Volunteer in Greece

Share what you’ve been given.

Of the thousands of beautiful islands in Greece, the largest and most visited is Crete, situated on the southern edge of the Aegean Sea. Here, English opens doors for local youth to higher education, meaningful careers, and prosperous futures. Knowing English is a requirement to attend university and essential for good paying jobs in tourism. You’re needed to tutor conversational English at summer language camps and in classrooms during the school year. Every fluent English speaker can do this.

You’ll stay at a delightful boutique hotel literally just minutes from the stunning Mediterranean beach.

And enjoy the best Greek food you’ve ever eaten. The comfortable rooms, each with a private bathroom and television, are double occupancy, although singles are available for an additional modest fee. A tour of the legendary Minoan Palace of Knossos and meals at a Mediterranean seaside restaurant are just a couple of the cultural immersion experiences you’ll long remember.

Global Volunteers partners with parents, teachers, and school administrators to engage you in meaningful service to the children. In return, you will gain new friends and a personal understanding of the pride and vitality of this ancient culture.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

“Wonderful food. Nice hotel. Felt very safe and well cared for.” Julie Fisher, 4-time Global Volunteer, Greece Volunteer 2025

“My family and I hope to volunteer again next year.” Megan Smiley, Greece Volunteer 2025

“I am so glad to have learned about Global Volunteers. Excellent organization with an excellent staff.”Jeanine Krueger, Greece Volunteer 2026

“My family’s time with the Greece program has been unforgettable!” Dan Brown, 4th time volunteering with his family, Greece Volunteer 2025

“I’ve learned more conversational English tips from these volunteers over the past two weeks than I ever did during my years at college.” Mrs. Julia Papadaki, Elementary School English Teacher

“Great experience. Felt extremely well taken care of. Enjoyed the group of volunteers and loved the teacher and kids I worked with.” Nicole Schreiner, Greece Volunteer 2026

Previous Next

Greece Service Program Information

Enjoy the wonders of Crete, Greece’s largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Click the tabs below to learn more about the Greece service program.

Community Work Projects

The Difference You Make As a Volunteer in Greece

Two community work projects run through the year on Crete. Pick a season to see who you will work with, when, and the need your service meets.

June - August: Summer English Day-Camp in Krousonas Village

Summer English Day-Camp in Krousonas Village

Why Volunteers Are Needed

Children need to start learning English as early as possible to enhance their ability to do well on the English certification exams they must take when they get older.

Children in rural villages have virtually no chance to interact with native English speakers and have very few organized summer activities or access to educational enrichment programs, especially those focusing on English. Rural parents know their children need to learn English to be admitted to university or get good paying jobs in tourism when they finish school. It is especially important that their primary and secondary school age kids take advantage of the summer months during the school break to prevent the loss of their English knowledge. Parents want opportunities where their children can continue learning English, socialize, build friendships, stay active, be free of electronic devices and online games through creative and enjoyable activities.

The Difference You Make

The Krousonas village parent’s association invited Global Volunteers to help them conduct a lively summer school program for children ages six through 13 in their charming, rural mountain community south of Iraklion.

The earlier children start learning English the better they do as teenagers on the required English certification exams. Volunteers of all ages come together to support this English-language program by engaging children in interactive sessions with group games, creative arts and crafts projects, music, storytelling, outdoor sports, and English conversations. It’s the perfect blend of learning, serving, fun, and adventure. The village complex features spacious classrooms, a large playground, and a basketball court. Students of all levels work with volunteers in small-group settings building confidence in their English language capacity while forming lifelong memories and friendships. The language camp is in the morning, and each afternoon volunteers have time to prepare activities for the following day, ensuring every session is meaningful and enjoyable.

Volunteers help children develop confidence in speaking English, achieve communication and team building skills, and develop creativity in a relaxed FUN setting outside the regular classroom. The summer camp strengthens community spirit by bringing together local families, volunteers, and children of various ages.

