Untitled Page

VSO - http://www.vso.org.uk/

VSO are a bit like the Peace Corps, in that they take on volunteers to work in disadvantaged areas of the world in a wide range of disciplines. They are largest independent volunteer-sending agency in the world and recruits volunteers of any nationality who live in the European Union, Canada, United States, Kenya, Uganda and the Philippines. They give volunteers airfare to/from where they'll be working, accommodation, and a basic monthly allowance.

There are message boards on their website, where any interested folks can read about other experiences with the programs, and ask questions of their own.

They have a wide range of volunteering opportunities for:

- Skilled and experienced professionals
- Graduates interested in teaching
- 17-25 year-olds through our World Youth and Youth for Development programmes.
- Professionals living in Kenya, Uganda or the Philippines through our Southern Volunteer Programme
- Professionals living in Canada and the US through VSO Canada
- Professionals living in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark through VSO Netherlands
- Employees of Shell, Accenture, McKinsey and Company, Boston Consulting Group and SAP through our Business Partnership Scheme

Youth Challenge International - http://www.yci.org/

They are based in Toronto, goes to places like Guyana, Costa Rica. Participants "challengers" raise their travel funds through fund raising, but I think the staff don't need to fund raise. Volunteers are mostly from Canada, and Australia, but there were some for the USA too. They also get funding from the Canadian International Development Agency. I worked for them a couple of years ago, and they were really cool people, really passionate about the work they do. They are a small organization, so the participants really feel like family. It was cool to see the people departing, clean cut, shiny shoes, well groom, returning all dirty and grimy but VERY happy.

They currently have exciting Projects in Central America , South America and South Pacific

Youth Challenge International build the skills, experience and confidence of young people and communities to effect positive social change combining community development, health promotion and conservation work in dynamic projects carried out by teams of volunteers aged 18-35

i-to-i - file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Steve/Local%20Settings/Temp/preview/www.i-to-i.com

Since 1994 i-to-i has been providing quality TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training and worthwhile volunteer projects around the world.

They train you to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and find jobs as far afield as Cambodia , China , France , Greece , Hong Kong , Italy , Japan , Korea , Mexico , Nepal , Poland and Spain .

There are administrative offices in the UK, US and Ireland and a global staff of 70, so whether you are interested in volunteering abroad or earning the i-to-i TEFL certificate, you are guaranteed quality training and advice from a well-travelled and experienced i-to-i team.

They are also a registered charity providing resources for the most disadvantaged volunteer projects that they work with throughout the developing world. Funding comes from the i-to-i general fund, i-to-i fundraising events, donations from volunteers and the general public.

Earthwatch - http://www.earthwatch.org

Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.

They are an international non-profit organization that brings science to life for people concerned about the Earth's future. Founded in 1971, Earthwatch supports scientific field research by offering volunteers the opportunity to join research teams around the world. This unique model is creating a systematic change in how the public views science and its role in environmental sustainability.

Today, they recruit close to 4,000 volunteers every year to collect field data in the areas of rainforest ecology, wildlife conservation, marine science, archaeology, and more. Through this process, they educate, inspire, and involve a diversity of people, who actively contribute to conserving the planet.

Wilderness Volunteers - http://www.wildernessvolunteers.org/

Here's a great one where you work in National/State Parks camping/backpacking and doing restoration and other types of outdoor work. The prices are pretty damn cheap.

Wilderness Volunteers organize and promote volunteer service to America's wild lands. They work with public land agencies including the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. All trips are led by volunteer leaders. Trips are one week long and are limited to 12 or fewer participants. Meals are included in the trip price. Participants share camp chores. Most trips include extra time to explore and enjoy the area in which they are based. Wilderness Volunteers teaches and follows Leave No Trace outdoor living skills and ethics. Participants provide their own camping gear (a list specific to each trip will be mailed with registration confirmation), a sense of adventure, and a willingness to contribute time and energy to worthy projects.

American Hiking - http://www.americanhiking.org/

American Hiking Org. Requires you to provide your own food, etc.

American Hiking organizes and coordinates nationally-recognized outreach, stewardship and recreation programs such as Volunteer Vacations and National Trails Day. Whether your interest is getting dirty, getting fit or simply getting outside, they've got exciting opportunities that engage you in your local trail community.