When planning a road trip along the Pacific Coast or creating an itinerary for a vacation in New York City, you likely don’t have a line that reads “volunteer.” We want to experience delicious foods, broadway shows, and breathtaking vistas. But today, we want to share about a new concept that’s increasing in popularity: voluntourism.
Never heard of it? Let’s dive in and learn more about how you can enrich your life as well as the lives of others during your next vacation!
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Be sure to check out This Non-Profit Donates RVs to People without Housing for more information on ways you can give back!
What Is Voluntourism?
When you hear the word “voluntourism,” you probably realize it’s not a real word. But it’s a growing activity among travelers that combines volunteering and tourism. If you’ve ever served at a soup kitchen or helped clean up the beach in a location where you have vacationed, you’ve participated in voluntourism.
Why Do People Volunteer When On Vacation?
Many people who volunteer while traveling do so because they can immerse themselves more fully in the place they’re visiting. They see the realities of life here and not just the attractions.
Voluntourism allows people the chance to see people and places differently. Often, travelers feel more connected to the location and have a more rewarding experience if they serve the local community.
What Are the Benefits Of Voluntourism?
Some people hit the beaches, cities, and national parks to relax, get away from the daily routine, and escape the technology that consumes our lives. However, research shows that voluntourism is the best food for the soul. While a nap on a luxurious bed at a 5-star hotel is undoubtedly on many travelers’ to-do lists, if you’re looking for purpose or meaning, you’ll be happier if you give a few hours to support a local charity or organization.
You experience less stress and anxiety through volunteering. And while we should all give back to the community without expecting anything in return, we’ve found that we actually receive more when we serve a few hours. People feel a sense of purpose – even while on vacation – when they join efforts to improve the local community.
What Are the Dangers Of Voluntourism?
However, while donating money, time, or services benefits both you and the community, it becomes dangerous when it’s unauthentic. You don’t want to swoop into a tourist area and serve a few hours at an animal sanctuary to make yourself feel better. You don’t need to post pictures on social media, detailing how amazing you are because you took time out of your vacation to serve animals in need. This is exploitation and not voluntourism.
We want to have a positive impact on the places we visit. So make sure your service is done with the right mindset and spirit and not for your own gain and glory.
A Heartfelt Example of Voluntourism By a Canadian Volleyball Team
We want to share about a recent authentic experience when a Canadian volleyball team visited Hawaii. When the team arrived at Waimea Valley to volunteer, the girls immediately knew that what they were doing was important. They cleared weeds to allow the growth of native tropical plants.
But it was the locals that truly impacted these Canadians. The girls understood what they were doing mattered because this was the way of life here. They didn’t wear gloves because they wanted to connect with the earth. Hawaiians had been doing this for thousands of years. The team was experiencing an ancient practice, and it felt like they were tilling sacred ground.
These high schoolers never complained. They never asked when they were going to the beach. These girls were invested in the task of helping this community. The Waimea Valley conservation staff explained that the team’s work that day would have taken them a week.
This example of voluntourism shows how serving while traveling is a two-way street. It benefits everyone involved; it makes the world a better place.
Where Can I Find Places To Volunteer While On Vacation?
Are you ready to find a place to volunteer the next time you’re on vacation? We suggest five websites that help connect volunteers to organizations that need assistance.
These might be one-time events or ongoing opportunities. Read descriptions closely, especially if you’re traveling with children. Many organizations don’t allow children under a certain age.
Volunteer Match
Volunteer Match has opportunities for travelers to volunteer in various ways, from playing music at a children’s hospital to serving food to low-income families to walking dogs at local animal shelters. You’ll find long-term volunteer opportunities as well as one-time events. Simply click “Find Opportunities,” type in the location, filter by cause, and see what’s available during your visit.
Just Serve
Like Volunteer Match, Just Serve is a database of volunteer opportunities nationwide. What we love best about this website is you can search by date, time of day, and day of the week. You can clean the barn of an equestrian facility in Clearwater, Florida, or assist with a job fair in Chicago. By searching by date, you can find opportunities easily during your vacation.
Points Of Light Engage
At Points Of Light Engage, individuals can search for volunteer projects to “shine light” in dark situations. Like the previous two websites, you can filter your search based on the location, cause, interest, and skill level. We also like the “features” filter that narrows your search to only outdoor opportunities, activities that are good for families, or activities that are good for seniors.
Volunteer.gov
If you like visiting national parks, forests, or other public lands managed by the federal government, check out Volunteer.gov. Help with trail maintenance at some of your favorite national parks. Check out events to clean up beaches. Many of these opportunities are actual positions that last a couple of months to a year. But you can also find nearby projects that might be going on during your visit.
Give Pulse
Finally, Give Pulse adds another dimension to voluntourism by keeping track of the collective impact of individuals. This is a paid option for organizations and not a feature you’d use as a volunteer, but we think it’s cool for businesses and charities to be able to measure their impact. However, this database doesn’t have the features and filters the other four websites provide. You can only search by location to find volunteer opportunities.
Don’t Forget To Check Out Humanitarian Organizations For Voluntourism Opportunities
Besides these online databases, you can also reach out to local chapters of humanitarian organizations. For example, if a hurricane barreled through Savannah, Georgia in August and you’re going on vacation in October, check out opportunities to serve with the American Red Cross.
Call the local Habitat For Humanity or United Way office if you’re heading to a large city. Ask about any projects or events where you can serve during your vacation. Feeding America is another national organization. You can “Find A Food Bank” online and find volunteer opportunities. Find a non-profit that works for a cause that matters to you and make a difference the next time you’re on vacation!
Make A Difference On Your Next Vacation!
We understand you want to sit under an umbrella reading the latest bestseller and sipping a cold beverage at Daytona Beach. You want to hike the Fiery Furnace in Arches and Angel’s Landing in Zion on your southern Utah road trip.
But we also know that you’ll be just as fulfilled (if not more) if you also take a few hours to serve. Help preserve our national treasures, give some love to homeless animals, read a book to a child living in poverty, or sing Christmas carols to seniors.
Voluntourism is changing local communities. Immerse yourself rather than distance yourself the next time you’re on vacation! Where will your skills, talents, and passions lead you to serve?
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