Volunteering is a good thing, right? Obviously, we’re big fans of volunteering and voluntourism. But unfortunately, not all volunteering is the kind we love. With voluntourism becoming an increasingly popular form of travel, there are more and more examples of bad forms of volunteering. If you’re interested in taking a volunteer vacation, it’s important to … Continued
In general, travel helps to make the world a smaller place. But traveling responsibly and sustainably makes it both smaller and better. If you’ve ever traveled far from home, you’ve probably been personally impacted by the experience of seeing a new part of the world. When we travel, we meet new people, experience new cultures … Continued
You know the world is headed in a good direction when interest in using vacation time to volunteer helping others is at an all-time high. Voluntourism is a growing trend among international travelers, with enthusiasm largely steeped in the desire to make a positive impact on the people and places they visit. However, for both the volunteers and the recipients of their efforts … Continued
Making arts and crafts, playing games, doing homework and learning to speak and read the English language are just a few of the many activities you might find children exploring during a visit to the Forjando Alas Youth Group. The Forjando Alas Youth Group is all about the kids. The after school program is based in the … Continued
It’s almost International Friendship Day! We love this holiday at Discover Corps because we believe the best way to discover a country is through its people. We lead volunteer vacations to connect people and create friendships across borders. To celebrate these unique relationships, we’ve rounded up 10 international friendships that inspire us. We hope they’ll inspire you, … Continued
Claire and Amanda met as they boarded a rickety boat in the Amazon Jungle. “Do you know where you’re staying in Iquitos?” Claire asked. “Nope!” “Me either! Let’s find a place together.” They traveled from Colombia to Peru as strangers down the Amazon River, then continued on to Bolivia and Ecuador as friends — eventually parting … Continued
We always love sharing behind-the-scenes profiles of our staff — from our friendly Dominican cooks to our enthusiastic founder — but this interview has to be one of our favorites. Meet Erik, who works side-by-side with our local guides to lead cultural trips to Cuba. A true renaissance man, he climbs, guides, dances, and writes — all with … Continued
Kids understand kindness. Even those born into difficult circumstances possess an appreciation for our world and an innocence that can be incredibly uplifting. If you love kids — whether you have your own or just enjoy spending time with the offspring of others — then volunteering with children is a great way to make a … Continued
Here at Discover Corps, we are always striving to expand our community of volunteer travelers, so we are pleased to announce our new partnership with AmeriCorps Alums! Starting today, members of AmeriCorps Alums — and their travel companions — will receive a 10% discount on all our volunteer vacation program costs. We’re really excited about … Continued