Porto - Surf with Impact

In the morning, the local staff lead an interactive session (at the volunteer accommodation) that includes some ice-breaker activities and a presentation that covers a lot of useful information including: an introduction to Portugal and it's culture, the volunteer experience (setting expectations), an overview of our programs, practical information for getting around the city and beyond, and safety guidelines. In the afternoon, the volunteers are escorted into the city center for a special tour. They are also able to buy bus tickets, local sim cards and exchange money if necessary, all with a local staff member for support.

After the initial orientation, you will join your placement and will work for approximately 3 to 5 hours per day. Please note that the starting times and daily workload depend on the center that you are participating in.

A typical daily schedule will look as follows:

08:00 - 10:00: Breakfast at the hostel
10:00: Travel to the project site or free time to explore the city, relax, attend Portuguese language lessons (to be paid locally) or enroll other activities if you have the afternoon shift
13:30: Lunch is served at the restaurant
15:00: Travel to the project site or free time to explore the city, relax, attend Portuguese language lessons (to be paid locally) or enroll other activities if you have the morning shift
20:00 - 22:00: Dinner is served at the restaurant. After dinner you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

Disclaimer: Depending on your program and project, you’ll be volunteering for 3 to 5 hours either in the morning (usually from 09:00 to 13:00), in the afternoon (usually from 14:00 to 17:00) or in the evening (usually from 18:00 to 22:30).

Volunteers work up to 5 hours daily: the schedule depend on the organization and its needs at the moment.

Volunteers have minimum 2 days off (weekends usually).

Please note that the actual schedule can change according to the season.

There project targets two groups: children and teenagers up to 18 years old from disadvantaged social contexts and/or with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety; the second group is people with intellectual disabilities (not physical and with no age limit). Some beneficiaries may be able to speak English (mainly the teenagers).

4 surf lessons are offered weekly. The surf lessons are to be scheduled directly with the surf school according to their availability during the week.

- Pick-up at the airport and transfer to the accommodation (on the Sunday prior to an Introduction Day)
- Accommodation in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel (female, male, or mixed dorms)
- Shared use of common spaces and free WIFI
- Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) - veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
- We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
- Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
- Ongoing support throughout your stay
- 24/7 emergency support, just in case
- 4 surf lessons/week

Minimum age: 18 years
Criminal Background Check required - this document needs to be sent to the local team at least one week before arrival day

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.