 Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource |
Britain: Family Vacation Fun - Going Green with Your Kids. Looking for a holiday that makes a difference.; one that treads lightly on Mother Earth? Want to share a family experience that matters?  VisitBritain invites vacationers to give back with volunteer-based vacations in Britain. Opportunities include unique possibilities from wildlife conservation off the Scottish coast to restoring a 2,000-year-old Roman wall.
Because we have had requests from parents and grandparents for more meaningful ways to introduce children to the idea of caring for world, I am sharing the ideas from
VisitBritain, the national tourist office for England, Scotland and Wales,. They have providesd tips for travelers looking to leave a lasting imprint on local communities in Britain.
Join a marine conservation team off the Hebridean Seas in western Scotland. The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust teams up with local school children to raise awareness for the conservation of dolphins, whales and other marine life. Learn from local marine biologists onboard the research vessel Silurian, and then take the acquired skills to workshops at schools in nearby Argyll, Bute islands and the coastal mainland. At £585 / $1,170 (excluding airfare), the seven-day project includes educational and yachting training. The package also includes meals and accommodation. ( www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk)
Restore a classic landmark of Britain’s landscape. For centuries, dry stone walls have been used as territorial boundaries as well as environmental habitats for species of lichens and mosses. After years of neglect, many of these historical walls are left in poor condition. Responisbletravel.com, a website offering volunteer activities for the conscious traveler, features a tour package complete with professional stone wall instruction and accommodation starting at £60 for a two days or £180 / $359 for seven days. Dry stone walling projects take place all year round at various locations in England, Scotland and Wales. (For more information on this project, log on to www.responsibletravel.com) Volunteer on an organic English farm.  Live among the locals and learn to grow organic produce. WWOOF, Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is a global network that offers farm stay programs for the volunteer-minded traveler. From growing asparagus in the Cotswolds to making your own jams and chutneys in Cornwall, WWOOF projects are held throughout England and are available year round. A £20 / $40 membership fee is required. Meals and accommodation are included. The length of the program varies according to the level of farm work. (For available WWOOF opportunities in England, visit www.wwoof.org.uk)
Help the National Trust protect the Welsh coast. The National Trust is an organization seeking to protect the natural beauty and history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Join locals on what are called “working holidays” organized by the National Trust. In Wales, staff members will teach visitors how to preserve the spectacular vistas along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path through trail maintenance and garden work. Travelers can also lend a hand in a traditional Pembrokeshire craft – restoring an ancient hedge bank overlooking the Irish Sea. Starting from £60 / $120, the seven-day project includes meals and accommodation. (For more information, please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-volunteering/w-workingholidays.htm)
For more information on in Britain, go to www.visitbritain.com or call toll-free 1-800-462-2748.
Content provided by VisitBritain. Images by AL Nelson-Duac. Copyright 2009.
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