Take it easy. Photo by John Derych, Jr.
Volunteer Vacations
Volunteer vacations are working vacations. You might choose to build or renovate homes, teach or tutor, translate and aid in communications, garden or farm, build hiking paths, or lead tours, among many other options. Volunteer vacations reward the traveler and the host through mutual growth, understanding, and experience. They are reciprocal—benefiting both the person who serves as well as the recipient, improving the quality of life for everyone.
The “vacation” part of volunteer vacations refers to the reality that for most people any time away from work is vacation time, and taking time off to do good for others is a carefully considered decision. These are projects, trips, and opportunities for people who are serious about helping others all over the USA and want to make a difference. You will leave an important mark on the community you visit, take a big piece of your experience back with you, and return home a different person from the one who left.
Volunteer with The American Bear Association
The American Bear Association, (P.O. Box 77, Orr, MN 55771; 218-757-0172; http://www.americanbear.org; bears@americanbear.org) offers an opportunity to volunteer at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary (VSWS). Located on 520 acres in the North Woods of Minnesota, two hours northwest of Duluth, VSWS is a seasonal home to many black bears. Volunteering outdoors in an extraordinary setting, meeting people from across the county and visitors from abroad, and learning about the bears and other wildlife and their habitats are rewarding and exciting experiences.
The work varies, and your interests and skills are matched to appropriate jobs when possible. Most activities involve manual labor, so good health and stamina are necessary, along with enthusiasm. Jobs range from daily clean-ups to cooking meals for staff and volunteers, picking up and unloading supplies, maintaining the property, planting, mulching, weeding, road maintenance, and preparing bear food. You may also greet visitors, park cars, educate the public and answer their questions, or work in the gift shop.
Volunteer days begin early and may end late, with time off in the afternoon, from May 1 through September 30. You may volunteer for an hour, day, weekend or the entire summer, or any period of time in between. While it is not possible to provide housing for everyone, efforts are made to accommodate long-term volunteers. Some people stay at nearby Cabin O’ Pines Resort (218-757-3122, http://www.cabinopines.com), which offers a discount to sanctuary volunteers. The town of Orr offers a variety of accommodations, including motels, resorts, and campgrounds. Contact the Orr Tourist Information Center at 1-800-357-9255.
Volunteers enjoy social events together, relaxing around campfires, enjoying barbeques and picnics, and swimming in nearby Pelican Lake. There’s also fishing, boating, and canoeing in area lakes, and hiking at the International Wolf Center, Superior National Forest, and at Voyageurs National Park.
Note: Both of my new books, VOLUNTEER VACATIONS ACROSS AMERICA and IMMERSION TRAVEL USA are out in the stores and available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. Drop me a note to Sheryl@immersiontraveler.com if you’d like autographed stickers for your books!
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