Volunteer with a school in India

PROGRAM DATES: MAY 16 – JUNE 27, 2013

Backpack with a purpose next summer with Operation Groundswell!

Jump right into the sights, sounds, smells, and smiles of India on this volunteer and educational program. Volunteers will work with a privately funded school for deaf and blind children. The team will spend its first few days warming up to the beautiful city of Patiala, rich both in its color and royal heritage. Here volunteers will be introduced to their host families near the school with whom they will be staying. Participants can visit any area of the school they are interested in: English with the older kids, coloring with the younger kids, gym class, or spending time in the kitchen. For our second week, we will also have an opportunity to plan and organize specialized classes – English, math, computer science, etc. One of the highlights of our time in Patiala is a field trip with the school to visit the amazing Taj Mahal in Agra.

Heading north into the foothills of the Himalayas, participants will move to Dharamasala where the group has the opportunity to work with Tibetan refugees, volunteer in drop-in English conversation classes, check out rafting in the area, and simply wander the streets of this amazing city.

To learn more about our upcoming trip and project, click here.

As we always work on community-requested projects, our work is subject to change depending on the community's needs at the time we are there.

OG combines meaningful volunteer experiences with cultural exchange and off-the-beaten path adventure, which means you'll also get to explore Indian cuisine, culture, history, and geography of the country. Get a glimpse of a sample itinerary of what you can expect from this OG trip to India by clicking here.

PROGRAM FEE: 2650

• Program fee includes accomodations, housing, local transportation, all guided tours and entrance fees, organized discussions and activities, and two caring and passionate trip leaders with you 24 hours a day.

• International flights, travel insurance, and personal expenses (such as gifts, souvenirs) are not included in this fee

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore incredibly diverse regions of India, from the farmlands of Punjab to the foothills of the Himalayas.
• Take a field trip with a school of deaf and blind children to the Golden Temple.
• Paraglide in Solang Valley, one of the best paragliding sites in the world.
• Learn how to stay green on a beautiful 4 day hike on the foothills of the Himalayas.