Impact

Exposure to volunteers from other countries and cultures broadens the children’s horizons, improves their English listening and speaking skills, and helps them feel more connected to the wider world while still valuing their local traditions and identity. It also encourages students to aspire to a brighter future, helping them understand that setting goals and working towards those goals can enable them to reach their full potential and open doors to opportunities beyond village life.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4

September - May: School Year - Evening English Schools

School Year – Evening English Schools

Why Volunteers Are Needed

Greek students start learning English from first grade and continue through high school; however, public school classes are too often limited to a few hours each week, and the curriculum is unfortunately insufficient to prepare students for even basic internationally recognized English language certificates.

Because English language fluency is so essential, many parents invest in additional English education for their children’s future by enrolling them in private English language schools. For many, this is a financial hardship requiring working additional jobs to cover the costs. For others, the cost is just too great, and these children never have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Global Volunteers collaborates with after-school language schools which focus on preparing students for internationally recognized examinations such as those offered by Cambridge Assessment English and Michigan Language Assessment so the students can prove their fluency. These demanding exams cover four broad areas: (1) reading, grammar, and vocabulary, (2) writing essays, letters, articles, etc., (3) listening and understanding spoken English, and (4) speaking with examiners who assess how well the student can communicate in real-life situations. The exams are conducted by native-speakers who travel from the United States and the United Kingdom. For many students, this may be the first time they have interacted face-to-face with a native English speaker. As a result, even well-prepared students can experience added nervousness, pressure, and difficulty, not only because of the exam, but also due to unfamiliar accents, different speaking styles, and the challenge of communicating in real time with someone they have never met before.

The Difference You Make

Fluent English-speaking volunteers change everything. Volunteers help students learn the language, expand their vocabulary, improve accuracy, enhance enthusiasm for English, and give youth the opportunity to practice “mock” exams with people from different countries, backgrounds, and diverse accents.

You’re needed to help students aged 8–16 strengthen their English conversational skills during evening classes at six local English schools. Local teachers provide the curriculum, and most volunteers work with the older students as they get ready for their oral exams. These invaluable preparation sessions offer students the opportunity to practice with a fluent English speaker and build confidence, which is especially important for the oral exams.

Impact

Exposure to volunteers from other countries and cultures broadens the children’s horizons, improves their listening and speaking skills in English, and helps them feel more connected to the wider world while still valuing their own local traditions and identity. It also encourages students to aspire to a brighter future, helping them understand that setting goals and working towards those goals can enable them to reach their full potential and open the door to opportunities beyond traditional village life.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Dates & Fees

Upcoming Volunteer Dates in Greece

Select Program Community

Find your preferred date by changing the year and program duration.

Change Year:

Change Program Duration:

Registration is quick and easy!

Choose program date and duration above.
Click on the option you prefer in the result list.
Complete the online registration and hold your place with a $350 deposit.

Be sure to select all applicable discounts. All payments tax-deductible.

Groups of 10 or more participants interested in dates not shown below should inquire with our Partnerships Department about adding exclusive dates to the schedule. Please email any inquiries to groups@globalvolunteers.org.

Arrival and Departure

Leave the details to us!

Your service program officially begins with the evening meal on the first Saturday. You may arrive at Iraklion International Airport (airport code HER), before 8:15 PM on Saturday.

You must confirm your flight itinerary with us at least two weeks before the service program arrival date to confirm your team airport transfer to the hotel. Plan your departure from Iraklion for after 7:00 AM on the final Saturday of your service program.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Accommodations

Anna Studios steps from the Mediterranean

Volunteers stay at Anna Studios, just a five-minute walk from Ammoudara beach on the Mediterranean Sea. Heaven Beach Bar & Café is also a 5-minute walk, the perfect spot to relax or prepare lesson plans. Anna Studios eagerly awaits Global Volunteers, ready to accommodate every moment on this beautiful island.

Every room has a private bathroom, hot water, in-room safe, fridge, TV, and telephone. Most rooms offer wireless internet and private balconies.

