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Volunteer Travel: 6 Summer Trips That Give Back

First Posted: 05/12/11 11:15 PM ET   Updated: 09/19/11 01:46 PM ET

With summer just around the corner, you're probably spending time looking for that perfect bathing suit, waxing up the ol' surfboard and daydreaming about endless hours of sunshine. But you can only tan poolside for so long. We here at HuffPost gathered together a few of the many ways you can turn a summer getaway into a truly impactful experience.

Check out our slideshow for a list of volunteer opportunities available that'll help make your summer challenging, intellectually stimulating and memorable. We're not saying you can't work on your perfect tan. We're just saying it's also fun to help build a socially sustainable village in another country while you catch those rays.

Sierra Leone
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Volunteer in Sierra Leone for a week or more and live alongside local communities. Tribe Wanted brings a maximum number of 30 tribe members on a one-week minimum mission devoted to developing sustainable villages. 
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With summer just around the corner, you're probably spending time looking for that perfect bathing suit, waxing up the ol' surfboard and daydreaming about endless hours of sunshine. But you can only t...
With summer just around the corner, you're probably spending time looking for that perfect bathing suit, waxing up the ol' surfboard and daydreaming about endless hours of sunshine. But you can only t...
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Bienville
Make levees, not war
151 Fans
02:31 PM on 05/27/2011
The above caption reads: "Two years after Katrina, New Orleans still relies on volunteers ..."

What's wrong with that sentence?

That's right. Katrina was almost 6 years ago.

And, how old is the photo? Probably about 4 years. I haven't seen a scene like that in some time.

To all those who have volunteered and who continue to volunteer, "Thank you."
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RatgurlSD
34 Fans
08:13 PM on 05/15/2011
I've always wanted to do one of these volunteer tours, but after looking into them, they cost nearly as much as a well-researched vacation to the same country. In order to attract people who want to make a difference, these organizations need to make volunteering cost as little as possible, getting funding from donations via companies, charities, churches, etc. Otherwise they are relying on not just the volunteering but also the money of the volunteers & that's just self-limiting.
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mcKen13
2 Fans
 
01:40 PM on 05/16/2011
You are so right RatgurlSD, this is the reason I have not become involved in this type of volunteering the cost!
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Halsey
"There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. T
655 Fans
10:31 PM on 06/02/2011
SD (South Dakota or San Diego :-), I just googles the site for Cuba (I LOVE Cuba and no, I'm not a marxist or commie pig and I will deny having gone); but for ONE week the cost was $2100! NO airfare. The "thing" may be tax deductible. Well, I'm pretty darn poor right now due to a freaky sequence of medical things (including cancer which I'm still paying off..but I'm alive).
I could get to Cuba and stay a MONTH for $2100. Hell, I could move there and live a year for about $2100. The idea is good, but sadly, the org is making big bucks off people who'd like to combine good works with travel. hmmm...maybe I'll go back. I know what some shortages are (none illegal). Paper, bar soap; have my own room in a decent little hotel all for about $1000.00, including airfare. Jeesh!
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VAlady748
8 Fans
03:28 PM on 05/13/2011
HELLO fellow American???? How about staying here in America and help our Tornado and flood victims!!!
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PrecooledToast
36 Fans
03:51 PM on 05/17/2011
go ahead.
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VAlady748
8 Fans
04:56 PM on 05/17/2011
up yours creep!
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Halsey
"There is a price to pay for speaking the truth. T
655 Fans
10:25 PM on 06/02/2011
HELLO VA, (Virginia or Veterans' Administration), How about YOU go to Joplin, Oklahoma City, figgin Roundup, Montana (or Lodge Grass) and help OUT victims? I assume you are at a soup kitchen as I write this, helping the poor.
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Kenz300
1537 Fans
10:34 AM on 05/13/2011
The Republican budget (Ryan plan) is a take from the poor and give to the rich scheme. They want to cut taxes for the top 2% but cut medicare and social security.

Do Republicans volunteer to help anyone but themselves?
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Mysti Frost
12 Fans
12:47 PM on 05/22/2011
No, They are only interested in profit
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