An Inexpensive Volunteer Vacation Lets You Make a Difference On a Budget

If you're ready for vacation but want to be part of something bigger, consider a volunteer vacation for a cause that you hold dear. Volunteering on vacation can help you become part of a much bigger community and feel like you are contributing to the overall world around you. 

Do be aware that volunteer vacations are not free. That being said, many volunteer vacations can still be fairly inexpensive. Sometimes accommodations will be covered in return for the volunteer experience. If funds are truly especially low but you want to do some traveling, you may have better luck getting a job as a camp host in a national park while you get a free tent site or spot for an RV. However, if you've already got some funds put aside for your upcoming vacation but aren't sure where you want to go, consider one of the vacation trips listed below to relax, meet new people, and make a better world for all of us.

1 - Help Out Wildlife

There are many programs that allow you to volunteer to help out wildlife. You can go to Cuba to work on coral reefs and restore the coastline of Isla de Juventud. This volunteer vacation includes snorkeling and underwater gardening. If you love animals but aren't a swimmer, consider a trip to Australia and time at Go Eco. This trip will give you the chance to learn about the many species of animals unique to Australia as you protect them from the risk of extinction.

2 - Help Out Children

If you've got a bit more time to vacation, consider a 4 week trip to Sri Lanka to teach children English. You don't have to be a certified teacher to be a success as an English teacher with GoAbroad.com but you can share your love of communication and your passion for children. For those who love history, consider a trip to Romania for an educational program that focuses on helping the Roma community. In your off time, you can study the medieval city of Brasov. Castles and caring? Excellent!

3 - Learn More About Your Own Country

For Americans, consider a summer project trip to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. If you have some construction skills, you can help build bunk beds, skirt trailers, and maintain the homes of the Native Americans on the Pine Ridge Reservation. You can also volunteer to teach or drive a bus. For those who love to hike, consider joining up with the American Hiking Society. You can hike anywhere from Alaska to the Virgin Islands, and your work can include tasks from busting trails to grubbing out trees or prepping meals and supplying the workers with water.

4 - Serve as an Athletic Coach

If you love soccer, cricket or other team sports, volunteer with GVI and serve as a knowledgeable coach for young athletes around the world. Your skills can include time teaching about the right dietary choices for an athlete, staying hydrated, how often to stretch, and the best way to avoid injuries when you're playing hard. Sportsmanship and teamwork are skills that can serve everyone in every aspect of their lives. As a volunteer coach, you can easily build relationships that will allow you to build strong skills as a teacher, leader and mentor.