Youth Summer Volunteer Abroad Trips
RCDP organizes budget-friendly, safe, exciting, and meaningful youth summer volunteer overseas trips.
- Make new friendships and memories which will last a lifetime. Every day that you volunteer helps to make long-term changes.
- Learn more about the people and projects who need your skills in countries across the entire world.
- Unparalleled high reviews and ratings, Guaranteed lowest program fees in the US – starting from $100 - $200 per week.
- 18 countries, 200 projects and thousands of happy volunteers since 1998,. Contact us for more information.
Free Summer Volunteer Abroad Programs
Are you concerned that a summer volunteering abroad trip is something that will be out of your budget? Are you searching for a free or affordable way to set off on an adventure where you will also have the chance to help those in need?
RCDP has an impressive selection of summer volunteer overseas opportunities that are budget-friendly without cutting any corners. You can choose from 18 different countries and dozens of individual projects just depending on your personal interests and travel goals.
have the opportunity to explore an entirely new country and culture. What better way to spend your summer than to set on an adventure overseas?
The volunteer experience was very eye-opening and I felt very much needed at the site. I would greatly recommend it.
Frances Yuan
- USA
The strong ties we built and the rewarding experiences that we made here were really very priceless.
Amelie Lim
- Australia
A lifetime experience, which has opened my eyes to so much, and impassioned me to pursue future volunteer trips.
Brandon
- USA
Overall a great experience! I can't think of any reason why I shouldn't recommend the program to others!
Lena Gustke
- Germany
Please read more RCDP reviews , also in abroad reviews (RCDP-Nepal), Abroad reviews (RCDP -international)
Traveling and volunteering abroad doesn’t have to break your piggy bank. If you are searching for a financially realistic way to set off on a safe and exciting adventure overseas while also dedicating a portion of your time to the needs of others, you are in the right place.
RCDP has been helping thousands of compassionate, energetic, loving, open minded, and adventurous people just like you since 1998. RCDP is highly experienced and has maintained a pristine reputation as an international volunteer organization.
Free summer volunteer abroad projects are available, but you should keep an open mind as well to the idea of a cheap summer volunteer abroad project.
The idea of a free summer volunteer abroad trip sounds fantastic, but the reality is that not too many actually exist.
Most volunteer organization, like RCDP, are not government funded and for that reason need to charge you for things like your airport pick up and drop off, accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, insurance, local support, and basic business operating fees.
Being charged for these amenities and services doesn’t necessarily mean that your summer volunteering abroad trip has to be expensive.
It is important to first evaluate what “free” really means. Even if you avoid paying the program fees, you will still be responsible for paying for your airfare, visas, vaccinations, accommodations, meals, travel insurance, and transportation, among other things.
Unless someone is paying for your trip in full, there is really no such thing as an entirely free summer volunteer overseas program.
If you want to avoid paying the program fees and do all of the research, planning, and booking yourself, you can follow these tips to help you potential find the free summer volunteer abroad project that you are seeking.
Search Google.
Type in keywords like, volunteer abroad for free, free summer volunteer abroad projects, free summer volunteer abroad opportunities, and volunteer overseas for free.
See what comes up and take notes of the organizations that seem the most appealing to you. You will need to go back and further research each individual program to see what exactly they mean by “free” and if they are actually a reputable organization.
Contact the local volunteer project directly.
To potentially avoid paying volunteer program fees, you can try and contact the local volunteer project directly. You can search for specific volunteer abroad placements that involve teaching, childcare services, healthcare, or animal conservation, just to name a few.
Search what you are interested in and then directly locate the project website and reach out to them.
Reach out to any connections you have overseas.
If you have any friends, family, or any other possible connections in the place or places that you are interested in traveling to and volunteering in, then utilize those connections.
Ask if he or she knows of any local organizations that are seeking volunteers and how you might be able to get in touch with them. You can also get in touch with anyone you might know that has previously volunteered abroad. See if they have any tips, advice, or recommendations for you.
Utilize social media.
Since we are so connected through social media, you can use it when seeking information, recommendations, and advice. Post on your social media outlets and ask for any information one might have regarding free summer volunteering abroad opportunities.
You might be surprised and receive just the information that you are looking for.
Search locally.
If you are already abroad, you are in a great position to search for free summer volunteer overseas programs. You can ask the hotel or hostel that you are staying at, search through local newspapers or ads, or talk to the locals with whom you’ve befriended during your time overseas in that particular destination. This is probably you
What to look into when you find a free summer volunteer abroad program
Before you get overexcited that you have found a totally free summer volunteer abroad project, it is critical that you do an intensive background check. Failure to do so could result in a very disappointing, money and time wasting, and or unsafe experience overseas.
Make sure that you answer the following questions regarding the free summer volunteer overseas project that you found.
What do they offer as part of their free summer volunteer overseas program?
All organizations need some sort of funding to operate their program(s). Where does their funding come from if they are not charging a program fee to volunteers?
Do they offer volunteers free accommodations, meals, transportation, and other necessary amenities, or are you responsible for paying for these things out of pocket? It is important that you understand exactly what they mean by free.
Are they a reputable and legitimate organization?
