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

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.   February 28, 1999
 72 out of 74 found this review helpful

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.


so many amazing things to do and so little time!!!!   July 10, 2006
 9 out of 10 found this review helpful

"The book is bland as far as pictures go...but the info inside makes up for it entirerly! The layout is basic & straight foreward but the websites on each particular job provide pics & other info for interested volunteers. There's a lot more international opportunities in it than in the book "The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures". I love how the book sorts the jobs by cost, length, season, location & type!" I am volunteering in Africa this September with an organization that I saw in this book. I am soooo excited!!!!


Great Resource for Those Who Want A Different Type of Vacation   September 7, 2007
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

*****
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.
*****


a pleasant and helpful read   August 23, 2007
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I'm sure you can get most of the information in this book online but there's nothing like being able to curl up with this while dogearing pages and marking it up. It is extremely well organized and indexed in multiple ways so you're sure to find what you're looking for. Once something gets your interest you can contact the organization or look online for more info. One really nice feature is the occasional presence of first person narratives from people who've actually done the vacations.