Altruistic Travel

Posted on July 10, 2017

by Erin C

Are you interested in making the world a better place? Read one of these selections about building a better world through travel.

Library Books

Immersion travel USA : the best and most meaningful volunteering, living, and learning excursions / Sheryl Kayne Immersion Travel USA: The Best and Most Meaningful Volunteering, Living, and Learning Excursions by Sheryl Kayne

Profiles volunteer, living, and learning trips currently available in the United States, in an “immersion travel” reference that identifies special considerations and costs while making recommendations for sabbaticals, vacations, and side trips.

Wide-open world : how volunteering around the globe changed one family's lives forever / John Marshall Wide-Open World: How Volunteering Around the Globe Changed One Family’s Lives Forever by John Marshall

An award-winning writer, producer and director shares his experiences volunteering around the world for six months with his family, during which they had many life-changing adventures that forever changed them and reconnected them in ways they never thought possible.

Paths to happiness : 50 ways to add joy to your life every day / Edward Hoffman, PhD Paths to Happiness: 50 Ways to Add Joy to Your Life Every Day by Edward Hoffman

From positive psychology expert Edward Hoffman, Ph.D., “Paths to Happiness” guides readers through 50 fun, stimulating, mind-opening ways to achieve greater joy and feel more fulfilled. From dabbling in watercolors to expressing gratitude, embracing nostalgia to power napping, each suggestion in these pages has been shown by scientific research to increase happiness and support well-being. Every topic is explored in a digestible manner and invites readers to reflect on their lives, with easy ways to cultivate a happier mindset. The easy dip-in, dip-out style and engaging activities make this accessible guide to finding happiness in daily living one that people will want to revisit again and again.

Citizen science : how ordinary people are changing the face of discovery / Caren Cooper Citizen Science: How Ordinary People are Changing the Face of Discovery by Caren Cooper

Cites the essential contributions of millions of ordinary people who contribute to the scientific process by volunteering in cooperation with scientists to help collect and discover information, tracing the history of citizen scientists and how they are reshaping scientific awareness.

Planning your time in retirement : how to cultivate a leisure lifestyle to suit your needs and interests / Robert A. Stebbins Planning Your Time in Retirement: How to Cultivate a Leisure Lifestyle to Suit Your Needs and Interests by Robert Stebbins

As the greying of our population continues, retirees are enjoying more and more healthy years of retirement, and those years can be productive, enjoyable, and rewarding. This work speaks to those retirees who wish to enjoy their golden years doing things they enjoy.

The 100 best worldwide vacations to enrich your life / Pam Grout - available in Print and eBook The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life by Pam Grout

A practical handbook describes one hundred opportunities for a meaningful, memorable trip to various locales throughout the world that feature a variety of educational, artistic, volunteering, and health-focused activities.

Citizen science guide for families : taking part in real science / Greg Landgraf Citizen Science Guide for Families: Taking Part in Real Science by Greg Landgraf

People of all ages and backgrounds can discover how to contribute to real scientific research with this handy guide. It defines citizen science, providing an overview of the social and community aspects behind the idea. The book is organized by topic and features links to library resources and descriptions of books appropriate to the subject. In addition, a section devoted to ongoing citizen-science programs includes detailed descriptions for parents and children to identify projects appropriate to their interests, abilities, commitment levels, and locations. Accessible for the whole family, this invaluable resource provides the tools for building strong families as well as improving the global community.

Ecotourists save the world : the environmental volunteer's guide to more than 300 international adventures to conserve, preserve, and rehabilitate wildlife and habitats / Pamela K. Brodowsky and the National Wildlife Federation Ecotourists Save the World: The Environmental Volunteer’s Guide to More than 300 International Adventures to Conserve, Preserve, and Rehabilitate Wildlife and Habitats by Pamela K. Brodowsky and the National Wildlife Federation

A comprehensive guide to environmental and wildlife volunteer programs throughout the world.

This unique site-by-site guide profiles more than 300 programs where volunteers can work in a variety of activities involving conservation and study of wildlife. From the Fur Seal Project of the Earthwatch Institute in St. George Island, Alaska, or identifying and tracking wildlife in the Limpopo Nature Reserve, South Africa, to Blue World Institute’s Adriatic Dolphin Project in Croatia, to the tracking program of the Open Minded Project in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand, readers will learn the best ways to “give back” and make the most positive environmental impact during their travels. Each entry includes a profile of the site and organization behind it, as well as location, contact information, category, costs, dates and duration, how to apply, and field notes that include any special concerns, requirements for participation, and suitability.


If you’re inspired to make your next vacation more meaningful, your Main Library can help you obtain a passport and prepare for the journey with travel guides and more.


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