Whether you want to take a “gap year” or just spend some your two weeks vacation doing something useful, volunteer vacations are becoming the new way to spend your leisure time. Just what is a volunteer vacation? It is time spent doing volunteer work in a developing nation or on a special project. They are a great opportunity for learning another language, having a cultural experience and giving something to those less fortunate.
Most volunteer placements are short term from 1 to 4 weeks and will cost you money to participate in. The volunteer organization collects a fee to help offset the costs of your volunteer placement. The volunteers are responsible for their own airfare to and from the destination. Food and lodging, in local facilities is provided. Volunteers can do anything from helping to build and maintain local infrastructure, to teaching children, assisting in a health facility or working in conservation.
There are several organizations that offer volunteer vacations. The destination and type of work you choose are up to you. It is advisable to do some research before you sign up. Check out the projects that you might like to work on. Where you would like to go. What are the accommodations like in the place you will be going to? Are they basic; is there running water; hot water? Will you be staying with local families or in a dormitory style facility? Depending on your minimum requirements for creature comforts, you may find that not all placements will suit your needs.
How much will it cost? Volunteer vacations do cost money. The non-profits rely on your financial contribution to the project you choose. The fees you pay go to subsidizing the cost of your stay. If you are looking for a free or paid vacation, you need to look elsewhere. Most non-profits tend to employ local people and rely on volunteers for outside assistance.
What project ever you choose and where ever you decide to go, a volunteer vacation will leave you feeling that you have spent your vacation time wisely. Volunteers come back from an enriching cultural experience knowing that they have made a difference. So this year don’t waste your vacation time, instead volunteer.
Check out the following web links for volunteer vacation opportunities.
http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/service.ASP
http://www.globeaware.org/
http://www.projects-abroad.org/destinations/index.PHP?gclid=CM3Pxfz4_48CFRVNhgodA1H7XQ
http://www.unitedplanet.org/quest.HTML
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/choosing_your_program/volunteer_abroad/default.ASP?siteID=Google_volunteer_vacations&_kk=69d8e88e-18bb-4f7a-9fd3-cd3069a60116&_kt=840566946&gclid=CP6qnbL5_48CFReyhgodFGA9XQ
http://www.volunteeradventures.com/?gclid=CI7Gwbr5_48CFRZZYQodpSs9sA
http://www.villagevolunteers.org/?gclid=CLGmsMf5_48CFQEqYQoduSxTrQ
http://www.earthcorps.org/index.PHP
http://www.volunteerhq.org/?gclid=CMer2-f5_48CFR3whgod1xBIWw
http://www.responsibletravel.com/TripSearch/Volunteer%20travel/ActivityCategory100011.htm?gclid=CJSSgPr5_48CFSAuhgodkRzyWQ
Vaughan Town is a conversational English language program in Spain that provides accommodation and food in exchange for six days of English language conversation. For more information:
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/news/vaughntown.htm
http://www.vaughantown.com/english/indexenglish.ASP
