The international trips are offered throughout the year in 26 different countries all over the world, from Bulgaria and Senegal, to Spain and Iceland. Many of these programs run for 10 days or longer; weeklong stays are sometimes available through an individual arrangement. Participants need not worry about speaking the language of the country, as group leaders are chosen with the necessary language skills. Sample programs from summer 2005 include "Traditional Building Restoration" in Greece from July 14-27, "Meadow Preservation" in Hungary from June 19 to 28.

Extensive information is available on the Web site, www.btcv.org. Or write to British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, 163 Balby Rd.,Doncaster, South Yorkshire, U.K. DN4 0RH (phone 011-1302-572-244 email information@btcv.org.uk).

Farming & chores: Organic farming and homestay

Whether you love gardening, caring for animals, watching the sunrise, or simply living in another country at no cost, volunteering on an organic farm is a great way to receive free room and board in exchange for four to six hours of work per day, six days a week, almost anywhere in the world. WWOOF, Willing Workers on Organic Farms, is the major organization that makes these opportunities possible, offering a cultural exchange where 'WWOOFers 'live and work with the families of host farms while learning about both the skills of organic growing and the country where they are living. WWOOF has national branches in 22 countries. WWOOF Independents also has a list of worldwide WWOOF hosts.

How do you become a WWOOFer? First, decide which country you would like to work in and send away to their national organization, if they have one, for a book of farm listings. The cost is usually between $10 and $30. Once you have acquired the book, you have all the contact information you need to get in touch with individual families to arrange your stay on the farm. The book serves as your membership verification as well; you will need to show it to the family when you arrive. You are responsible for your own transportation but once you arrive on the farm, you pay nothing for your stay.

The work on the farm varies greatly, depending on the family's needs at the time. Possible responsibilities include herding sheep, harvesting fruit, making bread, planting trees, milking cows or painting the farmhouse. WWOOF recommends you get as much information regarding your role on the farm of your choice at least two weeks before your arrival date. Under no circumstances should you show up to a farm without having confirmed your visit with your hosts.

To learn more about WWOOF, or to find contact information for your national organization, visit the WWOOF Independents Web site at wwoof.org/ or write to WWOOF INDEPENDENTS, PO Box 2675, Lewes BN7 1RB, England, United Kingdom, or WOOFUSA, P.O. Box 510, Felton, CA, 95108, 831/425-FARM or information@wwoofusa.org.

Working on a kibbutz

{Editor's Note: The vacations listed in this chapter for Israel should only be considered once peace has been restored. The US State Department has issued a travel advisory recommending that travelers stay away from Israel and Palestine right now and we agree with its recommendation.}

Do you have two months to give of yourself? That's the minimum stay required to share the life of an Israeli kibbutz, one of the communal societies that contain only 3% of the Israeli population, but produce 50% of its food and none of its crime. A type of collective farm in which property is held in common and children are raised as a group, the kibbutz has long held a strong fascination for Americans, both Jewish and gentile. Responding to a heavy demand, the kibbutz movement currently permits young Americans (18 to 35) of any religion to join their ranks for a two-month (or longer) "workcamp vacation" for a total fee of $230 ($150 registration fee plus $80 insurance), not including airfare to Israel. They call this a "work" vacation for a reason: You'll be expected to work seven to eight hours a day, six days a week.

Enrichment programs are also available for those aged 18 to 28 that consist of five months of living and working on the kibbutz while also studying Hebrew and attending seminars on Jewish issues. There is also a shorter, six-week program during the summer. And what sort of work do you perform while actually "on" the kibbutz? You either labor in the fields, do laundry or cooking, or even work in small kibbutz "factories" for eight hours a day, six days a week, receiving all meals daily and lodgings with a kibbutz family. For all the alternatives and more, write Kibbutz Program Center, 633 3rd Ave, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017(phone 800/247-7852, e-mail kpc@jazo.org.il, or view the Web site at kibbutzprogramcenter.org/), which represents an impressive 280 kibbutzim (the plural of kibbutz).

Special skills needed: Saving lives