RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
PUTTING VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ON YOUR ITINERARY
INDIANA DUNES, INDIANA, UNITED STATES
Photo: Smith Donovan / Indiana Dunes Tourism
Some of the most rewarding ways to experience a destination is volunteering with local programs. Finding a program that fits into your vacation is easy when you visit Indiana Dunes, Indiana.
What's
changing
A 2019 “Volunteer on Vacation” survey by Travelocity found that 27% of U.S. travelers intended to volunteer on an upcoming trip and that 65% had done so in the past. With travelers thinking more about how to give back and plenty of local initiatives needing help, finding a good way to match visitors and projects makes volunteering easier and more likely.
What's already
possible
In the Indiana Dunes area of Lake Michigan’s southern shore, a drop-in volunteer program is giving visitors the chance to participate in conservation work without any advanced planning. Conservation began here in the late 1800s to preserve the fragile dunes from industrial development. Today, that spirit of stewardship continues through the national park, state park and Indiana Dunes tourism.
Seizing
the opportunity
Indiana Dunes Tourism provides easy, accessible volunteering opportunities to connect visitors more deeply with the destination. “Trash Trekkers” is one drop-in program to clean up fragile areas. The visitor center issues trash bags and gear to volunteers, who are rewarded with reusable water bottles. Chellberg Farm offers another drop-in volunteering opportunity, though not every day. At the historic farm, volunteers work with animals, restore buildings and maintain outdoor areas. Both of these opportunities are open to anyone, no experience needed and all equipment provided.
Standout
tactic
Visitors can explore over a dozen drop-in volunteering opportunities in the Indiana Dunes area, with no applications or training required. They simply visit the hub to get started. For example, the “B.A.R.K. Ranger” program invites dog owners to hike the trails and inform other dog owners how to enjoy the nature of Indiana Dunes responsibly.
How
it helps
In 2023, volunteers worked 1,368 hours picking up garbage through the “Trash Trekkers” program. The National Park logged an additional 297 volunteer hours at the Chellberg Farm as a result of the program. For people new to volunteering, the drop-in program has been a popular way to test if voluntourism is a good fit for their interests. Many have reported signing up for more structured programs after participating in drop-in options.
Diving
deeper
How can destinations recruit travelers who want to volunteer without discouraging the development of a dedicated program that hires local people?
Increasing
impact
Parks could partner with tour operators, local accommodations or even organizations from nearby Chicago to promote the drop-in volunteer program as part of a trip to the area.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
