Give Back: Volunteer Vacations

It’s never too early to start thinking abut Spring Break.

By CC Staff

In fact, you might want to start now, considering you’ll probably need to save up some cash, get a group of pals together, and figure out which sunny, tropical, alcohol drenched resort you want to take over for a week or so.

But, if I’m not mistaken (and I don’t think I am), there’s quite a few of us out there that don’t necessarily consider Cancun to be the epitome of all things “vacation”. So, imagine how interested I was when I read about what so many college students are taking part in come March.

Volunteer vacations!

Perhaps you’re thinking “working” while you’re (finally) away from campus defeats the purpose a bit. Well, it’s simply not true. However, it’s really important to fully research your ultimate destination before you head out.

According to Xola Consulting’s Christina Heyniger, who’s studied voluntourism for the past two years, “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.“

So, you’re interested and you want to go somewhere organized…and somewhere you’ll actually help?

Try checking out The Volunteer Family which has an abundance of links that will lead you in the right direction. Still looking? Try Conde Nast Traveler for their educated and well organized information or even Christina Heyniger’s own blog, here.

Pinching pennies? Cheaptickets.com is teaming up with United Way to offer travelers discounted fares for you’re next volunteer vacation.

Still thinking Cancun is your best bet? Try helping others for just a few days. I can assure you, it’ll mean more to you then a a handful of blurry nights and some bad decisions.

Save those for Summer Break.