Adventure Living Basics - Volunteer Vacations
Working as a volunteer while on vacation may seem like a horrible concept, but it’s actually an excellent way to see the world. It allows you to become a traveler and a part of the culture rather than just a tourist. There are places that a regular tourist could not even go that you would be able to explore. Skills could be learned, friendships formed and of course you come away with the knowledge that what you did made a difference.
So what is a volunteer job? There are hundreds of possibilities. Every person has something they can offer. It’s just a matter of matching your interests and availability with the right company. The assignments can be as little as a weekend or as long as six months. Most tend to range between one and two weeks.
Although it’s true you don’t get paid as a volunteer, quite a few companies do offer compensation in the way of lodging or food. There are fees that you have to pay, but they vary by organization and type of trip. For most of the positions it’s your responsibility to arrange your travel to and from the location.
What should you look for when researching a volunteer position? First of all it should be something that you truly enjoy. If you have no interest in the medical field, then volunteering as a hospital aid will not be enjoyable to you no matter what country it allows you to see. Then see if the work goes to a place you want to visit. If possible, find out what other volunteers have to say about their experience there or with the group. What were the living conditions? What training does the company offer? What is included for the program fee? Finally, it’s good to find out exactly what your job description will be. Most people have to share in the grunt work of cleaning on a daily basis, but there should be set duties that you will be expected to do.
Doesn’t sound like fun to you? Remember that this is an opportunity to explore cultures in a way that you would normally not be able to. Also, many positions allow for time off so that you can still go off and do the tourist thing while staying at lodging and eating meals that are either cheaper than normal or part of your program.
Finding the best volunteer vacation will take a bit of research on your part. I’ve listed below some that allowed for the most free time, had the lowest fees and seemed to give a wide variety of options. Also, they all allowed for minimum ages of less than 18. Remember though that you should carefully research these places for yourself before committing yourself to the work. Also, as they do tend to need to conserve funds, please try not to request information from one that you truly have no interest in signing on for.
Appalachian Mountain Club
Working here you will mainly be involved in trail building and maintenance. You would be responsible for traveling to and from the work site, but they do furnish food and first aid supplies.
Volunteers are needed from June to October for weekend, week long or ten to twelve day projects with costs varying from $20 - $350
Caretta Research Project
Working on sea turtle research in Georgia. Responsible for traveling to and from Georgia, but they provide food, housing and transportation to and around the island. The work is done at night so the days are to do with as you please.
Volunteers are needed from May to September and the project fee is $550 per week.
Chantier do Jeunes
Help with environmental protection and preservation projects in France and Belgium.
Work is only for five hours in the morning allowing the volunteers the freedom to do as they please the rest of the time. You must be able to speak at least minimal French.
Help is needed during winter and summer with a cost of approximately $200 a week.
Some vary large volunteer organizations covering a wide variety of programs are:
Earthwatch Institute
Service Civil International
Sierra Club National Outings
These just scratch the surface of the many opportunities out there for volunteer work and travel. If you had an experience with these or any organization, please write and share your story. More organizations will be profiled in the future. In the meantime, pick your project and pack your bags!
So what is a volunteer job? There are hundreds of possibilities. Every person has something they can offer. It’s just a matter of matching your interests and availability with the right company. The assignments can be as little as a weekend or as long as six months. Most tend to range between one and two weeks.
Although it’s true you don’t get paid as a volunteer, quite a few companies do offer compensation in the way of lodging or food. There are fees that you have to pay, but they vary by organization and type of trip. For most of the positions it’s your responsibility to arrange your travel to and from the location.
What should you look for when researching a volunteer position? First of all it should be something that you truly enjoy. If you have no interest in the medical field, then volunteering as a hospital aid will not be enjoyable to you no matter what country it allows you to see. Then see if the work goes to a place you want to visit. If possible, find out what other volunteers have to say about their experience there or with the group. What were the living conditions? What training does the company offer? What is included for the program fee? Finally, it’s good to find out exactly what your job description will be. Most people have to share in the grunt work of cleaning on a daily basis, but there should be set duties that you will be expected to do.
Doesn’t sound like fun to you? Remember that this is an opportunity to explore cultures in a way that you would normally not be able to. Also, many positions allow for time off so that you can still go off and do the tourist thing while staying at lodging and eating meals that are either cheaper than normal or part of your program.
Finding the best volunteer vacation will take a bit of research on your part. I’ve listed below some that allowed for the most free time, had the lowest fees and seemed to give a wide variety of options. Also, they all allowed for minimum ages of less than 18. Remember though that you should carefully research these places for yourself before committing yourself to the work. Also, as they do tend to need to conserve funds, please try not to request information from one that you truly have no interest in signing on for.
Appalachian Mountain Club
Working here you will mainly be involved in trail building and maintenance. You would be responsible for traveling to and from the work site, but they do furnish food and first aid supplies.
Volunteers are needed from June to October for weekend, week long or ten to twelve day projects with costs varying from $20 - $350
Caretta Research Project
Working on sea turtle research in Georgia. Responsible for traveling to and from Georgia, but they provide food, housing and transportation to and around the island. The work is done at night so the days are to do with as you please.
Volunteers are needed from May to September and the project fee is $550 per week.
Chantier do Jeunes
Help with environmental protection and preservation projects in France and Belgium.
Work is only for five hours in the morning allowing the volunteers the freedom to do as they please the rest of the time. You must be able to speak at least minimal French.
Help is needed during winter and summer with a cost of approximately $200 a week.
Some vary large volunteer organizations covering a wide variety of programs are:
Earthwatch Institute
Service Civil International
Sierra Club National Outings
These just scratch the surface of the many opportunities out there for volunteer work and travel. If you had an experience with these or any organization, please write and share your story. More organizations will be profiled in the future. In the meantime, pick your project and pack your bags!
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