For those looking to have a career in nonprofit industry, one of the best ways to get experience and build your resume is to get in lots of volunteer service experience, whether domestically or abroad. This article explores this topic and gives additional information on what else is needed.
Self
Using hard earned-vacation or paid time off to volunteer may not resonate with everyone right off the bat. Understanding how volunteer travel and volunteering both domestically and internationally creates a healthier lifestyle, while also helping and learning from others is important. Working together as equals with host communities is a major focus in all Globe Aware programs.
Read more and find out where to begin with Globe Aware' s volunteer abroad programs CLICK HERE
OURCOMMUNITYNOW.COM
There are many different reasons to volunteer, some of the obvious being that your efforts are good for the community and it makes you feel great. This article discusses how volunteering abroad on a volunteer vacation with groups like Globe Aware is also particularly great for your health and well-being. As a way for clearing your mind and refocusing, putting yourself into a new and interesting culture while giving back can be as powerful as a yoga retreat. Read here for more on how service abroad can be good for your body and mind:
OURCOMMUNITYNOW.COM
One of the most common questions we hear from potential volunteers is, What shots or vaccines do we need before traveling to our destination? In many cases, there are no mandatory shots or vaccines, but we always recommend checking with your general practitioner and referencing the US Center for Disease Control' s website. It' s important to be aware of any recommendations that are not necessarily mandatory for entering a specific country. It is also wise to know about your host community' s geographic location. For example, mosquitos may be prevalent in some parts of a country while in other areas with a higher altitude, they may not be a problem at all.
For more information on how to better prepare for a volunteer vacation, visit https://www.abroaderview.org/prepare-volunteer-vaccinations
Self
Exposure to new places, cultures, and ideas is vital to broadening the world view of our students and a key component of Globe Aware' s mission. Volunteer vacations are also a great way to develop lifelong skills and passions that may not be realized in other avenues. Read the attached article for insight on these benefits and others involved with student volunteer travel.
Self
As major tourist destinations become overrun with tourists searching for the perfect photo for social media, many are turning to alternate ways of exploring new destinations. Volunteer vacations are a fantastic way to not only see the major sites, but also learn from the local people and culture. Working side by side with local experts on a variety of community driven projects will open your eyes and heart in a way that is incomparable to travel as a typical tourist. The sharing of thoughts, ideas, customs and beliefs will leave a long-lasting impact. Check out this article on predicted travel trends this year and reach out to Globe Aware to help plan your meaningful travel adventure.
National Geographic
Globe Aware is one of the few organizations that offer opportunities to families of all ages to participate in our volunteer travel programs. It is important to understand the growth and emotional capacities of children during these vital years and the effect that has on them as adults. How do you raise children to become caring, philanthropic centered adults? Read more here on how to foster a sense of compassion in your children.
Self
Many people struggle with balancing a meaningful lifestyle after reaching retirement age. Voluntourism trips are a great way to connect with a local community, see the world, and learn from incredible people from all walks of life. Check out this article that dives a little deeper into traveling and volunteering once retired and steps you can take now to ensure a fulfilling experience.
PATRICIA DOHERTY
OCTOBER 14, 2018
Hitting the road after retirement, whether by vehicle or plane, train, or cruise ship, is the goal of many people contemplating a work-free future.
Both retirees and those years away from retirement look forward to relaxation, travel, family time, and leisure activities, according to a survey by Prudential Financial. And another study by Bank of America indicated that 95 percent of retirees would prefer to have enjoyable experiences over buying things. Travel is a way to achieve this ' whether visiting out-of-town relatives or vacationing together.
Travel and Retirement Finances
Funding travel along with basic living expenses on a fixed income is a concern for many retirees. In this age of increased longevity, costly health care, and declining availability of pensions, many retirees find that their savings and investments are not adequate.
"While working and preparing for retirement, it' s important to take full advantage of savings options including catch-up contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s. That is critical in creating a nest egg," Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride of Bankrate.com told Travel + Leisure. "Travel expenses will need to be funded from those savings." He suggests paying off as much debt as possible to create breathing room in the retirement budget that might provide some latitude for expenses such as travel.
Asked about how retirees can fit in travel during the early years of retirement when health and mobility might make travel easier, McBride advises pre-retirees to build travel costs into anticipated retirement expenses as opposed to waiting until retirement to figure out how to pay for travel. He warns against pulling too much money from savings early in retirement.
"The risk is taking withdrawals in a falling market during those early years. It' s very hard to recover from that," he said, adding that tax planning is important. "Be aware of tax obligations when you start taking minimum distributions as required after age 70 and a half."
