Volunteers for Peace (VFP), 7 Kilburn Street Suite 316, Burlington Vermont 05401 USA

Volunteers For Peace (VFP), 7 Kilburn Street Suite 316, Burlington Vermont 05401 USA

Tel: 802-540-3060 Skype: volunteers.for.peace Emergency Phone: 802-343-2604

Contact:Meg Brook, Executive Director & US Program Coordinator

Hours: Monday – Friday 9-4:30 Eastern Standard Time

INCOMING: OUTGOING: WEBSITE:

ABOUT VOLUNTEERS FOR PEACE

Volunteers For Peace (VFP) is a US non-profit organization located in Vermont. Founded in 1982, VFP promotes International Voluntary Service as an effective means of intercultural education, service learning, and community development. Each year we support local communities by organizing and promoting about 40 short, medium and long-term service projects in the USA as well as 5 or more projects in Haiti. As nations join together to improve life on our planet, our volunteers experience a microcosm of our world, and communities are able to realize goals that improve life for their members.

We provide opportunities for volunteers to build cultural understanding and connections around the world, while exploring grassroots leadership opportunities and developing relevant skills and knowledge. Each project has at least one co-leader and will set aside time for facilitated conversations about issues important to the volunteers and our planet. Volunteers will be encouraged to learn, share and plan together effective ways to address local and global challenges. Through their experiences working on grassroots community projects, our volunteers gain valuable skills and an enhanced global consciousness. We hope VFP volunteers will become citizen diplomats and global leaders! For more information visit our website at

VFP 2013 CAMP NOTES & CONDITIONS

Volunteers must be motivated to work at least 30 hours per week, or as indicated in project description.

VFP MOTIVATION FORM: Volunteers are expected to complete this form on their own! VFP Motivation form must be submitted with the VEF at the time of application and is required for VFP10-13, VFP12-13, and all MTV Projects.

VFP CHILD PROTECTION FORM: Volunteers working with children must complete a Child Protection form before they can begin work. This form is required for VFP10-13, VFP12-13. This form will be sent to volunteers in advance or given to them on the first day of the project.

VFP PARENTAL CONSENT FORM: This form is required for our TEEN camp VFPTEEN01-13. This form will be sent with the acceptance letter and must be returned to VFP 2-weeks before the camp starts; the original must be brought to the camp.

CAMPHILL APPLICATION FORM: This form is must be completed and submitted with the VEF for VFPLTV01. Camphill Form is available upon request from .

INTERVIEWS:Phone or Skype interviews required for placements in most MTV projects. Volunteers must include a Skype address on their VEF. Allow at least two weeks for these placements!

PARTICIPATION FEES: VFPPERM02-13 has an extra fee of $480 payable on arrival. Our TEEN camp, VFPTEEN01-13 has an extra fee of $250 payable to VFP by 1 July 2013. All extra fees are in US Dollars.

INFORMATION SHEETS:These will contain more detailed information, including travel information and what to bring, and will be available in April 2013.

MIXED AGE CAMPS: This year VFP is offering 3 Mixed Age Camps with a goal of having a wide age diversity in these projects. We welcome older volunteers in VFP03-13, VFP12-13 & VFP13-13 and have worked to ensure the accommodations and work will be suitable for volunteers of all ages.

INSURANCE: VFP covers all volunteers in Short Term Projects and MTV04, 05 & 06 with SCI insurance for medical and emergency coverage. In all other projects volunteers are expected to have their own medical insurance and there is only emergency coverage.

TECHNOLOGY FREE: There are positive benefits to spending a little time away from technology. In our Technology Free camps volunteers will have very little access to technology. In some cases this is because there is little or no cell phone service in the area of the project. In other situations it is to enhance the volunteer experience. Volunteers on these projects should be prepared to have limited cell contact during the project.

CONFIRMATION: Volunteers must email VFP confirmation of their participation at least one month before the camp begins. Confirmation information is provided in each information sheet. Participation in a project may be cancelled if we do not receive confirmation from the volunteer!

VFP VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS

VFP Hosts, staff and co-leaders work hard to ensure a rewarding and unforgettable experience in the USA. Volunteers help us by reading and following the expectations below.

Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. You are expected to be an active member, contribute to the work project, assist with cooking and cleaning, and participate in work and free-time activities. Please come prepared with recipes, Photos, music, cultural information, group games and other information and activities to share with the volunteers and in your community!
Work activities will take place for about 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Some days and projects may have longer or shorter work periods depending on the weather, leadership, motivation, availability of materials and other factors. Be flexible!
VFP and your hosts will provide many cultural and interesting free-time activities during the project. If volunteers decide to travel to a different location as a group or plan their own free-time activities they will be responsible to cover the expense. The camp leaders will be able to share how much different free-time activities might cost.
Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help you plan activities, understand your tasks, teach you how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to solve all your problems! If you have concerns or issues please raise them with a leader and work with the leader to engage the group in finding a solution that works for everyone!
Volunteers are expected to live as a group. You are not allowed to arrange your own activities and spend days or nights away from the project.
Volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project.
Smoking use is on the decline in the USA and in most of the communities where you are serving you will not see people smoking. It is prohibited in many buildings and also public spaces. If you smoke please ask the host or leader where you are allowed to smoke. Please refrain from smoking in front of children. You must be 18 years old to purchase cigarettes in the USA.
The drinking age in the USA is 21 years old! It is illegal to purchase alcohol for a person younger than this. VFP volunteers represent the future we hope to see. Excessive drinking is a major social problem and is an obstacle to overcoming the social and economic problems that afflict the world community today. Please check with the host regarding alcohol consumption where you are staying and if you choose to drink please be responsible and only do so during free-time.
Any illegal drug use is strictly forbidden.

VFP 2013 SHORT TERM VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
VFP Code / Project Name Location / Start / End / # Vols / Type / Age / Remarks
VFP01-13 / Growing Friendships in Vermont West Burke, Vermont / 01-Jul / 22-Jul / 12 / ENVI AGRI CONS / 18+ / Technology Free Project.
VFP14-13 / Sustainable Living Fest Tinmouth, Vermont / 03-Jul / 18-Jul / 8 / ENVI FEST MANU / 18+
VFP07-13 / Community Development Philadelphia, Pennsylvania / 05-Jul / 26-Jul / 8 / RENO MANU / 18+ / No Alcohol or Drugs
VFP15-13 / Kids, Gardens & Community Monkton, Vermont / 06-Jul / 20-Jul / 8 / CONS AGRI ENVI / 18+
VFP17-13 / Greening the Park! Montpelier, Vermont / 06-Jul / 27-Jul / 10 / ENVI / 18+ / Physical Fitness Required.
VFP12-13 / Sharing Culture with Youth Burlington, Vermont / 14-Jul / 03-Aug / 10 / KIDS CULT / 21+ / VFP Motivation Form Required. Mixed Age.
VFP09-13 / Sustainable Living East Montpelier, Vermont / 28-Jul / 10-Aug / 10 / 18+
VFPTEEN01-13 / Growing Friendships in Vermont West Burke, Vermont / 29-Jul / 12-Aug / 12 / TEEN AGRI CONS / 14-17 / Teen Camp. Extra fee $250USD. Technology Free Project.
VFP02-13 / Dream Big! Pittsford, Vermont / 29-Jul / 18-Aug / 4 / ART KIDS ENVI / 21-29 / Female Only!
VFP03-13 / Rustic Cabin Building Carbondale, Colorado / 01-Aug / 15-Aug / 10 / ENVI CONS / 18+ / Mixed Age & Technology Free Project.
VFP10-13 / Bringing the World to Newport Newport, New Hampshire / 02-Aug / 18-Aug / 10 / EDU CULT KIDS / 18+ / VFP Motivation Form Required. Fluent English. No drugs or alcohol.
VFP13-13 / Historical Preservation Benson, Vermont / 11-Aug / 24-Aug / 6 / CONS AGRI ENVI / 21+ / Mixed Age & Technology Free Project.
VFP11-13 / Peace Action Center Guilford, Maine / 11-Aug / 30-Aug / 12 / RENO MANU AGRI / 18+ / Vegan Meals!
VFP04-13 / Bicycle Trail Building East Montpelier, Vermont / 12-Aug / 27-Aug / 12 / ENVI RENO / 18+ / Physical Fitness Required.
VFP08-13A / Wilderness Trail Building Danby, Vermont / 15-Aug / 29-Aug / 3 / 18+ / Physical Fitness Required. Technology Free Project.
VFP05-13 / Coastal Environmental Project Wells, Maine / 21-Aug / 12-Sep / 6 / ENVI / 18+ / No Smoking.
VFP16-13 / Community Development St. Louis, Missouri / 25-Aug / 15-Sep / 12 / MANU AGRI RENO / 18+
VFP08-13B / Wilderness Trail Building Danby, Vermont / 29-Aug / 11-Sep / 3 / 18+ / Physical Fitness Required. Technology Free Project.
VFP06-13 / Historical Garden & Museum Brownington, Vermont / 01-Sep / 15-Sep / 5 / CONS AGRI / 18-25 / No smoking or alcohol.
VFP 2013 MEDIUM & LONG TERM VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
VFP Code / Project Name Location / Start / End / # Vols / Type / Age / Remarks
VFPPERM01-13 / Community Reentry, Social Justice Various Locations, Vermont / 01-Jan / 31-Dec / 10 / SOCI / 21+ / Minimum 3 months. No drugs or alcohol. VFP Motivation form and Skype interview required.
VFPPERM02-13 / House Building Restoration New Orleans, Louisiana / 01-Jan / 31-Dec / 30 / CONS RENO / 18+ / Minimum 1 month. Extra fee $480USD regardless of length. VFP Motivation form required.
VFPMTV03-13A / Explore New York New York City, New York / 14-Feb / 15-May / 2 / DISA CULT / 21+ / VFP Motivation form and Skype interview required. Good English. Drivers' license helpful
VFPMTV03-13K / Explore New York New York City, New York / 28-Mar / 13-May / 1 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13B / Explore New York New York City, New York / 03-May / 02-Jul / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13C / Explore New York New York City, New York / 15-May / 16-Jul / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13D / Explore New York New York City, New York / 28-May / 02-Aug / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13E / Explore New York New York City, New York / 13-Jun / 14-Aug / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13F / Explore New York New York City, New York / 13-Jun / 04-Sep / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13G / Explore New York New York City, New York / 11-Jul / 04-Oct / 5 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13H / Explore New York New York City, New York / 22-Aug / 21-Oct / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13I / Explore New York New York City, New York / 09-Oct / 12-Nov / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV03-13J / Explore New York New York City, New York / 25-Oct / 19-Dec / 3 / DISA CULT / 21+ / "
VFPMTV04-13 / Growing Friendships in Vermont West Burke, Vermont / 01-May / 01-Sep / 4 / ENVI CONS AGRI / 20+ / VFP Motivation form and Skype interview required. Technology Free Project. Minimum 2 months
VFPMTV05-13 / Special Needs Summer Camp Goshen, Vermont / 17-Jun / 10-Aug / 6 / DISA ART / 18+ / No drugs or alcohol. VFP Motivation form and Skype interview required.
VFPMTV06-13 / Peace Center Coordinator Guilford, Maine / 15-Jun / 31-Dec / 2 / ENVI CONS EDU / 20+ / VFP Motivation form required. Vegan meals. Minimum stay 2 months. Must have drivers' license.
VFPLTV01-13 / Camphill Special School Glenmoore, Pennsylvania / 26-Aug / 31-Jul-14 / 2 / DISA EDU / 20+ / Camphill Application Form. No drugs or alcohol.