Are they registered with the local government? Do they have any reputable affiliations? Have the won any awards or prestigious recognitions from a trustworthy source? You don’t want to travel to the other side of the world only to find out you’ve been scammed!
Is their website professional, organized, and comprehensive? How is their social media presence?
A legitimate volunteer organization should have a well designed, clear, comprehensive, and up to date website. Their history, mission statement, programs, accomplishments, and contact information should be easily accessible.
What is your instinct telling you when you navigate through their website? Do they have a good social media presence? Are there up to date posts and pictures? Is the information relevant and helpful?
Do their posts inspire you to join their free summer volunteering abroad program? You can tell a lot about an organization through their website, blog, and social media.
How long have they been offering free summer volunteering abroad programs?
To continue your background check, you should find out how long the organization has been operating and how many volunteers have volunteered with them previously. If is important to choose a program that is experienced and organized and has worked with a sizeable number of international volunteers in the past.
What do their reviews say?
Reading volunteer reviews is an excellent way to obtain some valuable information about the free volunteer abroad organization that you are interested in.
When you read the reviews, do they sound genuine and like real past volunteer wrote them? Unfortunately, some companies will hire someone to just write a bunch of fake reviews for them.
You can tell this is the case, if the voice sounds the same for multiple reviews and there are a lot of errors and strange phrasings.
Search several different forums and see what others are saying about the free summer volunteer overseas program that you are checking out.
How promptly and professionally do they respond to your inquiries?
A legitimate organization will reply to your email or phone call in a timely manner. They will also be polite, professional, and provide you with all of the information that you are seeking.
You should be able to get a good vibe reading on the organization through their communication skills and style.
Are there any hidden fees or costs?
While it is possible to find a “free” summer volunteer overseas program where you don’t have to pay a program fee, you will most likely still have multiple costs that you must cover out of pocket.
It is important that what you are responsible for paying is very clear. A legitimate international volunteer program will be very transparent about costs and expenses.
What’s your alternative to finding a free summer volunteer abroad program?
Now that you have realized that finding a truly free summer volunteer overseas project isn’t that easy or realistic, you are probably thinking whether or not there is an alternative route. There is! RCDP has a vast variety of cheap summer volunteer abroad opportunities.
With RCDP you can rest assure that the program that you choose is 100% legitimate, safe, and reputable; that your accommodations, meals, and transportation will be organized for you; and that you won’t break your bank but will still have a rich experience overseas. Here are some of RCDP’s top choses for affordable summer volunteer abroad programs.
Work with Disadvantaged Children in Thailand
Low-income families cannot afford childcare services in Thailand and for this reason a lot of added stress is placed upon parents who are trying their best to provide for their families.
This affordable summer volunteer overseas program in Thailand gives you the opportunity to help these families by caring for and teaching their children while they are at work all day.
Teaching English in India
India is an incredible country to visit and volunteer in. The ability to communicate in English is one that can open up a lot more promising opportunities as far as work.
You can help teach English at a local school and prepare your students for a brighter future while you are also exploring this colorful country.
Healthcare Project in Cambodia
In the rural areas and communities of Cambodia, basic healthcare services are typically not easily accessible. For this reason, thousands of Cambodians are suffering from injuries or treatable conditions.
You can join a team of likeminded volunteers and medical professionals in a noble effort to help these people and improve their health situations when you join this cheap summer volunteer overseas project in Cambodia.
HIV/AIDS Project in Kenya
The HIV/AIDS virus is affecting thousands of families every year in Kenya. Through health and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and programs, there is a chance and a great hope that the virus can be stopped in the future.
You can join this fight and help save lives with this amazing and cheap summer volunteering abroad opportunity.
Elephant Conservation Project in Sri Lanka (Kegalle)
The elephant conservation project in Sri Lana is in constant need of dedicated, compassionate, energetic, and animal loving volunteers to come and help take care of their resident elephants.
Elephants, especially the babies and sick or injured ones, require the same amount of care that you might imagine giving to a child. This is a beautiful and rare opportunity to work up close and personally with these majestic creatures in an exotic country.
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica (Caribbean Coast)
How would you like to go on a cheap summer volunteering abroad trip to Costa Rica where you will spend your days on the stunning Caribbean coast saving sea turtles? Well, that pretty much sums up this amazing program!
Help Rehabilitate At-Risk Children in Guatemala
There is a constant flow of children being found on the dirty and dangerous streets of Guatemala where their families, for a number of tragic reasons, have abandoned them.
This program is working tirelessly to get these children off of the street and into a safer, healthier, and happier living situation. They need all the help that they can get though.
Community Development Project in Argentina
Volunteers are needed from a variety of different specialties to help out in multiple different organizations and NGO’s that are striving to make Argentina a better place for everyone.
If you have a background or interest in economics, sociology, education, social sciences, social work, marketing, management, and political science, among many pretty much any other skill, you can be of great service to this program!
Special Needs Children Project in China
There are very few options for low-income families with special needs children as far as specialized care and education.
When you join this affordable summer volunteer abroad project, you will be helping to provide the level of care and education that these children need, but probably wouldn’t be able to receive otherwise.