What is a volunteer trip and how to pick out the perfect one for you

For travelers interested in packing purpose into their trips, volunteer vacations offer opportunities to leave a place better than they found it. But time commitments, costs and the work required varies. The following tips explore the variables that distinguish volunteer travel experiences.

Volunteer trips with the most impact require a significant work contribution. They tend to be run groups like Global Volunteers, a nonprofit based in St. Paul, Minnesota, that has operated in 37 countries for 40 years. Volunteers usually have evenings and weekends free while living in communities where they are working.

For those seeking a balance of work and travel, a category of trips known as "voluntourism" combines lighter service and more time for tourism activities.

The website Work away, for example, lists global opportunities to volunteer, including landscaping in the Gulf Islands of Canada and harvesting tea in Vietnam. Workaway volunteers are expected to work five hours a day in exchange for shelter and some meals, and the website allows users to browse opportunities by country and by service subject.

"With a group, you can get a lot of project work done," said Chris Braunlich, the board chair and CEO of the California-based nonprofit Conservation VIP, which runs outdoor trips from the Scottish Highlands to Patagonia, Chile, that might involve building or maintaining hiking trails with a crew of six to 18 volunteers working roughly seven to eight hours most days.

"To avoid exploitation, find someone with long-term partnerships and ask them, 'Where does my week fit into the service vision of this community?'" said Michele Gran, the co-founder and senior vice president of Global Volunteers.

Though travelers volunteer their time -- and some programs, like those offered by Workaway, provide meals and overnight stays -- many programs charge a fee to cover travelers' expenses, including lodging, meals and local transportation.

"We want to make sure you are safe, well-fed and well-cared for so that when you hit the ground you have enough energy and motivation to do what you're there to do," said Gran, noting that Global Volunteers maintains tourist-class lodging and meal standards.

Fees vary based on the destination and duration. A week with Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit that builds affordable housing and community amenities around the world, generally costs $1,625 to $2,500 a person.

Source : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/what-is-a-volunteer-trip-and-how-to-pick-out-the-perfect-one-for-you/articleshow/112671198.cms