Short-term volunteer vacations for seniors worldwide!

Volunteerism creates volunteer vacations for seniors.

"The greatest volunteer force in the western world is people in their retirement years." Elderhostel

Short-term volunteer vacation ideas and operators are among Travel with a Challenge's most popular themes. In recent years, such travel options have broadened dramatically to embrace the interests and abilities of adults at all stages of their lives. A big bonus for many would-be travelers is the low-budget cost of such vacations once you reach your volunteer destination. Be warned! Such "holidays" are definitely habit-forming and empowering.

Older volunteers generally sign up for three compelling reasons:

a strong interest in a particular cause, project or subject area, often related to a long-time hobby or an earlier career;

a desire to visit a region in a "grassroots" way not easily accomplished with other types of pass-through travel;

a wish to give back something significant to the world.

Based on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands, the Wild Dolphin Foundation, is doing globally-respected research on the marine environment, and leading conservation efforts for some of the Pacific Ocean's many high profile marine mammal species. These include Hawaii's own spinner dolphins, humpback whales and green sea turtles. This nonprofit foundation's volunteer and internship programs are open to a wide variety of people of all ages and stages of life who feel conservation and environmental protection of dolphins, whales, turtles, coral reefs and their habitats may be part of their life mission.

Volunteer vacation with Wild Dolphin Foundation, Oahu, Hawaii.

Upper Right: A volunteer returns from counting keystone species of fish that share the dolphin habitat.

Left: For both whales or dolphins, observations are logged to determine the effect of marine mammal and human interaction.

Right: Aerial behaviors reveal the activity state of dolphins. No kidding!

At the present time, volunteers must offer a six-week minimum commitment. See the foundation website's volunteer pages for complete information about volunteer programs. No one has to be a Jacques Cousteau in or under the water, but being comfortable in small boats and enjoying snorkeling will allow volunteers to get the most out of this service adventure. There is no cost for participation, but living arrangements and expenses as well as daily transportation are the responsibility of the participant. The foundation is willing to offer advice on suitable area accommodations, including vacation rentals. Some accommodations offer better rates to people who are working with the Wild Dolphin Foundation.

Turtles are photographed and then identified by the unique pattern on the side of their faces.

Good news for those who love an excuse to visit Hawaii and to volunteer their time in a great cause! To service the growing number of volunteers, the WDF administration will be diversifying its program and accommodation options by the Fall of 2006. This will include some shorter options and self-catering accommodation at the foundation's headquarters in Waianae, a pleasant coastal community of 10,000 on the west shore of Oahu. Watch for an announcement of this expansion in a future issue of Travel with a Challenge.
Images courtesy

of Wild Dolphin Foundation.

Volunteer vacations suitable for seniors.

Nonprofit, charitable organizations from all over the world are working hard to change the way people travel, encouraging them to get involved with communities they visit and contribute directly to the grassroots economy in a way that mainstream tourism rarely does. Interest in volunteer vacations is expanding at a rapid rate with something stimulating and meaningful for just about everyone.

Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer in Peru.

Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer in India embodies volunteerism in travel.

CCS volunteers connect with local communities in Peru (left) and India (right). Cross-Cultural Solutions

To demonstrate the vigor and diversity of this tourism sector, here are some fresh developments to share with readers:

U.S.-based Cross-Cultural Solutions, www.crossculturalsolutions.org, now has staff residing in Britain. This well established organization operates volunteer programs in ten countries (Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, China, Ghana, India, Russia, Tanzania, Thailand and Guatemala) where volunteers work side-by-side with local people on locally designed and driven projects.

Restoration of Buddhist temple in Mongolia is a volunteer vacation.

Buddhist temple restoration in Mongolia makes a volunteer vacation.

Buddhist temple ruins are the focus of the Baldan Baraivan Restoration Project, Mongolia. CRTP

The Cultural Restoration Tourism Project (CRTP), www.crtp.net, also offers opportunities for travelers to get involved in communities where restoration of culturally important buildings is the primary focus. Innovative projects include CRTP's effort to restore a Buddhist temple in Mongolia, all but destroyed by a communist regime in the 1930s. Thanks to volunteer tourism, CRTP is funding the restoration of the main temple with visitors working alongside local community members. Volunteers live in gers, the traditional housing of the nomadic Mongolians and eat authentic meals prepared by a Mongolian cook.

