General Travel Information

Why not try 'Volun-touring' this summer?

Mature travellers are increasingly “thinking outside the cabana” (L.A. Times, Jan. 23) when it comes to making vacation plans. They are opting to spend their holidays in altruistic pursuits — whether it's counting dolphins, teaching in Ghana or building homes in Appalachia — instead of relaxing on the beach or parading onto the tour bus.

Global Volunteers, based in St. Paul, Minn, offers short-term service opportunities in 9 countries. Volunteers pay service program fees to cover meals, lodging and project expenses; aifare extra. Here's a sampling of available programs this summer (fees are in US dollars):

Serve in America's backyard
Help build and repair homes in rural West Virginia (July 9-6 or 23-30). Volunteer in the migrant worker community of Immokalee, Fla. (June 18-25, July 2-9). Teach English to immigrant youth in Minnesota (Aug. 6-13). $750 for one week. Preserve the rainforest of Kauai, Hawaii. (May 21-June 4, June 25-July 9, July 16-30, July 30-Aug. 13). $1,695.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Costa Rica: Help on labour projects in the Monteverde area. June 11-25, July 30-Aug. 13. $2,095.

Ecuador: Work on construction or care for at-risk children in Quito. April 2-16, May 7-21, May 22-June 5, June 11-25, July 9-23, July 30-Aug. 13. $2,250.

Mexico: Teach English at universities in Queretaro & Dolores Hidalgo. July 23-Aug. 6. $1,995.

Jamaica: Assist on labour projects in Blue Mountain villages. June 18-July 2. $1,620.

Asia and the Pacific

China: Teach English in Xi'an (April 9-30 or May 14-June 4), An Shang village (April 2-23, May 7-28) or a new site in Kunming (July 23-Aug 13). $2,520-$2,2,95
Cook Islands: Tutor children in reading and assist on labour projects. April 30-May 21, May 21-June 11, June 11-July 2, July 2-23, Aug. 6-27. $2,595.

Europe

Poland: Teach English in eastern Poland or in the Tatras Mountains. May 7-28, June 25-July 9, July 2-16, July 9-23, July 30-Aug. 13, Aug. 13-27. $2,495.

Ireland: Help on labour projects at Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in the Wicklow Mountains. May 21-June 4, June 18-July 2, July 2-16, Aug. 6-20. $2,455.

Italy: Experience Southern Italian hospitality while teaching English in Puglia. April 2-16, April 16-30, April 30-May 14, May 21-June 4, $2,495.

Romania: Care for at-risk babies in a rural hospital or teach English. May 28-June 18, July 30-Aug. 20. $2,495.

Greece: Teach English at summer camps on Crete (June 18-July 2, July 2-16, July 23-Aug. 6, Aug. 6-20) or help disabled children in Sidirokastro (May 7-21) $2,495.

Africa

Ghana: Help construct a school, teach English or assist on health projects in a seacoast fishing village. June 5-26, July 3-24, July 24-Aug. 14. $2,450.

Tanzania: Help build and repair school buildings or teach English and other subjects in rural communities. April 10-29, July 31-Aug. 19. $2,385.

Discounts available for internet users, returning volunteers, familes, and small groups. Call 800-487-1074 for details. No experience required for most projects. For more information, call Global Volunteers at 800-487-1074; send an email to email@globalvolunteers.org; or via U.S. mail: Global Volunteers, 375 E. Little Canada Road, St. Paul, MN, USA 55117. The website is www.globalvolunteers.org.