|
Can't
stand idling away your vacation time on a beach or a cruise? Then consider taking
a break from work by working on your vacation. Use your
time off to help out your favorite cause or take a "learning" vacation.
Opportunities abound both in the United States and abroad.
Best of all, you
might be able to save some bucks. Volunteer vacations are ideal
for travelers seeking spiritual as well as financial rewards. In addition to helping
out a cause, travelers find that it's generally cheaper to go on a working vacation
with a charitable organization than pay individual rates for hotels and dining,
especially when visiting a foreign country. Plus, a portion of the costs might
be tax-deductible. Individual circumstances do vary and the rules are strict,
so read the program's fine print closely and always double-check with your accountant. If
your favorite nonprofit doesn't offer travel opportunities or you simply rest
best by getting active, don't worry. There are plenty of other energetic excursions
that could be your ticket to a refreshing holiday. Help on
an archaeological dig. Study how native Australian animals respond to fire to
help that country develop a better wildfire strategy. Work at the Gettysburg Civil
War battle site. Build residential housing here or abroad. Those are just a few
of the assignments you can find as a working vacationer.
One of the pioneers of the volunteer vacation is the
Earthwatch
Institute, founded in 1971. It places John Q. Public on scientific
expeditions. These short (10 to 14 days on average) volunteer opportunities
include projects on ecology, marine science, zoology and archaeology.
In 2006, Earthwatch expects to support more than 155 research projects
in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states with over 4,000 volunteers. Sites
can be found from Inner Mongolia to the Outer Hebrides, from Hudson
Bay to Uruguay. Prices range from $700 to $4,000 per person, excluding
travel to and from the rendezvous point.
Wilderness
Volunteers, a nonprofit organization created in 1997, offers
people age 18 and up a chance to help and maintain national parks,
forests and wilderness areas across the United States. Everything
from trail maintenance to revegetation projects are on the agenda.
Most Wilderness Volunteers trips last about a week and cost around
$239. Participants provide their own camping gear and share campsite
chores. Tools and supervision are provided by Wilderness Volunteers
and the government public land agencies it works with. Its 2006
itinerary includes trips throughout the United States, ranging from
Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area in Idaho to Hakalu Forest
National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii.
Habitat
for Humanity's mission is to help provide people worldwide with
affordable housing. It is always on the look out for volunteers
who want, as the organization puts it, "to blend recreation,
perspiration and inspiration." The organization and its volunteers
work on home projects each year in 100 countries such as Fiji, Mexico,
New Zealand, Northern Ireland and Madagascar. In October 2006, Habitat's
most famous volunteer, former President Jimmy Carter, will help
build 101 homes in Lonavala, India. Costs are typically between
$1,000 to $2,200 plus round-trip air fare for international trips,
or $900 to $1,800 for U.S. and Canada trips.
|
