Summer Volunteer Vacation Ideas

With the kids out of school, summer is a great time for volunteer vacations. Summer volunteer vacations programs combine sightseeing with volunteering. These alternative breaks promote mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being. Volunteering reminds us we are one human family. This act of grace will transform your life, your marriage, your children, your community and our planet. This year, we can relax and save the world with summer volunteer trips.

Volunteer Vacations

Alternative breaks have become increasingly popular with families with high school or college-aged children. Incorporating sightseeing and cultural experiences with weeklong volunteering programs and opportunities is called “voluntouring.”

Summer voluntouring is a “hybrid holiday that combines volunteer work and travel in a short vacation.” There are many voluntouring opportunities for you to consider. In addition, families have aided organizations that feed the hungry, for they helped build homes for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and then traveled aboard to assist after the earthquake in Haiti, and so much more.

Volunteering while vacationing benefits everyone involved. Furthermore, families will be able to aid the community or help the environment while challenging themselves, make new friends, and learn new skills. For children, their work will also look good on their résumés. While there are some costs involved, especially with international travel, there are some organizations and websites dedicated to helping students accomplish their volunteering goals.

If you’re thinking about participating in summer volunteer programs, there are many options to choose from.

Listed below are three volunteer trips that can help you brainstorm.

3 Ideas for Summer Volunteer Vacations

1. Help the environment. If you’re looking to spend your summer out in nature consider taking an environmental alternative trip. This is a great opportunity to involve children in environmental education and initiatives. For programs, check out Projects Abroad.
2. Aid disaster areas. You can help survivors of natural disasters. Joining organizations like United Way can help survivors.
3. International opportunities. If you’re considering traveling abroad and helping others there are many organizations that you can consider. For instance, Projects Abroad lists alternative summer break opportunities in countries like Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico, and Morocco.