Standard service program contribution covers double-occupancy rooms. Single Room available for an additional modest fee of $54 per night ($377 per week).

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Meals

The gold standard of Mediterranean cuisine

“I wish I could give the food and the accommodations a 10++. We were able to experience so many different foods of Crete.” Anne Gardner, 7-time Global Volunteer

Cretan cuisine is the gold standard of the Mediterranean diet based on studies that found Cretans have low rates of heart disease and exceptionally long lives. This delicious food is among the most delightful cooking traditions on the planet, and volunteers get to enjoy it every day, three meals daily.

Each week includes 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners. Double those meals when you volunteer for two weeks. Breakfast is at the hotel, lunch is most often at the work site, and dinners are at several remarkable restaurants including Petousis Restaurant famous in the region for its Cretan delicacies and delightful atmosphere, Rogdia Village with views of Heraklion, and dinner by the sea at Heaven Restaurant.

Crete produces some of the finest olive oil in the world, and it’s used in or drizzled on almost everything. Lamb and goat are the dominant meats, often slow-roasted or stewed, but fish and other products of the sea are ubiquitous. Every dish is accented with herbs and aromatics, including thyme, oregano, savory, and dittany. Chickpeas, lentils, fava beans, and barley have been Cretan staples for millennia.

Moussaka, perhaps the most iconic Greek dish; Souvlaki, small skewers of grilled pork, chicken, or lamb; Pastitsio, sometimes referred to as Greek lasagna; Gyros, spit-roasted pork or chicken shaved thin and served in pita, Fried calamari, crispy squid rings, Spanakopita, flaky phyllo pie filled with spinach and feta cheese; Avgolemono, the most famous egg-lemon based soup; and a wide variety of breads all await you. Then there are foods you likely will not find elsewhere. Dakos (rusks topped with tomato, mizithra cheese, and olive oil). Wild greens (horta) boiled, sautéed, or stuffed into pies. Mizithra and graviera, and incredible local cheeses. You may find that you’ll enjoy a glass of Greek red or white wine with your dinner; however, you’ll have to purchase that with your own money.

Previous Next

1 2 3

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Cultural Immersion

Live the culture

Ample time is available before or after classes, depending on the season, and on weekends to enjoy the numerous nearby natural and cultural attractions.

Soak up the Mediterranean sun at various uncrowded beaches. Or, mingle with tourists and local residents at the nearby shopping areas. A short bus trip takes you to the island’s capital, Iraklion, with its Archaeological Museum, Venetian port, and excavated and reconstructed palace of King Minos at Knossos. Or walk through the birthplace of painter El Greco in nearby Fodele, and explore nature in parks and wild areas. Crete boasts a rich variety of plants, including 130 unique species of wild flowers and herbs.

Hiking is a popular diversion for those who aren’t beach-goers. Three mountain ranges stretch in a spine across the island. The same geological forces that created the mountain ranges also created awe-inspiring gorges. Faragi Samarias (Samaria Gorge) is the most famous, with a length of 16km, making it the longest gorge in Europe.

The following cultural immersion activities are included in the service program contribution. Click on each item to learn more.

Table Talks: Discussions with Local Experts on Mediterranean Diet and Ancient History & Mythology

Throughout your stay, gather with fellow volunteers for engaging discussions led by local experts on a variety of themes. Sessions may take place over a shared meal or during the day, depending on the week’s topic and schedule. One session dives into the Mediterranean diet, where a nutrition expert unpacks its history and health benefits, and explains why Cretan cuisine is considered one of the healthiest in the world. Another explores the Ancient History & Mythology, tracing the legend of the Minotaur back to the island’s Minoan roots. Each week brings a new topic and a new voice, adding depth and context to your time in Crete.

Enjoy a seaside dinner at Heaven Restaurant

Enjoy a seaside dinner at Heaven Restaurant. Gather for a relaxing evening dinner by the sea while sampling local cuisine and taking in the beautiful Mediterranean setting.

