Volunteer Vacations

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My Volunteer Vacation!  Building Hiking Trail In The Colorado Rockies.

By Tom Hays

The cool, thin mountain air stabbed my lungs with each breath as I lumbered up the trail at over 10,000 feet elevation, carrying the weight of my daypack, loaded with lunch and snack provisions, water for the day plus a little extra, raingear, binoculars, plus a slew of extras for "just in case", and, I was carrying a Pulaski, with which I would work all day, building a stretch of the Colorado Trail. 

The morning sun and the physical activity was beginning to warm me, and I removed layers of clothing as I, along with around 20 other volunteers, progressed from our campsite at 9,800 feet to our work site at nearly 11,000 feet.   Through clearings in the trees, traversing a small meadow, the view stretched out for miles and miles, and I felt like this mountain was the very top of the world, and I was on it.  "This", I said, "is a vacation!" 

Being a flatlander from Oklahoma, adapting to the thin air at this altitude took some time.  But I had come up to Breckenridge, Colorado two days early for my week long stint as a trail builder.  I had read about the Colorado Trail, a 490 mile stretch of hiking trail which roughly follows the continental divide from Denver to Durango in southwest Colorado, and I was impressed that it was built primarily by volunteers, with the support of the U.S. Forest Service.  The Colorado Trail Foundation was formed to build and maintain the trail, and it was through that organization that I signed up for a week-long "trail crew". 

My fellow crew members were from all parts of the United States, along with two people from Great Britain.  Each were volunteers, and each brought their own tent and sleeping bag, their own eating plates and utensils, some good hiking/work boots, plenty of sunscreen for the high altitude sun, and a good attitude. We each paid thirty-five dollars to join the Colorado Trail Foundation, and the foundation provided the food for the week, which we cooked as we each took turns doing kitchen duty.  The Forest Service hauled in potable water for us.

Setting up camp on Saturday was a team effort as we dug a latrine and erected the kitchen and community tents.  On Sunday we learned to use the trail building tools properly and safely.  We worked on the trail Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Wednesday was a free day for hiking, fly fishing or just resting, and Saturday morning was spent tearing down camp and restoring the site as best we could to lessen the effect our presence for a week had on the  environment.  All in all, we built nearly a mile of fresh trail to the exacting specifications of the Forest Service.  It is proud work, something that countless hikers and backpackers will enjoy for years to come.

Each night around the campfire was a delight, making new friends, telling old jokes and   recounting the days' activities.  There were no telephones, no television or radio, no newspaper, no computers.  The troubles and tribulations of my everyday world were at least a million miles away.  I was on vacation. 

For more information on this volunteer service contact the Colorado Trail Foundation website.

Imagine: This year, your volunteer vacation could be teaching basic math to students in a rural African community struggling to modernize. Next year, you could volunteer abroad to help research scientists save endangered sea turtles from extinction. On your volunteer vacation the following year, you could assist nurses at a children's clinic in Romania, help build a home for a homeless family, dig for dinosaur bones, or control erosion on a remote wilderness trail in a US national park. And so on...

Volunteer Vacations are a Meaningful Way to Re-Energize

In just 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks, volunteer vacations will give you a renewed sense of energy. You can gain enriching experiences, memories, and friendships that last a lifetime. An amazing sense of camaraderie and 'family' often grows among volunteer team members.

Volunteer Vacation Opportunities

Animal Welfare, Children’s Issues, Community Development, Environment, Health & Safety, Poverty, And More

Compensation / Fees

Though a few (longer-term) projects pay a stipend to volunteers, most volunteer vacations will actually cost you money. Why? Because volunteers are asked to pay for their own travel expenses, and even non-profit agencies need to be reimbursed for recruiting costs, volunteer training, and on-site coordination. Volunteer vacation program fees range from $50 to $3,000+, depending on the agency's degree of involvement and the accommodation provided.

Volunteer vacation program fees are relatively small when accommodation is "basic", such as a tent in a national park, and when volunteers prepare their own meals. At the other extreme, program fees charged by organizations such as Global Volunteers can be as high as a few thousand dollars. But, in return for higher fees comes the comfort and safety you pay for: extensive pre-trip reading materials, someone to escort you from the airport, security when using public transportation in high risk areas, on-site training, hotel accommodation, prepared meals, a volunteer coordinator on-site at all times, assistance dealing with local officials, etc. As well, Global Volunteers will use part of your program fee to pay for supplies donated to the hospital, school, or community being served.

For US residents, part or all of your program fees and travel expenses can be tax deductible. Ask the volunteer organization you choose for more information.

Volunteer Vacation Expectations

Some people come home from their first volunteer abroad experience with a nagging sense of doubt about whether their contribution made enough difference. So, it's important to be realistic about what can be accomplished in a couple or few weeks. For perspective, think of your volunteer vacation as part of a relay race. You will take the baton from volunteers that came before you, and you will pass the baton to those that follow to finish the race. Every role is critical; a relay team cannot win without enough sprinters. 

Here is an excellent place to begin your search for the perfect volunteer vacation for you.  http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm

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