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Welcome Parents, Friends and Family Of Short-Term Quest Volunteers!

'My two children participated in a United Planet
Quest to Peru last summer. They enjoyed their
experience so much that this summer they are both going to Guatemala. Both of them truely loved what United Planet organized for them in Peru. Not only did they feel that they were helping underprivileged children in Peru, and making a difference in their lives, but they also bonded with their local host families, became more fluent in Spanish, and were able to travel throughout the incredible countryside of Cuzco. To feel that way is a very empowering experience for teenagers. It has opened their eyes to the world and given them more respect and understanding for other cultures.' Renata De Dalmas - Parent of two United Planet volunteers.

Congratulations! Your son, daughter, friend, or family member has chosen an exciting opportunity - volunteering abroad with United Planet! Through this experience, they will have the chance to work in collaboration with a local community on a service project while immersing in a different culture and learning about a new country. Working in partnership with the local community is at the heart of every United Planet Quest and adhering to their needs is the first priority for our organization.

In addition to gaining a better understanding of our diverse world through volunteering, your son or daughter will also learn a lot about themselves, develop greater independence, enhance their communication skills and gain greater maturity. United Planet (UP) volunteers are independent, flexible, open-minded, and willing to face any challenges that may arise during their time abroad. Being a United Planet volunteer is one of the best ways your child can learn about themselves and others!

Your child will need your support throughout this experience. Any advice you can share from your own life experiences and travel abroad can help them prepare for their trip. So, we encourage you to openly share your stories. However, this is also a time to let your child take the reins! This is their experience, and in order to be able to handle life on their own in a new country and culture, it is essential that they take part in the pre departure preparation themselves. Our pre departure training is designed to give them the resources and confidence to cope on their own – without their parents! The opportunity for them to grow in confidence, independence and maturity needs to start as soon as they apply.

By giving your child the chance to ask us the questions you want answered, and do the administrative work necessary, you are providing them with the skills they will need to have a successful experience in country. Let your child be the 'ambassador' for the family - they will need the information we provide (and you require!).

Of course, we understand that there are many questions surrounding volunteering abroad. Below is a link for you to click on to download an important list of Frequently Asked Questions, along with our answers! We have tried to be as thorough as possible with the list. However if you do have additional questions, please ask your child to ask us. Also, be sure to ask them to share any information we have provided them with you, as the answers to additional questions you may have will be given to your son or daughter as they move through the pre departure period.

Please click on the Parent's FAQs link below to download important information regarding Quests, includng pre departure and post Quest questions, as well as questions that can arise during a volunteer's Quest.

Please read the Parent's FAQs!