The BECA Summer Camp Experience
Are you a current college student or teacher looking for an international experience this Summer? Are you creative, independent, responsible, and fun? Do you like working with underprivileged children in a educational atmosphere?
If so, BECA wants to hear from you. Every year, BECA assembles a team of committed Summer Camp counselors who want to dedicate themselves to the difficult but rewarding work that we do in Honduras. We seek enthusiastic, curious, diverse, and thoughtful volunteers. For every application, we consider the applicant's volunteer service, international engagement, teaching experience, and academic record. BECA volunteer positions are competitive; our typical admissions rate hovers around 10%. Please note that applicants need not be certified teachers nor fluent Spanish speakers.
2012 Summer Camp Counselors (June 26 - July 30, 2012)
We seek 6 Camp Counselors for our seventh annual Summer Camp for children in grades 1-6. The camp is structured to provide our students with opportunities to remain immersed in the English language over the summer through fun games and activities - making the transition back to classes in August less difficult than it would be if they had no exposure to English during the summer.
Summer Camp Counselors must be current college students or relatively recent college graduates. Counselors live in BECA's volunteer housing in Cofradia and are responsible for planning, executing and documenting daily activities for students in a collaborative environment. The goal is to make summer camp a fun way for students to maintain/increase their English language ability. To this end, Counselors work together to plan activities across disciplines including art, reading and writing, and physical activity. Since the camp only runs in the morning, counselors are expected to provide one-on-one tutoring to students during the afternoons on Monday through Thursday. Friday afternoons are left free to allow for weekend travel.
Ideal candidates have a strong record of working with children, are exceedingly responsible and creative, and are willing to navigate multiple obstacles to success. Candidates are not required to speak Spanish, but it is recommended that you have some foundation in the language to truly experience the community dynamic.
The commitment is five weeks (June 26-July 30; dates subject to change by a week). The first week includes orientation activities, opportunities to get to know students and families, and significant time for planning camp activities. Camp runs Monday to Friday during the final 4 weeks.
Our relationship with the community in Cofradia is very well-developed. Therefore, this is an excellent program for people who want to truly experience life in a pueblo. It will not be a resort experience (although there will be weekend opportunities to visit the beach, a cloud forest, and/or Mayan ruins), but we assure you that due to our local partners' commitment to the program, it will be the most genuine hospitality on earth! If you really want to make a difference in the lives of Honduras' children and in your own life, we encourage you to contact us without delay!
Because the Summer Camp is a supplemental program, BECA recoups the program's expenses through donations paid by Summer Camp Counselors who wish to participate. In exchange for this experience, we ask that you contribute or fundraise $1,000 for the BECA program to help defray included costs (food, accommodation, training, materials, and a high speed internet connection). A reduced contribution may be available for college students with demonstrated need.
College students, please note that students in the past have successfully applied for on-campus grant monies to cover this expense and travel. We encourage you to explore what opportunities your college offers to subsidize summer experiences. Please contact us if you have any questions; we will try to help you in any way possible.
If interested in this position, please apply now! To continue reading about the opportunity and view pictures, scroll down further.
The Application Process
In order to begin the application process, please complete the BECA Volunteer Application online. Once you complete the online application, you will be contacted by a BECA representative to set up the first of two interviews.
What expenses does BECA cover?
BECA covers all volunteer housing, food, and training costs. Incidental expenses like high-speed internet and classroom materials are also covered. Your expenses will include the $1,000 fee, travel to/from Honduras, and money for personal travel/amenities. Additionally, we strongly encourage that volunteers ensure they are covered by their health insurer while traveling abroad since BECA does not provide any coverage. For those who do not have coverage, we can suggest several low-cost insurance providers our volunteers have relied on in the past.
Tell me about BECA housing and food
Our volunteers share two residences (the "volunteer house" and the "volunteer apartments") close to the center of Cofradia and about a fifteen minute walk from the school. Most Summer Camp counselors end up staying in the volunteer house, which is situated in an elevated part of Cofradia and has a picturesque view of the Merendon mountains from the airy back terrace (as well as an internet connection - both much appreciated amenities in a hot Latin American pueblo)! Much of the time there is running water and a modern flush toilet. Occasionally there is no actual running water. When this happens, we use the water that is collected outside the house in a large cement trough called a "pila." This water is used to flush the toilet, shower and wash dishes and clothes. Electricity is relatively reliable, but can go out without warning for several hours at a time - especially during the rainy season.
In addition to accommodation and shared internet access, BECA provides an ample food budget for the volunteers. Lunch is prepared at school for the volunteers on school days. A few pictures of the volunteer residences can be found below.
What does SJBS look like?
Click here for a glimpse of San Jeronimo Bilingual School