Experience traditional Cretan cuisine at Petousis Restaurant

Petousis restaurant is famous in the region for its traditional Cretan delicacies and welcoming atmosphere. Sample local specialties while learning more about the flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions that make Cretan cuisine unique.

The following cultural immersion activities are not part of our program, but we recommend them if you’d like to explore further. Click on each item to learn more.

Minoan Palace of Knossos & The Archeological Museum in Heraklion

Crete’s ancient past comes alive at two must-see sites near Heraklion. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion houses the world’s finest collection of Minoan artifacts, offering a window into one of Europe’s earliest advanced civilizations. Just a short drive away, the Minoan Palace of Knossos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites visitors to walk through the legendary Bronze Age palace complex, believed to be the seat of King Minos and the setting for the timeless myth of the Minotaur. Together, these sites offer volunteers a rich cultural counterpoint to their service work, connecting them to the island’s 4,000-year story before they even get to Crete’s beaches and villages.

Rethymno Town & Arkadi Monastery

Venture west for a day trip that pairs coastal charm with mountain history. Rethymnon Town is a 1.5-hour drive from Heraklion, and its Venetian harbor, old-town alleyways, and Ottoman-era architecture make it one of Crete’s most atmospheric towns to wander through. From there, a further 20-minute drive into the mountains leads to the Arkadi Monastery, a site of deep significance in Cretan history, tied to the island’s fierce struggle for independence. Together, these stops give volunteers a fuller picture of Crete beyond its beaches, a chance to connect with the island’s layered past and the resilience woven into its culture.

Matala Beach & Phaestos Palace

Head south for a journey through Crete’s Roman and Minoan layers. Matala is famous for its carved caves in the cliffside, originally cut as Roman tombs and later home to a free-spirited hippie community in the 1960s, a striking blend of ancient history and countercultural legend, set above one of the island’s most photogenic beaches. A short drive further inland brings you to Phaestos, the second-largest Minoan palace complex after Knossos, renowned for the mysterious Phaestos Disc and sweeping views over the Messara Plain, along with the nearby ruins of Gortys, once the Roman capital of Crete. Together, these sites offer volunteers a full sweep of the island’s story, from Minoan grandeur to Roman rule to free-spirited rebellion.

Santorini Day or Weekend Trip

For volunteers craving an unforgettable side trip, Santorini is just a 2.5-hour boat ride from Heraklion port. This world-famous volcanic island is known for its dramatic black and red sand beaches, whitewashed villages perched on cliffside caldera views, and sunsets often called the best in the world. It’s the perfect weekend getaway for volunteers looking to pair their service in Crete with one of Greece’s most iconic island escapes.

Get a taste of what’s waiting for you in Crete.

Watch this short travel documentary showcasing the beaches, mountains, ancient ruins, and hidden gems of Crete.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Weekly Schedule - Summer School

A Day in Your Life as a Volunteer in the Summer English School

Please note that the following itinerary may be adjusted to accommodate the needs of each different service program.

Itinerary

MORNING/AFTERNOON

Arrival. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by a Global Volunteers representative as you exit baggage claim, who will transport you to your accommodations to check in.

EVENING

Welcome Dinner. Your team leader will join you and all the volunteers for dinner, introductions, and a description of the following day's orientation.

The second week (Monday-Friday) follows the same schedule as the first week of service. For volunteers who wish to stay longer, our Summer English School in Crete offers extended-stay options beyond two weeks. Speak with one of our volunteer coordinator experts and contact us for details.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Weekly Schedule - School Year

A Day in Your Life as a Volunteer in the Evening English Lessons during School Year

Please note that the following itinerary may be adjusted to accommodate the needs of each different service program.

Itinerary

MORNING/AFTERNOON

Arrival. Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be met by a Global Volunteers representative as you exit baggage claim, who will transport you to your accommodations to check in.

EVENING

Welcome Dinner. Your team leader will join you and all the volunteers for dinner, introductions, and a description of the following day's orientation.