McBride suggests that savvy consumers use credit cards that offer attractive rewards. "They can fund significant travel expenses ' airline and hotel points or rebates can offset travel costs. This works for disciplined consumers who will pay off the balance every month."
Retirement Travel Planning with a Professional
T+L asked Peggy Goldman, president and founder of Friendly Planet Travel about retirees with limited budgets and the desire to travel. "Great experiences can be affordable for almost anyone. We' re able to create programs that even retirees with fixed incomes will be able to manage, with no compromise on quality."
Since international travel is on many bucket lists, "the number of first-time international travelers is growing each year," Goldman said. "Individuals have to be realistic about themselves, what they' re capable of, and what arrangements they need. We advise them not to limit themselves in terms of selecting programs ' if they feel good and can do it, they should go for it."
Goldman says that travelers are seeking experiences instead of just sightseeing: "People want to interact with locals; they want to get their hands dirty in the kitchen, meet people in their homes," she said. "That' s what is so wonderful about people-to-people experiences and optional excursions. It' s more than just visiting monuments; it' s about having experiences with people."
Asked for some examples, Goldman described how visitors to Hangzhou can visit tea plantations for demonstrations on how agricultural workers select and pick the leaves. Travelers get a chance to do it for themselves and gain a new appreciation for the tea they' re drinking. "And don' t rule out things like zip lines or hanging upside down to kiss the Blarney Stone. Typically it' s the older folks who don' t care how they look, so they' re just game to try something new."
A May 2018 study by Booking.com found "a surge in solo travel, with two fifths (40 percent) of global baby boomers having taken a solo trip in the last year, and another fifth (21 percent) planning to take one in the future." Goldman' s Friendly Planet Travel has already seen more solo bookings this year, with their Best of Egypt & Nile Cruise solo trip bookings up by 116 percent, and A Taste of South Africa package up by 95 percent. "We often find that our solo travelers form close friendships with their group members that enrich their lives and future travels."
Travel Options for Retirees
Cruises offer many choices, from river cruises in Europe, Asia, and South America, to ocean cruises just about anywhere in the world. Nearly all-inclusive with most details planned ahead, the ability to visit many places easily, onboard entertainment, quality dining, and specialized themes, cruises are attracting more travelers each year.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2018 Industry Outlook study showed a steady increase of cruise passengers over the last 10 years, and 27 new ocean, river, and specialty ships set to debut this year. The study also indicates that cruisers come from all income levels, with a third having a household income of less than $80,000 annually.
Train travel takes passengers away from highway traffic and airport crowds, while allowing them to enjoy the surrounding scenery in comfort. Domestic and international routes cover many popular destinations, and for long trips, private sleeping quarters are available. Lounges, restaurants, bar cars, and room to move around make train travel a desirable alternative for travelers.
Many seniors want the total freedom and access to out-of-the-way places that road trips offer. Recreational vehicle sales are increasing each year as more retirees are getting on the road in this relatively low-cost mode of travel. If rolling through the country in an RV sounds appealing, a good way to start is with a rental. Before investing in a vehicle, it' s important to be sure it meets one' s needs and capabilities.
Volunteer vacations offer travel along with an opportunity to contribute skills and experience to others both domestic and abroad. Many seniors are finding these trips to be rewarding, and they can also fulfill the desire to interact with locals and broaden cultural experiences. Others enjoy "learning vacations," traveling for workshops, conferences, cooking schools, cultural programs, or music festivals.
Older travelers are increasingly tech savvy, and many still prefer to book their own trips through airline and hotel websites. They buy tickets online to avoid lines at museums and attractions, and they shop for the best fares, room rates, and last-minute deals. Their flexibility allows them to take advantage of off-season and shoulder season rates, longer stays, and mid-week airfares.
Whatever mode of transportation, destination, or price level a traveler chooses, there are options available for everyone who desires to make travel a goal for their retirement years.
Travel + Leisure
Summer is here and that means family vacation!
Many families prefer resorts and all-inclusive experiences, while others prefer a good hiking and camping trip.
While there are dozens of family summer vacation ideas, we want you and your family to find the right trip for you! Check out these 11 Family Summer Vacation Ideas For Every Type of Family to inspire your next family adventure:
Does your family love to be outdoors? The opportunities for your family are endless.
How about spending a few days in a fancy tree house? Out n' About Treehouse Treesort in Oregon is a family run business, sure to suit your every need. Not only will you be staying in the trees, but there are plenty of activities too! Ziplining, hiking, river rafting, and horseback riding!
