No experience is necessary to participate in most AiP projects. If you have an interest in historic preservation, a love of architecture, the desire to experience a different culture, or just want an active vacation, you will be able to make a valuable contribution. A technical expert leads each workshop, and not only guides the work, but teaches volunteers the specific building conservation skills needed for the project. Novice to professional - AiP projects can accommodate all levels of experience. Occasionally, due to site restrictions, a workshop will be designated for mid-career professionals only.
If you need help choosing a workshop, contact us for help! We want to ensure that your adventure with AiP is the best possible experience.
As mentioned above, no experience is necessary to attend an AiP workshop. In most cases, you do need to be over 18 years of age, unless an exception is made by AiP staff and we receive a completed special waiver from your parent or guardian. Some workshops are designated as family workshops, with children and parents (or grandparents!) volunteering and learning together. Other workshops welcome young adults under the age of 18 if they attend with a parent or guardian. Check with AiP if you are under 18 years of age and would like to join one of our projects.
It is expected that those registering will be in generally good health, but don't hesitate to register if you have some restriction as each person is only expected to participate to the level of his or her ability.
AiP and the local organizations we partner with have limited resources and are seldom able to subsidize your trip or cover the costs of hosting you. The workshop fee covers the cost of your accommodation, most meals, fieldtrips, instruction, workshop planning and materials, and insurance. A portion of the fee also goes to pay the expert leading the work to provide a quality educational experience.
AiP is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt corporation under the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The majority of your program fee is tax-deductible (for U.S. tax payers), as are other expenses related to your AiP volunteer work such as your airfare, trip cancellation insurance, and other such expenses. Check with a tax consultant or the IRS to determine the exact amount that is deductible.
Your workshop fee covers not only the cost of your lodging, most meals, instruction, fieldtrips and insurance; your fee also helps to cover volunteer coordination, program development and implementation, country manager expenses, and community member recruitment. All are vital to the success of each project and require experienced staff. Less than 10% of your program fee goes toward overhead and administration.
TRAVEL COSTS to the workshop site are not included in the fees and are the responsibility of the participant. If you would like assistance with travel arrangements, contact Peace Frogs Travel/Outfitters, AiP’s partnering travel agency.
SHORT-TERM INSURANCE is purchased by AiP for workshop participants to
supplement their own coverage in case of illness or injury.
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE is strongly encouraged in addition to other
insurance coverage.
A VISA may be required to travel to a workshop site depending on your country of origin. Please be aware that the visa application process may be lengthy, taking up to 6 months. Before registering for a workshop, it is best to check visa requirements via government websites or by calling the embassy nearest you. Each workshop Details page has specific visa information for that location. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas.
REGISTER online - start the registration process by clicking a Register button anywhere on our website. Be sure to register early as workshop space is limited.
PAYMENT is due in-full no later than 30 days prior to the start of the workshop. A non-refundable deposit equal to half the total workshop cost must be paid at the time of registration to reserve a place at the workshop. This deposit may be transferred to another workshop if the registrant must cancel. Payment by check or money order is preferred; all payments must be in US dollars. Payment is also accepted by credit card (via PayPal).
CANCELLATIONS that occur prior to 30 days before the start of the workshop will result in refunds of half the fees; the deposit is non-refundable, but may be applied to another workshop. No reimbursement is possible if cancellation occurs after this date or during the workshop. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.
REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS will receive an information packet several weeks prior to the start of their workshop.
Our online registration process allows you to register and pay online (via PayPal), or register online and mail a check or money order or wire a payment. In either case, after filling out the registration form you MUST print, sign and mail the Registration/Waiver form to AiP. If you prefer to complete a registration form by hand, call or email us to request registration materials. Early registration is encouraged, not only to ensure you have a spot in the workshop of your choice, but also to allow AiP to estimate the amount of work that may be accomplished during the workshop. Payment is also accepted by credit card (via PayPal)and by bank wire. Contact us for wiring information.
Your AiP experience is more than an ordinary vacation – it’s an adventure. Each workshop is unique but they all have a similar structure. Your week will begin with a get-together on the day you arrive. This is your first chance to meet the other intrepid travelers you will be working and touring with during the workshop. This is followed by a site orientation, including an overview of the history and a description of what the project entails.
After breakfast and coffee the next morning, the actual work starts with a demonstration of the particular skills needed to begin the planned conservation work. As work progresses, there are usually several activities underway, and participants may choose depending on their specific interests and abilities. More coffee, cooperation and the exchange of ideas keep the day lively. Work takes place Monday through Friday with time taken out for a half- or full-day field trip to tour cultural sites in the area. If participants attend a workshop for two weeks, the weekend is also available for sight seeing.
As anyone who has worked on historic buildings knows, surprises are to be expected. The building’s secrets, uncovered during the course of the workshop, often provide interesting discoveries and may alter the planned schedule of work. The agenda sent to participants before the workshop will very likely see some changes.
WORKSHOP FEES cover lodging, breakfast and lunch, fieldtrips, instruction, workshop planning and materials, and insurance unless otherwise noted. Fees vary for each workshop, so be sure to check the Details page for information.
LODGING is usually at a Bed & Breakfast or small local hotel. As an organization, AiP supports sustainable tourism initiatives and therefore prefers to house workshop participants in facilities which have similar goals.
CANCELLATIONS that occur prior to 30 days before the start of the workshop will result in refunds of half the fees; the deposit is non-refundable, but may be applied to another workshop. No reimbursement is possible if cancellation occurs after this date or during the workshop. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.
WORKSHOP DETAILS are provided on the Details page for each workshop listed under Current Workshops.
AiP has a non-profit partner at each project that would love your support. (We would, too.) If you would like to make an additional donation to the project, visit our Donate Now page or contact us to discuss ways you can help
AiP can organize a customized workshop for your group. A family reunion is a great excuse for an adventure in preservation! Or, if you have a particular material, skill or location you would like addressed, send us the details. All workshops provide an excellent opportunity for networking, sharing ideas and broadening your perspective, so join us for a rewarding experience saving architectural heritage around the world.
If you have any other questions, please contact us.