The second week (Monday-Friday) follows the same schedule as the first week of service.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Team Leader

Excellence in team management so you can focus on service.

“Sam is an amazing Team Leader that truly took care of every detail. Extremely likable and great at what she does!” reports Kevin Fowler, an Executive Sales Representative for Medtronic.

Global Volunteers hired Samantha (Sam) Pinakoulaki in 2005 as a translator. A year later she was promoted to Team Leader and then to Greece Country Manager. Over the past 20+ years, she has successfully led more than 1,000 volunteers in service to Cretan communities. Sam is recognized by community partners and volunteers alike for her dedication to Greek kids learning English and her passion for cultural exchange.

Sam is a Greek by choice! After studying performing arts in England, where she was born and raised, and traveling extensively with dance companies worldwide, a performance brought her to Crete in 1989. That was where she met Dimitris, with whom she fell in love, married, and together raised five wonderful children. (We hired their oldest, Millie Pinakoulaki, in 2016 after she finished her master’s degree. Millie is Global Volunteers’ Director of Marketing.)

20+

years leading

1,000+

volunteers led

What other volunteers say about Sam:

“Sam is a wonderful team leader and one of the reasons I return to the program.” Susan Brandler, 2025 Greece volunteer who has served on 19 teams, 12 in Greece. Retired.

“Sam is kind, friendly, warm-hearted, and absolutely devoted to her job, the volunteers, and the communities she serves. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to meet her.” Ruth Hozeska, 2025 Greece volunteer. Retired.

“Sam is the best.” Jeff Gaffin, 2025 Greece volunteer who has served on 3 teams. Retired.

“Samantha was exemplary. We couldn’t have asked for a better leader. She made our experience fulfilling and fun.” Cat Jerz, 2025 Greece volunteer. Retired.

“Sam is charming and competent. I felt fully supported and valued as a team member. She was welcoming, caring, and honest; indeed a treasure.” Margie Sisitsky, 2025 Greece volunteer who has served on 3 teams. Retired.

“I felt so comfortable asking Sam all kinds of questions – whether they be cultural or logistical. She made this experience one of the best I have had.” Jennifer Klawin, 2025 Greece volunteer. Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder, Emergent Media, LLC.

“Sam is a smart, intelligent and caring leader that inspires the whole team!” Ginger Margoli, 2025 Greece volunteer who has served on 3 teams.

“Very welcoming and kind. She was a great support to my dad and me throughout our time in Crete.” Prem Garg, 2024 Greece volunteer. High school student.

“Experienced Global Volunteers staff with local ties that really help to provide a good experience for volunteers and community partners. She gave us the freedom to lead our classes but was always there to help if needed. Helped us work and feel like a team.” Tom Leonard, 2024 Greece volunteer. Senior Director, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.

Previous Next

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Community Partners

Our Host and Community Partners in Crete

Global Volunteers only serves where we are invited by a local host organization or community partner. In Greece, we were invited by both a host organization and several community partners.

Municipality of Malevizi

Previously known as Gazi, the Municipality of Malevizi has hosted Global Volunteers since 2005. As the second-largest municipality in Crete, it is home to more than 25,000 residents, and led by Mayor Menelaos Bokeas, Deputy Mayor Chrisa Lironi, and county council member Irene Katsifarou. They have built a reputation for turning municipal resources directly into community services. Art and craft workshops, traditional folk-dance classes, math and science tuition, free health care, and a free minimarket that supports low-income families represent some of the more important government services these leaders have established. English classes sit squarely within that same philosophy.

The mayor’s office views English as an economic and social equalizer. Crete’s economy runs heavily on tourism, and fluency in English is often the clearest path a young person has toward stable, well-paying work. By offering English instruction for free, alongside its other social programs, Malevizi is deliberately removing cost as a barrier, ensuring that a child’s family income doesn’t determine whether they get access to a skill that could shape their future. It’s the same logic behind the free minimarket and free health care: opportunity shouldn’t be rationed by what a family can afford.