VFP 2013 SHORT TERM PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

VFP01-13 GROWING FRIENDSHIPS IN VERMONT 1-JUL to 22-JUL AGRI/CONS AGE 18+ 12 VOLS

OSCARSFARM, WEST BURKE, VERMONT--Development of land into farm use, and construction on farm structures.

WORK: Agricultural; turning soil, weeding, gathering, and hauling, felling trees, composting, cutting firewood, using trees saws, shovels, axes, and other garden tools. Construction; building a large deck for the farm building, gazebo, and an outhouse. Volunteers will be sawing lumber, nailing, moving materials, digging foundations, making beams and posts, using hand and power tools. We will gladly teach anyone basic construction skills.

STUDY THEME: To provide an intercultural environmentally sustainable community, centered around a working organic farm. By allowing people the chance to live with nature we hope that they will learn more about the world and themselves..

ACCOMODATION: Indoor sleeping and cooking facilities, mattresses, blankets. We can meet any reasonable dietary needs. Boots, raingear, and warm clothes are recommended.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES: There is hiking, fishing, swimming, biking, and day trips to Boston, MA and Burlington and Montpelier, VT. We will also visit local farmers markets.

TERMINAL: Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is easily accessible from Montreal, Boston and New York City. Volunteers must arrive in Burlington on 1-July. There is not public transportation to our site.

SPECIAL REMARKS: To better experience each other and nature we do not allow cell phones, iPods, or any electronic device. No Technology! Calls home are allowed upon request.

