Summer is undoubtedly an exciting time for families. The kids have no school and their parents have the opportunity to spend valuable time with their children, often taking them on summer vacations. Instead of spending the holidays by the lake or an expensive city, it might be a nice change to take the entire family on a new kind of trip this summer called a volunteer vacation. In a lot of ways, a vacation where the family is going to volunteer is much easier to plan for than any other type of trip, as most programmes like Projects Abroad usually organise the flights, accommodation, and the type of volunteer work you’ll be assigned to.
The need for volunteers and global support is at an all-time high, and it’s important that your kids see the value of charity. Cash donations go a long way but nonprofit organisations are in dire need of volunteers, which is why many of them have expanded operations to broaden their scope of humanitarian assistance. Child sponsorship programs, such as UnaKids initially set out to convince wealthy households to fund in need children and their aspirations of a full education, but now also welcome volunteers to help run schools and deliver relief to areas devastated by natural disasters.
Having the whole family volunteer for a good cause will increase your children’s awareness for global issues and motivate them to make the world a better place. For that rewarding experience, here are a couple of volunteering ideas for this summer.
For a vacation in Mexico
Cabo San Lucas normally is associated with amazing resorts that tourists rarely leave throughout the duration of their vacation, but takes your family beyond the hotel gates. The foundation organises community service trips twice a week for guests at the Solmar Hotels & Resorts. From nursing homes to orphanages, you and your family can soak in the Mexican sun while still helping out the Los Cabos community on specific days.
For a vacation in Utah, United States
If your kids are at least 6 years old, the whole family will love the volunteer camps at Best Friend Animal Sanctuary. Widely known as the country’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary, the kids can help take care of dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and other kinds of animals. Tending to these friendly creatures will increase your children’s self esteem, and hopeful inspire them to volunteer at local shelters after the trip.
Don’t have any preferences for the destination of your family volunteer vacation? You might want to consider signing up with Cross-Cultural Solutions that sends families on Volunteer Work Programmes in several Asian and South American nations. They can last from 2 to 12 weeks, with one-week insight programmes also available. As long as your children are at least 8 years of age, your family is eligible to volunteer with this organisation.
Have you considered doing a family volunteer vacation?
1.Photo Credit: blossominc / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND
2.Photo credit: roseannadana / Foter / CC BY-ND
I’ve never heard of family volunteer vacations before. What a neat idea! Our family is too young, but I’ll keep the idea stored away for later.
Fantastic! I am eager to read of these opportunities! We love to travel and would love to be more involved in project abroad. Thanks!
This is amazing,I would love to take this in
The Best Friend Animal Sanctuary would be an awesome one to volunteer at, looking after animals is always a great thing to do!!
The Best Friend Animal Sanctuary would really interest my family
I never thought of this kind of vacation before. Thanks for the info.
I’ve never heard of family volunteering before, sounds like a neat idea to help others less fortunate.
What a great idea! I know that my family would enjoy doing this once my little guys are a little older.
Volunteering is definitely extra special. Experiencing things stay in your heart more than indirect donations.
I never thought of this kind of vacation before.
Honestly I’ve never heard of family volunteer vacations before.
Honestly, I’ve never thought of this as an option, but what a brilliant way to see the world, different cultures etc. Thanks!
Spending time with an animal is good for the soul
The Best Friend Animal Sanctuary is a place i would love to visit
This is a fabulous idea because there are so many in need around the world. My favorite is the Best Friend Animal Sanctuary because I love animals and I believe they should be cherished and not starving and abused.