English is treated as a passport to university programs, jobs, and conversations with tourists who visit Crete every year. For a municipality with deep roots in tradition and village life, investing in language is a way of making sure that tradition and economic opportunity aren’t in tension with each other and kids can stay connected to Malevizi while still being equipped for engagement in a much wider world.

Global Volunteers is privileged to work hand-in-hand with a local government that treats community investment as a core responsibility.

Krousonas Elementary School & Parents Association

The Elementary School of Krousonas has welcomed Global Volunteers, thanks to an invitation from Headmaster Zacharias Kougioumtzis, a longtime supporter of our mission. Established in 1957, the school serves the village’s children from a public building with six classrooms, two offices, and a corridor lending library stocked with contemporary children’s literature, along with two modular classrooms in the schoolyard. When Headmaster Kougioumtzis met with Global Volunteers CEO Bud Philbrook and Greece Country Manager Sam Pinakoulaki, he was joined by members of the school’s Parents Association, underscoring just how invested the local community is in bringing this opportunity to their children.

Evening English Language Schools

Across Greece, frontistiria, after-school language schools, have become a cornerstone of English education, supplementing the instruction children receive in public school. These schools are essential for exam preparation and certification, but many families note a common gap: while frontistiria teachers are often excellent at grammar instruction and building toward formal English certificates, conversational fluency and natural pronunciation can receive less attention in a classroom built around test preparation. This is where the presence of native English-speaking volunteers makes such a meaningful difference, offering students real conversational practice they might not otherwise get. Though privately owned and often costly, many frontistiria recognize the importance of accessibility and offer scholarships to students from low-income families, reflecting a shared understanding across Greece that English proficiency is a practical necessity in a tourism-driven economy where communication skills open doors to employment and opportunity.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Solo & Couple Volunteers

Greece Volunteers Serving Individually, Couples, or Families

60%

over 50

78%

women

12%

families

Volunteer solo, but you won’t serve alone!

Most volunteers arrive without knowing anyone; but by the end of the first day, they have new friends to enjoy, laugh with, and serve with. Whatever your age or background, there’s a place for you here.

Global Volunteers offers among the safest and most inviting ways for individuals to travel alone and become part of a group of friends. From the moment you arrive, you’re folded into a team of volunteers. Our team leader and local community partners guide you, look out for you, engage you in meaningful service, and ensure you always know where to be and what’s next, so you can focus on what matters most; the connections you make with local people.

Solo volunteers come in their twenties and in their seventies, between jobs and between chapters of life, and they all find the same thing waiting: a team that has your back and a service program that leaves you with friendships that last for many years.

From honeymoons to retirement, couples serve side by side as their relationship blooms.

Wondering whether a service program is really the right thing to do together as a couple? Consider this: Global Volunteers exists because of one couple. Our co-founders, Bud Philbrook and Michele Gran, spent part of their honeymoon volunteering in a small rural Guatemalan village. That single shared experience moved them so deeply they built an entire organization around it which they called Global Volunteers. Read the full story here: Global Volunteers “Conceived” on Honeymoon – Global Volunteers.

Forty years later, couples are still discovering that serving side by side reveals each other in ways an ordinary vacation never will. You won’t have to choose between time together and making a difference; you’ll get both. Our team leader and local partners handle the logistics, so the only thing you’re managing is how much fun you’re having serving others. And it fits whatever chapter you’re in. Newlyweds, this is a honeymoon you’ll still be talking about at your fiftieth anniversary. Recently retired, with time and energy finally your own again? There’s no richer way to spend it than building something meaningful as a team. Whatever your age, you’ll both come to know Crete the way local people do, and you’ll head home closer than when you arrived, with friendships among teammates and community members that feel like family.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Family Volunteering

Families who volunteer together, bond together!

Families of all ages can work together in summer language school with students of all ages. Volunteers emphasize speaking skills, not the formal rules of grammar. Practice pronunciation, talk about mutually interesting topics, and read stories. You and your children can share your family story, play games, sing songs, dance, or take your students on a scavenger hunt, it is just all done in English.

