13 Aug 2006 09:47 PM

Earthwatch has been my most favorite volunteer activity.

Earthwatch link  is a non-profit organization that supports scientific research projects around the world by providing financing and volunteer workers. I've participated in 5 such projects over 20 years. The costs of attending one of the trips as a volunteer are roughly equivalent to paying for a tour, with the added advantage that your costs may be tax deductible. I found I usually got 1/3 of my money back with my tax return while I was single, but this wasn't the reason I participated. I wanted adventure in remote regions. I wanted to learn about various forms of scientific research. I wanted to feel safe and go with friends, but many times I made the friends after I arrived on the project because my real friends didn't have the money, time or were just too lame. I wanted to get an indepth exposure to local places that you don't get as a tourist. My first trip abroad was a cruise/tour trip where I got five minutes to snap pictures of the pyramids in Egypt. Earthwatch trips are never like that. The project leader often prepares and delivers a series of lectures about his research project as part of training. There usually is one or two side trips to learn about the culture on off days. Work is often not very taxing, somewhat mundane, but you do see the real work in operation. Time in the field averages 8 hours a day, sometimes less. Where you reside and what you eat on the trip varies by project -- I usually choose projects with a shower, a bed, and food that I am sure to like. I definitely recommend this organization to young or old alike.

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