The Complete Guide To Volunteer Tourism. As travelers of all ages seek opportunities for truly unique, personal, travel experiences the popularity of volunteer tourism continues to grow. The question for many would- be “voluntourists” becomes, “how can I find a good volunteer travel program?”Xola Consulting has spent the past two years working with a range of organizations providing blended adventure/volunteer experiences to travelers as well as talking with so- called “voluntourists” from age 2. Assess Your Interests. Before you go crazy on Google, honestly assess your interests: do you want to spend more time volunteering, or more time touring? This first decision will be crucial to how you conduct your search and how you select a program. Step 2. Start Your Search. Ok, now the searching can begin. Most people start with an online search, and we still think this is an excellent way of sizing up the vast universe of opportunities out there, given that a definitive database of volunteer travel experiences currently does not exist. Adults; Teens; Advanced Search Go; Our Expeditions. People from around the world, of all ages and backgrounds, join Earthwatch Expeditions. One thing unites them: a passion for protecting our. Companies with volunteer service trips are also frequently reviewed by Voluntourism International a non- profit organization dedicated to educating and disseminating information about volunteer travel in their Voluntourist newsletter and on their website in the section dedicated to Worldwide Options. Get more specific about your interests and search “volunteer travel and africa” for example, and you’ll still find nearly as many results – tour companies, non- profit organizations, and educational institutions with programs. Their website is also a wonderful resource. Idealist. org with its vast and growing database of over 6. Peter Greenberg’s travel site also has a good section on Voluntourism with links to some of the larger, global organizations such as Airline Ambassadors, Globe Aware and i- to- i. ![]() Great ideas and information can also be found from our trusted friends at Lonely Planet – they published a new title in June 2. Volunteer and also have plans for a new microsite. Bill Mc. Mahon’s book Volunteer Vacations: Short- Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others is another good resource. Evaluating A Volunteer Project Or Trip. How To Tell The Good, The Bad, and The Scams. Having spent months on the road experiencing a variety of volunteer adventure trips, one thing we see missing from the guidance being offered to travelers is how to evaluate the substance of the programs they’ll be supporting with their time and money. Although volunteer travel can be extremely beneficial to local communities, there are instances where well- meaning tour operators or NGOs have initiated poorly designed and researched programs that ultimately do a disservice to the communities they seek to support. Here are some ways to assess whether the tour operator or NGO you plan to volunteer with is worthy: How Long Has The Organization Been Operating? Find out how long the organization and/or its partners have been supporting humanitarian or environmental projects in the country you’ll be visiting. Then again, if the tour operator or NGO is brand new and has little experience in the region it doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of your support, but they might not have sorted out any issues of corruption with their programs. How Do They Measure Results? Ask directly whether and how they measure the results of their program and whether they’ve had to face issues of corruption. Is the community in full receive- mode or are they making some contribution of time and/or money as well? Programs aimed at self- empowerment are the best, so it’s good to ask about the organization’s long term goals and how they are working for sustainability. The Law Of Unintended Consequences. Tour operators and well meaning NGOs may establish dependencies in communities for services or products they are not in a position to support over the long term. Donors and well meaning volunteers bring their own cultural perceptions of “need” with them when they travel, and can create needs that didn’t exist in communities, even though they have the best intentions. Does the organization have a regular presence in the community? Volunteer Programs Volunteer. Go International’s world of connections will make a world of difference to your future. Our amazing volunteer opportunities help you safely connect where your help is needed, and. Campground hosts, living history program aides and other volunteer positions are offered at South Carolina state parks. Volunteer tourism also known as voluntourism in places like Malawi might not be doing any good. When everyone is in a nonprofit organization, going on some kind of international adventure travel, the locals often get left out. Tour operators that pass through periodically without having any regular presence in communities may be providing services or materials that establish dependencies in local communities, which they are not in a position to continue supporting over the long term. Once you deliver the school supplies or medical supplies and created a local “need” for these new products, is there anyone dedicated to providing them on an ongoing basis? Visiting the links mentioned above will expand your knowledge and help you find the perfect volunteer position. Thanks for reading, and good luck! Christina Heyniger is the founder of Xola Consulting and Off the Radar, an online resource for adventure travelers. Share in the comments! ![]() ![]() ![]() Volunteer for wildlife in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Do your part by giving back to the environment! Projects Abroad, a leading international volunteer organization, offers volunteer project in childcare, teaching, conservation, building, and more in five continents. In 1. 97. 8, the state legislature authorized the South Carolina . The major objective of the program is to use voluntary assistance that is mutually beneficial to both the state parks and to the volunteer. The park manager matches the volunteer. Traditionally, the State Park Service has benefited from volunteers serving as maintenance workers, clerical aides, living history program aides and campground hosts. In more recent years, there has been an increased effort to improve and enhance visitor contact through new and renovated park facilities, increased recreational and educational programs and increased natural resource management and wildlife projects. This has provided even more opportunities for interested volunteers to become more involved in their state parks. Interested persons should submit their completed volunteer application to the park(s) where they want to offer their time and services. The park manager will respond to each applicant. A personal interview is usually scheduled to establish where an applicant. They could even be a . It is conducted only at parks with a campground operation and where the regional manager has determined a host will serve a genuine need of the park. The primary objective of the host is to serve as a park representative, providing information and assistance to park visitors. The host also assists with other park/campground operations, as determined necessary. This program usually begins around March and terminates around November. Park/campground hosts must be in good health and physical condition and must be able to deal tactfully and cordially with the public. Click to obtain individual park information, address and phone number. Completed applications should be submitted directly to the park manager where the volunteer request is being sought. The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age or handicap and is an equal opportunity employer. If anyone feels that he/she may have been discriminated against, a complaint may be filed with the Equal Opportunity Office, US Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 2.
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