Minimum Ages for Family Service Projects

Country	Community	Min Age	Notes
China	Xi'an	10
Cook Islands	Rarotonga	8
Greece	School Year - Maleviziou, Island of Crete	12
Greece	Summer English Day Camp - Maleviziou, Island of Crete	6
Italy	Castelvetrano, Sicily	12	school year
Italy	Castelvetrano, Sicily	10	summer camps JuneAugust
Malaysia	Johor Bahru	7
Montana	Blackfeet Reservation	8
Nepal	Kathmandu	10
Peru	Lima	7
Poland	School Year Program - Reymontowka	6
Poland	Language Camp Led by Ukrainian Team Leader - Reymontowka	6
Poland	Polish-Ukrainian Summer Program - Siedlce	6
Puerto Rico	Aguada	10
St. Lucia	Anse La Raye	8
Tanzania	Ipalamwa Area	13
Texas	San Juan	12
Vietnam	Hanoi	15

Choose Country

Choose Age Range

Show All Minimum Ages

Reset Selection

Parents and legal guardians of minors – under age 18 – must complete a Minor Registration and travel with their children. Children 15 and under must work closely with their parent or legal guardian on family service projects. To ensure a positive experience for everyone, parents and guardians must comply with Global Volunteers’ minor supervision policy.

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5

You don’t need teaching experience. You don’t need to speak Greek. You only need to enjoy working with kids. Your children can work with students of the local community who want to learn or improve their conversational English. They’re growing up in a world where English proficiency is a global given, and they want and deserve to become as fluent as their urban peers. That’s where you come in!

Parents and guardians are expected to supervise their minor volunteers and collaborate with our team leader and local partners to maximize the service experience for everyone. Youth are invited to offer their own perspectives in team meetings and participate in all activities. In this way, your child gains a personal understanding of the Greek culture as well as the role and responsibilities of being a team member. They also will likely create life-long friendships with local youth who share their interests and experiences.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Group Opportunities

Imagine your student, employee, or professional association group volunteering together in Crete!

Crete is the inspirational center of Minoan civilization and the mythical birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. Our service program offers diverse Greece volunteer opportunities and a flexible schedule to enable people of all backgrounds and skills to fully contribute. We work with you to meet your group’s unique goals, objectives, and personality.

Whether you’re planning a corporate team experience, faculty-led student service-learning program, faith-based group experience, or another group program, Global Volunteers can create a meaningful service experience tailored to your group’s goals.

Groups volunteering together on Crete discover what tourists never experience. Inside Greek classrooms, you gain a rare, “insider” perspective of daily life in Greece. Participating in local Cretan dance and music, learning raki-making from the experts, hearing the Greek language spoken, and experiencing Greek customs and local events with your hosts take you beyond the typical island tour. Nothing can replace the experience of volunteering together in Greece and experiencing the Greek culture as you live it.

Find your group type:

We work closely with each group to develop an exclusive volunteer program and provide dedicated support every step of the way. Our turnkey approach makes planning as easy as possible for group leaders and staff. Contact our Partnerships team to learn more and explore options for your group.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5 6

Health, Safety, & Mobility

Your health and safety are our top priorities.

Your lodging, food, and transportation are provided always with a mind to protect your health and security.  Your team leader is trained in CPR and first aid to handle most emergencies. Global Volunteers includes emergency medical evacuation insurance in your service program fee. Read more about health and safety here.

However, you are responsible to ensure your own safety by acting prudently and being careful. We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information. For general recommendations, consult the following sources:

Centers for Disease Control | Health Canada Online | Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

We also recommend that you have health insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance in the event you must cancel your participation on the service program. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Click here to read risks associated with international travel. Also, please read Global Volunteers’ Respiratory Viruses Policy for Service Programs in the U.S. and Abroad.

