Product Details
Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others

Volunteer Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit You and Others
By Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, Anne Geissinger

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Product Description

For the increasing number of people looking for ways to make a difference while on vacation, this fully updated edition is filled with in-depth information, including contacts, locations, costs, dates, more project details, and profiles of 150 select organizations running thousands of programs in the United States and around the world. Including new details about long-term projects and organizations specifically tailored for seniors and the disabled, this definitive sourcebook provides a wealth of opportunities for travelers interested in making a difference and provides new anecdotes about all kinds of jobs and the meaning they brought to volunteers' lives.


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #191379 in Books
  • Published on: 2006-02-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 416 pages

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Fulfilling and stimulating volunteer work you can do short-term." -- Associated Press

"If…your goal is to reach out to others around the world, then here’s the book for you." -- The Tennessean

"Suggestions of fulfilling and stimulating volunteer work you can do short-term." -- Associated Press

"The best, all-around guidebook for volunteer vacations." -- The Oregonian, July 6, 2003

"The work opportunities on these vacations are practically limitless." -- Time Magazine

Review

"Anyone who can’t find a dozen projects here to get excited about just doesn’t have a traveler’s soul."  —San Francisco Chronicle


"Details thousands of opportunities for anyone wanting to see the world with a purpose."   —Westworld Magazine

About the Author

Bill McMillon is a high school teacher. He lives in Sebastapol, California. Doug Cutchins is the director of social commitment at Grinnell College. Anne Geissinger is the coordinator of Grinnell-in-London and Grinnell-in-Washington, D.C.


Customer Reviews

OPEN SOME NEW DOORS IN YOUR LIFE4
Having spent the past seven years volunteer travelling around the world for my vacations, I can honestly attest to the fact that this extremely helpful reference book was my starting point for research into the culturally-enriching, service-oriented travel experiences which have changed my life. Provided inside this handy book are the names of the volunteer organizations which arrange and organize the travel, listings of the type of volunteer work and skills required and all of the necessary logistics. (Actually the only skill often required is a desire to serve and to learn.)

The second half of the book contains numerous brief volunteer journals where the reader can obtain a clearer picture of how this type of travel impacts the recipients of the service work and more importantly perhaps how these deeply moving and life-altering experiences greatly enhance the life of the volunteer.

I have met people of all ages and from all walks of life on these incredible journeys. If you have a bit of adventure in your blood and a desire to serve and especially to learn from another culture's experience...investigate this book...it may open some brand new doors in your life.

A great resource for anyone who wants to be a volunteer.4
This book covers all kinds of volunteerism, from ecologic to medical. From the USA to the far corners of the world. Not only does it contain volumes of information on agencies seeking volunteers, it also has a great cross-referenced index, so that you can easily choose a "volunteer vacation" to fit your interests, schedule, and your wallet.

Great Resource for Those Who Want A Different Type of Vacation5
*****
I bought this book out of curiosity and was amazed at the variety of opportunities available to travel and contribute throughout the world. The book is a compendium of opportunities of every imaginable type, an incredible resource if you're even thinking about a taking a vacation in which you volunteer.

Each opportunity contains all contact information, include web site, the types of projects available, organization mission statements, the year founded, the number of volunteers last year (so that you can see the scope of the program), funding sources, what kind of work the organization does, project locations, time line (when and for how long commitments are made), cost (including arrangements that must be made like medical examinations), how to get started, needed skills, and the specific populations that could qualify.

The book is very friendly to those with limitations (for example, sight limitations, physical agility, etc.). There are also stories throughout the book from volunteers about their actual experiences while volunteering.

There is a section on long-term volunteering opportunities. There are four indexes: by project cost, project length, location, season, and type.

It is a wonderful book to use to explore what types of things you might like to do, as well as to use as a research base to search out specific opportunities. It is a great value, and an organized way to begin your volunteer journey!

Highly recommended.
*****