Travel Tips

Travel Tip: Ways You Can Volunteer While Traveling

horse_in_his_stallVoluntourism may sound like the kind of thing you can only do in a foreign country, but in fact there are places in the U.S. where you can help the local community when you travel.

Any horse enthusiasts will want to check out the Florida-based Naples Equestrian Challenge. This non-profit program brings together therapy horses with special ­needs children and adults.

If you’re only in town for a short while, The Ritz­-Carlton, Naples has partnered up with the program so guests can help volunteer at the stables for a day. No prior horse riding experience is necessary.

Or, if you’re thinking of a Vegas vacation, bypass Sin City and head to Reno for the Nevada Bird Habitat Project. Volunteers help with the restoration of songbird habitats to help protect the local species.

In Wisconsin, there’s a cool program called the Driftless Folk School, which teaches all the skills associated with sustainable living.

Work-study volunteers live together at a host farm where they can learn everything from gardening and food preservation to taking care of livestock. Think of it as a way to learn about living off the land while you vacation.

For more information, visit the Voluntourism Archives.

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