Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Volunteering
Opportunities for volunteering in Colorado are plenty and various, and it can be a great way to break up a long trip. Vo-
lunteering can also provide truly memorable experiences: you'll get to interact with people, society and the land in ways
you never would by just passing through.
There are numerous casual , drop-in volunteering opportunities in the big cities, and you can socialize with locals and
help out nonprofit organizations. Check weekly alternative newspapers for calendar listings, or browse the free classi-
fied ads online at Craigslist (
www.craigslist.org
) . The public website
www.serve.gov
and private websites
www.idealist.org
and
www.volunteermatch.org
offer free searchable databases of short- and long-term volunteer oppor-
tunities nationwide.
More formal volunteer programs, especially those designed for international travelers, typically charge a hefty fee of
$250 to $1000, depending on the length of the program and what amenities are included (eg housing, meals). None cov-
er travel to the USA.
Resources
Habitat for Humanity
(
800-422-4828;
www.habitat.org
)
Sierra Club
(
415-977-5500;
www.sierraclub.org
)
Volunteers for Peace
(
802-259-2759;
www.vfp.org
)
Wilderness Volunteers
(
928-556-0038;
www.wildernessvolunteers.org
)
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms-USA
(WWOOF-USA;
949-715-9500;
www.wwoofusa.org
)
Work
Seasonal work is possible in national parks and other tourist sites, especially ski areas; for information, contact park
concessions or local chambers of commerce. These are usually low-paying service jobs filled by young people (often
college students) who are happy to work part of the day so they can play the rest. You can't depend on finding a job just
by arriving in May or June and looking around.
