Thailand – Family-Friendly Learn, Volunteer and Travel – Images

Join one of GoEco’s most-loved programs with your family! Explore the Hua Hin region in Thailand and lend a hand at your choice of community development programs. This program welcomes families with children who are five years of age and older.

 

Program Highlights:

  • A family-friendly version of one of GoEco’s top ten most-loved programs
  • Experience authentic Thai culture with an orientation, tour and evening activities
  • Volunteer in meaningful projects, either in community construction or teaching
  • Enjoy free weekends by exploring the various cultural regions of Thailand
  • Private, upgraded accommodations for families
  • You can enhance your Thai experience by adding our Thai Culture Week in Hua Hin before you begin your program, see Travel Highlights below.

 

 

Program Schedule (Minimum one-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) Airports, where local team members will pick up volunteers. They will be transported to the accommodation in Hua Hin via a combination of public buses and private shuttles. Once there, volunteers will settle in and have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with one another.

Day 1, Monday: The day kicks off with a welcoming orientation, followed by a lesson on Thai culture and language. Post-lesson, volunteers will embark on a tour of the area, exploring Plearnwan Market. Following lunch, participants will enjoy free time at one of the nearby beaches.

Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Teaching sessions are scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, contingent on the school’s requirements. A typical day may involve:

– Breakfast at Hua Hin Center
– Teaching
– Lunch
– Collaborative lesson preparation for the following day
– Dinner at Hua Hin Center

Day 6, Saturday: Included in your family program is a full day tour for the whole family which includes a visit to the Parya Nakorn cave and Hua Hin beach.

Day 7, Sunday: Departure day. Your airport transfer at the end of your say is included.

Remaining Weeks: If your family is volunteering for more than 1 week, the subsequent weeks will adhere to the Monday-Friday volunteering schedule, with weekends reserved for leisure. Departures are scheduled for Sundays.

 

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Hua Hin, Thailand

Project length Project length: Minimum 1 week – Maximum 4 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Teaching and renovation

Age Age:  Families with children as young as five years old are welcome.

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Private family room

Food Food: Three meals a day are provided during the week, two meals per day during the weekend

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers:  Airport pickup and airport drop off on arrival and departure days are included

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunch on weekends, personal expenses.

The Kingdom of Thailand sits somewhere between becoming developed and being completely wild. As a volunteer, you could enjoy a faster pace of life in a coastal city or base yourself in a tribal village. Wherever you are in the country, as a volunteer you’ll be able to contribute to projects that make a real difference in local communities.

Hua Hin, located 280 kilometers southwest of Bangkok in the southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, is celebrated as one of Thailand’s prime beach destinations. Drawing locals and international visitors alike, its inviting shores along the Gulf of Thailand offer a perfect blend of relaxation and water-based activities. The town boasts a unique cultural charm, evident in landmarks like the Hua Hin Railway Station and vibrant markets such as the Cicada Night Market, providing a delightful taste of authentic Thai culture. For those seeking a touch of wilderness, the nearby Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park with its limestone hills and diverse wildlife offers a captivating contrast to the coastal tranquility. In essence, Hua Hin stands as a multifaceted destination that seamlessly combines beachside serenity, cultural richness, and modern excitement, making it an ideal haven for those appreciating the diverse beauty of Thailand.

 

On this meaningful volunteer experience in Hua Hin, Thailand, you will play a crucial role in shaping the educational journey of students aged between 6 – 18 in rural schools. Our program encourages an informal teaching approach, empowering you to employ your unique methods and style, fostering an interactive and engaging learning atmosphere. Your impact as a volunteer extends beyond the classroom, encompassing a diverse set of tasks aimed at holistic development.

Volunteer Tasks:

  •  Informally teach and assist students with school work.
  • Create engaging activities tailored to the students’ needs.
  • Organize workshops on cultural exchange, environmental awareness, and other important issues.
  • Participate in the daily 8:00 AM ceremony and morning exercises.
  • Adapt to varying subjects based on school activities, environmental concerns, or ongoing festivals.
  • Collaborate with local teachers and participants to develop lesson plans.
  • Organize classroom activities to enhance the learning experience.

During long holidays from mid-March to mid-May and throughout October, students return to their families or villages. Seize this opportunity to engage in special classes, English camps, and renovation projects, contributing to the community’s development. These school holidays open avenues for additional engagement outside of the regular classroom setting, including environmental and construction volunteer programs. Immerse yourself in the local cultural festivities when relevant, enhancing your understanding of Thai traditions and fostering deeper connections with the community.

The program offers a flexible schedule, with volunteers leaving the center at different times based on school schedules. Teaching sessions typically last 2-3 hours in the morning or afternoon, and on some days, volunteers may teach both morning and afternoon sessions. Lunch is provided at the school or the center, depending on the day’s program.

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry can be done by hand, or at a local laundromat (walking distance) for a small fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Families will stay in a private family room. These rooms are located apart from the regular volunteer residences, to allow for more quiet and privacy. All rooms have air conditioning, mosquito protection and a private bathroom with hot-water showers. There are restaurants and small local stores within walking distance of each of the accommodations.

Food icon Food:  Three meals are provided during the week and two meals on the weekends. Meals are typical Thai fare, including plenty of rice dishes. The project can easily cater for vegetarians. During the week, participants will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Saturday and Sunday, volunteers will receive brunch, and then dinner if staying for a volunteer program in Hua Hin. Typical dishes include vegetables with fried rice or noodles. Some Western-style dishes would also be available. Breakfasts are varied and include pancakes, fresh fruit, toast. etc. Tea, coffee and purified water are available at the house. We do not recommend that you drink the tap water.

 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Good level of English
  • Police clearance for adults
  • Motivation to work with children and meet new cultures
  • Able to work in hot and humid climate
  • Children must be at least five years old

Culture Week in Hua Hin (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee, you can extend your stay for a week, with a program designed to introduce you to Thai culture, as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the program, you’ll have time to explore several famous sights around Hua Hin, followed by Thai customs, language, cooking lessons.

 

Hua Hin is popular among tourists, and offers volunteers the opportunity to sunbathe, swim or snorkel on the golden beaches. Popular attractions include:

  • Vana Nava Water Park
  • Khao Takiab Mountain
  • Pa La-U Waterfall
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Phraya Nakhon Cave

Volunteer Experiences

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