Here, in Central Oregon, local volunteer opportunities are plentiful, both for children and adults, and range in variety from animal welfare to community events to farming tasks and more. Participating in any of these activities has countless benefits for the whole family. Not only do we help others and make a meaningful impact in our community, but we also expose ourselves and our children to another way of life and usually meet some interesting folks along the way. Through volunteering, we learn empathy, build character and often pick up new skills as a bonus.Reaching beyond our home in Central Oregon, has your family ever considered volunteering abroad?
As a Spanish teacher, my perspective is that travel provides the best education. This philosophy extends far beyond just learning a second language. Traveling opens the mind, introduces new ways of thinking and builds cultural intelligence. Add a volunteer component to a family trip and the potential for personal growth expands significantly.
Whether just for a day during a family vacation or requiring a longer-term commitment, many international programs post volunteer jobs on the web. The key to volunteering internationally is finding just the right fit for your family’s interests, schedule and comfort levels.
Perhaps one of the most notable volunteer organizations, Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, first comes to mind, because it has always been a dream of mine to participate. This organization hosts programs around the world (even here in Central Oregon) with a focus on learning self-sufficiency.
WWOLF volunteers usually stay with a local host family in exchange for offering a helping hand with chores on small, organic farms and in the home. Abroad, WWOLF often requires a lengthy time commitment, but the immersive experience can be incredibly rewarding. Think apple picking and sheep shearing in New Zealand for a dreamy image. As mentioned, though, this experience requires a more in-depth experience that may work better for teens or young adults looking to fill their summers.
With a lesser time commitment, recently, my family and I embarked on a trip to Costa Rica, where we volunteered at Kids Saving the Rainforest, an organization with a similar mission as our own High Desert Museum’s, dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured native animals.
At the rescue center we fed animals, cleaned cages and removed brush and debris on the property after a rainstorm. Having the good fortune of seeing many native animals up close like sloths, parrots, kinkajous, monkeys and others was an unforgettable experience, especially for my daughters.
During my time teaching middle school and high school I have traveled abroad with students several times. Most of our past trips included a volunteering component in addition to a cultural focus. For example, in Peru our group spent time at an orphanage helping with maintenance. My students played with the children, many of whom were similar in age. In Costa Rica, we delivered supplies to a local school, toured the campus and later played a friendly soccer match with the students. Ask any of my students who participated, and they’ll likely recount those volunteer days as the highlight of the trip.
Many of Central Oregon’s public schools offer these types of international trips through companies like Education First and Explorica during spring and summer breaks. As a plus, both students and parents are often welcome to share the experience.
For families interested in exploring options on their own, consult International Volunteer HQ, a website which appears to be the ultimate database for volunteering abroad. It organizes programs by region, project type and even travel style. Whether you want to camp in a tent, stay in a hostel or unwind after a day of volunteering in a luxurious coastal hotel, there’s likely an option to match your family’s style and comfort level.
If any of these opportunities sound appealing, take some time to research and find the best fit.
Questions to ask before committing:
- How much time can my family commit?
- Will there be downtime to explore independently?
- What is the cost of the program and what does it include?
- What do reviews say about the experience?
- How is safety addressed?
- What are the long-term benefits for the community
- being served?
- Are there any age restrictions? (Many programs require participants to be at least 16).
Every family will differ when it comes to what’s important and where they’d like to go, but hopefully these questions will help you get started on your way to a worthwhile volunteer experience.
In all my travels, the memories of volunteering stand out as some of the most meaningful. The real interactions with local people, the shared work and the simple moments of connection remind us all how similar we are no matter where we live on this planet. Sometimes the impact of these experiences doesn’t fully register until years down the road, but I believe, they shape who we are and deepen our appreciation for the world and for what we have here at home.
More questions about volunteering abroad?
Feel free to contact me! savageglobetrotters@gmail.com
This article appears in Bend Nest Spring 2026.
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