Volunteering in France

Karen someone posted this website on a forum I was on( can't remember which one) but I looked it up and it looks really interesting.. check it out. I just googled it, "www.workaway.info" Good luck,, your kids are getting a great education!

Thank you for the website! I appreciate it. Thanks for the supportive comment on the education too! Karen

Please keep the Schengen zone visa requirements in mind. You can only stay three months if one of those months is February and next year is leap year so that counts.

Frank, this year is a leap year so next year can't be. There's only one every 4 years. Schengen regulations don't care about months. Its days. 90 in any 180.

See if you can get a copy of Volunteer Vacations.

I just thumbed my copy of Volunteer Vacations and I couldn't spot anything about France. The closest thing was some kind of seal rescue project in the Orkneys.

Thanks for all the helpful info. I had never heard of the Schengen agreement. I was going to put Volunteer Vacations on hold at the library but maybe I won't if there isn't anything on France. Thanks again

There's a separate thread in General Europe about Schengen and the 90 days. Make sure to check it out.

I think the reason why there isn't stuff in France in the Volunteer Vacations book is that it really isn't a part of the French culture. It's becoming a little more prevalent, but for the most part, volunteering isn't common. Honestly, Karen, I think you're going to have to find another way for your kids to learn French, as I can't imagine any French place letting your 11yos volunteer. I run Girl Scout troops, and the only volunteer opportunties for them are through English-speaking groups. Any chance you could change your trip to Fall? If you arrived close to the start of the school year, you'd be able to register your kids in activities such as sports teams, etc. (Warning: you'll need to visit a doctor in FRance to get them medical ceritificates saying they're fit to practice that sport). Most places won't let you join at the end of the school year. You may also need to pay the full year's fees, even if you're only there for three months. (But it doesn't hurt to ask)

Thanks for your information! Would that mean that they would have to/could go to school there? Or just sign up for the sports and possibly other extracurricular activities? Also, what sport would normally be availabe in fall? Thanks!