Join a baseball experience in Argentina and give children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to play and develop in the sport they love. Coaching sport is a fantastic way to discover a beautiful country, build relationships with kids, and share your love of sport with others.
Baseball in Argentina
Baseball has become an increasingly popular sport in Argentina, largely thanks to the cable and satellite services streaming Major League Baseball into many bars and people’s homes. Baseball gets a lot of exposure throughout the country, with many Argentines now following Major League Baseball from the USA. Unsurprisingly, more and more kids try to replicate the game in the streets, often with a broom handle and make-shift bases.
Your Sports Experience in Argentina
Embark on a unique sporting and cultural journey in Argentina, a nation with a growing passion for baseball. This immersive experience in Buenos Aires is perfect for students taking a gap year, university students, or any traveller seeking a meaningful connection with a local community through the power of sport.
This is your chance to be part of something special. You’ll spend your time assisting local coaches in multi-sport programs for children from disadvantaged communities. These sessions, which run mainly in the afternoons with occasional morning opportunities, are incredibly important for the children, providing them with a positive and structured environment to play and develop.
You’ll also connect with the local baseball scene through a link-up with a local club. This gives you the chance to train and play a few times a week, depending on the team’s schedule, with activities often happening in the evenings and on weekends. It’s a fantastic way to develop your own skills and build friendships with local players.
To make the most of this experience, we encourage a longer stay. This will give you the time to settle in, build strong relationships, and gain a deeper appreciation for the local culture. Argentina is a land of incredible diversity, and your weekends offer the perfect opportunity to explore, from the vibrant neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires to the majestic beauty of Patagonia.
Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.
Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.
2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.
3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.
4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.
Gap Year, Student Travel or Career Break Baseball Trips in Argentina
Coaching and playing baseball on a baseball gap year, student summer vacation, or career break in Argentina is a great way to experience the Argentine passion for baseball and a totally new culture. By volunteering as a sports coach in Argentina on a baseball project you will soon make lifelong friends from your gap year or career break summer sports holiday baseball coaching opportunity.
You can arrive any Sunday of the year from the first weekend in January, ready to start activities on the Monday. We ask that you vacate our accommodation on the last Saturday of your trip, either for independent travel or to return to the airport for your international departure.
We run trips until the second weekend in December.
Please note that at times bank holidays and other factors may disrupt trips but we will make every effort to provide adequate activities whilst you are with us.
Playing Your Sport in Argentina: We understand you want to keep up with your own training. We will connect you with a local club, providing a fantastic opportunity to train and play in a competitive and social environment. This is a great way to meet like-minded locals, improve your Spanish slang, and gain a deeper insight into Argentine culture. You can expect to train and/or play a few times a week, depending on the club’s schedule, which often includes evenings and weekends.
Spanish Lessons: To get the most out of your time in Buenos Aires, we recommend a basic understanding of Spanish. We offer optional Spanish language lessons that can be booked pre-departure. By booking in advance, we can assess your level before you arrive and tailor the tuition accordingly. The lessons are taught by native Argentineans and will develop your understanding of both the language and the local culture in which you are living.
Equipment Donation: We gratefully welcome any personal donations of sports equipment for the local community. It makes a huge difference to the children we support. However, it is important that any donations fit within your airline’s luggage weight allowance. For larger donations, we suggest contacting your airline in advance to inquire about an additional allowance for charitable purposes and asking them to note this against your booking. This will help ensure a smooth and trouble-free check-in at the airport.
Social Life & Travel: “Porteños” (people from Buenos Aires) are famously talkative and social. Joining a local sports club is one of the best ways to make local friends who will help you settle in quickly. Our in-country team also organises social activities to bring participants together. At weekends, you’ll have ample opportunity to explore the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of South America,” or even venture further to discover the diverse landscapes Argentina is famous for.
Accommodation: A huge part of the social atmosphere comes from where you live. Depending on numbers, you will either be placed in a shared house/residence with other participants or in a homestay with a local family. All accommodation is centrally located with good access to your project and local amenities.
Airport Pick-Up
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early.
Accommodation
Shared house / student residence accommodation; Basic but comfortable; Shared rooms; Shared kitchen; Shared toilet / shower facilities; shared with other volunteers.
Breakfast
Breakfast is included at the accommodation, so please budget for lunch and dinner.
Training
Full project induction and local orientation given on arrival.
Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.
Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Lunch and Dinner (Budget GBP £8 -GBP £10 per day), Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary.
Spanish course cost (please contact us for more details)
A Typical Weekday: Mornings are free for you to explore the city at your own pace or participate in extra community sessions. You may also want to book our optional Spanish immersion language course to learn some baseball-specific Spanish. After lunch, you’ll head to the community project for an afternoon of coaching. A few evenings a week are set aside for your own baseball training at a local club.
Participant Criteria: This program is open to individuals aged 18 and over who are enthusiastic about baseball and enjoy working with children. You don’t need to be a qualified coach, but a good knowledge of the game is essential. Most participants are in the 18-26 age range.
What’s Provided: All necessary coaching equipment, including bats, balls, gloves, and cones, will be provided for the sessions.
What to Bring: Please pack suitable clothing for both coaching and playing. Any additional baseball equipment you can bring as a donation to the project would be gratefully received.
Ideal For
Sports gap years, career breaks, gap breaks, gap years, student vacations and volunteer travel. For those that love baseball and want to contribute something back to another community.
Suitable for ages 18 to 70
Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.