Generally two or three days are allowed for volunteers to explore and visit other places in the region. Volunteers are also welcome to do more extensive travel on their own before or after the GCN trip. There is no language requirement for our trips, although we do ask volunteers to try and pick up some basic phrases in order to enhance their experience. GCN's team leaders also serve as translators when necessary. Airfare is additional.
Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer.
GCN receives no outside funding or grants and other than one three-quarter time staff person is completely volunteer driven. Also, while individuals may be able to travel for less to many of these places, GCN provides the entrance into a village and exposure to a culture that one could not receive if traveling solo to these places. Through the long-term partnerships that GCN has established with communities around the world, volunteers gain a unique perspective into life in a Guatemalan village or on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Our team leaders are generally people who have participated in a GCN trip as a volunteer and have completed GCN's annual team leader training program. Most team leaders have extensive experience either in a leadership capacity or in international travel.