For many families, summer means backyard BBQs, the beach, overnight camps, and vacation. But summer isn't just a time to get away -- it can also be a time to give back. More and more people are celebrating summer by focusing on "travel with a purpose." So, check out our tips for combining adventure and impact, whether you want to build homes with Habitat for Humanity, visit an environmentally friendly resort, or volunteer in your own community.

Voluntourism by the Numbers
The Corporation for National & Community Service's 2008 Volunteering in America report reveals that long-distance volunteering is on the rise in the U.S. and around the world.

Voluntourism Vacations
A growing number of travelers are exploring new ways to bring some meaning to their time in the sun. Felicia Schneiderhan and her husband Mark took a "voluntourism vacation" to Haiti, where they assisted at a medical clinic in a remote village.

All Generations Interested in Voluntourism
A recent survey reveals that more and more vacationers believe doing something fun can also mean doing something good.

Giving Back: It's a Family Affair
Will the question "Are we there yet?" be replaced with "Are we making a difference yet?" Philanthropy advisor Janice Schoos offers parents eight tips for broadening your family's perspective on the world this summer.

Leave the Familiar Behind
For most people, traveling involves leaving the familiar; what's special about the destination is that it's not home.  But leaving home doesn't have to mean leaving yourself behind.

Hooked on Volunteer Vacations
When Barb Celio and her son Bobby trekked to New Zealand to build houses with Habitat for Humanity, it started a family tradition that has involved five more "volunteer vacations."

Resources
Are your bags packed? Find the right "purposeful" experience for you! Here's a list of organizations and websites that can help.