Many students, families and travelers are rethinking the criteria for a great spring break and eschewing the traditional idea of a vacation. In almost all cases, volunteers enjoy accommodation and food in exchange plus some free time to explore. Volunteering is a way to get away from it all, participate in a worthwhile cause, and in many cases, experience another culture in an entirely different country. Repeat as necessary. Each population of people faces unique challenges and has specific needs. If you would like assistance selecting a trip or have additional questions, please contact Ellie Place, at EPlace@AmericanHiking.org or call 1-800-972-8608 ext. Habitats mission is simple: it brings people together to build
From teaching English as a foreign language to educating communities on sanitary hygiene, college students can spend a fulfilling spring break by educating others. Even if you dont know the difference between a socket wrench and a screwdriver, you
Read more Act! Prior backpacking experience is strongly recommended. Students could also join the movement in educating farmers on sustainable planting and harvesting methods to better care for our planet. Projects that provide indoor accommodations usually will require volunteers to bring their own sleeping bag. While we do ask that volunteers are in good physical condition, prior trail maintenance experience is not necessary on any of our trips. Once the minimum number of volunteers has been met and all details have been confirmed with the project host, we will send you a project confirmation, via email. in service projects, leadership development, and relationship-building with the surrounding community. Trips donotrequire backpacking to base camp/lodging. These organizations generally aim to provide after-school activities for children and teens, help kids access healthy meals and new clothing, and mentor high schoolers to educate them on their options after graduation. Save big on admission tickets to some of Seattle's best attractions like the Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and more. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and from across the country. These volunteer trips allow students the opportunity to give back over the break. If you're looking into international programsespecially ones that do all of the planning for youexpenses can add up to several thousand dollars. Experience nature up close, and return from vacation appreciating the outdoors in a new way. about making the world a better place, independent and determined to work hard, and open-minded about new cultures and experience, Go Eco has a program for you. If you submit your registration online, you should receive an automatic confirmation that your registration has been submitted and received. Global Citizens Network Global Citizens Network creates custom cross-cultural expeditions where volunteers work alongside community members in countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. At the very least, expect to pay for your transportation, food, and possibly your accommodations. Day -2- 5 (Tuesday- Friday). Discover how Buffalo Bill, U.S. soldiers, railroaders and Pony Express riders opened the west. Plenty of other breaks will be included. Each trip lists the minimum age allowed on the project details page. Call us. Participants immerse themselves into different cultures to help communities in need, whether across the nation or abroad. U.S. Resident >>, Non-U.S. Resident >>, Group (10+ people) >>. No matter your experience level, if youre passionate about
Volunteer Vacations foster public land stewardship and provide volunteers the opportunity to give back to the trails they love, meet new people, and have a great time doing it! You can choose an alternative spring break and make a difference in the life of someone else. During these unique travel vacations, groups of six to 16 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader backpack or day-hike while cleaning and bettering nature trails across the country. 18 countries, 200 projects and thousands of happy volunteers since 2003. share. All rights reserved. College students can slow down to learn the ancient farming techniques passed down from generation to generation. These conservation efforts are especially vital for endangered species at risk of disappearing forever. Typically the airfare, accommodations, adventure trips are organized by the program and are included in the program fees. Some projects will provide linens and some will require you to bring linens or a sleeping bag. Most trips give a full day off during the work week to explore the area, take a recreational hike, or take a tour of local attractions. 2023 Habitat for Humanity International. Make sure youre covered for medical emergencies. Students have many options when looking for ways to contribute during breaks from school. If use of privately owned automobile is authorized or if no Government-furnished automobile is available. Take a vacation that nourishes your body & your spirit. Apply for your visa, passport, and travel insurance. Volunteering in the U.S. is generally the easiest and least expensive way to try out an alternative spring break, especially if you only have a week to dedicate to your project. The work may include heavy lifting, lots of bending, shoveling, picking, chopping, and/or sawing. Volunteers can find opportunities in non-profits, summer camps, and federal programs. Work hard, get dirty, dig deepand feel immensely rewarded. There's no fee to participate, but volunteers are expected to provide their own transportation, meals and housing. Your gear needs will vary greatly based on your trip, project location, and accommodations. Through volunteering with a good student travel outfit like i-to-i, where volunteering goes hand-in-hand with travel, you'll explore and help a piece of the planet without having to do much of the planning on your own. Photo by: Jeff Schear/Getty Images, Jeff Schear. ***The registration fee and travel associated with your volunteer trip is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Additionally, you