Volunteer Vacations for Kids

Whales of British Columbia

• This trip is sponsored by the Earthwatch Institute, and it takes visitors off the coast of Canada to watch the summer feeding of grey whales. Families will travel to Clayoquot Sound and waterways near Vancouver Island. The goal of these trips is to see if the whales are feeding normally and whether or not they are being adversely affected by climate change. Family members will learn how to recognize different whales, record data and help with navigating the boat. They will also spend time on the water in sea kayaks or a fishing boat. Families will be living in a youth hostel on Flores Island, and they will receive home-cooked meals from the kitchen. This is a seven-day expedition that leaves from Tofino, British Columbia. The trip leaves in August of each year.

  Earthwatch Institute

  114 Western Avenue

  Boston, MA 02134

  800-776-0188

  earthwatch.org

Tumbatu Island

• Global Citizens Network's Tumbatu Island, Zanzibar trip takes travelers to Ecuador, where families will be living with other volunteers or in somebody else's home. There will be electricity and water where families will be staying. Travelers will take park in constructing a multi-purpose square and a central plaza. Families will be eating mainly soups, guinea pig and potatoes. This trip takes place at a high altitude, which could be limiting for people with heart or breathing problems. The main languages that will be spoken include Spanish and Quechua, and children will be exposed to these new languages and new cultures. If scheduled trips do not fit families schedules, they may book a private trip if they have at least six participants.

  Global Citizens Network

  129 North 2nd Street, Suite 102

  Minneapolis, MN 55401

  612-436-8270

  globalcitizens.org

Insight Abroad

• This one-week vacation is sponsored by Cross-Cultural Solutions, and it provides travelers the opportunity to work with local peoples and learn about new cultures. For this program, families have their choice of areas, and they can travel to places like Brazil, Ghana, Morocco, Peru, Russia, Thailand, Costa Rica and China. Families will be working on projects in childcare centers, schools, orphanages, daycares and community centers. Downtime will also be available, which will give families time to explore the area where they will be working. Volunteers will be living at the organization's home base, where they can interact with other volunteers and receive their meals.

  Cross-Cultural Solutions Headquarters

  2 Clinton Place

  New Rochelle, NY 10801

  800-380-4777

  crossculturalsolutions.org