I have participated in a wonderful program in Hawaii called Volunteer Vacations Hawaii. The share of cost coved my meals, transporation, and hostel-like accomidations. I really enjoyed living with the locals and gaining a true understanding for hawaii and its plants and animals. I have traveled a lot and the two weeks that I spent with VVH was truly one of my most memerable travel experiences.

My question is if anyone has participated in a volunteer vacation like this before? I was looking to do more vacations like this in the future but I was so impressed with VVH I was hopeing to gain some insite on other peoples experiences. I dont want to spend my whole time working, I mean it is a vacation too, and that another thing I liked about this organization is that they had the balance. And work didn't seem so much like work because it was so fun (especially my leader...he was histarical!)

I have not participated but heard of 2-week programs for volunteers on Israel army bases. Unfortunately I'm too old for this.

I also know about Elderhostel volunteering programs, it's on their website. Like teaching while vacationing.

I haven't used this particular program and it's not cheap, but it looks like it is probably well-run and has been around for awhile:

http://www.globalvolunteers.org/

An interesting aspect is that the fees and travel expenses may be considered tax-deductible.

I've volunteered with Earthwatch a number of times. They can be expensive since your cost also covers financing the project. Check them out at
earthwatch.org

I remember a trip report from a few months back about two weeks with Habitat for Humanity in Portugal. You might check their website.

I know of at least 2 people who have volunteered to spend their vacations doing volunteer work through their churches. One was in Brazil; sorry, but I can't remember where the other was, other than it too was in South America.

I spent two amazing weeks in September 2000 in Provence volunteering with La Sabranenque. The work involves ongoing restoration projects of ancient stonework in the surrounding area. I had no particular skills, but was able to participate easily, and there was time to explore the area a bit. The accomodations are rustic and beuatiful, the food was incredible, and there was opportunity to get to know other volunteers from around the world, as well as the French staff. I highly recommend it!

Take a look at http://www.sabranenque.com for more details.

- Jessica

Jessica, the website looks like it's a pretty cool program. Is it costly to participate?

The printed info I have from La Sabranenque refers to their 2002 sessions and says that a two-week volunteer session costs $550 June through September, or $410 for two weeks during the spring or fall months. I imagine prices have increased somewhat since then, but that gives you a general idea - and remember, that includes housing, all meals, and a few recreational activities.

Add a cheap airfare and you've got the cheapest (and most interesting) two-week European vacation you'll ever have!

- Jessica

Has anyone had experience with www.globeaware.com?

They have volunteer vacation programs in Cuba, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal -- looks really interesting. Would love to hear anyone's experiences...

In 1996 I spent a month doing volunteer work in the cloudforest in Costa Rica. It was one of the best things I have ever done.

I chose to help out at a small independent reserve (Artemis Cloudforest preserve, not sure if it still exists) rather than using one of the large "volunteer" organisations which were way beyond my budget at the time.

If you're interested in helping animals, look into www.bestfriends.org. They are located in Kanab, Utah and are very well respected. They have lots of opportunities for volunteers of all ages. There are also some gorgeous places to hike and explore when you aren't volunteering.

I'm about to embark in a few months on my first volunteer vacation on the island of the Grenada. I'll be there on my own for 10 days and then will be joined by friends for a mini-vacation together.

When i started doing a websearch for some global volunteer work I was amazed at the myriad opportunities out there. Do you want to help endangered sea turtles protect the eggs they lay? Do you want to do a snorkel survey of the Great Barrier Reef? Do you want to follow elephants on foot throughout the national parks of Kenya? Do you want to give a hand to mentally handicapped children in Romania? There's really something for everyone!

I bought this book and have enjoyed reading and considering volunteer options. Take a look at it on amazon.com or bn.com -

Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others (Volunteer Vacations) (Paperback)
by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger, Ed Asner