An Overview

It may sound like a take off on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," but you want to make certain that you identify programs that do not represent an extreme in any one element of the itinerary - particularly as it relates to the voluntary service aspect. You want the service projects to be...

• Not too short, nor too long
• Not too strenuous, yet strenuous enough
• Not too hot, but not too cold, etc.

Identifying a project that will fit well within the parameters of the desires of your clientele, therefore, is fundamental to your success. Likely you will outsource the logistics of these trips to either nonprofit organizations or tour operators - depending upon such things as:

1. Whether you want your travelers to benefit from potential tax advantages. (Such advantages may or may not be available depending on your country of origin and the tax codes applicable there.)
2. How much liability you want to assume (Tour operators, for instance, may have more robust insurance payouts and coverages than nonprofits.)
3. How much of the experience will be focused upon volunteering vs tourism (This may be determined by the institution you represent - religious & sectarian colleges, for example, may lean more toward service, whereas public institutions may focus more on travel & tourism elements.)
4. Whether you are trying to target your VolunTourism initiative to a younger alumni contingent or a more mature alumni market (Nonprofits may be the preference of younger alumni whereas the mature audience may prefer the tour operator.)

When you feel that you are clear about what you want, you may decide to review the VolunTourism programs of other colleges and universities. The University of California Berkeley is setting an example as a public institution advancing this approach. Notre Dame is a good example of a sectarian school that is engaging in this type of travel.

Once you have selected a VolunTourism program that you feel will meet the goals and objectives of your travelers, you are ready to explore how to address trip preparation, implementation, and evaluation & modification of the adventure. These are things with which you are already familiar and should have no difficulty in incorporating the service elements into the evaluation process.

For additional resources, look to archives of The VolunTourist and other sections of this website. Should you have in-depth questions about how to approach VolunTourism as a Travel Planner, feel free to contact us.

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THE VOLUNTOURIST - Past Webcast for Travel Planners

J Mara DelliPriscoli , President & CEO of The Educational Travel Conference (ETC) Educational Travel & VolunTourism - October 16, 2007 Synopsis Educational Travel has its roots in alumni travel programs throughout North America and around the world. In recent years, it has been viewed as an extension of Service Learning for college and university students - part of the "life-long" learning process for alumni. Can VolunTourism play a role in forging a stronger bond between these two very distinct groups conjoined under a common institutional roof? Guests address these topics and discuss others during this episode of The VolunTourist. [Listen To The Cast] (Click Here To Download) Guests J Mara DelliPriscoli, Educational Travel Conference; Jim Friedlander, Academic Arrangements Abroad; and special guest, Susan Welsh, Elderhostel.   Suggested Readings From The VolunTourist Newsletter Alumni Travel & VolunTourism - In this article, Kris Jameyson, Associate Director of Cal Discoveries Travel Program, answers three questions regarding the approach her team at UC Berkeley is taking in relation to VolunTourism. VolunTourism & M3 TRAV3L3RS - This article discusses the Millennials and the type of travel experiences that they are likely to adapt in the future, including their connection to VolunTourism. Boomers & VolunTourism - Matt Thornhill of the Boomer Project gives some insight as to why those born between 1946 and 1964 are excellent candidates for VolunTourism.