What if I don’t want to rough it?

Want to make a difference but not so keen on sleeping under the stars? Here are a few options for the more wary traveller

Volunteering. For some us it means excitement, adventure, freedom and new experiences, what could be better than staying in a tent on a beautiful beach and sleeping under the stars? Then again, if you’re not as young as you used to be or if you really don’t like bugs, the idea of having a thin layer of nylon between you and the outside world can be less than appealing. If camping isn’t for you then we have good news, it isn’t the only option!

You can stay in a nice warm (or cool, depending on where you are!) house with a friendly local family, a guesthouse, a hostel or more often than not companies will offer upgrades so if you really can’t go without a hot shower, you’re sure to find somewhere to have one! And if your budget really isn’t too much of a worry you can always stay in a hotel, as long as you’re not looking for the Ritz prices aren’t too bad but if you’re heading somewhere like Australia’s Eastern coast it really will be an expensive option.

What are my options?

Home-stays

Much cheaper than a hotel, free in fact in some cases! You’ll often find when choosing where to go that accommodation will be included and is listed as a ‘home-stay’ what’s this? Well it means you’ll be staying with a local family in the heart of the community. This can give you a valuable and unique insight into the country’s culture in a way no other accommodation would. You’ll be living amongst the people you’re working to help so not only will it help you better understand their needs it’ll show you just how much your help means. On top of all that there are plenty of home comforts, a warm and caring family to come home to and home cooked meals that will really make you feel like a local!

Guesthouses, hostels

If you want to be close to the locals but not that close to the community you’re working in there are yet more choices! Larger projects will be ore likely to arrange for you to stay in dorms or a guesthouse. What this means is that you’ll be sharing a (large!) room with a few of your fellow volunteers. Wherever you volunteer it is likely that you will be staying with other people and since you’ll be working with lots of other volunteers daily we’re sure you won’t mind staying with them too! It’s a great opportunity to develop friendships and get that sense of unity that only volunteering can give, even if all you need is a hug on those moments where you’re missing home a little!

If staying with other people is too much of a sacrifice of your private time or a little bit too much like being back at uni again then you might be better off in a hostel. Hostels pop up everywhere and are much cheaper than hotels, it won’t be 5 star but it will be clean, comfortable and if you like, private. Depending on where it is you want to go most hostels have shared bathrooms and common rooms (some even have a tv so you can catch a few soaps!!). And if you really can’t go without your luxuries, some have the option of an ensuite bathroom but this really won’t be available everywhere!

You will probably need to book a place in a hostel yourself as volunteer projects are busy enough trying to give as much money as they can back to the community. A couple of good places to look are www.hostelworld.com and http://www.bookhostels.com/

Tents aren’t actually so bad

Yes we did start by saying that if you don’t like tents; you don’t have to stay in one, but you may have a far worse picture in your head than the reality. Camping doesn’t always mean a piece of material and a few poles in the middle of nowhere, quite often you’ll be staying on a camp site, which usually means there will be modern conveniences to hand; a shower block, toilets and sinks for washing up.

Staying on a site can also mean staying in a ready made tent with lots of gismos and gadgets to make life in the outdoors much easier; gas powered cooking stoves, tins, lamps, even tables and chairs if it’s a big enough tent! A plus side if you don’t have furniture is that there’s no cleaning to do!

If your accommodation isn’t a camp site but is actually a tent on site then you could be in for the best treat of all. Imagine waking up to the sound of the waves and the wind in the trees, opening your tent to a breathtaking sunrise and seeing wild animals meters away completely undaunted by your presence. Camping really can help you see what the really important things in life are and feel like you are getting back to nature. It may not be for everyone but for those who are willing to try it’s an incredible and truly fulfilling experience.

Most projects will give accommodation details but there are so many options open to you, you may need some help;

www.eurocampindependent.co.uk/camping/CampingAbroad_help_advice.cfm

http://www.volunteeradvisor.co.uk/

http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-accommodation-meals.html

And a few things to consider when you are staying abroad; http://www.i-to-i.com/about-i2i/code-of-conduct.html

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