Increasingly, families with teens and college kids are planning their vacations around voluntourism treks that combine community service with sightseeing, both stateside and internationally. They may help elephants in Thailand or plant parkland in New Orleans, work on an archaeological dig in the American Southwest or build wells in Africa. Here are some useful resources to help you pick your voluntourism adventure.
A great favorite with educators, Earthwatch funds more than 120 environmental projects in 40 countries. Projects range from archaeology digs along Italy's Ancient Roman coast (13 days, $2,950, apartment accommodations)to restoring mangrove forests in Kenya (11 days, $2,350, shared village house) to excavating a Thai village (7 days, $1,750, hotel).
This non-profit has been praised by National Geographic Magazine and Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine for its mission of sending teams of volunteers to immerse themselves in other cultures around the world and work with grassroots organizations on local needs. Trips last one to three weeks and range from a 10-day Ecuadorean trip (building community bleachers, irrigation ditches and a laundry center, $1,600 with homestays) to an 8-day trip to an American Indian community in Washington (cultural heritage and building projects, $975, camping).
This New Orleans-based program rebuilds hurricane-ravaged homes, renovates schools and cleans parks.
Volunteers visiting New Orleans stay in dormitories segregated by gender, and their $25/day payment covers food, equipment and housing. And participation can range from a few days to many months.
With projects in 24 countries, Global Crossroads offers a unique blend of community service and adventure travel. A two week trip to India, for example, includes 10 days working in an orphanage and with street children, followed by a four-day sightseeing trip through India's Golden Triangle - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (20-25 hours work per week, accommodations in hostels or with a host family, $1200 for two weeks).