A brand new project for CRTP is the Chairro Gompa Restoration Project in Nepal where the Takhali people of Mutang and volunteer vacationers are working to preserve a centuries-old monastery building and its priceless artistic contents.

"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

The Alaska Raptor Center has recently opened an impressive expanded facility for the care and rehabilitation of injured bald eagles and other wild birds. It not only provides medical treatment, primarily for injured raptors including owls, hawks, and osprey, but also conducts bald eagle research and carries out a highly successful mandate to educate people throughout the U.S. about bird environments and conservation.

Each year more than 200 birds receive medical treatment with the goal of releasing patients back into the wild. When that is not possible birds may join the "Raptor in Residence" program, providing frontline education to 40,000 annual visitors and 15,000 schoolchildren in Alaska and elsewhere.

Alaska Raptor Center eagle education session.

Working with Avian Program Coordinator, Forrest Wentzel, "Raptor in Residence" juvenile eagle, Sitka, is the Center's latest educational ambassador. Alison Gardner

Eagle flight testing center at Alaska Raptor Center.

A bird testing healthy wings at the Flight Training Center.

Last year 65 volunteers from around the world contributed 3,500 hours of their time toward the Center's mission of rehabilitation, education and research. They sign up for a minimum of one week of 30 hours per week helping with trail and building maintenance, servicing the birds and their facilities, and working in the extensive gift shop, to name just a few tasks.

The Center is not directly respon-sible for volunteer accommo-dation, but it is very helpful in directing volunteers to their choice of campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, self-catering suites, and even apartments for longer staying visitors.

Sitka and the surrounding coastal area, located mid-way up the Alaskan panhandle, is a strikingly beautiful, historic town with plenty to see and do. Indeed, icing on the cake when you volunteer at the Raptor Center. It is an exciting and fulfilling way to get to know this 49th state and appreciate its wildlife and pristine wilderness. www.alaskaraptor.org.
Images courtesy of Alaska Raptor Center, except where noted.

"Try a volunteer vacation. The world will be a better place and so will you." Ed Asner

"Education is a journey, not a destination" runs the slogan of this well-established nonprofit program of vacation-sized educational and volunteer options. Its focus is the always-fabulous "Four Corners" states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. While there are year-round itineraries for a variety of ages and vacationing interests, it is encouraging that 65% of participants are over 50 and 60% overall are women. Family programs have at least a 50% grandparent/grandchild mix. The inter-related Southwest Ed-ventures specialize in eco-tours with an educational mission, including rafting, hiking, cultural experiences and service work.

Map of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

Archaeological programs are particularly popular with a 50% return rate, but also check out the Animal Communication & Photography Seminar, Hopi Arts & Culture, Mapping Ruins on Ute Tribal Lands and several river rafting options. There are discounts for returning clients, and credits are available on some programs for university students and educators.

Volunteer and educational vacations in Four Corners region of U.S.A.

Since 1984, Four Corners School has served some 25,000 participants, ages 6 to 90, while providing countless hours of service for trail and land rehabilitation and protection of archaeological sites on public lands. www.fourcornersschool.org
Images: Four Corners School of Outdoor Education.

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but the one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy will be those who have sought and found how to serve." Albert Schweitzer

Looking for a socially-responsible, active and inexpensive holiday? Sign up for a weekend or a week of stimulating volunteer service with The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC), a charitable Land Trust whose mission is to protect ecologically significant environments as well as properties with historical, cultural, scenic or recreational value, www.conservancy.bc.ca.

Here is one example, recently acquired ... Set in the province's hot, dry, dramatic interior region, Talking Mountain Ranch is a 1,000 acre TLC property, augmented by another 75,000 acres of leased rangeland. Embracing a diversity of fragile ecosystems, habitats and wildlife, it is an active ranch whose cattle and haying operations are carried out within a strict conservation framework. With small teams of volunteer vacationers living camp-style, Land Trust managers completed a major construction project, fencing, forest management, invasive weed control and other ranch-related tasks in 2004. The amazing landscape and views in every direction are thrown in as a free bonus!

Talking Mountain Ranch is one of The Land Conservancy's working volunteer vacations.

Fraser River view from Talking Mountain Ranch. TLC

South Winchelsea Island off Vancouver Island is The Land Conservancy's ecological reserve and part of a volunteer vacation with TLC.

