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Time to Help
Exploring Family Service Vacations
By Nancy Taylor
Think of others. Be a role model. Give back to the community. Who
does not aspire to achieve these things within our families?
Most of us live in communities where we do not want for much. While
our children do catch the occasional glimpse of poverty, in general
it is rare for them to have any actual experience with it. No matter
how hard we try to impress upon them that they are truly blessed,
few children fully appreciate their material gifts. Making sure our
kids understand that there are many people in the world with far
less than them is very important.
Without a doubt, we all see value in sharing our time and talents
with those in the community who are less fortunate than ourselves.
As well, love of neighbor is a wonderful virtue to instill in our
children. But how do we go about it? Most kids are naturally eager
to please and are willing to help when given the opportunity. As
parents, we can use this innate altruism to the advantage of our
families and communities. All it takes is a little planning and
creativity.
We can participate in our communities by helping the elderly or
infirmed, keeping tabs on neighbors and friends and lending a hand
where necessary. We can volunteer in our churches and synagogues.
But what if we want to do something bigger than that? Many people
like the idea of going outside their communities for projects that
will make a difference for those less fortunate. Yet, even if you
have the inclination to spend Christmas, spring break or a week or
more in the summer on a worthwhile project that fosters family
togetherness, you may find yourself at a loss as to where to begin.
A family service vacation may be just the thing to fill the bill.
More and more families, particularly those with older children, are
traveling all over the world, combining service and vacation for
mutual benefit, and their efforts are creating a lasting impression
for them and the people they aid. Children gain valuable, first-hand
work experience and, as an added benefit, are able to learn about
different cultures in ways they would never get in the classroom.
Parents are given an opportunity to watch their children in action.
Seeing their willingness to serve can foster more family
togetherness than any conventional vacation will. And communities
that rely heavily on volunteer humanitarian efforts benefit in ways
that would be impossible for them if no aid were available.
Families who participate in family service vacations are happy with
the results. Parents report that their children make friends with
local kids, see cultures far different from their own, and have an
opportunity to explore foreign countries. Teenagers work alongside
their parents and siblings, learning to rely on one another in
unique ways. Those overseeing the trips are equally gratified, since
work accomplished by volunteers would not otherwise get done.
If you think a volunteer vacation is something you would like to
explore, there are several things to think about.
1.) Be sure to take into account the type of service you would like
to provide. Organizations have different types of service vacation
programs, so it is important to discuss family member expectations
and areas of interest. Then choose your organization and program
accordingly.
2.) Think about how long your family would like to participate.
Vacations can range from several days to a couple of months.
3.) Remember to take into account the ages of your children.
Teenagers may like the idea of building homes and shelters or
working in a farming community, while younger children may not be
ready for such heavy work. Keep in mind that while kids as young as
8 can participate, not every organization has of program
availability for younger volunteers. The more time and effort you
spend making sure everyone can fully participate, the better your
experience will be.
4.) Pick a country that is of interest to you. Volunteer vacations
will give every member of the family the unique opportunity to learn
the local culture and do a little sightseeing. Although after-hours
entertainment costs are not part of most program fees, evenings and
weekends are generally available for families to explore their
surroundings.
5.) Be sure to take cost into account. Programs range from
relatively inexpensive; some Quaker program fees are nominal, to
roughly the cost per person of a week at a resort. As well, program
fees generally do not include transportation. Although volunteer
vacations are tax deductible, the costs can still add up. You might
consider fund-raising if you are so inclined. Many programs offer
excellent ideas about how to begin.
One of the best places to start looking for a family vacation
volunteer program is online. Surf the web to see what is available.
Some websites to explore include: www.globalcitizens.org,
www.crossculturalsolutions.org, www.vfp.org, www.amigoslink.org,
www.habitat.org, www.dosomething.org and www.globeaware.org.
Remember, with a little creativity and spirit of adventure, a
volunteer vacation may be the best investment you will ever make in
family togetherness.
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