Vacation For Less - Volunteer!

Voluntouring is a creative way to volunteer while on vacation! Annually over a half million Americans set off to volunteer around the world, contributing over $45 billion to the US economy. If you are driven by the desire to do good works voluntouring may be perfect for you. It is a creative way to give back to society while vacationing.

Recently, an Expedia survey concluded that collectively Americans are alloted 421 million vacation days per year. So why not get more bang for your buck? Become a tourist with a mission! Volunteer and write off your vacation.

You may choose to stay in the US or go abroad. Simply pick the country you wish to serve in and make a reservation. With the help of a non-profit brokerage firm or an NGO (non-government organization) you can find a suitable place for your working holiday. These organizations can help you sort out the best place and time of year for your service-learning trek to anywhere around the globe. Check-out the websites of www.voluntours.co.za or wwww.voluntours.org.

VolunTours has been successful at packaging "consumable" travel arrangements for visitors to the Baja Norte Region of Mexico. These are education, cross-cultural exchange and volunteering activities all bungled into a personal experience that directly supports community development and the economic health of low-income residents. Baja Norte is just one of many places a person decide choose to visit.

Another popular site, www.volunteertourism.com also assists individuals, families, corporations and others with their voluntouring needs. Some up-front tour costs can be a little pricey. Volunteer Tourism's website lists both tour destinations with the cost of the tour. For example you can work with Cross-Cultural Solutions, located in New Rochelle, New York by becoming one of their volunteers working at Russian orphanage in Russia. During your 2 weeks stay you may teach English, arts and crafts or sports to the children for (US)$1855. There are other listings to choose from posted on their website.

Got time to travel to Australia on a dime! WWOOFing (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) are located around the globe. For room and board, learn organic growing techniques while helping out your host family! There are about 600 host families across the planet including France, Germany and Africa. Year-round membership in Australia is about (AUS)$50 (+ $5 postage outside Australia). Or check out other service-learning

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