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Give and Surf Gap Year in Panama

Give and Surf Gap Year in Panama

Give & Surf’s Gap Year Program in Panama provides a hands-on educational experience that is service-oriented and immerses participants in the local culture.

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Give & Surf’s Gap Year Program in Panama provides a hands-on, service-oriented educational experience that immerses participants in the local culture. Participating students volunteer in our summer camp & after-school programs, learn Spanish, and participate in diverse activities & excursions in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

This gap year program is designed for independent, adventurous young adults seeking to make a real-world impact through a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The program is selective, as we host 3-5 volunteers at a time who work alongside local teachers in one of three community centers.

The indigenous and Afro-Caribbean populations we serve live in poverty and have limited access to education, but Give & Surf provides these children with access to year-round fun and educational activities to close the learning gap.

We offer after-school programs (Mar-Dec) and summer camps (Jan-Feb) that encourage learning through play including arts & crafts, sports, field trips, STEM activities, English classes, and more, all of which volunteers will help plan and oversee.

Weekly schedule example:

Morning: Activities/excursions/free time
- Trips to Bocas Town, lesson planning, surfing, hiking, snorkeling, tours, etc.
Team lunch
Afternoon: Volunteering at after-school programs
Evening: Hanging out the Volunteer House & cooking dinner together, eating at a local neighborhood restaurant, or occasionally a night out in Bocas Town.

Weekend excursions for gap year volunteers:

SCUBA certification/dives
Boat trips
Beach visits
Hikes
Surfing
Hanging in town, and more!

Cost and Session Information

Sessions are offered ranging from 6- to 8- to 10-week cohorts during different seasons throughout the year, and the cost ranges based on the length of stay.