2011.01.14: January 14, 2011: Romania RPCV Craig Dreves Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Romania: Peace Corps Romania : Peace Corps Romania: Newest Stories: 2011.01.14: January 14, 2011: Romania RPCV Craig Dreves Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

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Romania RPCV Craig Dreves Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

Romania RPCV Craig Dreves Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

VolunTravel-a non-for-profit organization specializing in volunteer and cross-cultural learning for local individuals and groups. The organization, which was incorporated in 2007, is set to launch international trips this spring, with its first expedition in Cusco, Peru this April. "My thought is if I can help expose my students or families to some of the situations beyond the borders of our great nation, maybe they will become more connected with it," Dreves said. Although the trip to Peru will involve working with the local population, he said the experience is just as much about volunteering as it is about experiencing the local culture. While people on the trip will help with daily chores at a children's home, they also will visit local landmarks such as the ruins of Machu Picchu and other historical sites. Jacqueline Beveridge, an eighth grader at Rye Middle School, will be going on the trip in April with her family. "My family loves to travel, so this seemed like a great opportunity. Plus, Peru is supposed to be beautiful," she said. Chris Reifsnyder, the only student member on the organization's advisory board, said the trip could help classroom lessons resonate more with students. "Peru is still a developing nation, and hearing about it on TV may be interesting, but going there and seeing the people and doing your best to help out is huge," he said.

Romania RPCV Craig Dreves Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

Rye Teacher Starts Non-Profit to Encourage Travel to Developing Nations

The non-profit organization VolunTravel is set to take people of all ages to Peru, Africa, and other developing nations.

By Christine Loughran | Email the author | January 14, 2011

Craig Dreves thought he wanted to be a lawyer when he was growing up in Port Chester.

However, this all changed when he ventured outside the country as a Peace Corps member teaching English and working at a children's orphanage in Romania. Now, he can barely watch a Feed the Children commercial without reflecting on his experience in a third world country.

He said some kids living in Westchester County may not understand what it's like to grow up in these developing countries, and for these students, he wanted to do more than just tell them about opportunities abroad-Dreves decided to show them.

His solution: VolunTravel-a non-for-profit organization specializing in volunteer and cross-cultural learning for local individuals and groups. The organization, which was incorporated in 2007, is set to launch international trips this spring, with its first expedition in Cusco, Peru this April.

"My thought is if I can help expose my students or families to some of the situations beyond the borders of our great nation, maybe they will become more connected with it," Dreves said.

Although the trip to Peru will involve working with the local population, he said the experience is just as much about volunteering as it is about experiencing the local culture. While people on the trip will help with daily chores at a children's home, they also will visit local landmarks such as the ruins of Machu Picchu and other historical sites.

Jacqueline Beveridge, an eighth grader at Rye Middle School, will be going on the trip in April with her family.

"My family loves to travel, so this seemed like a great opportunity. Plus, Peru is supposed to be beautiful," she said.

Chris Reifsnyder, the only student member on the organization's advisory board, said the trip could help classroom lessons resonate more with students.

"Peru is still a developing nation, and hearing about it on TV may be interesting, but going there and seeing the people and doing your best to help out is huge," he said.

Another unique aspect of VolunTravel is its age allowance. As long as there are chaperones, the trips are open to all, which allows middle school students to experience a trip that is usually reserved for those in high school or college.

"[VolunTravel] is also nice because I'm still young and can continue it throughout high school," Beveridge said.

The cost for each of the trips includes meals, transportation and airfare. People interested in the trips are asked to pay a lump sum ranging from $2,500 to around $5,000.

The organization's next trips are to the African nation of Lesotho in July 2011 and Costa Rica in February 2012. Students and their families can still sign up for these excursions.

"After this experience, I hope to create global citizens in those who come along. I want them to experience what I had in the past," Dreves said.




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Headlines: January, 2011; Peace Corps Romania; Directory of Romania RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Romania RPCVs; NGO's





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Story Source: Rye Patch

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Romania; NGOs

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