Voluntourism

More and more people are combining vacations with volunteer work—the growing phenomenon called "voluntourism." And nobody provides such a fun, inviting overview of the possibilities as savvy travel writer Pam Grout in the latest title in our 100 Best Vacations series.

From building houses in Appalachia to saving sea turtles in Costa Rica to teaching English in Thailand, this book is a rich resource of ways to use your skills to help out the world and reap some lasting benefits yourself. Sidebars describe nearby places to visit, little-known facts, and more, while a comprehensive resource listing gives additional information about the different organizations offering volunteer vacations.


Volunteer vacations are relatively new phenomena that combine domestic or international travel with the opportunity to help others while enjoying yourself.

Depending upon the program, location and other specific criteria, room and board is often part of the experience, making it an affordable way to visit areas that might otherwise have been out of the question.

Some programs actually pay a small stipend for those that volunteer for longer-than-average durations.

If you are considering a volunteer vacation it is important to plan ahead, especially for overseas locations.

A passport/visa will be needed and you may have to get vaccinations.

Many programs have a limited number of spots available, or there may be qualification criteria, so make sure you apply early.

You can learn more at the following websites:

http://charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm

http://www.americanhiking.org/volunteervacation.aspx

http://www.globalvolunteers.org/

http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/service.aspx

http://www.independenttraveler.com/

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/index.shtml