Volunteer Vacations
A volunteer vacation, also known as a voluntourism or a service trip, is a type of travel that involves volunteering for a specific project or cause. Volunteer vacations provide an opportunity for individuals to travel and engage in meaningful work that benefits a community or the environment. Participants can gain valuable skills and experiences, make new friends, and learn about different cultures and lifestyles.
Volunteer vacations can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, and are usually organized by non-profit organizations and ecotourism travel companies. Travel packages usually include accomidations, meals, and some free-time activities. Below are a few well-know voluntourism providers, in varying price ranges.
With partners including The WWF and Save the Children organizations, GVI offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for helping people, the planet and wildlife.
With more than 17 years’ experience, GoEco is a leading eco-tourism company with a varied selection of affordable volunteer community, wildlife and environmental initiatives all over the world.
Sierra Club Outings partners with state and federal land agencies to offer around 90 service trips each year to help forest service rangers and park personnel maintain and restore wilderness areas.
Their Grassroots Expeditions feature volunteer projects with modest lodging and cultural immersion while helping on specific community projects ranging from wildlife conservation to education.
Collaborative with local communities to offer more affordable volunteer abroad program travel packages, with a commitment to minimizing costs and maximizing impact.
A wide range of affordable Team Trips or Flexi Trip options to volunteer in support of children's education and wildlife conservation. Most accommodations options are shared or provided by local host families.
Safe Travels
Many volunteer vacation programs are designed with safety in mind, often having strict safety protocols and guidelines in place to protect their volunteers. But just like any other type of travel, volunteer vacations can come with risks, and it's important to take precautions to ensure your safety.
Diligently research the organization or program you're interested in volunteering with, to ensure that they have a good reputation, are properly registered and licensed, and have adequate safety measures in place. In addition, thoroughly review any information provided by the organization regarding potential risks and hazards, and follow any safety guidelines or recommendations.
It's also important to take personal safety precautions, such as avoiding unsafe areas or situations, being aware of your surroundings, and following local laws and customs. It's a good idea to purchase travel insurance before your trip to ensure you have coverage in case of accidents or emergencies. It is always a good idea when traveling to developing nations to check for travel advisories from the US Department of State on their website at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Overall, with proper planning and precautions, volunteer vacations can be a safe and rewarding way to travel, get off the beaten path, and make a positive impact on communities and the environment.