Did You Know Volunteer Vacations are a Real Thing?

Did You Know Volunteer Vacations are a Real Thing? Here’s Where You Find Them

Not finding anything interesting in those glossy travel photos and site reviews? Why not think about acts of kindness as you plan your next getaway? Global volunteer opportunities allow you to spend your leisure time helping others, which we guarantee will deliver the most rewarding vacation. Maybe you’re tired of trying to avoid the touristy crowds or you’ve had your fill of relaxing on white sandy beaches on holiday. Or perhaps you just want to try something new and feel good about it at the same time!

If you’ve got some vacation days coming up, and would like to use them to help the world, here’s a handy list of organizations to explore:

Volunteer Abroad

Volunteer Abroad is among the largest programs for volunteer vacations. Choose from a huge selection of trips by interest, from archaeology to environmental conservation and building.

Teaching in Fiji:

Organized by Projects Abroad, this trip integrates volunteers into the local culture.

Environmental Conservation in Peru:

Located in the Amazon rainforest, volunteers take part in environmental conversation and agriculture projects.

 

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)

WWOOF links volunteers with organic farmers to learn about organic and sustainable farming.

 

Go Eco

Go Eco offers affordable trips to solve real-world problems.

 

Rustic Pathways

If you’re a student, Rustic Pathways offers programs of various lengths in weeklong increments for middle school to college students and even offers a gap year program for high school graduates. In locations like Costa Rica, Fiji, and Thailand, with leadership- and service initiative-focused courses, Rustic Pathways is “redefining how to integrate education, travel, and philanthropy in a world where all people are connected by a shared humanity.”

 

Find your own international volunteer opportunity

If you still aren’t sure about where you’ll best spend your time and energy, check out Volunteer HQ, where you can search for the perfect travel and volunteer abroad opportunity to fit your timeframe, skills, and preferred destinations. You can also research the site for tips on volunteer travel, such as the best options and locations for singles, and even take quizzes to help you decide what volunteer vacation might be best suited for you.

No matter where you choose or who you decide on to take you there, you can spend your free time gaining new experiences, making friends, bettering your understanding of other people across the globe from you, and finding things within yourself you may not have known existed. Sounds like a ‘win-win’ to us.

Have you taken a volunteer vacation? Tell us all about it in the comments!