 Home | Recent News | Parsons | Consider a Volunteering Vacation | Printme 11 Apr 2008 Consider a volunteering vacationApril is National Volunteer Month recognizing the countless contributions volunteers make in their communities and to our world as a whole. Today’s active seniors are interested in volunteering their time and talents. But did you know that you can even take your volunteer interests around the world to make a difference?
One of the best parts about being an active senior citizen is that more vacation options are open to you than ever before. If you're not satisfied (or have had enough of) holidays on beaches or strolls in quaint European towns, consider a volunteering vacation. It only takes a few minutes to do the research necessary to ensure your trip is a rewarding one.
Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself as you plan your volunteering vacation:
1. What are your interests? Jot down the top three areas of volunteer work that are most important to you. Examples could be animal rights, helping the underprivileged, education, children's rights, or mission work.
2. How far do you want to travel? There are plenty of volunteer vacation opportunities in the United States as well as organizations abroad, as far away as Russia and Japan.
3. How much work do you want to do? Will building a home be to your liking or do you love to teach? Maybe you'd prefer to teach English in a foreign country or introduce students to entrepreneurship.
4. How much do you want to spend? There is usually a fee involved for the organization's work to get you set up in a volunteering position. You'll also most likely be paying for travel expenses, such as airfare, housing and food. However, some volunteer groups will provide room and board as part of your fee.
To find out more about volunteer vacations, visit www.globalvolunteers.org. Global Volunteers has been recommended by Travel and Leisure magazine and offers opportunities for one to three weeks, and even some extended stay opportunities up to 24 weeks. The organization has mobilized more than 22,000 volunteers on six continents since 1984.
Traveling not of interest to you? Consider volunteering in your home town where options typically range from helping children to maintaining flower gardens to serving on advisory boards.
If you aren't sure where to start, contact the United Way in your community or the agencies on aging or youth services. Here at Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, volunteers help with activities, read the newspaper to residents in the health care center, and in many other ways. We're always happy to find something that fits your volunteering interest.
The choice is yours and there is nothing better than the feeling of helping someone else.
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