Summer vacation time is here once again, and families are finalizing their plans for getting away for a week or two of vacation. It's easy to do the same old thing: go to a resort or amusement park and be entertained for a week. Lately, though, many families recognize the great needs in the world and look for ways to help. Taking a "volunteer vacation" is an approach that many have done and others are considering. In addition to serving a world in need, a lot of families also find that it strengthens their relationships with each other.
As a family or as a single person, there is no end to the possibilities for working for a better world while on vacation. Opportunities exist locally, nationally, and internationally. An internet search of "volunteer vacations" will allow you to quickly find lots of possibilities. One particularly good site in http://charityguide.org. Click on their "volunteer vacation" page to get a quick overview of the types of projects available.
Or, if you know where you want to go and don't mind pounding a few nails, Habitat for Humanity has a schedule of their projects around the world at www.habitat.org/cd/gv/schedule.aspx. There you will find lots of opportunities, including in the hot tourist destinations, like Hawai'i, New Zealand, and Kenya. All Habitat trips include local cultural opportunities.
This summer, have your family vacation mean something — take a trip with a purpose!
Copyright © 2010, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins. (http://bit.ly/16p8ws)
