Summer Impact Project Thailand 2024

Overview

Volunteering Solutions offers an amazing volunteering & adventure trip for those who wish to set out for an all-encompassing journey and experience the best of Northern Thailand in two weeks. There can be nothing better than this for your upcoming Summer Break! During the two week period, you will be based out of the city of Chiang Mai, the hub of traditional Thai culture and Thailand’s second largest city.Meander along the leafy streets dotted with Buddhist temples, bustling local markets and monks giving their daily alms.

During the first week you will have a full cultural immersion with an extensive orientation and city tour followed by beginning of your volunteer service project at a school project.While the mornings would be busy at the project, the group would be busy with additional activites in the evening such as chat with a Buddhist monks, Thai cooking course and fresh market tour, interaction with university students and visit to Doi Suthep Temple.

On the weekend, you get a free day to just relax or do additional activities. On the second day of the weekend, visit to Thai Elephant Conservation Center, followed by visit to FAE Elephant Hospital that is a non-profit foundation that helps treat sick and injured elephants.

During the second week, you will get to spend a few days immersed in rural life venturing out of Chiang Mai in a lush green valley. You will work alongside the mahouts, or elephant caretakers, to learn exactly what it takes to care for an elephant. From morning walks through the forest to bathing elephants in a nearby river, we’ll directly contribute to the well-being of these amazing creatures.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the best summer volunteer adventure programs in Thailand and it'll turn out to be one of the best journeys of your life !

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with elephants and outdoors. You should also be proactive, have the ability to take initiative and willing to work outdoors. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday - Arrivals and Airport Pickup

You will be picked up from Chiang Mai International Airport by a member of the local team and shall be taken directly to the hotel for check in. Welcome dinner with other members later in the day.

Meals Included – Dinner

Day 2 - Sunday – Orientation and Tour

Morning Orientation including Thai language lessons, cultural do’s and don’ts, how to stay healthy and safe in Thailand, program details.

Afternoon City Tour, with stops at local temples and waterfall. Dinner and Shopping at Sunday Night Walking Street Market. Conveniently, the hotel is located just across the street from the start of this market. So, after dinner participants can take 

their time with shopping, or go directly back to the hotel, if they would like.

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Monday – Teaching Project

Morning Orientation to Teaching in Thailand. 

Afternoon visit to school group will be teaching at, meet students and other teachers, etc. Late afternoon planning and preparation.

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 4 - 7 - Tuesday to Friday – Teaching Project

Mornings spent teaching English as a Second Language at local school in groups of 2 - 3 volunteers in each teaching group.

Afternoons spent doing different cultural and fun activities, including: 

1. Monk Chat with senior bilingual monk about what Buddhism is all about, and how it’s practiced. Also, practice meditation session, for those interested, in the main center building of the temple.

2. Visit to Doi Suthep (temple on the mountain) and Doi Pui - this is a Hmong hilltribe village that has a market and two botanical gardens. 

3. Meet and Greet activity with local university students. Learn what it’s like to be a university student in Thailand and take a tour of their campus.

Thai cooking course and fresh market tour to introduce fresh ingredients. Here participants not only learn how to cook Thai food, but they make their own dinner!

Day 8 - Saturday –  Free Day

This is your day to relax and chill out at the hotel or alternatively opt for additional optional activities such as whitewater rafting or zip lining. These additional activities are chargeable extra.

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 9 - Sunday - Learn about Elephants Day

Morning visit to Thai Elephant Conservation Center, followed by visit to FAE Elephant Hospital that is a non-profit foundation that helps treat sick and injured elephants.

Afternoon visit to Elephant Parade. Learn about the work that they do, and paint your own elephant figurine!

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 10 - 13 - Monday to Thursday – Elephant Volunteer 

Experience

Learn, feed, bathe, and hike with elephants!

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13 (afternoon) - Thursday evening / night – Back to Chiang Mai city

Return to the city and check back into the hotel. Farewell Dinner in the evening with the group.

Meals Included – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14 - Friday - Departure

Check out from Hotel. Return drop to airport shall be provided for flight back home or travel onwards. 

Meals Included – Breakfast