There is no denying that traveling as a family is a bonding experience. Slow travel is another way to experience the world, allowing each family member to immerse themselves into a new culture. But volunteering as a family together adds a whole other dimension to that experience, with countless rewards and growth opportunities.

On our travels, my son Miro and I have volunteered with numerous organizations and the experiences have enriched our travels ten-fold. Some of the volunteer experiences we've had together include: volunteering at an animal shelter in Belize, a dog and cat hospital in Nicaragua, contributed to a sustainable community in Guatemala and volunteered at an organization for family nutrition, a performance arts school for street children in Nicaragua, and at a children's library in Ecuador.

If you are considering volunteering as a family, there are so many resources and opportunities for volunteering abroad on the web and countless communities that will welcome you with open arms. However, in this post, I wanted to share with you some of the benefits you can expect to experience as a result of your volunteering experience.



Volunteering as a family…

Creates a hands-on way to teach and practice compassion, tolerance, flexibility, cross-cultural understanding and global responsibility to every family member.

Provides an opportunity to step outside of the pressures produced by mass media messages promoting self-absorption and materialism.

Allows each member of the family to experience a world outside their own, and learn about a different culture through the people they are serving.

Empowers children to believe they can make a difference in the world by "giving" and "doing."

Provides all family members insights into what they are capable of achieving and increases self-esteem.

Expands children's understanding of social issues in the surrounding world.

Teaches new life skills.

Provides families with meaningful time together to express common values.

Creates family bonds through sharing the challenges associated with their volunteering post.

Produces shared memories that last a lifetime.

Does your family volunteer together or have plans to do so? What do you guys do?