should be sure to check for upcoming Volunteer Vacations early as spots are likely to fill up quickly on these special trips. The US is expensive, so you may save money in the long run by volunteering through a program provider. shelter, cabin, lodge, dormitory house). Even so, 20% of the worlds population may lack adequate housing. open to the general public. While trips do not require prior trail maintenance experience, all of our projects require participants to be in good physical condition and will involve 30-40 hours of physical labor during the week. Our Work Stories Students looking to make a difference while enjoying time off from school can take part in what has become known as alternative spring break. Empowering all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience, See if your company has a Matching Program, 2018 Equipment Checklist Camping Accommodations, 2018 Equipment Checklist Indoor Accommodations, Food during the week (with the exception of meals out), Entrance to park/forest, backcountry permits, campground fees, cabin or lodging fees (These fees could run upwards of $100 for a typical week in a U.S. National Park/Forest), Accommodations for the week in a campsite, group lodge, bunkhouse, cabin or similar, Group supervision, logistics planning, and meal planning from experienced Crew Leaders, Exclusive American Hiking Society Volunteer long-sleeved shirt. These insufficient food supplies are leading causes in several preventable diseases, stillbirths, and other early deaths. 10 Expert Tips to Survive Christmas Travel, Winter Break 2019 | How to Make the Most of Your Time, How to Prevent 4 Common Traveler Illnesses, How to Make the Most of An Unexpected Trip Delay, 6 Most Inspiring Companies That Give Back When You Buy, 5 Creative Team-Building Ideas for Trip Leaders. It's your chance to change the world, eat some tacos and go to the beach. Volunteer abroad this Spring in Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador & Spain. It takes the St. Bernard Project's Rebuilding Program 12 weeks and about $15,000 to completely rebuild a single home. More than 10,000 high school and college students participate in alternative spring breaks with Habitat for Humanity each year. Volunteers join expeditions to restore coral reefs in the Indian Ocean off of the Seychelles or rescue leatherback sea turtles in Costa Rica. Voluntourism is a hybrid holiday that combines volunteer work and travel in a short vacation. Trips usually requirebackpacking more than 3 and up to 10 miles into base camp. What is alternative spring break? Make a difference in 2023! Whether you're an international volunteer or you're an American looking to lend a hand outside of your hometown, there are plenty of fulfilling and meaningful projects available across the 50 states. Volunteer for the Visayans Make a difference. And a major perk is you dont always have to give up sun and sand to volunteer either. Daypack for transporting your lunch, extra clothes, water bottles, and other items to the worksite. Go Eco
While trips do not require prior trail maintenance experience, all of our projects require participants to be in good physical condition and will involve 30-40 hours of physical labor during the week. If the project is canceled due to low attendance or unforeseen circumstances, American Hiking cannot be held responsible for loss of funds due to canceled or changed travel itineraries. They can travel, meet new people, and feel the satisfaction that comes from working to improve communities and lives. Many students are choosing to become volunteer travelers to help people in other countries live better lives and to care for our planet. for you. Many of these adventures are pricy, but can make for an unforgettable and educational spring break for individuals, friends and even families with children over age 10. Tools, camp cook gear, and First-Aid equipment will be provided by the host. Needless to say, many people dont receive enough food, or the food they can access lacks nutritional value. If possible, the crew leader will shop in advance of the trip for groceries. We strongly encourage booking refundable/transferrable transportation for all of our trips. Intern Abroad HQ. Effective/Applicability Date. If heading overseas is a dream, the good news is there are plenty of ways to offer your time. Projects are rated from easy to very strenuous. Habitat for Humanity, a long-celebrated homebuilder with a nonprofit status, accepts student volunteer to help build homes for low-income families around the world. These Spring Break volunteer programs dont require any formal experience, only a strong work ethic and plenty of spirit. Receive the latest updates on how to protect trails. Interested volunteers can get involved with community projects in fields such as construction, women empowerment, violence/harm reduction, and more in both rural and urban areas. nature, theres bound to be a Volunteer Vacation for you. By: Jennifer Plum Auvil Related To: Spring Spring Break Travel's Best Outdoors and Adventure Jeff Schear/Getty Images, Jeff Schear $1.74. Please consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance to cover you in the event that you are no longer able to participate in your scheduled trip. There is a wide variety of tasks on each trip and there is always something for everyone to do. The group started off the week with a shoreline cleanup along the Bogue Sound in Ocean. Explore our internship division, Join the students making a difference in colourful Costa Rica, Help on meaningful projects in the incredible Peruvian landscape, Give back in Guatemala and discover rich ancient cultures, Make an impact with other Spring Breakers in beautiful Bali, Discover Spains iconic cities while helping important causes, Transform local communities with likeminded volunteers in Ghana, Take a volunteer vacation on impactful projects in Mexico, Join the volunteer adventure of a lifetime in Jamaica, Pick a destination + project and apply for free, Meet your personal volunteer travel expert, Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account.