Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others

Description

If you're looking for a way to make a difference while on vacation-simultaneously getting away and using your talents to improve the world-this guide shows you how a short-term volunteer stint can transform your life as much as the people, animals, and ecology you choose to help. This fully updated edition is filled with in-depth information and profiles of 150 select organizations, more than 40 new in this edition, running thousands of quality programs in the United States and around the world. Inside, you'll discover ways to Excavate Jurassic Period dinosaur fossils in Wyoming Work with women in their own microbusinesses in Ghana Study wolves with field scientists in Slovakia Help Haitians rebuild their homes Organize activities for orphaned children in the Dominican Republic Live and work with elephants in Thailand Each listing includes complete contact information with locations, costs, dates, and project details you won't find anywhere else. It lets you know the work volunteers typically do and any special skills needed and highlights projects specifically tailored for families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Stories from recent volunteers and a host of new photographs help you further imagine your volunteer adventure.

Bill McMillon is a high school teacher. He lives in Sebastapol, California. Doug Cutchins is the director of social commitment at Grinnell College. He lives in Grinnell, Iowa. Anne Geissinger is the coordinator of Grinnell-in-London and Grinnell-in-Washington, D.C. She lives in Grinnell, Iowa.

"Details thousands of opportunities for anyone wanting to see the world with a purpose." --Westworld Magazine "Anyone who can't find a dozen projects here to get excited about just doesn't have a traveler's soul." -- San Francisco Chronicle "Would-be volunteers will have plenty of adventures to research." -- Boston Globe "Takes the legwork out of finding an opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture." -- The Iowan "For those who like to get their hands dirty, this is an excellent resource." -- Chicago Tribune "The definitive sourcebook for service-oriented escapades." --Outside "An excellent resource for those considering and exploring philanthropic travel." --Library Journal Xpress "A good starting point" -- Four Season 's magazine