• 18+ years of age*
• Member of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) of any gender
• All applicants must be willing and able to join the WAGGGS Volunteer Pool and be endorsed by their Member Organisation during the application process. 
• Very good verbal English and good written English skills (English is the working language of Our Chalet)
• Physically and mentally fit to live in shared housing and work long hours at altitude (1,350m above sea level). Volunteers with disabilities are welcomed, please contact us if you have questions about the suitability of our volunteer placements for you. 

*If you do not hold and EU/EFTA passport, Swiss visa rules mean you must be aged under 36 at the time of volunteering and have not previously had a volunteer visa for Switzerland. There is no upper age limit for EU/EFTA passport holders.

All applications must be endorsed by your Member Organisation’s International Commissioner before any placement can be offered. 

• Genuinely enjoys meeting and getting to know new people
• Is open to being immersed in a multi-cultural environment
• Practical, open minded, hard-working, and able to use common sense
• Capable of leading groups of all ages and abilities in indoor and outdoor programme in all weather
• Capable of taking responsibility to deliver work to the highest standard
• Patient, good team player, and capable of working in an international team
• Does not have any medical condition (physical or mental) that would prevent safe working in a busy environment at 1,350m above sea level. 

Guest Services
These are the daily tasks that keep Our Chalet clean and welcoming for guests in our beautiful mountain home.

Tasks include:

• Cooking in our commercial kitchen for staff and guests – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will be supervised and supported by our Catering Coordinator. 
• Cleaning bathrooms and common areas, setting bedrooms, and general house chores.
• Giving Our Chalet tours to visitors.
• Serving customers in the small on-site shop.
• Assisting in grounds and maintenance jobs such as snow clearing and recycling.
• Assisting with administration such as checking in guests.

Day Programmes

We run lots of exciting indoor and outdoor programmes here in the mountains. Depending on guest numbers, volunteers will have a chance to lead programmes (season dependent!) such as:

• Onsite day – lighting fires, crafts, orienteering, igloo building, team building activities
• Adventure Park – high ropes, zip wire, and climbing course
• Hikes in the mountains
• Excursion to local attractions such as castles and lakes
• Winter hikes and snowshoe
• Cross country skiing, and sledding.

Evening Programmes

• Indoor and outdoor games, campfires,  evening hikes, international evenings and many more!

Usually Our Chalet Volunteers join us for a three month volunteer leadership placement. Placement start dates are in early December, late February, early June, and late August. 

Applicants holding a passport from any country from the Schengen area, can volunteer for longer than three months and can apply for two consecutive seasons. Please indicate your wish on the application. Placement offers are subject to your suitability for the season and the number of volunteers needed.

Please note, all volunteer offers and placements are subject to the applicant obtaining and retaining the required permission (visa or permit) to enter and work in Switzerland. Our Chalet will apply for a visa or permit on your behalf, if you are successful in being offered a placement. 

• Free full board (three meals per day) and lodging in shared staff housing in the beautiful Swiss Alps!
• Working in a truly international environment in an English language setting.
• Leadership and professional development.
• Learning new life and work skills such as time management, running outdoor activities, cooking,  and guest services.
• Learning new Guide and Scout games and current WAGGGS topics to share at home.
• Support from staff team in planning and delivering personal projects.
• Free laundry facilities.
• Free wifi.
• Access to a range of equipment such as hiking boots, hiking poles, sleds, snowshoes, bicycles, etc.
• Nine days off per month, 1×3 day period off during your season.
• Two days free accommodation before and after your volunteering dates.
• Staff Day Out.
• Uniform provided for your time here.
• Our Chalet staff necker for you to keep.
• Staff challenge badge to work on.
• All the awesomeness of the Swiss Alps on your doorstep, plus many European countries with easy reach to explore!

When you submit your application you will receive an automated e-mail confirming receipt of the application.

Our volunteer team aims to reply to all volunteer applications. However, due to the high volume of applications received we prioritise contacting applicants who have applied to volunteer over a time when we have a need.

Our team will be in touch with applicants about next steps after the application deadline, for the season applied for, has closed.

Our Chalet will provide you with all meals, accommodation, uniform, use of self-service laundry facilities and wifi access in designated areas on site for the duration of your stay.

If you are worried about money, you should look into financial assistance options. You will need to cover your travel costs, souvenirs, & things you want to do in your free time. Our Chalet has a scholarship fund that you can apply to for travel assistance. Depending on where you are travelling from, we are usually able to offer travel scholarships of CHF 500 – 1000. You may also be able to apply for assistance from your national Guide/Scout Organisation or local community organisations.

To apply you need to complete both Part A and Part B of the application form, linked to below this box. All forms must be completed in full, although including a photograph is optional (we are happy to receive forms without a photo).

Return both forms to volunteers@ourchalet.wagggs.org clearly stating in your e-mail which season and role you are applying for.

Please note: if you are successful at interview your application must be endorsed by your Member Organisation’s International Commissioner before we can make an offer of a placement. You may also be asked to provide contact details for two references.