I know you probably have travel plans solidified for this holiday season, but with President’s Day weekend, spring break, and summer vacation on the horizon, I couldn’t resist sharing this article I found in The Wall Street Journal. It might just inspire your planning.

Have you heard of “voluntourism?”  This combination of vacationing and volunteering has gained traction in recent years according to Anne Tergersen. At TeenLife, we have been well aware of the popularity of this type of trip for middle and high school students. But Tergesen’s exploration of voluntourism among adults made me think about this type of travel as a wonderful opportunity for families.

Companies like Earthwatch Institute and Cross-Cultural Solutions offer packages in the US and abroad that combine sight-seeing with meaningful opportunities to give back.  Among other things, your family can participate in excavations or wildlife protection initiatives. The options are endless.

On a voluntour trip, your family will spend memorable time together while having a meaningful educational experience. For teens, this type of vacation has the potential to provide many benefits including:

  • Exploring a new interest area
  • Gaining valuable leadership and problem-solving skills to apply in work or school
  • Adding an interesting dynamic to a resume or college application
  • Fulfilling a community service requirement

Getting excited? Read Anne Tergesen’s full article here, or take a look at TeenLife’s Summer Program and Gap Year pages for ideas. Some of these programs offer family trips. (And don’t let the price tags scare you! It turns out some of this travel can be a write-off.)

A related concept is “ecotourism.” Ecolodges are resorts that offer great service and comfort in spectacular locations,  but also support local communities, connect their guests to  cultures on an authentic level, create impactful conservation  initiatives, and increasingly place adventure at the center of the  experience. One memorable experience for my family was a trip to Lapa Rios in Costa Rica  – a visit to the local Carbonara School will be forever etched in my mind. To see a list of top ecolodges, see National Geographic’s top 50 list.

Can anyone else recommend meaningful volunteer or ecotourism experiences for families with teens?