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DEDICATION WEEKEND OF THE

FRENCH-ALAMOS CENTER

Thursday, March 21, 2024

to

Sunday, March 24, 2024


Valparaíso, Chile

Important to Note:

  • This website is sometimes slow to load, please keep scrolling for more information about the weekend, photos of the hotel, and information about the French-Alamos Center.

  • VSP has made reservations for all guests and will cover the cost of lodging during the Dedication Weekend (March 21-24, 2024). 

  • VSP will take care of all travel logistics (minus airfare and additional travel outside of the Dedication Weekend) surrounding arriving and departing Chile, as well as to and from all activities and the hotel. 

  • We recommend looking for flights leaving the US on the night of Wednesday, March 20, 2024, which will arrive in Santiago (SCL) on the morning of Thursday, March 21, 2024.

    • No visas are currently required to enter Chile, just a valid US passport. 

  • Please make sure you have filled out the RSVP form. We will assign rooms and schedule airport pickups and drop offs based on your responses. There is no issue if you arrive or leave before or after the official dates of the weekend. We will work  with you to make sure that you get to and from Valparaíso.

  • VSP will cover the costs of all events included in the Dedication Weekend Agenda. 

  • VSP can help with planning around any additional travel that guests may have in country or throughout South America. 

  • Please reach out to Abby at amclagan@valposurfproject.org or +1(720) 470-7670 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Valpo Surf Project invites you to celebrate the dedication of our new HQ, The French-Alamos Center, and the incredible impact we have created together.

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Agenda

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Dress Code & Packing Recommendations

  • The dress code for the majority of the weekend will be casual attire, we will be visiting different areas in Valparaíso, as well as the beach, and we want you to be comfortable for all those activities. 

  • The only event that has a different dress code is the Dedication Celebration on Saturday night which will be business/dressy casual. 

  • During March in Valparaíso, it is usually warm during the day and cools off at night with breezes coming in off the ocean. Once the sun goes down, a jacket is needed, and long pants are recommended.

  • With the temperature changes between day and night, our biggest recommendation is to bring layers. 

  • Please bring a swimsuit to wear under wetsuits if you plan on surfing with VSP students on Saturday. 

The French-Alamos Center Story & Impact

After a grassroots fundraising campaign in 2009, the VSP's Pilot Program was launched in 2010. The program began with 4 surfboards and 20 students in one classroom in the hills of Valparaíso. The four founders ran all aspects of the program. Jon, Henry, and Wiley took turns going home to the United States to fundraise and work odd jobs, saving up enough money to buy another plane ticket back to Chile.

 

For 12 years, VSP rented an office and living space in Valparaíso that provided limited room for growth. There was barely enough room for the staff, let alone to host activities or create a community space for students.

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The purchase and renovation of the French-Alamos Center is an important step towards the growth and sustainability of Valpo Surf Project. It will allow us to work with 300 students in 2023 and grow to impact 500 kids per year by 2026. The French-Alamos Center serves as a safe space for our students, classroom, office, and nerve center for our operations. The new space marks a key milestone in the VSP's efforts to support underprivileged youth and expand its influence in Valparaíso and beyond.

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This dedication weekend will offer an incredible opportunity to witness firsthand what VSP does, meet students, and celebrate this amazing accomplishment. Your support has been invaluable over the past 13 years, and it would be an honor to celebrate this achievement together.

Valpo Surf Project began as a way to better the lives of young people in Chile. While living in Valparaíso, founders Wiley, Jon, Henry, and Andrés recognized that hidden amongst the city's unique beauty were families struggling with the consequences of poverty. The entire city of Valparaíso, which is set in the foothills of the Andes, faces the Pacific Ocean. The guys, who are avid surfers, decided to use their love of the sport and the ocean as a way to connect with local kids. 

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Capital Campaign

Support our capital campaign to fund the purchase of the French-Alamos Center. The renovation and purchase of our new HQ will have a significant impact on children and youth from underserved communities in Valparaíso. By donating to our campaign, you will not only help us reach our fundraising goal of $500,000 but also contribute to the expansion of VSP programs throughout the city and region of Valparaíso. 

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We started this capital campaign five years ago to cement VSP's future. In 2019, the campaign was interrupted by nationwide civil unrest in Chile and subsequently the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did we survive those difficult years, but we thrived, emerging stronger and with an even greater impact than before. This dedication is a moment for us to celebrate with our most committed and important supporters, recognize all that we have achieved, and share our ambitions for the future. It is also a significant inflection point to finish the capital campaign, ensure our operations, and build a bridge to our future.

 

We are so excited for you to experience the impact of your continued support and the new VSP headquarters in-person next March! 
 

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$380,839

76% of goal

$500,000
Purchase & Renovation French-Alamos Center

Travel & Stay

01.
Getting There

The nearest airport to Valparaíso is Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago, Chile. We will pick you up from the airport and provide transportation to Valparaíso which is an hour a fifteen minute drive.

02.
Where to Stay

We have reserved all of Fauna Hotel & Restaurant for VSP guests attending the Dedication Weekend. The hotel is located in Cerro Alegre, a historic neighborhood in Valparaíso with stunning views of nearby hills and the bay. Breakfast is included. Please make sure to RSVP in order to reserve a room.

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03.
Recommendations

Are you staying for longer in Chile? Check out some of our recommendations in the area. If you are interested in traveling to other parts of the country and need recommendations, please let us know! 

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Visit the nearby coastal cities of:

  • Maitencillo

  • Zapallar

  • Quintay

  • Tunquen

  • Reñaca

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La Sebastiana

Check out the iconic Valparaíso house of Pablo Neruda. He also has two additional houses that you can visit in Santiago and El Quisco. 

VISIT ONLINE

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Eat at some of our favorite restaurants in Valparaíso

  • Fauna Restaurant & Hotel (fun patio & top floor of the hotel)

  • Caperucita y el Lobo (house turned restaurant, tucked away in a colorful neighborhood of Valparaíso) 

  • El Internado (right across the street from the hotel)

  • Tres Peces (sustainably caught seafood)

  • Sazón Nazca (delicious Peruvian food)

Looking forward to celebrating together!

Questions?

Please don't hesitate to contact Abby at (720) 470-7670 or amclagan@valposurfproject.org

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