The indigenous peoples of the world offer a glimpse into ancient histories that live on today. By learning more about indigenous cultures and experiencing their lifestyles, we can better understand the places they call home. From the ancient civilizations of Central America’s Mayan people to the nomadic families of East Africa’s Masaai, exploring indigenous cultures offers another level … Continued
Family is so important. We’d all like to see our families grow closer and stronger. But finding the time and the activities to bring our family members together can be a challenge. Different ages, interests, schedules, and personalities can make it difficult to get everyone on the same page. But despite our many differences, we’re … Continued
You don’t have to be a twenty or thirty-something to pack your bag and hit the road. Travel can make us feel young again at any age. In the classic Pixar movie Up, Carl Fredricksen is a 78-year-old widower who has always dreamed of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America. After Carl’s wife dies unexpectedly … Continued
When you travel to a foreign country to volunteer, your primary motivation should ideally be about having a positive impact on the place you’re visiting. The essence of volunteering is to embrace a cause outside of ourselves, and to focus on issues that our bigger than our own. But that doesn’t mean that that the benefits of … Continued
Does it ever feel like winter will never end? Don’t worry, summer will sneak up on us sooner than we expect, and with it comes summer vacation! For families, summer vacation can mean the rare opportunity to escape the demands of our work and school schedules to relax and have fun. Summer vacation planning, on … Continued
The Western Highlands of Guatemala offer a stunning backdrop to a fascinating, indigenous culture. The southern border is rimmed by a chain of volcanoes, and the Cuchumatanes mountain range sprawls across the northern border. A lush landscape of lakes, streams, and valleys fills the space between them. Unfortunately, the Maya communities that call this place home … Continued
Valentine’s Day is typically a time to celebrate the people we love. But what about our favorite places? Travelers know that places have the power to steal our hearts. When you find yourself in a new country, surrounded by stunning sites, rich smells, exotic sounds, and the beautiful people who call that country home, you might just … Continued
Sometimes it can be a challenge just to gather the whole family together for dinner. Everyone has different schedules, different tastes, and different distractions from the time you’d like to spend with them. So organizing family volunteer vacations might just seem like a headache waiting to happen. But participating in volunteer vacations can be an incredibly rewarding … Continued
Kristin McGarey and her family recently returned from the Sea Turtle Initiative in Costa Rica, where volunteers are introduced to the beautiful and endangered leatherback sea turtles. This Discover Corps trip offered the McGarey family a unique opportunity to spend time together while working to help a very special cause. Participants in the Sea Turtle Initiative travel … Continued