Planning a family vacation? Forget amusement parks, beaches, and ski slopes. The new destination of choice is the Third World. And I’m not just talking about families in Hollywood.

More and more families are starting to take vacations to impoverished countries. Don’t believe me? Check out the websites of companies that specialize in these kinds of trips, such as globalvolunteers.com or journeys-intl.com. There you will find pictures and information about traveling almost anywhere you can imagine – including (and sometimes especially) those places the State Department advises that travelers avoid.

Why?

Good question. It seems there are a lot of potential factors feeding into this trend. One is the fact that it’s a great learning experience – allowing kids to see a world that may not seem like a reality to them. Another is to help – many families head to the Third World to volunteer or plan to visit locals and offer their support. Some parents, having traveled extensively themselves, wish to give their children a global outlook in today’s changing world, and wish to instill both a love of traveling and of the world. Still other parents are trying to take their kids out of their self-centered and technologically-focused lives, even if just for a short time. Plus, these vacations are relatively inexpensive, although the impact of such a trip may be worth much more.  

And, did I happen to mention the resume value for high school kids looking forward on embellishing college applications? Cynical, but I fear very, very true.

Plus is it safe?

Another good question. Both security and illness are a big concern when taking a trip to a Third World country. Of course, many families go in groups and stay with guides, providing a certain sense of safety, but how much risk is worth the trip? Do parents put their kids in danger by traveling to such places? Surely some high school students encourage such trips, and more and more of their families and even schools are venturing to new locales. Spring Break for certain college students also seems to be a little less about Cancun and a little more about groups like Habitat for Humanity. But for parents traveling with young kids, this type of risk should be an important consideration.  

Clearly, despite anyone’s personal opinion on the subject, this is an interesting and progressive trend. As for me? I might stick to the beach blanket and the ski cabin, but if you happen to run into Brad and Angelina in Mali or Botswana, tell them I said hello.

Image: babyrazzi

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