Summer 2010: 5 Great Places to Volunteer

share | tweet | MORE |

 

Some people say that there is an age for volunteering (under 30) just like there is an age for cruising (some call it retirement). But this doesn’t necessarily mean that one cannot go globe trotting when he/she is 18 or volunteer after one just got retired. In the latest years, active vacations have become a contagious trend.

There are plenty of under-developed countries and marginalized people that need all the money, know-how and enthusiasm of their more fortunate fellows, with no regard of their age. Most of these countries are relatively unknown to the average traveler, and are very likely to offer life-changing experiences. In many cases, a volunteering job will also get you free accommodation, meals and numerous possibilities for cheap traveling.

Even though some volunteering stages can be as expensive as $5000 per month, it is hard to say no to such opportunities as swimming with the dolphins in the Indian Ocean or living among the native tribes in the Amazonian rain forest. As we can consider the 2010 holiday season open, here are some amazing places where you can spend your active vacation:

Mauritius

Exploring the beautiful coasts of Mauritius while searching for some endangered specials like the Bottlenose Dolphin, Humpback Whale or the Pilot Whale sounds like a perfect way to spend the summer. And in addition to spending your time in a research boat, photographing marine animals and  interacting with the friendly locals, you also get a chance to acquire some interesting knowledge about marine mammals and wildlife preservation.

Nepal

If you happen to be a doctor or nurse with a passion for the great outdoors, then this Nepal volunteering program might be the answer to your prays. Among Nepal’s impressive summits you’ll have the chance to improve the lives of the locals and discover the country’s ancient traditions, beautiful temples and  explore places like Chitwan National Park or Everest base camp.

Cape Town

Cape Town is by far South Africa’s most popular city: its cosmopolitan atmosphere and superb vicinities make it a definite tourist hot spot. Volunteering for the Personal Oversees Department gives you the chance to alter lives (you will be working with children from poor neighborhoods), enjoy the great nature and learn some essential surfing tricks.

Peru

If you ever dreamed of being the daring archaeologist who discovered the mysterious Inca settlement of Machu Picchu, then the good news is that you can still make it up. The Inca Archeology and Community Development program gives you the chance to work on some newly discovered archaeological sites, work on their preservation and, occasionally, and adventure into the Peruvian forest in search for undiscovered remainings of the great Inca empire.

Costa Rica

This tiny country in the Central America has almost no competitors when it comes to biodiversity and number of natural reserves. But many of Costa Rica’s animal species and lush forests have been endangered by irresponsible environment policies and abusive constructions. This is your chance to restore the numerous trails and caves, hold nature preservation seminaries and organize all kinds of outdoor activities.

You might also like

share | tweet | more |

 

Pingbacks and Trackbacks on Summer 2010: 5 Great Places to Volunteer

TopTrips: Amazing Volunteer Travel Ideas | Top Trips wrote on June 30, 2010:

[…] Summer 2010: 5 Great Places to Volunteer In the latest years, active vacations have become a contagious trend. There are plenty of under-developed countries and marginalized people that need all the money, know-how and enthusiasm of their more fortunate fellows. Here are some amazing places where you can spend your active vacation. Read more> […]

 

Comments on Summer 2010: 5 Great Places to Volunteer

Enter your comment below, or trackback from your own blog. You can also subscribe to these comments via RSS

Peggy Arnold wrote on July 1, 2010:

I would love to take my volunteering to the next level – I have been volunteering since I was pregant with my first and he was born in 1978 – I am now on SSD and the onky time I can get out is if I am volunteering – Plan to get a passport if you aare interedt in someone who has even been the HANDS ACROSS AMERICA coving a whole ounty – KANE – I worke side by side witg Oprah and Kenny Rogers doing that – I styed in the area because I was raing my 2 chilren – now that they are grown and out of the house – I have the time and am able to travel -just need to get a passport and I can help where I an needed – helped out mostly setting up and managing food pantries – motorcycle runs and help where I was needed by Salvatiin Army

 

Leave a comment:

* your name

* your email address (will not be published)

your website

 

*=required