Buffalo Tours runs weekly volunteer sessions at the Binh Luc
orphanage, the home for these kids near Hanoi, Vietnam.
Photo: Marcus Wilson Smith, Conde Nast Traveler

by Brook Wilkinson

More and more travelers are opting to work during their vacations. No, I'm not talking about the Crackberry addicts (though they're equally rife in cities and beachside resorts). I'm talking about voluntourists, the people who build houses or feed orphans during their precious few weeks off. A volunteer vacation might seem like the epitome of altruism, but the reality is that many programs end up absolving the participants' consciences while accomplishing little substantive work. According to Xola Consulting's Christina Heyniger, who's studied voluntourism for the past two years, "well-meaning tour operators or NGOs have initiated poorly designed and researched programs that ultimately do a disservice to the communities they seek to support."

How to find the right program for you, and for the community you're visiting? Start by reading Christina's advice over at Brave New Traveler, which will help you figure out exactly what you're hoping to get out of the experience. Another good resource is Conde Nast Traveler's annual list of the world's best travel planners. These experts are in the business because they're passionate about the destinations they cover, and many have helped clients figure out ways to give back in the past. Whether you want to volunteer at a local AIDS clinic or teach English to schoolchildren, they possess the connections to make it happen.

You don't have to be ashamed about feeling good for taking a volunteer vacation. Just make sure you're not the only person you're helping.