Mobility: Somewhat Mobile

Our service program on the island of Crete involves walking or taking public buses to schools and restaurants in urban areas and small villages.

Walking: Volunteers should be comfortable walking to local restaurants for dinner, a few to several blocks from the lodging.
Community Project: Volunteers are transported by van, bus, car, or taxi to the work site(s) and must be able to get in and out of the vehicle independently.
Lodging: There is no elevator at the lodging. Volunteers should plan to climb one flight of stairs daily.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

FAQs

Do I need a passport or visa?

When traveling to a foreign country, you must have in your possession a passport that is valid for at least six months. A visa may also be required, depending on the country you are serving in and your country of citizenship.

What do I need to pack?

A packing list is available in your volunteer portal after you register. It includes recommendations for clothing based on the season and other items you should consider bringing with you.

How do I get assigned to a particular community project?

The service projects are first based on the needs of the community and their priorities. Then our volunteer preparation staff take into consideration your background, experience, and stated preferences to assign you to the community’s priority projects. Our goal is to inform you of your assignment at least two weeks prior to the start date of the service program; however, sometimes it’s not possible to do that until you are in country. In all cases, your assignment is negotiable. We want you to be engaged in those activities in which you are most comfortable and most needed by the community.

Are cultural immersion events included in this program?

Yes, volunteers enjoy organic cultural immersion events facilitated by the team leader and community partners. They offer moments rarely experienced by tourists. See the Cultural Immersion tab on the above listing.

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

Global Volunteers service programs require funding for a wide variety of purposes, including volunteer’s food, lodging, ground transportation, etc. The communities we serve do not have the financial resources to cover the expenses of the service program, so the money needs to come from somewhere. Most of our funding comes from individual volunteers like you because there’s no one else to cover the costs. All other funding comes from individuals and foundations. No funding comes from government agencies. Because Global Volunteers is a private non-profit organization, the entire service program contribution is tax-deductible for US taxpayers and taxpayers in some other countries. Many volunteers fundraise for their service program, and you may qualify for one or more discounts. Ask a volunteer coordinator for more details.

See more here: Service Program Contribution – Global Volunteers

How do I know if this service program is right for me?

If you care about children, want to make a positive difference in our world, and are willing to offer your skills and talents for the benefit of others, a Global Volunteers service program is likely right for you. More than 43,000 volunteers of all ages and walks of life have served with us since 1984. Each has been a valuable resource in supporting our community partners’ goals. As a volunteer, you are an essential link in a long chain of those who have come before, and will follow, to help ensure sustainable community development.

In fact, we helped set the standard for short-term international service in 1984; USA Today called us the “Granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement.” We recommend speaking with a Volunteer Coordinator who can help you navigate our service programs and make informed choices.

Can I hear from someone who has already volunteered?

Yes. Many of our program alumni are happy to speak to you about their experience on our service programs. In addition, we have thousands of testimonials from volunteers about their experiences. Reach out to your volunteer coordinator to connect with an alumnus.

When should I register?

We highly recommend registering as soon as you determine where you want to volunteer and when you want to serve there. Service program dates can fill up fast and a $350 deposit secures your place on the team. The remaining balance is due 90 days before your start date.

How do I register for a service program?

Follow this link to secure your spot on a team: Registration – Global Volunteers, or speak with a Volunteer Coordinator who will answer any other questions and guide you through the registration process.

View Dates & Fees Contact Us Register Online

Volunteer Voices: Read and Hear What Volunteers Say About Serving in Greece

Recent Stories from Greece

April 15, 2026

Volunteer in Greece

Share what you’ve been given.

Greece Service Program Information

The Difference You Make As a Volunteer in Greece

Summer English Day-Camp in Krousonas Village

Why Volunteers Are Needed

The Difference You Make

Impact

School Year – Evening English Schools

Why Volunteers Are Needed

The Difference You Make

Impact

Volunteer Voices: Read and Hear What Volunteers Say About Serving in Greece

Recent Stories from Greece

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!