The goal of taking a volunteer vacation may be on the bucket list of many charitable travelers. It is important to understand what may be involved in this type of trip before moving forward. Perhaps you've never considered taking a volunteer vacation, and want to learn more. In this article, we'll explore the concept of a volunteer vacation and why you might consider taking one.
Typically, people take vacations in order to relax, unwind, explore, or rejuvenate. A vacation takes you away from the daily routine and the stress of life at home. Ideally, a vacation takes you out of your daily reality and transports you somewhere fun, interesting, relaxing and perhaps exotic.
A Relaxing Vacation Compared to a Working Vacation
In addition to getting away, a volunteer vacation adds on the concept of a vacation with meaning. A volunteer vacation involves going on a trip with the express purpose of working to help others in some capacity.
If you've never done this before, it may sound odd to pay for a trip in which you will be working. What kind of vacation is that? However, for many people this gives the trip a sense of purpose. Instead of laying by the beach all day, a large part of the day is attending to locals in need.
Volunteering can give you a sense of accomplishment and be very rewarding. You also get the chance to meet people whose lives are very different from yours. They may show you that happiness is not related to wealth, or make you realize how lucky you are. Those are just the benefits to you. The benefits to those you are helping are even bigger.
One week out of your life helping to build a house means a lifetime of shelter to a family of eight. Your hot and dusty manual labor digging a well or working a village farm means water and food for those who desperately need it. Carving some time out of your crazy schedule to help in an overseas orphanage can mean hugs, kisses, and stories read to children who've never been shown love before.
A Volunteer Vacation is Not for Everyone
The concept of taking a volunteer vacation has become increasingly popular and now has a name - voluntourism. Many people, especially students or retirees, are finding it a rewarding experience, even though they are paying for the vacation and putting in the hard work.
It is important to realize that when you sign up for these trips, you can be spending as much as 8 hours of your day volunteering. This means you will have less time to yourself. Think about what you like to do on vacation before you commit to this.
Not all volunteer vacations are going to take up large chunks of your day. Some require a much smaller time commitment.
Research Volunteer Vacation Options
If you decide this sounds like something you'd like to do, you should check out the vacation as you would any other vacation.
- What is included?
- Room and board, or do you have to arrange that separately?
- Are there specific times you need to be there to help with a project?
- How many hours are expected of you?
Lastly, think about what you like to do. Choose volunteer activities that align with your interests, skills, and capabilities.
A few sites to look at include Volunteerhq, Voluntourism, and CrossCulturalSolutions.
A volunteer vacation may not be for everyone, but if you try it, I think you'll find it worth the monetary price you pay and it can be highly rewarding for you and those you help.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
