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WEST
VIRGINIA TRAVELERS April 2008 - Voluntourism In a 2005, a survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association reported that one-quarter of travelers (47% of them between the ages of 35-47) said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. In 2008, a new survey sponsored by msnbc.com and Condé Nast Traveler showed more than half (55 percent) of the respondents expressed an interest in taking a volunteer vacation. Voluntourism, with the small "t," was first used by the Nevada Board of Tourism in 1998 to recognize individuals in the state of Nevada that "volunteered" to support "tourism." Two years later, a small group of cause marketing guys thought to combine the nonprofit sector and the tourism sector, the term "VolunTourism" was created. By definition, the term means, "a seamlessly integrated combination of voluntary service to a destination and the traditional elements of travel in that destination." VolunTours are typically packaged tours provided by travel or non-profit organizations. However, opportunities to volunteer during your vacation need not be a "package deal" or part of any group activity. While many "VolunTours" take volunteers to exotic, worldwide locations, West Virginians can easily spend their leisure time investing in and contributing to causes and locations in their home state. State Park Volunteer Hosting West Virginia State Park's volunteering opportunities were developed long before the term 'voluntourism' was even created. Their Volunteer Park Host Program, for example, seeks campground hosts, interpreters and greeters. Seventeen of the state parks use volunteer hosts, who greet guests, answer questions, and orient campers to the facilities and local area. Hosts help with the day-to-day operations of campground, and assist with campground maintenance; picking up litter and performing light janitorial duties, maintenance, restroom cleaning and replenishing of restroom supplies. In return, volunteer hosts are offered a free campsite with electric and water hook-up (where available) and use of other recreational facilities at the sponsoring park. In addition, four of the state's historical parks seek volunteers to be greeters and interpreters. These volunteers may be expected to greet and answer questions about the park and assist with litter pick up, light janitorial duties, maintenance, restroom cleaning and replenishing of restroom supplies, as needed. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with special events. In return, volunteers are offered the use of recreational facilities at the park. (Benefits are at the discretion of the park superintendent. Volunteer host positions are long-term positions, usually lasting a month or more. Volunteers must apply, be interviewed, and approved. Adopt-A-Trail West Virginia State Parks include over 800 miles of hiking trails. If you only have a day or weekend to volunteer a couple of times a year, this program offers a good "excuse" to take regular walks in the woods. Adopt-A-Trail volunteers adopt an entire trail to clean and help maintain. The trail must be cleaned three times a year at your own scheduled times, but clean-ups must be at least 30 days apart. You must bring your own tools, but the park will furnish garbage bags. Trail adoption is a year-long commitment that can be renewed each year. Park authorities ask volunteers to complete a report of the trail work after each pick up so your work and your volunteer efforts can be recognized and recorded. (Adopt-A-Trail participation forms, report cards, and hosting and greeting applications are all available on the West Virginia State Park's web site at www.wvstateparks.com. Children under age 12 who volunteer as part of a group my do so without parents present provided there is a ratio of one adult responsible for every seven children. Teens ages 13-17 volunteering as a group must have one adult for every ten volunteers.) Voluntours in National Forests The Monongahela National Forest has volunteer programs as well. The Monongahela has a variety of volunteer activities including trail maintenance, clean up litter around campgrounds, campground hosts, and receptionist, assisting with activities at Visitor Centers and providing visitor information. To offer your time in the forest, contact volunteer coordinator, Edward Lang, at (304) 257-4488 ext. 27. You can also contact him by mail at HC 59, Box 240, Petersburg, WV 26847. The American Hiking Society offers two main trips this year for volunteers to serve in the Monongahela National Forest, with the June Trip already booked solid. For details on their May 12-15 excursion, visit www.americanhiking.org. The American Hiking Society is also looking for volunteers to work in Dolly Sods Wilderness, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is looking for volunteers to help maintain the Appalachian Trail boundaries. These trips are listed along with 190 other volunteer positions at www.volunteermatch.org. Take Pride in America lists more than 20 volunteer positions available in West Virginia park lands. These positions are both long and short-term, and volunteers must apply first. For details concerning these opportunities, visit www.takepride.gov. Working With People With so much wonderful scenery, the need for help maintaining that beauty in this state is almost obvious. But, there are volunteer opportunities to work with people as well. Perhaps the largest voluntourism organization working in West Virginia is Global Volunteers. Their projects in Southern West Virginia provide families and volunteers of all ages the chance to assist with labor and education projects, including repairing and renovating former coal-company houses, where low-income families can live affordably. Volunteers are also needed to work alongside, and be a mentor to, participants in the local "Youth Build" program to help young people study for their GED, and learn construction skills. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with an after school program at the Beards Fork Community Center. For more information on these volunteer options, visit www.globalvolunteers.org online.
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