Spring Break: Travel, Alternatives, and Volunteerism for Most Ages

The idea of spring break conjures up images of college students in tiny swimwear gathered around pools and beaches drinking large quantities of alcohol. In the past decade or so, spring break travel has become a rite of passage for college and even high school students.

The New Trend of Travel

However, the social consciousness of the current generation of students is creating a new trend in vacation travel. Instead of traveling to a Florida beach, their travel takes them to spots across the world where they can contribute some time and muscle as volunteers. Projects are diverse as the travel itself. Students who want to help others can spend a week building homes with Habitat for Humanity or volunteering at a health clinic in Central America. There are also opportunities for those who concerned with environmental and wildlife issues, or who want to contribute to academic and scientific studies.

Ironically, volunteer travel can cost as much or more as a week of binging at the beach. Student volunteers are responsible for the same expenses as regular tourists, and may even have to provide for their own room and board. There are a limited number of scholarships and sponsorships available. But depending upon the destination, volunteer travel can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Planning a Volunteer Trip

Volunteer travel has become so popular that a number of travel organizations now exist for the sole purpose of organizing expeditions and counseling travelers. FrugalMonkey.com, a Seattle based site that specializes in affordable travel has a page devoted to volunteer travel. Its sister site, JobMonkey.com also lists volunteer opportunities abroad. Check with organizations who support a special interest or cause. Other sites that are rich in information for the novice are:

• Transitions Abroad (www.transitionsabroad.com)
• Volunteer Abroad (www.volunteerabroad.com)
• University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center (www.umabroad.umn.edu/programs/wiv/volunteer)
• International Volunteer Programs Association (www.volunteerinternational.org)
• Earth Watch Institute (www.earthwatch.org)
• Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org)
• United Planet (www.unitedplanet.org)

Volunteer travel is not just a privilege of youth. All of these organizations are looking for volunteers of every age. Some even have opportunities for families to work together on projects or expeditions.

photo by Tero Miettinen