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Volunteer downloads

Start your volunteer experience today by downloading the WAVES Info Pack.

If you are ready to submit your application then get started with our online application form.

Volunteer today

Testimonials

  • As I left Lobitos this time, it was with a quiet but irrepressible sense of joy and satisfaction, knowing that Henry will continue to fuel this creative cycle, amplifying and sharing the story of his town and WAVES—the organization that has brought so many good people there to teach and to learn. - Forest Woodward -
  • "I walk away with from this feeling like so much has happened, so much was achieved and there are so many stories to tell and a lot of great experiences to share" - Raffael Schmidt
  • "I just want to thanks all the WAVES staff for the 2 weeks that I spent in this very special place that I will visit again and again, for sure." - Caio
  • This is a great stop-off for people spending an extended time in South America. - Marieke
  • It's a great atmosphere for teamwork and cooperation. - Jeremy Koons

Fundraise

WAVES encourages all volunteers to organize fundraising activities to reach their Volunteer Contribution minimum.

Photo thanks to: Spencer Gordon

It is a great way to share with your family, friends, and colleagues what you will be doing while also spreading the word about WAVES.  Volunteers often end up raising more than the required $595 Volunteer Contribution minimum and are able to help the youth WAVES works with even more!

Of course, traditional fundraisers can be easy and very effective. However, often times a little creativity can make your efforts even more successful. Here are some ideas from past volunteers to get you started:

Peer to Peer campaign

Many social networking sites allow you to create a cause and collect donations from your friends and contacts.  Some of the sites WAVES has an account include:

Email campaign

A simple way to raise money is to send an email to all your friends and family explaining your motivation for wanting to volunteer, what you hope to contribute and what you think you’ll get out of the experience.  And, of course, asking them to support your volunteer trip to Peru to help youth living in coastal communities. Remember to send them a thank you email later with photos from your adventure.

Custom T-shirts

Raise money for free through custom t-shirts. Check out Spread the Thread!

Collect pledges

A great way to collect money is by asking people to pledge money for you to complete a challenge. You can ask people to pledge a donation per mile that you run or walk, laps that you swim, or waves that you surf. Be creative, you can make anything a challenge!

Throw a party

You can organize a party at a local bar, restaurant, or your home. Attendees buy a ticket to attend or for their meal. Get the restaurant to donate a percentage of all drinks sold. Some ideas for other ways to make money at your party:

Raffle

Selling raffle tickets is a great way to make money, especially at a party. First, ask businesses to donate prizes, you local surf shop is a smart place to start. Then, sell tickets before and during your event.

Auction

You can auction off donated items from local businesses or even a date or dance with one of your friends.

Photos

Some of our volunteers from Holland painted a large picture frame for their party. Then, they took attendees photos and sold them the pictures.

Dance competition

Invite a few guests to participate in a dance competition. Place a hat in front of each contestant and tell guests they can vote for their favorite dancer by placing a donation in their hat.

Start a contest

Organize a group of friends or coworkers to start a contest such as who can lose the most weight, quit smoking, or grow the best mustache. Everyone except the winner agrees to make a donation to your trip.

Hair shaving

Everyone loves to watch people get their heads shaved. Organize a group of teachers or coworkers that are willing to shave their heads for WAVES and sell votes to determine who has to shave their head. Then let people do the shaving by paying for the opportunity to shave an inch.

Local civic organizations

Contact your local civic organization and offer to give a presentation on WAVES and the trip you are planning. Rotary, Kiwanis, and other volunteer clubs sometimes offer grants or help with fundraising.

Gift matching

Many companies will match, sometimes even double what employees give to charities. Find out if your employer will contribute to your fundraising effort.