Find the perfect volunteer vacation

BY JENNIFER MERRICK

Pick the brains of friends, family members, colleagues, and acquaintances. When I asked my network, I received a flood of responses about experiences and charitable programs.

Tara Nolan, author of gardening book, Raised Bed Revolution, wrote that she volunteered at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens a few years ago. “They have a ‘Weed and Pot Club’ that meets regularly, so I helped plant cuttings of native species and weeded parts of the garden that has invasive species.” She wasn’t the only one volunteering in the Aloha State. Jami Savage, lifelong adventurer and founder of adventureawaits.ca, recently took part in the Malama program.

Malama means “give back” and volunteer opportunities range from reforestation projects and beach clean-ups to restoring the Missouri Memorial Battleship and Hawaiian quilting sessions. Jennifer Bains, editor of National Parks Traveler, will be in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this winter on a two-week stewardship program with national parks service. With more than eighty-five million acres to protect in its 420 parks, opportunities to lend an extra hand abound in federal wilderness areas and historic sites. Visit volunteer.gov for a list of 100s of opportunities like.

State parks also rely on volunteers, and a great option of is a week-long Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society to help build and maintain trails across the country. Participants come from all ages and backgrounds and are encouraged to go at their own pace though a reasonable level of physical fitness is expected. Trips on this year’s schedule include Mammoth Cave KY (Apr. 2 – 8), Letchworth (June 11- 17), and Moab UT (Oct. 1 – 7).

Ros Walker, a learning technologist from Scotland, is excited to be a steward at this year’s UK folk festival and says that “most festivals will give a free ticket in lieu of a few hours work per day.” Others voluntour with providers doing projects that range from working in an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, protecting turtles in Costa Rica, conserving sharks in Fiji, and teaching English in Laos. Exercise due diligence when choosing a provider. Orphanage volunteering, for example, poses serious risks to children and perpetuates exploitation and child trafficking. But done right, volunteering while traveling opens our minds and hearts to new places, cultures and ideas closed to ordinary tourists. FY

Freshly made soups, chopped romaine salad mix and fresh fruit salad. Huge selection of ingredients, toppings & dressings, complemented with garlic bread sticks and fresh rolls. Eat in or take out.