There are times when we all need to be pampered and spoiled on vacation. All-inclusive vacations are available in so many destinations. I think the best bang for your buck is probably an all-inclusive resort on an island.
Beaches all-inclusive family vacations offer all-inclusive vacations in the Caribbean. There are unlimited land and water sports, as well as several dining choices.
You can search between all-inclusive vacations for preschoolers and toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and parents. There' s a Kids Scuba Program that is new and fun for the little ones, but it' s available for adults too.
Or how about a cruise? All cruises offer packages to pay for alcohol before you get on the ship " so it is essentially all-inclusive! The only thing that wouldn' t be included would be anything you spend at the port.
But cruises are fun for families " shows, comedy, food, pool. Some cruise ships are even designed for families too. Check out Carnival Cruise Line' s onboard activities on the Vista or Dream ships.
There are many ways you can volunteer your time as a family. This could mean working in your own community or traveling somewhere new for a philanthropic vacation. You could be painting houses or reading books to children. ?
Check out GlobeAware if you' re looking to give back or contribute to a community in a new and meaningful way. These trips and tours travel across the globe from helping save the elephants in Thailand to working with the Rainforest villages in Costa Rica.
With plenty of destinations to choose from and different kinds of tasks at hand, you can choose the best one for you and your family.
Ever wondered the backstory to some of your favorite paintings or monuments? The tour guides at Museum Hack can tell you those details and more. ??
If you and your family are history buffs, check out this unique museum experience. Museum Hack promises you' ll have an active, fun, and engaging session. Tours walk through famous U.S. museums in different cities and tell you more about what you' re looking at.
Museum Hack offers both public and private tours as well as customizable tours for each group.
No matter the ages of your family members, being creative can be something you all share. Going on a creative family vacation can be fun, educational, and allow all of you to express yourselves. Art and creativity are endless, so there are plenty of options for the creative family.
One option can be a photography tour. Maybe one of these Photo Safaris is exactly what you' re looking for. There are trips that go to the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, and many other destinations.
Other creative family vacation ideas would be taking museum tours, following artists pieces of work around a country, or maybe checking out special film or TV studios.
Activity is everywhere! No matter which destination you choose, there' s always a way and an avenue to be active! Beach getaways often have water sports like wakeboarding, paddle boarding, and surfing.
Looking for the whole family to stay active? Plan a hiking trip. This could be at a local destination like the 10 best hikes in your state or country. Or maybe you want to hike the Rocky Mountains with your family. These are great options!
If you want something more structured, there are organized hikes in almost any country. Smithsonian Journeys hosts "Hiking the Emerald Isle". 11 days on the west coast of Ireland! Daily hikes are 3 to 7 miles.
Traveling as a new family might be challenging at first, but it can still be an incredible time. Traveling to Disney World (Florida) or Disney Land (California) is always an option because the company and parks are so accommodating to new families. (Toy Story Land in Disney World opens June 30th!)
Disney Parks always have lots of shade and places for you to keep the little one out of the sun, but also get back outside with ease. Disney also provides a guide to traveling with a preschooler and which attractions are the best for them!
Within all four parks, Baby Care Centers are available to you. These are spaces for you to feed, change, and nurse your children. If you have questions about this, there' s a Disney Parks Moms Panel you can access here.
There' s an endless amount of options for family vacations! Sometimes you just need a little help deciding what suits your family best. So what' ll it be? Are you looking at a more creative vacation or a philanthropic one? Let us know in the comments below!
Journo
A family' s week-long volunteer vacation in Cambodia harvested a new global perspective for their four children, ages 10-17.
For their volunteer project the Vlaisimsky family spent time building a well for the community, assembling and distributing wheel chairs to landmine victims, and teaching English at a local non-governmental organization providing schooling for disadvantaged children in Siam Reap. It was during their time at the school that the family became intimately acquainted with the richness and reality of the Cambodian culture.
Walking away from the trip, the children all realized that there is something fulfilling in the lives of the Cambodians that the American culture may not have tapped into yet. Even more notably, the children were impacted by the appreciation for education they saw from the Cambodian children.
Assuredly, any parent would be proud to hear their child respond to a volunteer experience with the openness, positivity, and initiative that this family' s children have demonstrated. But the development of characteristics like cultural awareness and generosity can only be attributed to the children' s first-hand observation of authentic parents who demonstrate compassion for humankind and a desire to contribute to other cultures.
If you are interested in a volunteer vacation please visit https://globeaware.org
Fit Fathers