VFP14-13 SUSTAINABLE LIVING FEST, VERMONT 3-JUL to 18-JUL ENVI/FEST/MANU AGE 18+8 VOLS
SOLARFEST, TINMOUTH, VERMONT is a weekend-long arts and environment festival that is powered entirely by renewable energy. Vols will help prepare the site (a working horse farm and bed-and-breakfast).
WORK: Pasture clean up, removing fencing, grading roadways, clearing brush, setting up and beautifying the site, and clean-up for two days after the festival. Some of the work may be strenuous, but great care will be taken to make it fun. VFP vols should count on simply enjoying the actual festival weekend. Study and recreation opportunities with the greater SolarFest community. Vols will make many new friends and have ample opportunity to interact while working for a common, fun, worthwhile endeavor.

STUDY THEME: The environment, renewable energy, solar power and more!
ACCOMMODATION: A rustic house and cabin with pond and amenities 1½ miles away. Dogs and cats live at both houses. Great food is prepared with rotating volunteer help; no curfew but we work farm hours.
LOCATION: Tinmouth, Vermont is a very small, rural town. It is beautiful but remote.
Leisure Activities:Gorgeous hikes, canoeing, swimming,
TERMINAL: Rutland, Vermont. Rutland is easily accessible from New York City.
SPECIAL REMARKS: Knowledge of horses, gardening, construction useful. Smoking in designated outside areas.

VFP07-13 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN PHILADELPHIA 5-JUL to 26-JUL RENO/MANU AGE 18+ 8 VOLS

THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CEDC), PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA is a non-profit social service organization. CEDC provides individuals with information about educational job training and available job opportunities in the community.

WORK: Vols will work on renovation of the CEDC building that houses the local and international volunteers. Also, volunteers contribute to local manual, landscaping and renovation projects as well as a possible church renovation project.

STUDY THEME: Multiculturism

ACCOMMODATION: Bed, showers and a kitchen are provided

LOCATION: Philadelphia is the birthplace of the USA, and has more than 100 nationalities living here peacefully and productively. The city has the largest inland port and the largest urban park in the world.

TERMINAL: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SPECIAL REMARKS: We welcome people from all walks of life, with any variety of interests and background. However, individuals with alcohol or drug addiction problems are not welcome. Painting, carpentry and roofing skills would be of great help, but are not required. No drugs or alcohol.

VFP15-13 KIDS, GARDENS AND COMMUNITY, VERMONT 6-JUL to 20-JUL AGRI/CONS/ENVI AGE 18+ 8 VOLSWILLOWELL, MONKTON, VERMONT is an environmental, arts, and education non-profit based on 230 acres of farmland and forest. Alternative outdoor high school program the Walden Project has an outdoor classroom on our land during the school year.

WORK: Volunteers will work on the land, building an outdoor amphitheater on the land and working in the student vegetable garden. This project involves daily physical labor in woody and sunny areas. All training will be provided. Bring work boots, warm clothes as nights can be chilly, and bathing suit for time off.

STUDY THEME: The environment, local food, and community!

ACCOMMODATIONS: Volunteers will stay at the Monkton Friends Methodist Church and should bring sleeping bags and pillows. A bathroom will be at the church, and solar showers will be available. Cooking will take place in the church’s kitchen. Vegetarian meals available.
LOCATION: In the foothills of the Green Mountains, Monkton is a small rural community about 40 minutes from Burlington and a short distance from mountain swimming holes, Lake Champlain, and beautiful hikes.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES: A community celebration, an excursion to Burlington, and fun outdoor activities are planned.
TERMINAL: Burlington, Vermont. Easily accessible from Montreal, Boston or New York City.
SPECIAL REMARKS: Must speak English well!

VFP 17-13GREENING THE PARK, VERMONT06-JUL to 27-JULENVI/CONSAge 18+10 VOLS
MONTPELIER PARKS DEPARTMENT. See summer camp page-
WORK:Volunteers will work on a variety of projects in the Montpelier Park network. Projects may include building new paths to connect trails and areas of the city, construction of stone steps up a steep hillside, rebuilding the wood portion of a bridge that crosses a river, trail restoration work in remote sections of the parks, and general park maintenance such as mowing lawns and restoring drainage ditches.
ACCOMMODATION:To be confirmed.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES:During free time volunteers will have access to local parks and recreation areas. The summer weather is usually good for visiting some wild and beautiful swimming areas. There will be time for interaction with the local community so please bring information about your country, hobbies, and life to share.
LOCATION:Montpelier is the capitol of Vermont with a population of 8500, making it the smallest capitol in the U.S.
TERMINAL:Montpelier, Vermont.
SPECIAL REMARKS:Be ready for hard, physical work.Bring proper clothing and footwear.