Thailand Volunteer Program for Teens
Experience Thailand through a fulfilling, once-in-a-lifetime volunteer opportunity on this elephant service and adventure program. Spend meaningful days caring for this nation’s cherished species at an elephant sanctuary. This Thailand community service program is led by our amazing staff, who are there to provide guidance and reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. Thrilling adventures across Thailand are also included to make the summer experience even more memorable! Meaningful service, amazing adventures, and new friends? A perfect recipe for the summer of a lifetime!
This program is the first 16 days of our longer 25-day Thailand Elephant Service & Adventure volunteer program.
About This Program
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What It’s Like
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
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Cultural Sensitivity
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
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40 Community Service Hours
A letter of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the program.
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Recognition
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
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Service Projects
Everybody participates together in each project. Specific projects are confirmed in late spring and are similar to those described.
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Local Guide
A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
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Accommodations
Hotels & lodges.
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Meals
Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
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Activities
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
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Transportation
Chartered, air conditioned vehicles with a professional driver.
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Group Size
Up to 24 participants.
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Dietary Options
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Program Highlights
- • Learn to feed, bathe, and care for an elephant.
- • Work alongside a local hill tribe community on a building project.
- • Zip-line through the jungle of Chiang Mai.
- • Work as a true animal conservationist, spending quality time with Thai elephant trainers.
- • Enjoy a relaxing journey down the Mae Kok River on a bamboo raft.
- • Take a Muay Thai kickboxing class.
- • Relax with a well-deserved Thai massage.
- • Prepare local cuisine with a professional chef at a Thai cooking class.
Service Projects
Activities
Accommodations
Bangkok, Thailand
The I Residence hotel features a rooftop restaurant, swimming pool and sundeck with city views of Bangkok. The central location makes it easy to get around and the perfect place to start and conclude your journey in the Land of the Smiles!
Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Ana Park Hotel is a relaxing, centrally-located property featuring a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi access, and delicious breakfast options.
Mae Salak, Thailand
When you are not working in the tribal village, enjoy the picturesque river and mountain views at Saranya River House. Hotel features include WiFi, TVs, air-conditioned rooms and a swimming pool.
More Details
Frequently Asked Questions
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What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
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How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.Important notes:
- Depending on the hotel bedding configuration, all friends traveling together may not be able to room together for the first stop.
- Roommates are assigned based on gender identity. We welcome all genders, inclusive of those anywhere on the gender spectrum.
- On a few programs where we spend an extended period of time at the first stop, participants have the opportunity to rotate after the first two nights.