Because so many retirees and pre-retirees are feeling the pinch in this economic downturn, they may find themselves looking for some alternative to spending big bucks on a lavish family vacation. One suggestion is to consider a volunteer vacation where seniors and the grandkids get to work side-by-side and share a meaningful experience.
Volunteer vacations are typically more affordable than pricey resort vacations because room and board are generally low, team members often cook meals together, and there may be group travel rates to defray the costs.
How to Select the Right Volunteer Vacation
There are a variety of volunteer vacations. Here are some suggestions to get the most out of a volunteer vacation with the grandkids.
Capitalizing on a grandchild’s interest. Focus on a cause, project, career goal or particular subject. If, for example, he or she is concerned about saving the environment, take a look into Global Exchange and Co-op America that produces annual Green Festivals in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Green Festivals offer music, art, food and other local cultural attractions as well as how-to-workshops.
Know your capabilities. Is it a physical challenge, an adventure or a more sedentary learning experience that would be best at this moment in time? Respect limitations. A volunteer experience that is too taxing takes away from the total enjoyment which is, after all, spending time together. Sacrificing amenities or certain creature comforts is not just a question of stamina. It's also a matter of temperament. Neither grandpa nor grandson may be up for sleeping in a tent, hauling bricks for hours or being air-lifted to a remote desert island.
By the same token, consider the age of the grandchild. For young children, a short -term volunteer activity in a familiar locale may be all he or she can handle. The goal may be to help the child build connections with nature, wildlife and/or the community. Older children will want to socialize with their peers and will be more open to taking time out to participate in a training program that prepares them as caretakers or construction work.
Choose the best place for your vacation. There are many, many worthwhile local volunteer opportunities. Perhaps the objective is to visit some place in the U.S. or to go abroad. In-country trips are, of course, less expensive. However, fundraisers can help offset the cost of foreign travel. Once there, it is possible to explore the rest of the country when the volunteer project if over.
Make Make the Vacation the Experience of a Lifetime
It may be that your church or organization is planning a volunteer project that just fits the bill. If that's not the case, don't compromise. Seek out the right opportunity by doing some research. There are lots of websites and travel guides out there. For example, the book Immersion Travel USA describes the best and most meaningful volunteering, living and learning excursions that is a cornucopia of information. The website Volunteer Family lists appropriate activities for family members of all ages.
Prior to settling on the volunteer vacation, check out the organization sponsoring the project. If possible talk to previous participants to get the low-down about facilities, extra costs, experience of the leaders, people served, etc.
Volunteer Vacation Tips
It just takes some thought and preparation to make the volunteer vacation hassle-free.
- Bring plenty of toys, books, magazine on long drives and to prepare for airport delays on route to your volunteer vacation.
- Cut down on costs by providing snacks and drinks.
- Pacing is key. Arrange for down time at each end of the volunteer activity.
- Try not to set high expectations. Life happens and things are bound to go wrong. Be flexible and make the best of 'surprises.'
There is no need to feel guilty if this year there is a need to cut back on a lavish vacation with the grandkids. By organizing a volunteer vacation not only can family members give something back to others, there is the certainty memories will be created that will last forever.
Resource: Immersion Travel USA, Sheryl Kayne (Countryman Press, 2009).
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