Need some time off but think you can't afford a vacation? These vacation ideas are so cheap they're not only recession-proof, they're practically unemployment-proof!
In the coming months you could find yourself fielding calls from organizations asking for a donation, while you are busy contemplating how you will make ends meet yourself. While economic downturns harm businesses too, not-for-profit organizations that rely on donations are affected disproportionately. Volunteering is a great way to support a group you believe in for little or no money. Even if you haven't donated in the past, a volunteer vacation is a great way to start supporting programs that are important to you and your family. And if you're out of work (4.4 million Americans have lost jobs since the recession began, and about 15% of workers are unemployed or "underemployed") a volunteer vacation is an affordable way to spend your time resting, regrouping -- and giving back.
Volunteer vacations are available all over the country. Start planning by thinking about what's important for you or your family. If there is a local hiking trail or campground you love, then find out what sort of programs they have available and save money on a flight. If you can afford to fly yourself to a new location, keep in mind many trips will pay for food and lodging so you'll save money there. You may even save enough to purchase credits to offset your flight's carbon emissions -- making it an even greener vacation.
Here's a list of some great organizations that offer volunteer vacations. Add your own cheap eco-vacation suggestions in the comments below.
Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
Cost: FREE!
Meals and lodging: Meals included; volunteers
bring their own gear.
Explore the wilderness of Montana while helping to preserve and
maintain the trails of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. All
ages are welcome – in fact the youngest volunteer to date was 8
years old and the oldest was 89.
Colorado Trail Foundation
Cost: Weekend Trips - $25; Full Week Trips -
$50
Meals and lodging: Included.
The Colorado Trail was built by volunteers, back in the mid 1980s,
and every summer volunteers come back to the Rockies to continue to
remove downed trees, fix signs and markers, educate trail users,
and generally keep the trails open for everyone to use. Volunteers
must be 16 or older.
American Hiking Society
Cost: $275 for an annual membership, which
includes one volunteer vacation, subscriptions to
Backpacker and Hiker magazines, and discounts on
gear.
Meals and lodging: Included.
Forests trails need your help all over the country. Some
particularly beautiful vacation spots include: The Virgin Islands
and San Francisco, and due to recent natural disasters there are
many trails in desperate need of repair in the southern states.
Volunteers can expect to clear invasive species and to build and
maintain trails and bridges. Children 13 and up welcomed.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
Cost: Membership - $20 for one person, $30 for
two
Meals and lodging: Lodging is included, and meals
are often included -- fresh from the organic farm.
The World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) program gives
you the opportunity to work at an organic farm in exchange for room
and board. Don't worry if your farming experience is limited to
visiting your local farmers' market; this program encourages
the exchange of agricultural knowledge, so no previous farm
experience is necessary. Trips are open to adults 18 and older, but
many farms allow children accompanied by parents.
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Cost: FREE!
Meals and lodging: Included.
The Pacific Crest Trail traverses various terrains – deserts, snow
covered landscapes and old-growth forests – and states –
California, Oregon and Washington, giving volunteer vacationers
lots of options for trip destinations. You'll be rebuilding
trails, and building new structures. All ages are welcome.
More from The Daily Green:
The 10 Most Romantic Ecotourism Destinations
The 10 Must-See National Parks
30+ Surprising Ways To Save Money By Going Green
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