Traveling With a Purpose: A Complete Guide to Youth Volunteer Travel Programs

It’s fun to travel and experience new places around the world. But what if you could travel and give back to places that need and value your contribution along the way? This is exactly what youth volunteer travel programs are all about. They bring you the best of experience in travel while providing you with the perfect opportunity to make a contribution to areas of need. 

Participating in youth volunteer programs provides you bucket-list travel experiences that you will never forget. Make new friends, experience new cultures, and have a positive impact on the lives of others. 

Further Travel offers a variety of travel abroad programs to choose from, with many different destinations. Check out this guide to learn more about traveling, volunteering, and the adventure that awaits you. 

We cover everything you need to know about youth volunteer travel programs, such as:

1. How youth volunteer travel programs work
2. Benefits of youth volunteer travel programs
3. Types of volunteer opportunities available
4. Youth volunteer travel program destinations
5. Giving back through sustainability practices
6. Working with Further Travel
   

How Do Youth Volunteer Travel Programs Work?

Volunteering can include everything from walking dogs at your local animal shelter to building schools in an impoverished country. Giving your time to a good cause and not expecting anything in return is an empowering experience. 

The most common volunteer opportunities give back to the community or the organization, such as: 

• Fundraising
• Conservation projects
• Tutoring
• Teaching
• Cleanup or restoration
• Healthcare
• Animal shelters
• Food pantries

With each volunteer opportunity, you provide a service to someone in need. It’s the chance to give back when and where it’s needed the most. 

Student travel programs take you to unique destinations where you adventure through the local landmarks and spend time volunteering on community projects. For example, in our Bali Explorer program, you will spend time helping out at a turtle conservation site and teaching English in the local schools. You also get the travel experience  with tourist activities such as surfing, snorkeling, rafting, and more. 

Volunteering programs provide a unique experience in many ways, including:

1. Traveling to amazing destinations
2. Participating in conservation projects
3. Engaging in incredible activities
4. Spending time with local guides
5. Teaching in local schools
6. Experiencing a life-changing adventure

You travel, see the world, spend time giving back, and pick up some new skills with our youth volunteer travel programs. 

Top Benefits of Joining a Youth Volunteer Travel Program

Benefits of volunteering range from personal to professional. You can discover new passions while building valuable resume skills. Make the most of your volunteer travel experience, and get excited for the benefits as much as the amazing destinations! 

There are many benefits to participating in a youth volunteer program, such as: 

• Meet new friends
• Make a difference
• Discover cultural experiences
• Learn valuable resume skills
• Travel to amazing places

Meet New Friends

One of the greatest benefits of a student travel abroad program is making lasting friendships while you’re there. Committing to a youth volunteer travel program means working closely with groups of new people. Develop friendships with the people that you meet, as well as the traveling companions in your group. 

Everyone in your travel group are like-minded people that signed up for reasons similar to yours. They wanted to travel with the opportunity to make a difference. When you bring these qualities together, you create bonds that will last long after your program ends. 

Your volunteer team will travel together, work together, and sightsee together. You spend 3+ weeks together on this adventure. You gain a little family that goes through this experience with you. 

Your friendships can last a lifetime, even after you return to “life as usual” after the program ends. 

Make a Difference

Volunteer opportunities differ based on your chosen destination. What remains consistent from site to site is that you are giving back in ways that impact the environment and the local community. 

First, ask yourself: what kind of volunteer work interests you? Want to teach? You’ve got plenty of options! Interested in turtle conservation? Check out our Bali travel program! There are an array of volunteer choices and destinations to choose from. 

Volunteering opportunities include experiences such as: 

Discover Cultural Experiences

Traveling to different countries exposes you to  new cultures, increasing cultural awareness and broadening your horizons. You will meet many people from all walks of life as you travel. 

In each country, people live and work in different ways. Get hands-on experience with new ways of living as you dive into volunteering.. It’s a great way to learn new things. You will adapt to your surroundings, experience delightful cuisines, and see a whole new world that you may not be exposed to elsewhere. 

It’s easy to get lost in our own lives, but there is so much to learn. Traveling abroad exposes you to new cultures, providing you with the opportunity to engage and learn from others. There is always something to learn, and our youth volunteer travel programs can show you. 

Learn Valuable Resume Skills

You’ve got skills that you bring to the table. Your inherent skills will be a valuable asset as you travel and help others. You will also pick up new skills along the way, honing valuable traits that will benefit your future and look great on your resume as you follow your career path.  

Your travel abroad experiences will improve resume skills such as these: 

• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving
• Open-minded interaction
• Adapting to circumstances
• Teamwork development
• Communication improvement
• Leadership

These skills will benefit you while you travel,as well as when you grow into adulthood and enter the workforce. Gain and improve important resume skills from our volunteer opportunities while experiencing some truly amazing destinations. It’s a win-win! 

Travel to Amazing Places

What is your top bucket-list destination? What if you could travel there while giving back to communities in need? Our youth volunteer travel programs provide you amazing travel all over the world. Further Travel has six bucket-list destinations to choose from for volunteering purposes. We help you find the right match for your adventure and work through the application and visa process as well. 

Discover the stunning waters around the Maldives, or experience the storied histories of Europe. Take stunning sites and experience the unique details that each destination has to offer. 

Types of Volunteer Opportunities

Choose your travel destination based on a country you really want to visit or on a volunteer program that interests you. Many sites offer more than one volunteer opportunity for you to engage in. 

