A nonprofit organization, which provides sustainable support for the indigenous communities of Bocas del Toro in Panama, is worth a look at. Since 2011 they have developed 40 projects and organized more than 40.000 hours of volunteering …
Organization & Mission
Give and Surf – Support for indigenous communities through education & community development/infrastructure
Volunteering & Internship
Educational programs, summer camps, surf-outreach programs, community development/infrastructure
Requirements & Costs
Online application – Packages from US$ 1000,-
Surfing & Offers
For all levels, one lesson & surftrips included
Location & Infrastructure
Bocas del Toro, North East Panama
THE ORGANISATION & THEIR MISSION
The approach of Give and Surf has always been to have a deep, long-lasting, sustainable impact within the small communities they work with. In 2011 Neil Christiansen, together with Margaret Ann & Henry Escudero started educational projects in the community which have been growing since then. Today the nonprofit organization is an essential provider for education and community development, teaching over 250 students per week and creating necessary facilities – e.g. a community center, a playground, a library, a septic tank and other useful infrastructure.
Give and Surf stands for the empowerment of indigenous people (e.g. the Ngobe-Bugle tribe), transformative personal experiences for volunteers as well as cultural exchange.
VOLUNTEERING & INTERNSHIP
The range of educational programs where you can participate is broad: For example you can get involved in the preschool and kindergarten implementing a Montessori Curricula, or you can plan activities for the summer school, combining environment, experimental learning and self-expression. There is also the option to help out in the summer camp and roll-out creative projects involving sports, arts, science, etc. If you prefer working in a different setting you can also teach English to adults or teens and thus help to increase their employment opportunities.
And there are more programs: You can get wet and coordinate the children in the surf-outreach mentorship program, or if at the time of your visit Give and Surf is realizing a construction project, you can help to improve the infrastructural context for the community (Give and Surf has already built a playground, a library, a septic tank, a community center and many other facilities).
REQUIREMENTS & COSTS
For volunteering with Give and Surf you have to fill in the online form (followed by a skype/phone conversation) and pay for the package, which includes ocean-front accommodation, breakfast & lunch (lunch not on weekends), rental gear (surfboards, snorkel equipment etc.), transportations to beaches/town, surf trips, one surf lesson and the volunteer coordination (orientation program etc.).
The volunteer fees are necessary, because they provide the majority of funds for the organization, they depend on the length of your stay (the longer you stay, the cheaper it gets) – from 1000$ a week, to 2000$ a month.
SURFING & OFFERS
No matter whether you want to learn surfing, improve your surfing skills or look for beach break barrels to ride, you will definitely feel at home in Bocas del Toro and get all you need from the Give and Surf Crew. Rental surfboards, surf trips and one surf lesson are included in the package. Usually surf sessions are in the afternoons, right after school.
LOCATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
The archipelago of Bocas del Toro is located in the North East of Panama. Besides surfing you can enjoy the rich (indigenous) culture, hike through the beautiful jungle and farmlands, do yoga, join tours to visit the islands, or go sailing, diving or fishing.
You can either fly into Panama City, San José (Costa Rica) and then directly into Bocas del Toro or you can take an overnight-bus from Panama City to Almirante and then a short watertaxi-ride to Bocas Town.
The tropical climate can be hot and rainy all year round, with some decrease from December to April. During these months, there are usually better surf conditions, than in the rest of the year. However between June and August there can also come in some good swell.
PLEASE MIND
Bring a lot of bug spray, but not a lot of cash and you will be safe 😉
MORE DETAILS
For more details, please visit the website of Give and Surf. Do you already have experience with this organisation? If yes, feel free to share your experience in the comments below.
Hi dear Surf & Mind Team!
In December 2018, I volunteered for Give & Surf in Bocas del Toro in Panama. It has been a great experience for me and in the following I´d like to share my thoughts and impressions about my time there.
The application process was very well organized and it took only around 2 weeks from applying, to having a Skype Call until I got accepted to support their organization. Before arrival, you get provided with an e-mail and all the necessary information for your stay. I came into Panama from Costa Rica and had to take a shuttle bus from the border to a little town called Almirante. Give & Surf is coordinating the transport with you in advance and you will get a water taxi to the main island.
Our coordinator was called Cooper, a guy from California who is really open-minded and friendly. He picked me up at the little harbor and explained me where to find the main facilities like food stores, good restaurants and also great party locations 🙂 The beach house of Give and Surf is location on the Bastimentos Island, around 10 min boat ride from the main island. In Bocas del Toro, life happens on and around the water – so hardly any cars nor motorcyles.
The accommodation is fantastic, located right at a beautiful beach nestled in between palm trees and just super relaxing. Most of the food provided by G&S is locally grown food and also the recycling processes are very advanced. There is a big sleeping room with 5 beds and two separate private rooms for the employees and coordinators. It is possible to walk from the beach house to Old Bank, where you can find nice fish and seafood restaurants and beautiful, ornate bars.
I choose the “Educational Package” and therefore was working with indigenous children in the age from 4 – 7 years. Every day around 9 o´clock, Cooper and me started our boat tour to pick up the children one by one at their modest cottages. We stopped with the boat close to the shore and shouted “Escuelita! Escuelita!” and within a couple of seconds the girls and boys appeared and jumped onto our school boat.
The school was also located at Bastimentos and consisted of the main building, a dining room, toilet facilities, a football/volleyball court and a little playground next to a vegetables garden. My tasks during the week have been to entertain the children, read books with them and teach basic English. I enjoyed it a lot since you could see gratefulness and happiness in their eyes that someone cares about them and giving them the opportunity to learn and improved their standard of living in the long-term.
Besides volunteering and supporting the local communities, I learned about the political and social problems these indigenous tribes are facing and that it is super important to have organizations like Give & Surf to support them and give them hope for their future. The lifestyle during my volunteering time in Panama was smooth and relaxed – educating, cooking, swimming, surfing, great conversations over a cold can of beer and enjoying the beauty of this fantastic region. I was only staying there for 10 days, but would recommend everybody who has more time to stay longer since you are getting familiar with all the surroundings and also the children more and more every day.
In conclusion, it has been a very nice experience for me to volunteer for Give & Surf and I highly recommend to stay with them if you are interested in the combination of community building/education/sustainability/surfing.
Disfruta Panamá!
Dear Berni,
thank you so much for sharing your story and soo many details about your experience!! We are really happy you had a great stay and can recommend the organization!! All this information about your volunteering experience & the spot does not only help our readers a lot, but also us, as we always try to find out the most about the organizations to make sure they fulfill the criteria of surf & mind. Sounds all great, we love to hear that!! Thanks a lot again and stay tuned, maybe soon you get inspired to volunteer with one of the other organizations we present ;-),
Cheers,
your surf & mind team
Helena, Vera and Luki