Quetzaltrekkers: Volunteer Trek School Quetzaltenango Guatemala

Volunteer Street Kids Quetzaltrekkers Guatemala

Quetzaltrekker Guides
Quetzaltrekker guides and office staff are all working as volunteers. We have a minimum three month commitment with the organization, but many people stay for longer and often return to their homelands and continue to fund raise for us. Each hike is lead by a qualified guide, a second guide, and often one or more extra guides that add knowledge to our treks. This provides added factors of safety and expertise with respect to our routes. Our volunteers are bilingual, have first aid certifications, and experience with the outdoors. The guides are happy to explain the different cultures that you encounter and the significance of the buildings / sites / places that you visit. They will accompany you throughout the tour, ensuring a smooth, stress-free, safe and enjoyable time.

Want to volunteer with Quetzaltrekkers?
We are always looking for people to come and support our team! We have had volunteers from countries all over the world working in our different programs. Our project offers several positions to volunteer with.

Volunteering as a trekking guide
We have 6 treks between one and six days that we offer around throughout the highlands of Guatemala. The proceeds from these treks provide the main source of funding for our programs. Extensive experience is not necessary, if you have the desire to work with us. We will welcome the skills that you bring and help train you in the ones that you lack. We look for volunteers who possess the following skills:

Be able to commit for a minimum of three months

(13 weeks in total, this includes one week of training and 12 weeks of work)

Have previous trekking experience
First aid certification
Speak minimum intermediate Spanish
Enjoy working as a team member
Eager to help with fund raising events
Experience working with people
People who take on projects on their own initiative

As a guide, your responsibilities include: recruiting customers for our treks, preparing food and equipment for the treks, maintaining and cleaning equipment, shopping for trips and guiding at least every weekend.

As a guide you receive; all expenses and food paid for on the treks, a space in the Guide house (close where our office is located--see below for prices) or a bed in our guide house (aprox. Q300 per month, depending on availability), experience in guiding, experience in cooperatively running a volunteer organization, and most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children here in Xela.

For those potential guides with climbing experience and equipment, please bring it with you so we can run our climbing trip again.

For more information about volunteering as a trekking guide, please e-mail us at quetzaltrekkers@gmail.com.

Volunteering in our Street School (EDELAC) in Las Rosas
We currently offer free education to over 225 children (between 5-15yrs) in the economically poor neighborhood of Las Rosas, just on the outskirts of Xela (a 10min. busride). If you are interested in volunteering in our school we ask the following from you;
• Be able to commit for a minimum of 3 months, 5 days a week
• Speak intermediate Spanish
• Be flexible, adaptable and take initiative
• Have some experience working with children
• Help with fundraising events

Possible work at the School is limited only by the imagination and funding resources. Current needs; (co)-Teachers, Social workers, Health care workers etc. Working in our School you will most likely be working in the mornings unless you want to help out with computer classes in the afternoon. Co-teaching with one of the local teachers you will be involved in all teaching aspects. Helping children to learn to read and write, class discipline and in all other areas were needed. Our teachers are open towards any ideas or plans you have. Volunteers receive discount on a room in Casa Argentina (see below for prices).

For more information about volunteering in our Street School, please e-mail the school at edelacxela@turbonett.com. (Spanish only please.)

Estimated cost of living in Guide House for volunteers:

Click here for current exchange rates.