Charyn Pfeuffer, writer with  Wyndham Worldwide, recently mulled over what motivates individuals to take volunteer vacations.

Her insight:

“Why on earth would you ever pay to volunteer?” is a question frequently asked in the do good-o-sphere.  It’s a perfectly valid query considering some voluntourism opportunities cost upward of $1000 (and more) per week.

In my volunteer experience, I’ve worked with organizations – ranging from free (food and accommodations, too) to $1000+ per week. As to be expected, the experiences have varied greatly – from highly structured, impact-oriented programs to crossing paths with people whom have blatantly misrepresented themselves.

Personally, I’ve savored the projects where I put in a solid work week, but still have some free time to explore my surroundings, and when applicable, get to know my fellow volunteers. While the emphasis is still very much on service, this dynamic strikes the perfect balance between work and play and gives the volunteer an opportunity to step back and get some perspective on the work being done.

Until my recent voluntourism project with Globe Aware, I admit, I had issues with paying to volunteer. I mean, think about it. What is volunteering? At its very core, it’s giving one’s time without the expectation of payment for service.  So, I had a difficult time understanding why anyone would pay vast sums of money to help out.

After my Globe Aware experience, the pay-to-play dynamic makes better sense to me. Here’s why: The voluntourism company has put considerable time into researching and developing its affiliations. Once it’s established a relationship, it must define and refine a program, so that the volunteer and the community being served have a smooth experience – from coordinating ground transportation logistics and creating a productive work schedule to incorporating cultural activities.  The company also provides a built in safety net of sorts by providing travel insurance, orientation and pre-travel reading material, meals and an onsite point person.

For travelers who want to leave little up to chance, especially in a developing country or a destination where language is an issue, I can see the appeal of paying to leave the logistical legwork up to someone else. Ditto for inexperienced travelers who may be daunted by the possibility of an independent volunteer experience – there’s been very little hand holding at most of my low-cost programs. For families, I can’t imagine a better way to impart learning about the world and giving back to your children than to engage in a voluntourism project together.  So despite the sticker shock of paying $1,290 to volunteer for one week in Costa Rica through Globe Aware (paid via a Travelocity Travel for Good grant), I was told that $1,135 of the fee directly went into community support and programs. That’s a much larger percentage than I expected when you consider overhead costs and marketing fees.

Would I do it again? Depending upon the time, place and project, paid voluntourism absolutely has its place.  When it comes to my personal volunteer and travel style, I’m more a DIY girl, who will always eschew a guided tour for the possible serendipity of getting lost.  But in many cases, especially when it comes to working with local communities, local insights, understanding and direction can be invaluable.

I’ve learned countless lessons about voluntourism along the way, including:

• Whether you pay $1 or $1000 a week to volunteer, a price tag does not correlate with what kind of voluntourism experience you will have.
• Research the organization and specific program as best you can.
• Ask to speak with prior program participants.
• Find out where your fee goes.
• And above all, approach every volunteer program with an open mind.

Every experience boasts its pros, cons and a world full of unforeseen variables, and although I’ve yet to find the Little Black Dress of voluntourism programs, I’ve learned so much about myself and the world along the way.

Have you volunteered abroad, and if so, what type of work did you do? I’m curious to hear feedback from women who’ve engaged in both paid and unpaid voluntourism opportunities.