Allianz - Travel
Travel Resources

Volunteering on Vacation: Why to Give Back on Your Getaway

young man volunteering on vacation
Allianz - young man volunteering on vacation

We all know that we should make time to give back and help others. But between the time at work, time asleep, time with family and time doing chores, it can feel like there’s no time to pay it forward.

Fortunately, some more progressive workplaces give employees days that are specifically reserved for volunteering in the community. But if that’s not an option? Consider spending all or some of your annual vacation time volunteering. It can be more meaningful than lying on the beach and has the power to recharge you in an entirely different way than your ordinary vacation.

If you choose this guilt-free trip, you may have karma on your side, but it doesn’t mean you can take off unprotected. Be sure to choose a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance so you can focus 100% on making a difference in others’ lives, and not all the things that can go wrong during a big trip.

Choose Your Cause

If you’re considering volunteering on vacation, the first step is to choose a cause that resonates with your core values. Not sure where to start? These are just a few of the options available.

1. All Hands and Hearts. If you’ve spent any time watching or listening to the news, you know that there’s been no shortage of natural disasters the past several years. From hurricanes to floods, natural disasters can upend a community for years. All Hands and Hearts communicates directly with local community leaders to provide aid after natural disasters. Usually, volunteering projects involve rebuilding homes, schools, and community centers to get residents back on their feet sooner.

Volunteering your time with All Hands and Hearts doesn’t require a costly fee, and they even provide meals and accommodations on days that you volunteer. In most cases, you’ll need to arrange your own travel to and from the project, but some project sites include a complimentary flight if you commit to at least two weeks of service. With volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 80, volunteering opportunities with this organization are quite inclusive — you don’t even need experience.1

2. American Hiking Society. If your ideal vacation includes time off the grid to reset, volunteering with the American Hiking Society (AHS) is a great option. The goal of most AHS excursions is to build or maintain hiking trails so that they can be used for generations to come. Basic backpacking or hiking experience will be helpful, but trips are rated according to the physical requirements so that you can choose the level of intensity you prefer. While there is plenty of work to go around, there’s also time off in the evenings to spend as you’d please, whether that’s enjoying the campfire or getting to know other volunteers.2

You’ll be responsible for travel costs to and from the worksite. In addition, most trips include a registration fee of $350. This cost includes an AHS membership, meals for the week, lodging fees, and use of all necessary tools. Trips take place throughout the United States and there are multiple projects to choose from each month. This makes it easy to pick the destination and time of year that strikes your fancy.2

3. Global Volunteers. This organization has been in the volunteering game a while, and they have a variety of projects based around the world. One of their U.S. projects is an ongoing commitment to providing aid to an American Indian community in South Dakota. Volunteers spend time on the Rosebud Indian Reservation working directly with the Sicangu Oyate people.3

The county surrounding the Rosebud Reservation is one of the poorest in the nation. Unemployment levels exceed a staggering 80 percent, and more than 75 percent of those who are employed fall below the poverty level.3 Because of this, one of the primary volunteering objectives is to lend a hand, often in the form of home repair. The ongoing work Global Volunteers does with Rosebud helps them embrace and welcome you as part of their community. Through your work, you’ll form genuine connections with members of the Lakota Nation and your time there will make a direct and deeply meaningful impact on their lives.3

The fees associated with this trip are higher, coming in a little over $1,000. That’s because the non-profit organization is primarily funded through volunteer contributions. However, that also means that all program-specific expenses are tax-deductible. If you’re a people-person who thrives when working with others in a hands-on capacity, this opportunity can be life-changing.

Do Your Homework

Regardless of the type of volunteering opportunity you’re looking for, you’ll need to do some research. Every organization handles volunteers differently. Some groups require a cost for participation, a multi-week commitment or specific skillsets. On the other hand, there are plenty of organizations that welcome a wide range of experience levels and ages. Some programs will even feed you and give you accommodations in exchange for your volunteering hours. If you’re a college student, there are several programs specifically geared toward you. Both Habitat for Humanity and American Hiking Society have “alternative break” options that allow groups of students to spend spring break giving back.

A Final Word About Volunteering on Vacation

If you’re planning to spend any part of your vacation volunteering, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. It’s not necessarily glamorous or exotic, but it can make a real impact on the lives of real people. And if nothing makes you feel as good as helping others, then volunteering on vacation might take your vacation days to a whole new level.

Related Articles

Allianz - AZ_OPM_Insurance_Partner


Sep 06, 2019