Another intriguing TLC site off Vancouver Island's eastern shore is South Winchelsea Island, a 25.7 acre ecological reserve of relatively undisturbed Garry Oak and Arbutus trees, a resting and nesting place for birds, and a haul out area for Steller and California sea lions. The island is recognized as having national and international significance for its biodiversity values, with the bonus of comfortable cottage accommodation.

Removing invasive plant species is part of a volunteer vacation or conservation holiday with The Land Conservancy [TLC] of British Columbia.

Volunteers remove invasive plant species on South Winchelsea Island. J. Grainger

With a TLC project leader coordinating each day's activities, volunteer groups range up to 12 people [19 to 80+ in age], representing all walks of life, backgrounds and professional interests. This ecological charity organizes all-inclusive volunteer vacations on eight TLC properties ranging from small islands to large ranches to ecoforestry sites, located around Vancouver Island, the Okanagan Valley, Kimberley and the Cariboo Chilcotin regions.

Repairing an irrigation ditch at the Talking Mountain Ranch is part of a volunteer vacation with The Land Conservancy of British Columbia.

Irrigation ditch repair at the ranch. Aaron Henderson

Whether you find yourself restoring native plants, building a fence, reclaiming stream banks, or constructing a rainwater collection system, the only requirements are enthusiasm, a love of nature, and a desire to contribute to a good cause. Check the TLC website for full details of current conservation holidays. Fees, including delicious, freshly prepared meals, range from CAD$75 [weekends] up to $195 per week, depending upon location. Supplied shared-walled tent is $30 extra at those sites where camping is required. On week-long programs, expect a half or full day off mid-week for personal exploration or rest.

"Traveling as a volunteer departs from conventional adventure travel and cultural immersion experiences by serving, and thereby learning first hand about the host community, often in an unconventional setting. It is a true exchange of ideas, cultures and hopes for the future." Elderhostel

Global Volunteers, www.globalvolunteers.org, is coordinating a wide range of volunteer vacations to provide alternative travelers with the perfect excuse to visit some of the loveliest islands in the South Pacific while offering their time and creative energy to serve others and meet local people. The Cook Islands Ministry of Health and several local organizations have invited Global Volunteers to the main island of Rarotonga to bolster educational, health-care, environmental and cultural services. There is literally something for everyone in this enriching menu of projects! Here's a sample:

Literacy: Volunteers work in a school setting with students from third grade to high-school age on phonetics and reading skills. Teachers, parents, employers and the students themselves have identified tutoring in reading as vital to procuring a job and advancing in the workforce.

History: Volunteers are needed in several libraries on Rarotonga, including the National Library, the Cook Islands' Library Museum Society and school libraries. Projects range from routine cleaning and straightening of shelves to protecting and filing archival documents.

Environment: You can volunteer in the remote interior Conservation District, blazing trails or assisting with organic gardening in the municipal gardens, or head for the sea to help with a new work project at the Center for Cetacean Research and Conservation (CCRC) studying the status and population identity of endangered humpback whales in the central South Pacific.

Elder Care: Mamas and papas (respectful names for senior citizens) are well cared for in the Cook Islands, usually by their families, so there is little need for institutionalization. However, volunteers are needed at a seniors' day center to encourage mobility maintenance and to help with stimulating activities.

Visit Global Volunteers' Cook Islands web pages to learn about these projects in more detail.
Images courtesy of Global Volunteers.

Bill McMillon's Volunteer Vacations, Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others, 10th edition, (Chicago Review Press, 2009). This invaluable and inspiring 400-page book covers all kinds of volunteerism, from eco-action in Costa Rica and trail building in Colorado to service projects in Calcutta, Kenya and Croatia.

Four richly-illustrated feature reports about personally-experienced volunteer vacations will inspire readers browsing our own Travel Article Library archive collection:

A Global Citizens Network volunteer vacation lends a hand on native reservations in Arizona and New Mexico.

An Earthwatch Institute volunteer vacation in Barbados reveals an island's history and slave culture from the inside out.

A Global Service Corps project in Tanzania focuses on sustainable agriculture.

An Earthwatch Institute cheetah conservation project in Namibia aids the fastest animal on earth in its race against extinction.

LEAD Adventures' local specialists offer over 30 different volunteer and adventure travel programs in Ecuador for individuals or groups. Volunteer with us and experience Ecuador's four worlds: Andes, Amazon, Coast, and Galapagos Islands! Consider our GAP for Grown Ups programs with added attention to luxuries and privacy older adults seek. www.lead-adventures.com.


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