 17°C (54°F to 63°F) at night. The country attracts winds and rain during the months of May to October with the hottest month being April.