Since 1990, Global Works Travel has provided high school students with a combination of language immersion, community service and world travel. Locations include Europe, South and Central America and the Pacific Rim. Costs vary based on location and duration, and range from $3000 to $6000 per trip.
Global Works Travel
2342 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80304
303-545-2202
globalworkstravel.com
The Appalachian Mountain Club offers several programs for teens ages 15-19 to volunteer their time on work crews. The crews complete various tasks including clearing brush, repairing shelters and maintaining trails. Trail Crews work from one week to multiple weeks and the cost ranges from $200 to $1200 per trip.
Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-523-0636
outdoors.org
For twenty years, African Conservation Experience has been placing volunteers with conservation projects throughout southern Africa. Students have the option of spending two to 12 weeks in their project working with wildlife. The cost depends on the chosen project.
African Conservation Experience
Unit 1, Manor Farm,
Churchend Lane,
Charfield,
Wotton-Under-Edge,
Gloucestershire,
GL12 8LJ
+44 1454 269 182
conservationafrica.net
Begun in 1991, Landmark Volunteers was established to provide opportunities for high school students to offer their time to those in need across the country. The full program was discontinued in 2009 due to financial shortfalls; however, in 2010 they were able to offer an opportunity in Idaho.
Landmark Volunteers
P.O. Box 455
800 North Main Street
Sheffield, MA 01257
413-229-0255
volunteers.com
EarthWatch Institute has been guiding world-wide conservation efforts for more than 40 years and offers teens ages 16-17 the chance to participate in research trips around the globe. The cost of each expedition varies and is tax-deductible.
EarthWatch Institute
114 Western Ave,
Boston, MA 02134
800-776-0188
earthwatch.org
Global Routes program for high school students places them with families in rural areas of Africa, Asia, Central and South America. For two to three weeks, students live with a family and work on a community service project. Following this project, they are given the opportunity to travel in the area. Costs range from $3500 to $6500.
Global Routes
One Short Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-585-8895
globalroutes.org
Established to provide volunteer options to students seeking a "gap year" between high school and college, Projects Abroad offers a wide variety of projects for high school students. Volunteer opportunities range from care to conservation and last two to three weeks. Costs vary depending on location and range from $1700 to $3200.
Projects Abroad
347 West 36th Street
Suite 903
New York NY 10018
888-839-3535
projects-abroad.org
Through VISIONS, teens work in impoverished communities building homes and improving living conditions. Locations are across the United States, Central and South America. Participants range in age from 11 to 18 and the costs average $3500 to $5600.
VISIONS Service Adventures
PO Box 220
Newport, PA 17074
800-813-9283
visionservicecadventures.com
