Voluntourism: Combining travel with giving back

The view from Inspiration Point on Catalina Island

Voluntourism is the notion of combining volunteer work with traveling, and it’s attracting a lot of people. There are several options out there, but most young adults stay in the United States or venture off into Latin America. The majority of trips last one to two weeks, and provide as much volunteer work as the traveler would like. In March 2009 during her spring break, Riane Menardi from Drake University decided to give back. She traveled to Catalina Island, an hour off the Southern California coast, for an opportunity she won’t soon forget.

Island Living:

While on the island, Menardi, 19,  and nine other members of Drake Environmental Action League worked on sustainable projects. The program was called CELP, the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program. During her stay Menardi could hear the waves of the Pacific Ocean outside her cabin window. The beach on the island was only about 40 feet away and she could walk it at night if she wanted.

How can I fit volunteering into my schedule?

There’s a quote I love, though the speaker and exact words escape me, but it goes something like this: You’re never completely done; calm is when everything is going on continuously, yet you’re still able to take some time to smell the roses. What I want to emphasize here is that–chances are–you’re never going to be 100 percent done. There’s always going to be another paper to write, another assignment that is due, another office meeting… the list goes on and on. So, don’t wait until everything is “done” to go out and help others and the world–fit. It. In!

I want to give back, but…
The no-nonsense guide on how you can fit it in your schedule:

Whether you are broke, rich, super-busy or have a free schedule for the next month, there are plenty of opportunities for you to give back to your community, country or world. Remember: don’t do nothing because you can’t do it all–do what you can. That will make a difference.

Figure out your passion:
Whether it’s cuddling with kittens, tutoring children or giving soup to the homeless, find your niche. If you volunteer for an organization or cause that you believe in and enjoy, you’re more likely to keep it on your schedule. You’ll also carry out your volunteering tasks more efficiently and with a smile on your face–this will make your impact that much more meaningful and significant to both yourself and the organization.

Required Volunteering

Does it really even matter?

I’ve heard some comments on the blog asking about required volunteering. Some schools, clubs and scholarship groups require a certain amount of community service hours to be completed every year or semester to maintain membership and the like.

Personally I am required to complete 40 hours of community service per year to stay in Greenhouse Scholars, a scholarship and mentorship program in Colorado. I am also required to complete 12 hours of volunteering by mid-November as a pledge for my college’s APO chapter (a coed service fraternity). Eventually I also need to complete 10 hours for 10K (a volunteer/rewards program). Some of these hours can overlap, but most cannot be “double-dipped.” Yowza.

So should volunteer hours be a requirement? Or does that lessen the impact a volunteer makes or the care with which he/she carries out volunteer tasks?

Myself, I love community service. I enjoy giving back to my community and world as well as reaping the feel-good benefits of such actions. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself and other people when you volunteer–trust me, you’d be surprised. But… I have found that some people really seem to discount the effort put into volunteering when one is “made” or “forced” to do it.

I’ll admit that, when completing hours for 10K year after year, and then being rewarded with a free concert ticket, I sometimes feel “bought.” I mean, 10 hours is not a lot of time to give, I don’t need to be given something for that. And sometimes I worry that others will think I only had a concert ticket in mind when helping other people, instead of my genuine intentions to want to help.

But, does it really even matter?

The answer: No. Because whether someone is giving their time to fulfill a club requirement, or even ordered to complete 50 hours by the courts, giving back is giving back, period. Although I believe that volunteering with just the pure urge to volunteer in your heart is wonderful, a lot of people have requirements. Some don’t. But either way we are helping others and helping our world, and, well, that’s good enough for me.

Image from: toothpastefordinner.com

Where can I volunteer?

The ways you can volunteer and give back are limitless. So, now it’s time to find your passion in the realm of volunteering, or just a few great places to dedicate your time.

With animals:
•    Animal shelters such as Animal Rescue League are always in need of people to help take care of animals, prepare meals and also fundraise.
•    Offer to walk dogs in your community. There’s a chance that you may have some neighbors and Fidos who’d appreciate a good walk.

With children:
•    Big Brothers Big Sisters is a large non-profit through which you can brighten the life of a child and also create a special bond in the process.
•    Homeless Youth Shelters also often look for mentors, as well as for people to run events, raise awareness and fundraise.

With adults:
•    Retirement homes present a great opportunity for you to benefit the lives of others, while learning about rich personal pasts. Friendships can be created and you might even improve your hand at cards as a bonus.
•    Meals on wheels programs also allow you to meet and help other people, by providing them with meals in their homes.

Indoors:
•    Meals from the Heartland is a great program that allows you to work alongside others in creating meal kits that will help to the less fortunate.
•    Soup kitchens are another way to volunteer and also see a direct and immediate impact as a result of the work you are doing.

Outdoors:
•    Habitat for Humanity regularly builds homes. If you know how to install drywall, are handy with a hammer or just want to learn some carpentry skills while being a part of a large cause, H4H is very rewarding.
•    The seasons bring along different challenges that people have to deal with. So help a neighbor with a garden, shovel some snow or rake some leaves. Even picking up trash in your neighborhood can be a wonderful way to clean up and give back.

Unique volunteering opportunities:
•    Zoos! Ok, so your chances of playing with lion cubs are unlikely, but maybe you can help prepare food. Also keep an eye out for events the zoo may host, such as Night Eyes at the Blank Park Zoo, where kids show up in costumes to trick-or-treat throughout the zoo.
•    Historical locations and old-town recreations also hold fun events that often depend on volunteers. Events like a Halloween walk through an olden day reconstructed village takes place every year at Living History Farms.

Why volunteer?

You go, you give your time and then it ends. If you’re anything like me feelings of warm fuzzies will ensue, and soon you’ll be wanting more. So why do I volunteer? I volunteer my time because I love to give back to my community, my planet and other people. I love being helpful and find odd things like washing the dishes and cleaning my room to be rather enjoyable tasks. So, I share my appreciation and enjoyment for the odd with the combined greatness of helping others. Also, this year I finally took the plunge and joined my college’s Alpha Phi Omega chapter. For those who are not Greek savvy, APO is a national co-ed service fraternity–with a presence at over 350 college campuses in the nation.

Here are some reasons why you should volunteer:

Improve the world
Even one person can make a difference. By cleaning up your community or volunteering to mentor children with organizations like the Boys and Girls club you can make an impact in creating a better and brighter tomorrow.

Help others
I lead a great life; I have clothes on my back and enough food in my fridge to last my friends and myself for quite some time. But some people aren’t as fortunate, and either because they’re homeless, lonely or hungry–they need our help. So show up at a nursing home and play cards while having a delightful talk about the past with a resident, or volunteer at your local soup kitchen. People will appreciate it.

Help yourself
Giving your time to help others and being consistent in doing service can also be a great thing to put on your resume, and to tell prospective employers. Also, and most importantly to me, it just feels good to help others and to give back to the community and world.