How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation

The only thing better than seeing a new part of the world is helping someone in need in the process. Volunteer vacations are an excellent opportunity for passionate travelers to give back to the destinations they visit, and the variety of options available means everyone can share in the experience.

Instructions

1. Pick your destination and cause. Narrowing down where you want to go and what you want to do is the first step. Different countries are experiencing different problems, and you want the destination and cause to be aligned with your own expectations and capabilities. Go online and research which countries you are more inclined to visit, and then take a look at its situation and needs on a more local level. If going abroad, aim to plan your trip at least three months in advance. If you're staying within the country, you may have more leeway.

2. Decide on an organization. There are a variety of charities, organizations, and nonprofits that host volunteer vacations, such as Habitat for Humanity, Sierra Club, HOPE worldwide, and Earthwatch Institute (one of the pioneers in the field). They help you organize your trip and prepare you for what to expect once you get to your destination. See the list of popular volunteer vacation groups in the Resources section.

3. Choose the length of stay. Organized volunteer vacations usually vary in duration from one to four weeks, and not surprisingly, the longer the vacation the more expensive it is. Also, the farther away and more remote it is, the higher the airfare will be. Make sure to pinpoint your budget and schedule accordingly so you have enough time to volunteer and explore the destination.

4. Speak with past volunteers. A proper program will put you in contact with past volunteers, usually one that has even been on the exact same trip you are planning to going on. Prepare a list of questions for that address important factors like emergency situations, cultural tips, and general program structure so there won't be any unpleasant surprises.

5. Book your travel. Often times, the host organization with help plan this with you from the beginning. Many programs even incorporate food, accommodations, and airport pickup into one all inclusive price with airfare. Choose the travel package that works best for you, and ask if insurance is included. You want to make sure that if anything happens while you're traveling you will be taken care of. If insurance isn't provided, contact an organization like International SOS for more information.

6. Prepare accordingly. Research what shots or vaccinations you might need to get before traveling, and head to a local bookstore to read up about your upcoming travel destination. Check with your program about what type of clothes and accessories you should and should not bring, and take the time to get important travel documents in order.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye out for 501(c)(3). This code refers to a section of the U.S. Internal Revenue policy that governs nonprofit organizations. All valid nonprofits must abide by strict regulations to gain and maintain this status.

• A portion of the costs might be tax-deductible, so make sure to keep receipts.

• You should not have to pay for program information. If a website asks this of you, consider it a red flag.

Resources

• Earthwatch Institute
• Habitat for Humanity
• Global Volunteers
• Choice Humanitarian
• HOPE worldwide