The Family Voluntourism Vacation or Trip in the U.S.

If you and your family are considering embarking on a voluntourism adventure instead of going on the typical family vacation, then there are several different questions and concerns that will surely pop up before departure day. In this article, I will be providing some information and resources that will allow you to have greater peace of mind and concentrate on giving back on your vacation instead of obsessing over details.

Immediately, I would recommend the web-site Voluntourism.org to anyone unfamiliar with the concept of volunteer oriented vacations. This site will provide you with a lot of really important information concerning the overall concept of Volumtourism as well as specific opportunities.

Some of the best Voluntourism outings a family can embark on in the United States are courtesy of the Sierra Club. The Sierra club web-site at http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/ features a heading for family oriented opportunities which provides pertinent information on any forthcoming events. The schedules are updated as new trips are schedule, so this is a source of information to check out often. Not only will you be engaging in family fun, but you will be doing good work for a wonderful organization.

An example of a currently offered Sierra Club trip involves Service at Point Reyes National Seashore, California from October 24-31, 2009. This trip costs $495 and includes vegetarian friendly meals and accommodates on the site (in a restored boathouse). All members of the group will participate in pulling plants that are native to the Point Reyes Seashore as well as alternating meal preparation responsibilities. This will help ensure that indigenous plants remain healthy and present for future generations to enjoy.

Earthwatch.org is another organization web-site that allows group outings for the entire family. Their web-site currently has listings for both Samburu Communities and Wildlife and the Whales of British Columbia, but United States travel opportunities do exist periodically. Earthwatch provides age appropriate activities and convenient half-day schedules as well as "comfortable lodging" for the family. Meals are provided but clean-up and preparation duties are equally distributed. Most trips are available to families with children ages ten and up. The child contribution (10-17 yrs) hovers around $2450. Earthwatch trips contain unique opportunities to engage in scientific research while having fun as a family.

Voluntourism provides the best of two very different worlds. It couples the classic idea of the family vacation with the moral necessity of giving back to your country, your world, and your planet.

Sources:

http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/brochure/09339A.asp. 28 September 2009.
http://www.earthwatch.org/expedition/familyteams/. 28 September 2009.