Voluntourism is a new word for an old idea. It is the idea that you can combine the fun and sightseeing of a vacation with the joy of giving your time to a cause. College students have been embarking on "Alternative Spring Break" for at least the past three decades, using their week off in the spring term to coordinate trips to build houses and the like. And the origin of summer break stems from needing time to work together as a community in the peak agricultural seasons.
Now there are organizations and tour companies catering "voluntourism" packages to nearly any interest and age group, typically featuring far away destinations. These packages, however, can cost thousands of dollars per person, which is a deal breaker for many families with small children.
Still, using your vacation time or school break to give back can have great rewards and build wonderful memories for your family. By spending vacation time volunteering, you have the chance to explore new social, environmental or cultural issues, all while exploring a new area and recharging your spirit. So if you're not quite ready to break the bank by packing the kids and heading off to South America for sun and siesta, there are still options to stay close to home.
Keep in mind your options are only limited by your imagination.
Here are a few suggestions of ways your next vacation can give back. If none of these ideas fit your needs, Volunteer Match (www.VolunteerMatch.com) offers directory listings of volunteer opportunities of all types for all ages.
Voluntourism Meets Staycation
My family and I embarked on our first ever "staycation" last year, and I was amazed at how truly invigorating it was to take time and be a tourist in my hometown of Kansas City, MO. It's humbling to realize that I could spend my whole life exploring my home and still have new discoveries! So why not take your "staycation" and turn it into a "volunstaycation"?
Kansas City, MO, Parks and Recreation:
Kansas City Parks and Recreation manages more than 12,000 acres of parkland. Take the opportunity to explore a new space and take your family on your own park cleanup day! Make sure to bring gloves, bags for separating trash from recyclables, a small first aid kit—and wear closed-toe shoes! There are also a number of structured volunteer opportunities for older children and teenagers, such as volunteering at a local recycling center on weekends.
Museum Explorer:
One of the great features of Kansas City is the abundance of affordable and high quality museums we have to offer—far too many to list here. Use our guide to begin the search for a museum that meets your family’s particular interest. Art? History? Science? Cultural issues? We have them all. Many museums have a variety of volunteer options, although this is typically a better choice for tweens and teens.
Weekend Angels
We've all heard of "weekend warriors," individuals who use their weekend to get in all of the outdoor and physical activity they so love. With these suggestions, you can use your weekend to be a "weekend angel," spending your weekend outdoors while helping to improve our city!
This organization is an urban farming initiative working to promote sustainable community-based agriculture throughout the Metro. On second and fourth Saturdays each month, Cultivate KC offers “Work the Farm” volunteer days from 9:00 to Noon at their Gibbs Road Farm in Kansas City, KS. This is dirty work, so it’s great for kids who love to play in mud! For more information and to sign up, contact Ami Freeberg at Ami@CultivateKC.org or 913.944.5639. Children of any age are welcome with parental supervision; unsupervised youth must be 15 or older.
Ages vary by volunteering activity. Bridging the Gap provides educational and action-based initiatives to promote sustainability throughout Kansas City. Many opportunities are available, from removing invasive plant species to volunteering at community recycling centers. This is a great chance to get out and explore parts of the city you have never seen before!
Day Trip with a Mission
Day trips offer a chance to explore areas farther away from home, without all the complications of long road, rail or airplane excursions.
At 2,341 miles, the Missouri River is the longest in North America, and a proud and prominent feature of the Kansas City landscape. Missouri River Relief works to promote education and action in cleaning and protecting this natural resource. Cleanup events are scheduled throughout the year and across the Missouri River Watershed. Families with children of any age (with proper supervision) are welcome at most events! They include the annual Project Blue River Rescue cleanup in Kansas City on April 6, 2013. More information is available at
Harvesters is the only food bank serving our region and covers 26 counties in Missouri and Kansas. For children 6 and up, Harvesters offers volunteer opportunities in Topeka and Kansas City sorting and packing food, making this a great day trip option! Spend a half day at the Volunteer Outreach Center and finish your day with a great local activity. See www.VisitTopeka.us for great activities in Topeka, and of course, www.KCGoingPlaces.com has you covered for Kansas City-based outings!
Melanie Somogie is a Kansas City mom who loves to spend her summers giving back to her community with her family.