Volunteer programs and work exchange in the USA: hostels, homestays, NGOs, farms, eco villages and more

Should you apply for volunteer programs?

The answer to this question depends on your personal taste, budget, dreams and wishes. One thing is safe to say: from the most shy to the most outgoing person, there are great volunteer programs for everyone.

Do you want to use your skills to make a difference in people's lives? There are plenty of hosts all around the country (and the world) who will love have your collaboration for a variety of tasks.

Do you dream of traveling around the world, but you’re short on cash? You can save money by earning free accommodation in a hostel work exchange experience.

Or maybe you feel like exploring your own country in a deeper way. Why not volunteering in the countryside?

It's very simple: you can help hundreds of hostels, guesthouses, NGOs, ecovillages and all sorts of hosts around the world with tasks like social work, gardening, reception, making and serving breakfast, cleaning, changing linens and things like that. Or maybe, you could be the handyman and paint a creative mural to get lodging and other benefits in return.

Does it sound interesting? Then consider applying for volunteer programs or work exchange experiences in the USA!

You can also learn a new skill by exchanging accomodation and breakfast for a few hours of work as a bartender, social media person, video-maker, photographer or language teacher, for instance. 

If this sounds awesome but you don’t know where to start, don’t sweat it. We’ve crafted a quick USA volunteer guide to help you find nice volunteer opportunities in the USA. Keep reading and check it out.

• Exploring the power of volunteerism: impact, benefits, and opportunities
• What you need to know before having a volunteer experience
• How to find volunteer jobs around the world?

Why should you do a volunteer program in the United States?

The country has a vast territory with endless possibilities, so you just need to consider your priorities and use Worldpackers search filters to find the best volunteer opportunities in the USA.

Do you like cold or warm weather? In the US you’ll find cold and temperate climates in the regions around Boston, New York, and Chicago. However, summer in New York is really cool too, a must-see for millions of tourists every year! Which scene do you see yourself in? Cozy by the fireplace in snowy Boston, or walking around in Central Park during fall?

Well, if you really enjoy summer and water sports, go to the West Coast. From cities like San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas you can visit amazing landscapes like the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Also, there are so many national parks and forests in this part of North America, it’s amazing. Don’t forget to visit Yosemite National Park, and the Sequoia Forest. You can make your travel savings last longer for hiking trips if you work in exchange for accommodation in the USA.

Like we said, when it comes to volunteer programs in the USA, you can find almost any kind of task and host. The country’s size and variety of attractions make the USA a great work exchange destination.

If you don’t enjoy the rush of big cities like NYC, you can go rest on a paradisiacal beach. How about spending some time in Hawaii? Yep, Hawaii is an archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but it’s also a US state. We're not kidding around when we say you can find any kind of trip in the United States. Check out Worldpackers volunteer opportunities in Honolulu!

In this versatile and huge country, a trip can get expensive, especially if you don’t make money in a strong currency. But don't let that stop you! Backpacking in the United States is a great way to get in touch with your inner self, spend long hours on train rides and road trips with awesome mountain, forest or desert landscapes. Combine cheap train tickets and volunteer programs in the USA and you got yourself a low cost backpacking journey.

• Volunteer at a friendly Hostel in San Diego
• Help out at a guest house in Chicago
• Work Exchange and Volunteer programs in Hawaii

The best volunteer programs in the United States

Want to apply for a transformative volunteer program? You can experience communal living, organic farming and ecotourism in Hawaii. This host is an intentional living community best suited for people looking for a longer-term commitment like a gap year, career break, or a life shift. They offer a wide variety of learning and teaching opportunities, so every day offers something new! You might also want to support adults with autism on the North Shore of Maui and have a life-changing experience.

Let’s say you like working in a team, try a work exchange in NYC! Hostels are never empty in the Big Apple. You can work as a tour guide or night shift in the city that never sleeps.

Like a cultural trip? Washington DC, formally the District of Columbia, is the capital of the United States and a great place to find ome of the best volunteer programs in the USA. You can give your host a hand by welcoming guests, taking care of facilities or being the best cook ever. You'll have the chance to be in contact with dozens of ethnic neighborhoods and attractions that go beyond the White House and Capitol. 

Feel like enjoying beach vibes during your volunteer program? Consider being a yoga instructor at a beachfront surf hostel in sunny San Diego.

Also in California, you can have a lot of fun volunteering as a Social Media storyteller for a permaculture project in Wheatland.

What about enjoying Las Vegas for free? Help out at a hostel and have fun with guests and other volunteers on your free time!

And if you dream of exploring the amazing Alaska, consider volunteering with organic farming in the Matanuska Valley.

Be one of many United States volunteers and get free accommodation and meals to save some money while getting to know like-minded people. 

• How to use Worldpackers to become a full-time traveler
• 6 types of volunteer work abroad that give you free accommodation
• Traveling with Worldpackers: your top questions answered

How can you find free volunteer programs in the USA?

It’s important to find trustworthy volunteer programs in the USA. Always check if they provide you good support and clear info.

Sometimes a thing that looks cheap turns out expensive when you have a problem and no one to help you sort it out. It's good to be part of a strong community that will be by your side at unexpected times.

At Worldpackers your costs will drop a lot, because you’ll get free accommodation, meals and other benefits given by hosts.

Also, the annual membership helps keep the Worldpackers support team running, which is very important for your trip to go off without a hitch. In addition, if something unexpected happens, Worldpackers offers you 3 days accommodation in a place similar to the one you first chose. 

Think of how many small trips you can make during the year paying a one-time fee that will bring you peace of mind and help you plan your trip step-by-step.

• Why you should travel to gain global competence for today's job market
• Everything you need to know about traveling the world alone
• Traveling the USA as a work exchanger
  

Be a United States volunteer

Ready to apply for volunteer programs and have the experience of a lifetime? Take a look at our host list and find the one for you. You'll find that this experience will give you a priceless opportunity to grow as a person and to help others. Also, let's not ignore the practical side: work exchange is a great way to save money.

Ask our experts for help or read our bloggers’ stories to plan a trip according to your budget. If you seek to discover yourself, observe the world around you and live your life to the fullest, take the first step with a volunteer experience, the rest is still unwritten!