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Avoiding
the Pitfalls of a Volunteer Vacation--Things to check before you commit
to a volunteer project
Here are some
things to check on before you undertake a volunteer project:
- Check the field
director's qualifications. This
should be easy and the information should be on the web site
or in the literature. Don't hesitate to email if there's
an address on the project's site.
- Check
the living conditions. If there's anything that makes
you uncomfortable, ask! Depending on the project, you may
be housed in a dorm, a house, a hotel, tents, or whatever
housing arrangement is available. Chances
are it won't be as posh as you'd expect, given the cost of
some projects. Bathrooms will almost certainly be shared
amongst many people. Sometimes showers are solar deals outside.
- Check
with prior participants.
This is a great way to learn if the project is all it's cranked
up to be in the literature. Look for a forum
or other way to contact people who've gone on the same trip.
They can tell you what's good or bad about the project. There
have been cases reported
to me about directors who, once the money is in their pockets,
run a whole project themselves without any participation of
the volunteers. You still get room and board, but you're mostly
bored. [tip: many volunteers have websites devoted to
their experiences. Use your favorite search engine to search
for the project name and you might find contacts who can tell
you more of their experiences.]
- If you
need a special diet, check to make sure that option is available.
Not
everyone plans for or can accommodate restricted diets. Check
first. And don't become a burden to a project by hiding your
dietary restrictions until you arrive--it's a bad way to
start a relationship with people you'll be working closely
with.
- If they
say it's hot, hard work--be sure you can do it. Many
people have a romantic view of archaeology or restoration
work that
is tempered by reality only after they get to the site and
it's 110 degrees in the shade. Projects happen in the hottest
part of summer because that's when most volunteers
are available and it's also when
the
University professors can afford the time to mount an expedition.
Make sure you're up to it.
- Find
out about transportation and communications. Usually
you'll pay your own way to the project's pick-up
point. But check on emergency transportation and communication
options. If something should come up, you'll want a way out
even if you have to pay for it yourself.
- Buy travel/health
insurance.
Many projects require at least some evidence of valid health
insurance in the country hosting the project. You have a slightly
greater chance of being injured while you're working, so don't
take a chance.
Next page > See a Picture Gallery of Volunteers
in Action > Page 1, 2,
3, 4 |
