Rose Blondin, aged 19, decided to wear hiking boots and T shirts when choosing her vacation spot last year. She was not looking for bikinis or shades. Blondin, a sophomore from Boston’s Emmanuel College decided to spend her time on a trail project in the Smokey Mountains with American Hiking Society.
“I learned so much about the environment when I went on hikes with the park ranger,”Blondin. “The trip was a lot of hard work, but if you have a good attitude, you can really have an awesome experience.”
Blondin isn’t the only one who enjoys non-leisure activities while on vacation. The first to notice this was the Travel Industry Association of America. “voluntourism”It was becoming increasingly popular in 2005. Today, this practice is more popular. Travelocity.com, an online travel booking site, conducted a survey of over 1,000 travellers and found that 38 percent were interested in voluntourism.
Voluntourism is a lifestyle for some travelers. Paul Tourville, 57, and Julia Tourville (52), retired to make a difference in the world and help others. The couple were American Hiking Society Volunteer vacations trip leaders. They have led five trips so far this season.
American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations offer a way for participants to enjoy the outdoors and improve their hiking experience. They have been around for 30 years. There are many trips that range in difficulty and strenuousness. Families can stay at cabins or do front-country work, while more experienced hikers can go to base camps or backpacking. Columbia Sportswear is a partner of AHS in providing gear to guides.
How do you determine if volunteerism suits you? Before you set out on the trail, here are some things to keep in mind:
– Be prepared for the elements. Conditions on the trail can change depending on elevation, region, and luck. You should also consider sunscreen and protective clothing like Columbia’s Omni-Shade shirts, which can be converted into shorts, as well as convertible pants that can zip into shorts. It is essential to have a good backpack and appropriate footgear.
Do your research. Find out which projects appeal to you. You can decide whether to spend your nights in a cabin, or on the trail. You should plan ahead – the winter months
Are a great time for planning your spring or summer vacation. Visit www.americanhiking.orgFind out more about Volunteer Vacations www.columbia.comLearn more about gear to help you plan your trip.
