An Introduction to Volunteer Vacations

If you've never heard the term before, or are newly acquainted with it, you may be wondering: what exactly is a volunteer vacation? A volunteer vacation is a stint away from home - sometimes domestic but usually international - in which individuals and families can offer their time to help others. Although the volunteer vacations aren't usually free for the volunteer, they can generally be taken for much less than a standard vacation to that same region. Although you do provide volunteer work to help the area, you usually have free time, as well. More often than not, volunteer vacations provide a much better view into the culture of an area and the true nature of its people.

Volunteer vacations aren't for everyone, and that's okay. When you finally get to go on vacation, you may want to do anything but work - of any kind. But for those who enjoy volunteer work and don't mind getting down and dirty, a volunteer vacation can be an ideal getaway. My experience with volunteer vacationing happened in Africa, which is definitely akin to being thrown in the deep end. I was only 18, but the experience changed my life by showing me in no uncertain terms that I should be grateful for whatever I had. I helped feed AIDS orphans at a mission in a Zimbabwean slum. Being able to say that, and to help children, made it worth giving up some time on the beach to me. But there are as many different places to help and ways to do it as there are volunteers to do so.

So, where do you start if you're considering planning a volunteer vacation?

The easiest way to plan a safe and effective volunteer vacation is to contact one of the many charities and organizations that arrange them. Below are a few of these contacts, and how they can help you in planning your volunteer vacation experience.

UVolunteer

UVolunteer offers volunteer vacations in several countries, including China, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Malawi, South Africa and more. You can search for a volunteer vacation by destination, region or by how you want to help. For instance, there are specific volunteer vacations listed for teaching English, environmental conservation, helping animals or building in areas that need it. They can be contacted via www.uvolunteer.org.

Transitions Abroad

This organization offers volunteer vacation opportunities geared towards all age groups, from teens to seniors. They also offer a greater variety of countries to which you can travel, with more than sixty countries listed on their website. Transititions Abroad can be contacted directly at www.transitionsabroad.com.

Global Volunteers

This site is one of the most detailed and comprehensive that I've come across regarding volunteer vacations. In fact, USA Today called them the 'granddaddy of the volunteer vacation movement'. They offer an experience for every age, with family, senior, student, solo and group volunteer experiences. For more info, visit their site at www.globalvolunteers.org.

Whatever your situation and whichever type of volunteer vacation you choose, it's sure to be an experience you'll never forget. Most of us have had an education, will never go without food for days on end, were raised by a family that loved us, etc. When volunteering, you can often offer your help to those who are not so fortunate. Whether you decide a volunteer vacation is right for you or now, it's truly a worthwhile idea to consider.