Anyone got any ideas about summer volunteering for a 17 year old?

Most reputable service organizations use the funds donated to them to render services to others, not to support their volunteers. And that's what the donors expect; they realize that there is some "overhead" in managing and running the organizations, but want to see that kept to a minimum. That's why "volunteering schemes expect you to pay". I've volunteered in four countries other than my own, helping low-income people build simple decent housing (The Fuller Center for Housing and Habitat for Humanity). In every case, I have had to pay my own airfare to get there, and a fee to the organization for my room, board, and transportation while I was there. Further, many organizations require minors to be accompanied by an adult, especially when international travel is involved. I'd bet there are plenty of organizations close to your home that can use your help. Food pantry, soup kitchen, summer program for disadvantaged children... think of a cause you'd like to assist, and start doing a little research.

hey Ruth as i have been a volunteer in the past , believe me its a great way to spend your summer :) I am sending you a couple of links of greek organisations that arrange volunteer projects here and you might find one that you decide to join :) http://www.elix.org.gr/index.php?mylang=english&PHPSESSID=9fb6850bbfe2e57d3139afe0c59995e9 http://www.european-village.org/index.php/en if you need more info, feel free to ask :) Konstantinos

Suggest that you google Emmaus International.

I don't think that you should pay for a scheme - in my experience they usually turn out to be not v good and you can organise something better independantly. I think that you might be safer waiting another year or two before going somewhere like Nepal on your own, or could you travel with a friend? Preferably male! Women aren't v well respected in Nepal and it's easy to get into trouble if you're out there alone! If you want to work with buddhists over there then it's easier to contact a somewhere directly - just remember that just because someone says they are buddhist doesn't mean that they are safe to hand around with! I met some fantastic buddhists over there but also some truly corrupt and not v nice ones! Try somewhere like the Kopan Monastery in Boudha - this is right in the centre of Kathmandu in a Tibetan area and I've seen the outside of it and it looks alright as far as I could tell! The site is: http://www.kopan-monastery.com/about_info.html Boudha would be a good place for you because it's fairly central and relatively safe. Hope that helps xx