Archaeology and Culture

What to bring:

Essentials:

• passport and a copy of your passport;
• volunteers must obtain health and accident insurance for the duration of your travel and stay in the US. This insurance must cover you for all medical eventualities. You must bring your insurance card or receipts with you. If you cannot prove that you have insurance on arrival, you will not be allowed to take part in our workcamps. Some travel related insurance carriers are World Nomads, HTH Worldwide, and Global Rescue LLC;
• visa (if required)- be sure to make 2 copies: leave one at home and keep one with you in a safe place;
• student ID for possible discounts at museums or when traveling;
• any necessary prescribed medication and a copy of your prescription, and your doctors contact information (make sure to bring sufficient amounts of medication for the time you will be away);
• sleeping bag and mat;
• money/ Credit or Debit Card- Be sure to call your bank at home to tell them where and when you are traveling.

Clothes:

• work pants, t-shirts, gloves, work boots/shoes, hat, sunglasses;
• everyday clothes & toiletries;
• rain jacket;
• sneakers;
• warm sweater/jacket;
• bathing suit.

Other:

• cell phone- international calling cards can be bought in USA;
• camera;
• recipes! – Volunteers will be cooking so they should bring their favorite, easy recipes;
• photos of home, family, and friends;
• games and Music;
• sunscreen & bug repellant;
• day pack;
• flashlight;
• first aid;
• spending money-  each person will spend different amounts, it is up to the volunteers to decide how much money they are willing to spend and where it is spent. Each city has different prices, so depending on the location of the project, the costs might be more or less expensive. Here is an estimate of prices: Meal at a Restaurant: $15-$25; Slice of Pizza: $3-$5; Soda: $2-$3.

Volunteer expectation:

• Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. They 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. They should come prepared with recipes, photos, music, cultural information, group games and other information and activities to share with other volunteers and the 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. Volunteers must be flexible!
• Our partner and the local hosts will provide many fun and cultural 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 expenses. The camp leaders will be able to share how much free-time activities will cost.
• Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help the volunteers plan activities, understand their tasks, teach them how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to solve all the volunteers' problems! If volunteers have concerns or issues they should 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. They are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project and are not allowed to arrange their own activities and spend days or nights away from the project.
• Smoking use is on the decline in the USA and in most of the communities where volunteers are serving they will not see people smoking. It is prohibited in many buildings and also public spaces. One 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 21. Excessive drinking is a major social problem and is an obstacle to overcoming the social and economic problems that afflict the world community today. Volunteers must check with the host regarding alcohol consumption where they are staying and if they choose to drink, they must be responsible and only do so during free-time.
• Any illegal drug use is strictly forbidden.