March 29, 2004 -- Travel with a purpose is what it's all about. Many American travelers, whether seasoned or newbies, want to DO something when they go away. That could mean outdoor athletic pursuits, antique shopping, or taking in a show, but to some dedicated souls, it means available time to give back a little something to the world. We've rounded up a few opportunities to help you boost your sense of noblesse oblige with a few upcoming volunteer vacations -- and even couple where you get paid.
The need to give back is why programs such as the 13th Annual National Rivers Cleanup Week are so popular. Running from May 15-23, it's organized by America Outdoors and sponsored by the US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, supported by other organizations. One civic-minded tour operator, WhiteWater Voyages, will be conducting a number of these low-cost outings well past May 23, though. This year's outings will include the Upper Kern and the South Fork and Middle Fork of the American River (just north of Sacramento, California) on these dates: May 17, May 21, June 23 and August 2.
The cleanup trips are much like regular river trips except that prices are greatly reduced and participants make stops to bag litter, clean up camps and load old tires. Sample prices: one day on the Upper Kern, $102 plus change, and it includes lunch; one day on Middle Fork $104, including lunch; two days $215 plus change, includes four meals. For more information, contact them at 800/400-RAFT or visit www.whitewatervoyages.com.
For additional facts on the river cleanup (most states have them scheduled), go to www.americaoutdoors.org. Their goal in 2004 is to get 50,000 volunteers to help in 400 cleanups along 15,000 miles of waterways!
Off the Water
Casting its net much wider is the Student Conservation Association, which allows you to be an intern or volunteer with opportunities in the national parks, forests and other public lands. You get to be out in the open, often in gorgeous surroundings, and have an adventure during the summer. Gaining work experience and making a difference are the main benefits of this kind of work, and it also looks good on a resume. Naturally, the SCA puts you in positions under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management or the National Parks Service. One internship spot is in Washington, D.C. near the National Mall (for those seeking an urban experience instead of being out in the wide-open spaces). Conservation crews will have their choice of places including such famous spots as Yosemite National Park, Cape Cod National Seashore or the Great Smoky Mountains. You can apply now for 13-week paid internships or summer crews (you'll get room and board, but no pay for those) on their website, www.thesca.org, or phone them at 603/543-1700.
Another excellent opportunity is through the American Hiking Society, which sponsors a number of one- and two-week trips each year from January through November to help fix up parts of national and state parks in the USA. You pay just $80 (plus $25 membership), and you have to get yourself to the spot where you will work, but the adventure is well worth it, former participants say. (You live in your own tent, which you bring with you, but they provide the grub three times a day.) Joining one of their volunteer vacations might mean any one of a hundred locations, from California's "Lost Coast" in the King Range National Conservation Area to West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness. Check them out at www.americanhiking.org or phone 800/972-8608 or 301/565-6704.
For Fun and Profit
There are commercial needs for workers, too. Yellowstone National Park, where the operator of the park's lodging, restaurants, gift shops and activities, Xanterra, needs more than 3,000 seasonal employees this year, some to work the traditional June through August season, others with the flexibility to work the entire park season, May through October.
There's a wide variety of jobs in the areas of lodging, maintenance, food service, campground management, accounting, housekeeping, interpretation, laundry, marina, entertainment, reservations, security, transportation and more. Your off-hour activities could include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing and nature watching. Students and seniors, as well as anyone over 18, are eligible, and some foreign workers have been brought in during past years to fill the vacancies. You live in dormitories, for which you pay a nominal fee out of your salary to cover rooms, meals, laundry and bedding.
Get applications at www.yellowstonejobs.com or phone 307/344-5324, fax 307/344-5441 or e-mail ynpjobs@xanterra.com.
Have you taken part in any of these programs? Do you know of others to recommend? Tell us about it on our Tips and Resources Message Boards today.