Volunteer opportunities fall into four main categories, including: 

1. Community Projects
2. Animal Conservation
3. Teaching Projects
4. Save the Beach

Community Projects

Community projects provide community service to the local area. Engage in various community service projects, from teaching at local schools and centers to cleaning up a beach. You will work closely with a designated guide to support a local project, making a difference for an immediate need in the community. 

Animal Conservation

Throughout the world, there are animals in need. Locations like the Maldives have projects designed to support threatened or endangered animals. You will find a variety of animal conservation projects at several destinations. 

At Camp Thailand, volunteer at an elephant conservation site and take a tour of the site while you’re there. Experience awesome up-close interactions with animals you’ve only seen on TV, and provide important aid at the same time.

At every destination, there is a need for teachers in the local schools. This is your chance to shine. Help local students learn English and experience a valuable education. These students are eager to learn and will look to you to help them gain knowledge they will use for a lifetime. It’s awesome to see young minds grow and develop- and it’s thanks to your volunteer contributions! 

Save the Beach

Save the Beach and beach cleanup initiatives are found in Bali, Vietnam & Cambodia, and the Maldives. Save the Beach initiatives include cleaning up the beach to get rid of debris and trash that clutter the area. Assist in activities designed to preserve the beach, the coral reef, and other major beach-related projects. 

Youth Volunteer Program Travel Destinations

Student travel programs offer a variety of destinations. Plan your trip destination based on locations you are interested in, volunteer opportunities that excite you, and the timeframe you hope to travel in. 

Further Travel offers youth volunteer travel programs to bucket list destinations like:

1. Thailand
2. Bali
3. Philippines
4. Vietnam & Cambodia
5. Maldives
6. South Africa

Thailand

Thailand brings you to Camp Elephant. This 20-day adventure will bring you up close and personal to some of the top sites throughout Thailand. Wander through the temples, swim in the waterfalls, and get to know the majestic elephants. Volunteer for local projects, aid in elephant sanctuaries, and teach in local schools. Do a little bit of island-hopping and have fun partying in Bangkok while you’re there! 

Bali

Camp Bali has three adventures to choose from. They are:

1. Quick 10-Day Adventure
2. 20-Day Explorer Adventure 
3. 20-Day Camp Bali Island Hopper Experience.

Your itinerary will be packed with fun things like surfing and snorkeling, as well as relaxing experiences like sunset yoga or meditation. Explore the monkey forests and waterfalls, give back to community projects, teach in local schools, and take part in sea turtle conservation efforts. 

Philippines

The Philippines Island Experience takes you to the heart of paradise to party, experience the local sites, and give back to local projects. It’s a 20-day adventure that hops across several islands and shows the best of paradise. While you’re here, swim with the turtles, hike across local terrain, and soak in the waterfalls. Participate in beach cleanup and teaching projects for volunteer service. 

Vietnam & Cambodia

Camp Vietnam & Cambodia is an exclusive adventure across parts of both locations for 20 days. The natural beauty and cultural experiences are incredible! Home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, you can experience several unique locations with historical prominence. Volunteer activities include beach cleanup and teaching in local schools. 

Maldives 

The Maldives are a true paradise experience like no other. The Camp Maldives Program is 16 days exploring the wonders of the area and taking in the beauty around you. Experience local culture, enjoy community activities, and volunteer with Save the Beach initiatives, coral reef preservation, and more. Sunny skies, clear blue waters, and astounding experiences await! 

South Africa

Camp South Africa offers two  paths. If you are enthusiastic about coaching and teaching, our 5-week camp combines local activities with coaching sports and teaching the English language in local schools. If your interests lie in animal conservation, our 2-week camp introduces you to safari animals and the local animal conservation program, while also providing some epic activities. 

These camps are an awesome way to participate in volunteer projects that are dear to you, while also enjoying the local activities and adventures.  

Giving Back Through Sustainability Practices

Further Travel's mission is to help you experience the world and give back at the same time. Our focus for every adventure includes:

• Fun
• Community
• Culture 
• Volunteer

Our youth volunteer travel programs are all about giving back, but, just as importantly, we ensure you have fun, engage with new cultures, and experience a new sense of community. Make your volunteer travel experience amazing in every way!

With every travel program we endorse, we also support and promote sustainability. Our planet relies on us, which is why we team up with sustainable projects at every destination. 

In an effort to promote sustainability, travelers are offered resources such as:

• Carbon offset for flights
• Ethically sourced merchandise materials
• Contribution to community conservation efforts
• Education on sustainability and conservation
• Comprehensive guidance to sustainability tips for traveling

Working With Further Travel

Further Travel focuses on our four pillars with every youth volunteer travel program opportunity. 

You should have an amazing experience, and that’s where we come in. Start your application process to learn more about available travel programs and destinations that suit your interests. 

Every trip makes a difference. Further Travel is here to ensure you focus on the big picture while we handle the details. We pair you with local guides and representatives, take care of all planning details–including any visa needs and travel accommodations– and provide you with safe, enjoyable, and exclusive experiences. 

We understand that life is not always predictable, which is why our programs offer flexible booking policies within eight weeks of your trip. Plan ahead, and start putting the wheels into motion while you prepare for the trip of a lifetime. 

Start Planning Your Adventure!

Youth volunteer travel programs bring the world to you. With bucket-list destinations and incredible experiences, make lasting memories with any adventure you choose. It’s going to change your life in so many ways. The benefits are endless, so what are you waiting for? 

Further Travel is here to support you every step of the way. Fill out an application and let’s start planning your adventure today. Which destination will you choose?