Short Term Volunteers

Our Chalet offers a limited number of exciting Short Term Volunteer opportunities throughout the year. 

NOTE: We have a full team for summer 2024 and do not currently have a need for Short Term Volunteers in the summer.

Short Term Volunteers come to Our Chalet for 2-8 weeks to work as additional Guest Services support during busy periods (e.g. helping with cleaning, laundry, and in the kitchen).

    • 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. 

Short Term Volunteers usually work only in Guest Services helping with cleaning, laundry, and in the kitchen. Due to training requirements, it is not usually possible for Short Term Volunteers to lead programme, however, where possible we offer the opportunity to lead day tours and help run evening programmes.

Occasionally we have opportunities for Short Term Volunteers to work on a specific project such as building work, maintenance, or administration tasks.

Short Term Volunteers will receive specific training for jobs they are expected to do as well as general training such as Health and Safety.

We welcome people for a minimum of two weeks and up to two months. During your stay you will receive full board and lodging. When applying please indicate the dates you are available and tell us about the skills that you would be able to bring to us.

Note: if you would like to volunteer for less than two weeks please look at our Ready Steady Go service programme.

It is not possible to give exact dates for when Short Term Volunteers are needed as this varies throughout the year. In general, Short Term Volunteers are most likely to be needed during the summer season, school holidays events (Spring Break, Half Term Breaks), and for special events such as Helen Storrow Seminar.

We welcome people for a minimum of two weeks and up to two months. During your stay you will receive full board and lodging. When applying please indicate the dates you are available and tell us about the skills that you would be able to bring to us.

 

  • Experiencing a unique environment and life at Our Chalet, WAGGGS first World Centre
  • Experiencing Swiss culture and customs and beautiful natural environment
  • Full free board and lodging in Our Chalet shared staff accommodation
  • Free self-service laundry and wifi access.
  • 2 days off per week
  • Staff fun evenings and activities.
  • Personal and professional development.
  • Giving back to the Guiding and Scouting movement.

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 as soon as possible.

Our Chalet will provide you with all meals, accommodation, use of self-service laundry facilities and wireless internet 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. Other than in exceptional circumstances, Our Chalet is not able to provide travel scholarships for Short Term Volunteers.

VOLUNTEER BLOGS

Are you curious what volunteers in each season are doing at Our Chalet? What does a day to day life look like and what to volunteers do in their free time? Read their stories in Chalet Chatter – the Our Chalet staff blog.