Child-Friendly Volunteer Abroad Programs: Meaningful Trips for Families

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Are you time-poor, finding it difficult to juggle work with family life? Do you feel you’re on a hamster wheel, running in circles as your day flies by, a whirl of constant motion, from home to school to work to sports or other recreational activities?

You conjure visions of a relaxing vacation, imagining yourself on a beach, a cool beverage by your side, while your children frolic in the surf. This daydream seems perfect to many people, as a chance to unwind and spend quality time together.

In reality, many families separate into different interests – even when traveling – with children prone to avoiding family time in favor of playing video games or binge watching television. How can you prevent your kids from asking for the electronic devices you might rely on for screen time?

One solution is to combine a family vacation with meaningful social travel. When you challenge yourself – and your family – on a volunteer trip abroad, you learn new things about others, yourself, and each other, and you grow as a team.

You can lessen the barriers to travel when you choose a destination and a cause that interests you all, and plan your adventure together. Here are a few suggestions:

Environmental conservation: Explore a beautiful new country and see unique animals when you travel to New Zealand.
Construction and community development: Become part of the solution when you share concepts of sustainable construction and renewable energy with your children!
Teaching and childcare: Pick up a new language when you travel to Peru as a family and help teach conversational English to children.
Volunteering at the beach: Still hankering for that vacay at the beach? Focus on island conservation and community development when you travel to Indonesia!

The featured programs below offer child-friendly programs and housing, both with a host family or in your own, shared space.

READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE BY ROBIN VAN AUKEN ON VOLUNTEER FOREVER…

Volunteer Forever  is a comprehensive online resource that helps volunteers find and fund their volunteer opportunities. It advocates empowerment through information and resources.  With Volunteer Forever, you can quickly create a profile and start fundraising right away. Volunteering abroad can be expensive, but it’s also a noble endeavor that your friends, loved ones, and communities will be happy to support. Learn more about Volunteer Forever here.

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