2026 Program Applications are now open
This is Your Opportunity to Volunteer in Italy!
The Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan organizes summer Camps in partnership with the Oratories of Lombardy, Italy.
Do you speak any Italian? Do you want to live in Italy with a family next summer? Here’s a great opportunity – volunteering at a summer camp in Italy!
Since 2016, the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan has partnered with the Lombardy Diocese to offer an opportunity to live in Italy while volunteering as a counselor at a church-run summer camp. Get free accommodation, improve your Italian, and add invaluable experience to your résumé.
Volunteers aged 18 to 25 will participate in a THREE-week program. Each volunteer will work alongside camp counselors to improve their Italian language skills during this time.
PLEASE NOTE: Camp activity does NOT include teaching English to children.
The Oratori Lombardi organizes camp activities that are subject to each parish organization.
2026 DATES: Volunteers should plan to arrive in Milan, Lombardy, by Saturday, June 6, 2026.
-Welcome activities at the assigned parish: June 7, 2026
– Parish activities start: June 8, 2026
– Activities ending: June 26, 2026
– Plan your return to the USA from June 27, 2026
Volunteers are responsible for their own airfare costs.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
- The Application and two (2) recommendation letters by February 28, 2026 – EST time, 6:00 PM
- The Organizing Committee will email a confirmation to the accepted volunteers by March 30, 2026
- The accepted volunteer will be interviewed via Zoom for a language proficiency assessment based on ACTFL levels: Novice High/Intermediate Mid or above.
- The accepted volunteer(s) must sign the contract and send the Plane Ticket and ETIAS (actual ticket, not the reservation) by April 15, 2026.
NOTE: Starting in 2024, American citizens must complete an ETIAS application before boarding a flight, sea vessel, or coach vehicle for Europe, even if they are transiting through Europe to another destination. The cost is $8.00 for three years.
To apply, visit the ETIAS Website and use the homepage assessment tool. Complete your ETIAS application at least 2 months before your departure to avoid delays or a potential refusal.
***IMPORTANT****
– If accepted, please make sure to respect the deadlines and submit the proper documentation by February 28, 2026, by 6:00 PM
– The applicant must upload the two recommendation letters and complete the following Application. If your teacher prefer to send the recommendation letter to our VoluntarItaly committee, please ask to e-mail at: VoluntarItaly@dantemichigan.org, indicating the applicant’s NAME in the subject line.
– The VoluntarItaly Committee will invite the applicant (via Zoom meeting) to discuss the application and language evaluation.
– The VoluntarItaly Committee will contact the recommenders to discuss your profile.
The Dante Alighieri Society, Inc. – Michigan Chapter is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and, as such, provides equal opportunities for access to its membership, resources, events, programs, classes, courses, scholarships, employment positions, and volunteer positions. The Dante Alighieri Society, Inc. – Michigan Chapter does not discriminate based on race, color, religion or creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, height, weight, disability, marital or familial status, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other Federal or Michigan protected class statu.
General Important FAQs
A) The program lasts three weeks. This timeframe works best for our host families and parish communities, allowing them to welcome volunteers with the right balance of support, energy, and sustainability. Three weeks give you plenty of time to learn, help, and fully enjoy the experience!
Yes. We ask all volunteers to have at least ACTFL Novice High (A1 CEFR) so you can communicate with your host family and interact comfortably with the kids at the camps. This basic level also helps you grow your Italian once you’re in Italy. Nothing perfect—just enough to manage simple conversations and daily needs with confidence and kindness.
A) You will stay with a local host family from the parish community. They welcome you into their daily life and offer meals and lodging as an act of hospitality: you are not a guest in a hotel. For three weeks you are part of their home, sharing meals, stories, and everyday life.
A) No. Families volunteer to host, and we respect their generosity and hospitality. Housing is assigned based on availability.
A) Yes. Your host family provides meals, just like they do for one another. Sharing food is part of Italian culture and one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. Join meals with curiosity, conversation, and respect.
A) No. To keep the experience fair and community-based, host families are assigned only by the parish. If you know people nearby, you’re welcome to meet them outside the home, unless the host family expresses interest in meeting them and invites them in.
A) Not in detail. Each parish designs its own program week by week based on age groups, number of children, and planned activities. Duties can change from one day to the next. What matters most is bringing a flexible, supportive attitude and being ready to help where needed.
A) Most parishes run activities from around 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though some may finish earlier, and special events may vary. Think of it like a summer camp schedule: busy, lively, and full of variety.
A) Parishes run their programs the same way. You can expect games, group activities, creative workshops, outdoor breaks, and community time. Teamwork and openness are essential, plans can change, and that’s part of the experience!
A) Italy has great public transportation, and many parishes are walkable. Sometimes the host family may help with transportation if needed, and you should always communicate in advance about weekend plans or personal outings so schedules can be coordinated respectfully.
A) Yes. You will remain with the same parish and family. This continuity helps you build relationships and feel part of the community.
A) Yes, but you must make your own lodging arrangements. Host families open their homes only during the official program dates.
A) Each family has its own rhythm. Even if you are over 18, it’s essential to communicate your plans and agree on return times. Living with a family means respecting their home, routines, and peace, just as they generously welcome you into their own.
A) In order to respect the privacy and safety of our host families, volunteers can’t bring guests, friends or new acquaintances, to their home. If you’d like to meet someone, please do so in a café or another public place.
If a special situation comes up, just check with your host family first.
A) Please UPLOAD 2 (two) recommendation letters along with your application. If a professor prefers not to share the letter in an open format, they can password-protect the file.
In this case, the professor should provide the password separately via email at voluntarItaly@dantemichigan.org, or this committee will contact them.
This ensures confidentiality while streamlining the application review process.
If we receive only one recommendation letter, unfortunately we cannot accept your application to the program.
Final Notes:
Read the program agreement (Bando and contract) carefully.
The focus of the program is to assist and support parishes, not to teach English.
Respecting your host family and cultural practices is vital for a meaningful experience
